The pond dig has begun!

[CountryEscape]

Super, it's on my list! Thanks very much. Will get that this week so I can get that top rock anchored and water flowing the proper way ... to the end of the rock! Think I'll just use that black stuff on the sides to make sure the water flows the correct direction, and then I can always move that piece and put it back if need be.

 

[addy1]

I used it on the sides too, when the water would just not behave. With all the twists and turns my stream takes going down that hill, it was hard to keep the water going the right direction, down over the rocks. The water always wanted to head towards the side or under a rock.

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, took Addy's advice, got some of that PL Loctite gunk, used it at the top of my waterfall to direct the water to the next rock, worked great! Then water was trying to go under last rock before pond. Sat and pondered, ended up emptying the newly deepened pond in the bend of the waterfall. I threw the clear stuff into the pond, but the gunky stuff I was trying to dump over the south edge and with a south wind ... NOT fun! I wanted to rework the dirt under the liner before that last flat rock. Decided to pull the liner so it would overlap that big rock, so there would be no way the water can go under it on the back edge, although it could still go off on the sides. Anyhow, that worked well, refilled just the pool and water was flowing over last rock very well!
Bad news, though. I was able to get the ball valve working on my DIY filter, but I probably messed enough with it to break the seal on the outside, saw that it was loose yesterday. I thought I had originally used silicone, but it just peeled off. I thought silicone was supposed to be VERY hard to remove? Wondering if I used something else. I tried using the roofing goop to seal it and let it dry overnight. Started to fill the filter this morning and it is still leaking. So, had to scrap filling the filter and getting the waterfall running today. Have the filter laying over so the seal can dry. Will remove the silicone on the inside and then rough up the plastic before putting good layer of silicone on the inside and outside again, after I remove the black PL stuff, which is probably going to be a royal pain. Oh well. Live and learn. I suspect the seal on the inside was also compromised, and I should have done both at the same time..
Besides one fitting on my valve to the fountain that has a small leak and needs to be replaced, everything else seems to be in working order. Still need to put rocks back on the waterfall outer edges, but going to rethink how I want to do that as well, maybe using some of the flat pieces in with the rounder stones from UT (where my daughter lives). There's always next weekend, and soon the time will change and I'll have evenings to work on final touches, too!
Fish are doing great, still pretty slow moving, and although I put some slightly dirty water into their home today but it should be settled by tomorrow.

 

[addy1]

Country I used the roofing goop to install my skimmer. But for that I put on the goop let it dry for around 4 days, before I put enough water back into the pond to reach the goop. It had hardened nicely.

I also used it for the bottom drain of my bog, again let it dry to a nice hardness before adding any water.
The other thing that works well is the stuff they use to fix boats, but that stuff needs to dry. Home depot carries it, I can not recall the name, it is in the paint section, where they keep the glues. White, permanent fix for holes in boats.

 

[sissy]

I just fond a roofer here going out of business and selling a big piece of rubber roofing 30x 30 .for 60 dollars .I read it is not great for fish here somewhere but not sure .

 

[j.w]

I have used the rubber roofing in my ponds for over 10 yrs now and it is good stuff sissy! That is a great price that I would grab up in a second! All I did is squirt it off w/ a garden hose and put it in the ground. Others here will tell you it is fine too.

 

[pondlover]

Sissy that is a fabulous price. We paid $200 for a piece 30x20 and I was thrilled with that. I'm with JW and I'd grab it to.

 

[CountryEscape]

Yep, get that and run with it, Sissy! Wow, I'd love to find that kind of a deal on EPDM roofing around here! I'd be set to go for my new goldfish pond. But, looks like I'll have to pay for mine the old fashioned way. At least I know to go to the local lumber yard and get it delivered for free! At least I won't have to pay shipping.
The black goop worked very well with the stones I stuck at the top of the waterfall to direct the water flow, so I'm really happy about that, Addy!
Got the fitting for my shut off valves to the fountain and waterfall, and since one was leaking, went ahead and got 2 extras. Turns out when the one got fixed, the other two are also leaking. Easy fixes, though, thank goodness. I must not have drained the water well enough. Will have to be more careful next year. They are only about $1.50 each, but still, that's $5 I could have saved ... and will save next winter!
Took drain valve out of filter box, and have decided to re-rig it up so that the valve is on the OUTSIDE of the walled in enclosure, so I won't have the issue of trying to get 2 arms in a slot that is only about 6-8" wide. Maybe then I won't mess with it enough to get it leaking. The silicone pulled right off! So, either it was not true silicone, or it was wet or something when I put it on. Cut some pieces from the corner of my liner to make rubber gaskets. Thinking I'm going to change the wall on that side of the filter box so I can reach the valve easier from the outside, and not have to try to reach it to open it from the back, which is a stretch for me, plus it's very narrow, only 8-9" wide and I need both hands to open that stupid valve. Will hopefully get that put together tomorrow evening and siliconed, then back in to check for water leaks on Wed. evening. Should be doing it this evening, but too tired, didn't sleep well last night.

