You can buy the straps at Tractor Supply, looks like they have several locations in SC. They may not have the size in store but can be shipped. You will also need a couple of D-Ring shackles. I used Harbor Freight strap, with the two loops, and it is fine, rated to 6000 lbs, my largest boulders were only about 28" x 28". Long term use probably not great but for a one time job it is probably fine. As with any moving of boulders you have to be extremely careful, have two people, keep your arm outstretched from the stone, go slow with it. I nearly rolled over my kubota last week carrying a large boulder with the strap to the front end bucket, going up a slight slope, very scary, so went with another smaller boulder, lol. Columbia water gardens has some youtube videos for strapping large boulders.
Pondless Waterfall Build Questions
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Ugh,.. so how much flow, at my approximate head, do you think I'll need? And do you have any recommendations? I was previously looking at the Aquascape Aquasurge 8000, which has more,...but goof grief it's expensive! Lol
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I'm not sure which video I've seen, but I think it was one of the Aquascape ones on strapping bolders. Why the d ring shackles? It seems to me that I could configure the 20' loop ends strap just like the one in the video, with just minor adjustments.
Tieing to the bucket is an OSHA violation the buckets can get very sharp burs that can cut the straps thus the shackles.
Not that no one does that very same but.
At 4000 gph I'd do two pumps . But I would go with the one pump leaving room for a second in the vault. Get the main falls built first then jump to the secondary .see how your water flow looks if it's what you want or do you need twice as much or more.
Not that no one does that very same but.
At 4000 gph I'd do two pumps . But I would go with the one pump leaving room for a second in the vault. Get the main falls built first then jump to the secondary .see how your water flow looks if it's what you want or do you need twice as much or more.
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You dont have to use the D-Rings but they help to cinch the straps. I have seen videos go both ways. What is a little frustrating is that most of the videos do not show how to get the straps off after placing the boulder. Tussey Landscaping had a video about that, basically using shims. Or if you dont think you will need to use the strap again, just cut it, lol.
Shhh, my wife and daughter do not know anything about OSHA, lol
I found a contractor on FB the other day this guy had a 12 foot deep hole and trench totally vertical sides and smoking wet and. A man standing at the bottom of. 4 foot wide trench twenve feet deep or more. Now I'm not all in favor of every OSHA rule but that had to be one of the dumbest pics I had seen in a long time.
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Every video I've seen, and for sure the one from Aquascapes, strapping some pretty big bolders, were looping around the rock, then back up and over one of the bucket teeth,... one did have a specific hook on the bucket.
I totally get that two pumps makes more sense. Not to beat a dead horse, but two pumps will definitely cost way more. Two pumps, two pvc flex, two adapters, etc. Yes, I have a decent enough budget, but this beast is growing daily! LOL Exactly how much GPH should I be looking for, at approx. 15' head, that would drive my one main 2' or so stream, the small 1' to 1.5' stream, and the smaller one down the middle? Inquiring minds want to know?
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I've now gone on my second rock reconnaissance, and man oh man this is a difficult decision(s)! I get the fact that in a best case scenario, I would have a bunch of bolders and rocks on site, then start getting creative with the build. My case is in fact the opposite! I'm literally having to select rocks based on the areas I've dug out thus far. I simply cannot afford to have delivered way more than I'll need.
My largest bolders will likely only be around 3' x 2.5' give or take, perhaps I could grab a couple of larger ones though.
This is the hillside where the main falls will be. I'm now wondering if I don't need to dig out even MORE space for rocks. For reference, here's the approximate dimensions of each of those dug out sections. Remember, this slope is way more than the pics represent, around 70 degrees I'd say.
Height x Width x Depth, in inches:
spillway area 8x31x25 ( planning on using the Aquascape 22" ) Also notice on the 2nd pic, that flanking the area where the spillway will be, I've dug out some areas for larger flanking bolders can sit (so as not to slide down the hill!), and will have a flat top spill rock between them. The blue X's are where I will make the path for the small meandering stream to trickle down. I'm leaning toward starting up top, and having it flow under that tea olive tree limb, then into the basin.
