Okay this project started as a dog pool...

[imbaddakota]

HI all, quick update, I have not done the bottles yet, but all the stone is done, sealing done, and the spillway is almost done, lighting is done.

I am so glad I added rocks all over because it is slippery in there! I added a second small pump in the center of the deep part to churn up the water down there because i do not think I am getting enough surface movement or deeper water aeration, Also, I am seeing little translucent squiggly things above the lights near the surface which I assume are mosquito larvae? I am only seeing this in the front two corners which is where the placement of the waterfalls and spillway are pushing floating debris so I guessed that I needed more water movement there?

Thanks!
Dakota

 

[snoozer]

I wear waders or water shoes in the pond. For some reason it isn't quite as slippery with something on your feet.

 

[Mmathis]

@snoozer @imbaddakota I thought about this, though it doesn't have anything to do with drilling holes in the jars, but it was pretty cool. Someone posted this on Face Book, and if I can find it, I'll share it. Basically, it was a science lesson-type thing. They placed a glass jar in a container and added water [I'm leaving out details]. They added oil in there somewhere [to the water?]. They heated a knife and put it in the water. The jar was instantly, neatly, and cleanly cut in 2.

 

[imbaddakota]

thats sounds pretty cool!

 

[Mmathis]

Here it is -- isn't science cool!!!

 

[snoozer]

That's pretty cool. Not sure how it would work but i may try it just to see. Glass has a tendancy to run and not follow a score line when cutting it so this looks like a challenge I need to take.

 

[imbaddakota]

oh man i need to try that, now some would worry about me using a blowtorch, but what's the worst that could happen.....

 

[sissy]

OH DEAR .

oh man i need to try that, now some would worry about me using a blowtorch, but what's the worst that could happen.....

 

[imbaddakota]

Hi all, so I haven't gotten much done with the torrential rain we had for the last 3 days, but its been plenty of time for things to go a bit wrong. On the good side, the spillway works really well, but with all the rain, one corner of the wall seems to have sunk an inch or so, guess i will be jacking that back up with more gravel in the spring.

Then I made the mistake of taking 3 of the mollys I had in my fish tank and moving them into the pond to get at some of the mosquito larvae (its been really bad since I put the pond in). Good news, no larve i can find. Bad news, the mollys that have never bred in my tank (that I know of) have been pretty busy in the pond. So 5 went to 10...

Also, the water (which was clear) is a yellowish tea stained color, like when you add new driftwood to an aquarium and it gets all brownish for awhile. Does anyone know if that is normal or do I need to do something?

Thanks! (again)
Dakota

 

[Tiff]

Here they are!!! Milo and Havoc!!!

View attachment 93699 View attachment 93701

I went and got the adhesive today (Yes, I can feel my pond addiction growing as my wallet shrinks!)

I also hooked up the filter, but I can't get the connections to stop leaking! The gaskets look fine, but hand tightening didn't work, loosening didn't work, and I chewed one up a bit trying the wrench and terrycloth. Loctite didn't help either. Should I add a second gasket?

Thanks!
Dakota

 

[Tiff]

Here they are!!! Milo and Havoc!!!

View attachment 93699 View attachment 93701

I went and got the adhesive today (Yes, I can feel my pond addiction growing as my wallet shrinks!)

I also hooked up the filter, but I can't get the connections to stop leaking! The gaskets look fine, but hand tightening didn't work, loosening didn't work, and I chewed one up a bit trying the wrench and terrycloth. Loctite didn't help either. Should I add a second gasket?

Thanks!
Dakota

Hello! Just registered for site and just noticed the dates of the conversation I am interested in. I really hope y’all are still active. Dakota I love love your pond/pool project for your dogs! Love their names and so very handsome! Your home looks beautiful and I’m inspired by your creativity with plants and rocks. Unfortunately I live in Orange County, California. My backyard is the size of your pond ok a tad bigger and I am actively researching ideas for a water feature for my three dogs. I appreciate your details and ideas of others.