Plans and pictures for new pond - need input, please!

[CountryEscape]

Sissy, I have sore muscles already from toting pavers for the sidewalk, and digging the dirt away. But, sore muscles means I'm getting things done, so I love it! KoiGuy, I don't have any koi . . . YET, so it's a sarassa! Thanks! I couldn't remember if there was a special name for the goldies. I'm trying to learn the koi names and colors, etc. Everytime I see one I like, I look up the name and learn how the color and type and scales or no scales makes up the name! I have a huge list running, same list I have notes for the pond.
I came inside tonight at 9:30, and just could not resist starting to lay pavers, so got about half of them laid. Bought wrong side fitting for the gutter/drain pipe, so have to get that tomorrow and if it doesn't rain too much, maybe finish tomorrow night or Sat. a.m. And, the best part of finishing the sidewalk, is I get to start on the Pond! Sorry, but this is like a dream come true for me. I literally dream of it and sometimes cannot get to sleep, because I'm trying to figure something out. It will be quite an adventure for me. Thanks for all the encouragement form this site!

 

[addy1]

Sigh you are hooked! Have fun! It is so much fun to see it come together.

I wake up thinking of what can be done next! Esp when I was digging and planning the pond, mind never stops.

 

[sissy]

Even when the pond is finished and I use finished lightly because you are never finished ,there is still more projects to do when you own a home .I am looking at putting up a homemade shade sail over my pond ,Electrical conduit was cheap and I already had the eye bolts and metal drill bit in my tool locker and parts drawers .Seems I have acquired a lot of parts over the years from other projects I have done .I went to a house auction 2 weeks ago and really picked up quite a bit of great stuff .I got 2 pallets of concrete block and pavers for 10 dollars no one hardly there it was raining .Best times to go to a house sale best bargains no people to bid on things .I got a ride on mower almost brand new for 75 dollars and a new cart for behind it for 20 dollars .Check out auction zip online for your local estate sales for your state .bargains galore

 

[CountryEscape]

OK, at least I can send a picture of the tadpoles in my farm pond "runoff" area! Not sure if they are bullfrog tadpoles or not, but they are pretty large. The rains in the past week here in South Central Illinois have been unbelievable! I know other areas are having the same, including tornadoes in the past week. Since last Tues., 8.9" of rain at my house. Needless to say, the sidewalk is on hold, and so is the pond dig. :-( Drat and double drat! But, someday it will dry up. Hope everyone is making it through this weather and no damage to your ponds!
On another note, does anyone know anything about raising koi in a farm pond? I've been approached about the possibility, and it sounds extremely interesting, especially since I already had plans of cleaning out my existing pond anynow, as it is too shallow, can dry up mostly in a drought summer. Just wondering if anyone has tried it, and if it's a lucrative business. I would not be putting any money into the fish part of it, or food, etc. Just providing the pond, and hope that I would get something monetarily out of it as well!

 

[jupiter1]

I bought a 55 gal aquarium that had 4 Comets (1 Shubunkin, 1 Sarassa, one Platinum and one . . . with the red spot on the head) and a Fantail Oranda, and decided to keep them and give them a bigger home!!! QUOTE]

Yep ! Pretty much how I ended up back in to fish keeping after 30 years away. Bought a 30 gal tank and 3 Shubunkin on a whim. As they grew knew they would need a bigger home . Did not want a a bigger tank so went with an 820 gal pond . Been enjoying ever since . Hope you do the same .

 

[CountryEscape]

Jupiter, I had an aquarium when I was a child, then got back into it with tropical and eventually salt water as an adult, over the last 20 years. Recently gave up the salt water, and decided I really enjoyed aquariums, and now have a place to display the fish, right across from my recliner! But, the goldfish have multiplied! After buying "feeders", trying to get some "grown up" before the pond is ready, and them dying, I went to Wal-Mart, and got 8 more (after total of 14 had died from 2 other sources). Well, I fully expected at least 3/4 of the WM fish to die (they are only 1.5-2" feeders - 27 cents each), but so far, over a week later, they are all doing great! I'm very anxious to get started on the dig, but in due time, I guess ...

 

[CountryEscape]

Re: Plans and pictures for new pond

I had a very unwelcome guest ON the back of my house this morning! And, this is after I mentioned that I shouldn't have raccoon problems, since I'm a mile from any sizable stand of trees! One of my dogs chased him and he went up the flue pipe! I shooed him away, I sure hope "home" is not my big old barn, but I fear it is. Will keep a watch out for cat food missing.

 

[sissy]

there cute mischief devil makers and have an eye for what they want .Just hope he does not find a way into your house when dogs are chasing him .Could really be a nightmare

 

[addy1]

I see their prints in the shallow end of the pond, there is maybe a foot of area shallow enough for them. By the looks of the prints they come to drink. One big coon came up on our deck one night after the bird feeder, he was huge

 

[DrDave]

The morning after I dug my lower pond, I saw prints in the bottom. A precurser of coming events.

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, I have a Golden Retriever who I hope will stay out of the pond, since I have large farm pond for him to swim in, but the Bostons will need a "getaway" step out if they happen to fall in, so have that planned. But, how deep does the edge need to be to keep the other predators out and the fish safe?
Also, I raised 2 baby raccoons on a bottle, as someone didn't want them in their barn, killed the mom. At the time, though, I lived with thick woods behind house, so raised them and eventually set them free, little by little. They were the most fun to have around, but never did come back once they decided to leave. This guy won't last with my Bostons and the beagle mix here, though, he will get chased all the time, so hoping that will be enough to keep him away. How he got here, though, is beyond me. Why would a raccoon walk a mile across open fields! Nothing is planted yet, so wide open! Lots of fix in the area, but I guess they don't mess with raccoons either. Oh well! I'll deal with it, one way or another.