1st dug out are from top - 19x54x30
2nd dug out area - 17x54x37
3rd dug out area - 19x40x40
For instance, I could perhaps take that second section from the top, completely dig down to flat so that that wall is gone, giving me a longer area to make for a stream, pooling, etc., but in doing so, I'd then create a very tall wall to contend with, maybe 5' or so, at least. My total length from top to bottom is only about 22' before the drop to where the basin will be. To me, that fall would be a bit much for such a overall smallish hillside. I also like the idea of having 4 cascades coming down, and maybe one more going into the basin.
At the same time, I'm still concerned that even though I've made those areas larger than when I first started, by the time I get some decent rocks in there, there will little to no pooling area left. Yet another conundrum here is SC! Any and all input and opinions very welcome!!
My largest bolders will likely only be around 3' x 2.5' give or take, perhaps I could grab a couple of larger ones though.
This is the hillside where the main falls will be. I'm now wondering if I don't need to dig out even MORE space for rocks. For reference, here's the approximate dimensions of each of those dug out sections. Remember, this slope is way more than the pics represent, around 70 degrees I'd say.
Height x Width x Depth, in inches:
spillway area 8x31x25 ( planning on using the Aquascape 22" ) Also notice on the 2nd pic, that flanking the area where the spillway will be, I've dug out some areas for larger flanking bolders can sit (so as not to slide down the hill!), and will have a flat top spill rock between them. The blue X's are where I will make the path for the small meandering stream to trickle down. I'm leaning toward starting up top, and having it flow under that tea olive tree limb, then into the basin.
1st dug out are from top - 19x54x30
2nd dug out area - 17x54x37
3rd dug out area - 19x40x40
For instance, I could perhaps take that second section from the top, completely dig down to flat so that that wall is gone, giving me a longer area to make for a stream, pooling, etc., but in doing so, I'd then create a very tall wall to contend with, maybe 5' or so, at least. My total length from top to bottom is only about 22' before the drop to where the basin will be. To me, that fall would be a bit much for such a overall smallish hillside. I also like the idea of having 4 cascades coming down, and maybe one more going into the basin.
At the same time, I'm still concerned that even though I've made those areas larger than when I first started, by the time I get some decent rocks in there, there will little to no pooling area left. Yet another conundrum here is SC! Any and all input and opinions very welcome!!
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Would the Aquasurge 8000 get me enough flow do ya think? Still overall less expensive than two pumps, since only one flex, etc. Also note, I plan on having ball valves up at the spillway, one on the main stream, one on the second stream.
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Wish you were closer to MA, I have a ridiculous amount of rocks from my digging out the pond area, plus other areas in my yard. The rocks in the attached photos were all from the dig out and my yard, and that is not all of them.
I do like your meandering stream idea, that will look very nice. Not sure you want to do a five foot wall, that would take some serious reinforcements. Others I am sure will have ideas for you.
I do like your meandering stream idea, that will look very nice. Not sure you want to do a five foot wall, that would take some serious reinforcements. Others I am sure will have ideas for you.
You could build your stream and falls and be way more diligent about making everything water tight and this weirs where no part of the falls are thick and narrow but are thin and wide. It all depends on the builder.Exactly how much GPH should I be looking for, at approx. 15' head, that would drive my one main 2' or so stream, the small 1' to 1.5' stream, and the smaller one down the middle? Inquiring minds want to know?
So as I said before build your one falls the main then see how it looks is that all your looking for or are you like myself who likes a robust stream.
Two 5 to 9 will give you plenty plus the ability to tone it down and also have a party mode.
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Curious what everyone thinks about a specific "type" of rock to build this with. One place here has some "Hoopers Creek", that is more flat and/or rough looking. He's got these but also said he could order in some bolders, whatever size I want. It's seems that most falls and streams I see are with the smoother looking river rock. He's also waiting on some smaller, like .5 to 2".
I'm sure they would look fine, in and of themselves,..but I'm also thinking that if I go with this rock, mixing in some more traditional rivet rock would look odd. Agree or disagree?
I'm sure they would look fine, in and of themselves,..but I'm also thinking that if I go with this rock, mixing in some more traditional rivet rock would look odd. Agree or disagree?