 

[pondlover]

I'm looking forward to new pictures of your revised waterfall. CE, you truly sound like a go getter!!! Get'er done! I'm in complete agreement on the saving money part of things. The way the economy is right now, every penny saved is great. Hope you sleep much better tonight.

 

[CountryEscape]

Thanks, PL, I did sleep better. Still pondering the stupid ball valve for the filter. I have tried vaseline, corn oil, and nothing seems to make it open and close easier. It takes me 2 hands with it's NOT on the filter, so I'm not going to put it where I can hardly get to it to open and close it. Decided to put an extension on the filter, and hopefully figure out some type of way to screw and unscrew it together so I can open and close it easier. If not, then I will simply use a drain plug. Even though that will cause water to go everywhere before I get the long pipe attached to it (to direct the water), at least I'll be able to open and close it! So, another trip to Menards tomorrow for more parts, then put it on the filter, and try it on ... Thurs. I guess. Ho hum ... but I don't mind. At least the fish don't know I'm anxious to get the waterfall going! Bog will have to wait until the baby koi in the basement can go into the outside pond. I know I can start changing their water to the pond water slowly and get them used to the colder temps, but I'm happy to leave them in the basement another month or sol, even if I have to buy another small pump. I'll need another pump anyhow for the skimmer on the new pond when I get it built ... someday. LOL

 

[addy1]

Country, go to a plumbing supply house if any are near you. I got some ball valves from them, they open with just a slight twist. So much better made.

 

[CountryEscape]

Addy, I never thought of that!!! I will do that today. Maybe they will even have a size that will fit my hole in the filter container. I'll take the ball valve with me. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Now I'm hoping to replace it, rather than re-rig it .... keeping it hidden has always been my preference.

 

[addy1]

The ones I got are 2 inch, american valve. They are all white. I got ones that you can unscrew from the piping, one side to remove the piping if you need be.

When I would buy the box stores one, I would sit there and go through them all until I found one I could turn.

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, I think I have the situation figured out. Went to plumbing store, they had brass ones, but they were going to be too heavy I was afraid, and didn't want to put bending pressure on the sidewall of the garbage can I'm using for my filter (even though it's very heavy duty). So, went and got fittings to fit the hole and will use rubber gaskets I've cut out of my liner corner to help seal from the inside. Then I'm going to use 2" PVC pipe to go from the hole in the bottom side wall on the filter container, and then a 45 degree bend to continue towards the yard. At the end I'm going to put a plug that I can unscrew to drain the filter. I'll take pics of it when I get things cut and ready to put together.
Question: I'm pretty sure I read in someone's post that they did not glue the PVC together on their drain, as it stays together well enough without gluing. I would prefer to do it this way, as I would want to be able to pull it apart to rinse out the filter in the spring, like I did this year. Can anyone tell me if this will work, will it leak if I don't glue it, or is it tight enough of a seal that it shouldn't leak. I have the glue if needed, though. The other thing is that I can unscrew it from the filter container, too, as long as I don't have plants in the way where the pipe will come out. I'm planning to put a tub for a lotus plant in that corner, so that could be moved if necessary ... or could it, if it's full of water and kitty clay and plants? Oh well, worry about that later. I'll get it all figured out one way or another. First I need to make sure it will be leak free. About ready to get it all up and running.
Today was high 60's, tomorrow 60's again, but Friday storms coming and 45 on Sat, darn it. Yoyo weather continues!

 

[taherrmann4]

CE why not put on one of the rubber gaskets that join the two pieces together. They are in the plumbing aisle. I use these on the connections to my pump so I can take it in in the winter.