Not sure how to make this stream join the pond [call me "stream-challenged"...]

[Mmathis]

@tbendl It would have been more for aesthetics but now I'm looking at utilitarian. When I first answered your question, I was too tired -- or lazy -- to look up the correct spelling of those 2 words.......

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the little stream would need almost constant monitoring to be sure it wasn't obstructed in some way. It's just more than I want to get into -- mainly I need a way for the bog-water to return to the pond for re-cyling. I think the bog itself will provide enough aesthetics for the habitat -- it's going to look nice once completed! And maybe some day.....but just not now....... And the turtles won't really mind, or know the difference, as long as they have a place to soak [and poop]

 

[tbendl]

hahaha, I gotcha. No need to add work for yourself. And yes to look nice and a place to poop. After all isn't that what we all want? I can't wait to see pictures.

 

[Mmathis]

hahaha, I gotcha. No need to add work for yourself. And yes to look nice and a place to poop. After all isn't that what we all want? I can't wait to see pictures.

Well, there is something else that the boy turtles do in the water, but I won't go into detail -- you can look it up, it's called "fanning." Mine only seem to do this in the water, but don't know about other turtle species.

 

[Mmathis]

@fishin4cars Please read down to post #8 and tell me your thoughts -- I'm going to skip the stream for now.

 

[tbendl]

I'm going to stay on the ignorant side of what fanning is I think. Maintain my happy place. Lol

 

[Mmathis]

Wondering if I could use a section of pressure treated wood as a bulkhead to cover the space that's now open [weir], behind the liner. I could use construction adhesive to attach it to the inside of the bog wall.....that, plus the pressure from the gravel should hold it in place.

Have a hole in the wood for the bulkhead fitting. Assume the install for the bulkhead fitting would be like that for a skimmer, cutting through and attaching to the liner.........

On the intake side, something like a drainage grate could be attached -- it would be below gravel level -- water could drain through, but not the gravel.

Would use regular PVC pipe to return the water to the pond.

Thinking 3" stuff -- would that be a large enough diameter as the intake from the pond is 1-1/2". Or would I be better to go bigger? It's just that the cost of supplies start going up past the 3" point, but I want to do it right, so........

Does anyone see flaws with any of this?
Does anyone have other or better ideas [awaiting Big Lou's input]?

 

[tbendl]

It looks good TM. I am not the expert so my 3 1/2 cents is worthless in this case but nice drawings for sure.

 

[morewater]

Don't use wood. I would suggest either Plexiglas or cement board (used in showers), I would also suggest marine-grade sealant rather than glue. If you're using 4" ABS pipe, there are ABS grates that are made to fit. Don't cement the grate, you might want to get it off at some point in time. JMHO

 

[morewater]

For the through-the-bulkhead fitting, I'd suggest (for ease of installation) a threaded bulkhead fitting (see attached), and for the drain cover a shower drain (see attached). Standard ABS pipe is your best bet if you're going for the "pipe dream". Easy to add elbows, etc. Cheap, reliable, easy to work with. JMHO

 

[Lisaebetten]

If you use the pipe can you set the end of the pipe so it hangs over the pond? Like a waterfall? Colleen has something like it that she has coming out of a knot in a hunk of wood. Looks very cool!

 

[Mmathis]

@callingcolleen1 Can you re-post pics of this (see above post) for me?

 

[Mmathis]

A few questions / comments......

@morewater This is an educational experience for me -- I don't want you to think I'm "questioning" your suggestions -- I'm just trying to understand what will & won't work, and why. I appreciate your input!!!

1. I looked up cement board, esp the kind that is totally submersible. It looks like that has to be affixed (screwed) to a support or framing. With it's weight, I would be afraid that just gluing it to the inside wall might not be sufficient.
2. Also, what I've read makes the cement board look very sturdy (some types more so than others), which is good as you don't want the bulkhead to crumble apart, but how well (securely) will it accept a bulkhead fitting? In theory, the tubing, fitting, and all would be secure and held in place, esp with the gravel pressing on it, but we all know that we ponders are notorious for changing, moving, and upgrading systems.....
3. So, I've been searching for alternative materials for the bulkhead. But first of all, I guess I need to know the min-max thickness that you can use a bulkhead fitting on.......all I ever see is the DIY posts where they are used on very thin materials. And are there alternatives to actual bulkhead "fittings"?
4. Not even pressure treated wood? The bulkhead won't be submerged, though it will be in contact with moist soil (and under the EPDM liner). I've seen some woods that can be used "below grade"....... The picture is vinyl house siding.
   
5. When I said "glue," I meant something like landscape or cement adhesive, or our beloved PL roofing goop -- but I'm certainly open to other options! What are some examples of a "marine-grade" sealant, and would this be an adhesive as well?
6. For a grate, I was thinking along the lines of something with a good amt. of drainage surface that could easily keep up with the water flow of the little bog. And also with enough drainage surface to compensate for any areas that get blocked. "A" and "B" are similar, probably just different companies.
   
   
   And if I used the tubing, something like this is what I had in mind.
   

@Lisaebetten I like that idea! Hopefully Colleen will post that pic, as I couldn't find it. She has such creative ideas/solutions!

@Big Lou I appreciate your trying to help!!!!! If you do get any ideas, please pass them on.

@tbendl Come on, put that thinking cap on, girl

 

[Mmathis]

You know, I think I'm going to start another thread with a link to this one. It's now changed from being a "stream-building" thread, to being about making a bulkhead and creating adequate drainage for a little bog......

 

[tbendl]

So you need something to cover the opening, that you can put a pipe through, and secure to the sides. How big is the opening and what is the rest of the bog made out of? In other words, what would you be securing the wood or cement board to?

 

[tbendl]

Also how deep is it from the bottom of the weir cut out to the bottom of the bog? You have some depth there for gravel since the water will drain to the lowest point in your exit pipe. (I'm sure you do I just am asking all the questions I didn't think of when I first did my build, lol)