New to pond - HELP

[Lisak1]

Well I replied to that in some weird way. Hard to tell which was my response so here it is again (because I'm sure everyone liked it so much the first time!):

Great suggestion! The internet is such a valuable tool for learning about just about any topic really. You have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes that others have made (and there are still plenty more that you can figure out all on your own!) I love that the professionals like Eric Triplett are sharing this information. His "Ponds Gone Wrong" series is informative as well - lots of things NOT to do. When we decided to dip our toes (ha) into the world of ponding, we spent many hours on the internet, researching all aspects of ponds - construction, costs, maintenance, landscaping, plants, fish... we wanted to be sure we were ready for the commitment. We also learned which aspects of construction we could not do on our own - mainly excavating. The digging can be a lot harder than you think and we needed to haul off a LOT of dirt. Our pond build was 85% DIY, with a little help from some "friends" (aka - the excavation guys we paid to dig and haul!)

So to answer your questions - do you need a skimmer? Should you install a UV light? I don't have a clue! You will get as many answers to those questions (and the many, many more that you will have as your project progresses) as there are ponds. The only answer another ponder can give you is "I do/don't have a skimmer/UV and here's how it works for me". Take that information and think about how it applies to your pond. You will find people (both DIYers and professionals) who will happily tell you that you MUST build your pond this way or that - but they don't have to build it, they don't have to maintain it, they don't have to live with it. You do. So make sure your decisions are based on your own reasoning. You'll be much happier in the long run.

 

[Catfishnut]

Lisa,

Definitiely a correct analysis and explanation as to why there is no one answer that fits all questions. There is no blanket statement anyone can make to define a pond or apply instruction regarding how to build one. It all has to be learned in steps and in time. Every pond build is going to be unique, because the people themselves are unique, the landscape and the earth materials are unique, the climate is unique and the space available is unique, etc.

I don't know how many times I have changed my mind regarding aspects of my "pond" and filtration goals and construction so far. I keep finding new things which change my opinion about the thing I just discovered yesterday! Viewing videos like this one and the "Ponds Gone Wrong" are excellent training and learning tools. A person should take advantage of these things when they are so freely provided. And I must say that Eric (The Pond Digger) was certainly extremely generous in this endeavor. He had to have spent a huge amount of time putting these video training tools together and then posting them to be viewed for free by anyone and everyone, including his competitors in the pond digging business.

It is definietly worth the time to watch!

Gordy

 

[addy1]

The more you read and learn the better the end product will be, hopefully.

You will find people (both DIYers and professionals) who will happily tell you that you MUST build your pond this way or that - but they don't have to build it, they don't have to maintain it, they don't have to live with it. You do. So make sure your decisions are based on your own reasoning. You'll be much happier in the long run.

There are simple ponds all the way up to complex ponds full of equipment. Like they say above, research find out what will work for you, plot out the path, follow it, ask for advice as you go forward. Just don't let the flood of advice over whelm you.

Mine is a pond filtered with just a bog. I was told by many it would not work, but I am very happy with it, that is all that matters to me, and it works very well for my pond.

 

[sissy]

I watched his video's on the new helix brand stuff they are doing now ,I like the fact if you have a question he answers every one he gets and not many others do that .I wish I could afford one of his ponds ,but not in my lifetime will that happen .But at least I can enjoy his video's .I loved his patio bog and pond build .