What should i do to even out dirt?

[addy1]

I just read that 36 inches is the magic number for all-temperature safety, so I think I'll do another 3-6 inches. Why not lol.

I hate that the shelves take up so much space but it feels safer to me? Gives me a couple spots for pots, plus a way to climb out if needed (and spaces for the skimmer and a deeper spot for a future skimmer if we ever upgrade).

Maybe I should reduce the shelves though? I can't go all the way to the edge because the original owners used cement and blocks that go out several inches from the edge - so the top shelf is not really optional.

I would reduce the shelves if it were mine.

 

[addy1]

so I think I'll do another 3-6 inches.

send wifey shopping! and dig fast

 

[Lisak1]

send wifey shopping! and dig fast

Haha! Spoken like a true pond lover! There really is no "magic number" for depth. Lots of info gets tossed around that somehow becomes true because people keep repeating it. Lots of 2 foot deep ponds here in northern IL - plenty deep enough for overwintering fish.

I'd make the shelves a bit narrower, too. And they don't have to be the same all the way around if you want to leave some wider spaces for bigger rocks or pots.

 

[GBBUDD]

he he he ..... blow out a wallllll make it bigger ..........sniggle snort

 

[academiannut]

I kept digging to 39”. Hubby thinks I’m crazy. All the tips are super helpful. Tamping, sand, underlayment, and liner today. Hubby argued hard to keep the shelves so that’s what it will be for now. I’ll put in divets for plants. I added another step because it made shoveling the dirt out of the bottom easier.

 

[academiannut]

Oh and its a little shy of 9’ by 8’. I think we’ll be up to around 750 gallons? We have comets and frogs, no koi, so should be fine. They were doing ok in it when the whole thing was 12 inches deep so this should be a nice upgrade.

 

[academiannut]

At least the shelves will give me many plant options. We have a canister filter btw the pump and falls that always kept it pretty clear.

 

[Mmathis]

I actually built in a couple of extra “shelves,” to be able to use them as steps for getting in and out of the pond.

 

[addy1]

send wifey shopping! and dig fast

opps should have said send hubby shopping!

 

[GBBUDD]

we got as many women who have built their ponds as guys or very close to

 

[academiannut]

1. are you rocking the inside of the pond?
2. the concrete blocks should have the corners rounded they are often to sharp and Any 90 degree corners should be rounded both inside and out so the liner is not stretched into the corners and tear in time.
3. use a hand tamp to set the rocks down into the soil.
4. those blocks stacked on on the other i would fill the edges with some mortar again taking away the 90 degree corners or use a very thick underlayment
5. in the shelves if going to place plants like lillies in the pond dig out pockets for the pots to sit down below the rest of the shelf
6. what are you doing for a filter

 

[academiannut]

Is there a reason to put rocks inside other than aesthetic? I’ve read gravel on bottom can be a pain to clean and bigger rocks could be work?