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May 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Cheap way to do a pond?
Well my wife and I want to do a pond right in front of our flower beds on the back yard. Our temps here can drop to about 25 degrees. Don't know how cold that would get the water tho. I know if you want to keep your fish alive is better to make it deeper. So we are planning to use a liner instead of the plastic pond already shaped. What is the better way to do this on a pocket friendly manner?
Thanks. | 
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Ahh...I'm going to be watching this thread. I'm also building a pond...and I need it to be easy on the wallet.  | 
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Sounds like a wonderful idea.. best of luck with that and I hope you post photos! 
There are lots of sites online where you can find directions for ponds. Have you tried the DIYnetwork? I bet you can find a plan there on just about any budget.
Let us know how it goes..  | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Thanks. I know the basics but still doing a lot of research. | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| You could always stack pavers or decorative block how ever tall you want (at least 2 ft.) put the liner in and put one more layer around the top to hold the liner in place. I've seen it done inside as well as outside, it's really nice looking. Is that confusing?
carol | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| I get spoiled watching all those DIY and home garden networks on tv. I love to watch them build ponds and also water fountains..etc.
There are so many different styles and shapes, decorating etc.. and I agree, the more research the better! Sounds like a blast! | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I know DIY network is addicting just watching now Under Construction. haha. | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by navyscuba  I know DIY network is addicting just watching now Under Construction. haha. | I need to move my small tv into my computer room! | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| haha. That's y i use the laptop. haha. yay wifi. hahaha | |
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May 9th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by navyscuba haha. That's y i use the laptop. haha. yay wifi. hahaha |  | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| im in the process of doing one also!!! gosh we are addicts LOL
I bought a 50 gal tub from wally world...one of the rubbermaid ones that can be used as storage containers type thing? so anyhooo...got some nice patio blocks and different colored bricks to build up around it ...its going to be tilted a bit to almost look like a water fall type thing..above the ground and maybe dug under 3-4 inches or so....and im in NH and we have below freezing temps but im going to just remove the blocks, and bring the tub in the house during the winter and filter and all... | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I know fishies fishies fishies
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie im in the process of doing one also!!! gosh we are addicts LOL
I bought a 50 gal tub from wally world...one of the rubbermaid ones that can be used as storage containers type thing? so anyhooo...got some nice patio blocks and different colored bricks to build up around it ...its going to be tilted a bit to almost look like a water fall type thing..above the ground and maybe dug under 3-4 inches or so....and im in NH and we have below freezing temps but im going to just remove the blocks, and bring the tub in the house during the winter and filter and all... | Haha I know we are beyond intervention.  So I was looking at kits that sell pump, filter, skimmer, liner and all the stuff and it has an estimated measurements of it. So we are planning to have around 2 to 3 feet deep which I'm thinking should be good for cold water fish in the winter. | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Can I assume you want a largeish pond?
I would recommend a liner. Shop around on internet. The liner and filter are of course the most important, good liners wont puncture very easily...my pond been running 24-7 for 11 years now....no problems. For a filter think of your aquarium...Bio filter on a grand scale...many ways to build them yourself and put the cash to a liner. For a pump get a low wattage low, head pump... submersible is my choice.. To pump many many of gallons high takes a stronger pump and more electriciy. My pond is approx 2,000 gallon and is above ground...has never frozen solid at temps into the teens....but pump runs 24-7. Koi, some goldfish, native mosquito fish, are hardy, and White Cloud Fish (sometimes) can survice winters if your pond is in a protected area. I could send pics of mine if interested. | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| That would be awesome
Quote:
Originally Posted by TedsTank Can I assume you want a largeish pond?
I would recommend a liner. Shop around on internet. The liner and filter are of course the most important, good liners wont puncture very easily...my pond been running 24-7 for 11 years now....no problems. For a filter think of your aquarium...Bio filter on a grand scale...many ways to build them yourself and put the cash to a liner. For a pump get a low wattage low, head pump... submersible is my choice.. To pump many many of gallons high takes a stronger pump and more electriciy. My pond is approx 2,000 gallon and is above ground...has never frozen solid at temps into the teens....but pump runs 24-7. Koi, some Goldfish, native mosquito fish, are hardy, and White Cloud Fish (sometimes) can survice winters if your pond is in a protected area. I could send pics of mine if interested. |  please.
We are planning something between 700 to probably 100 gals. The temp here gets as low as 22 degrees at night so I think we should be good if we achieve the 2.5 or 3' deep. What do you think? | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| that would be fine!! but during the winter water must be moving...there needs to be an unfrozen water area to transfer gases, oxygen etc. the fish go dormant and appear at times to be dead...but if you see their bright colors they are ok. Will get some pics now and post them in a bit.
And like an aquarium...THE BIGGER THE BETTER...lol...very hard to add to a pond. So plan for your fish..Koi get huge...Goldfish, shubunkins are tough ( not the real fancy goldfish)...veil tails are cool..their babies at about 1/2 look like adults...too cute.
Guppies with bright color add fast actions...need to come in when temps drop..we always kept a tank for them for the winters...Koi and goldfish are not predators and can't catch a healthy guppy.
Last edited by TedsTank; May 10th, 2009 at 08:57 AM.
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| pond tips
Here are 2 samples of my pond
It is above ground. We live at or near sea level,,inground ponds raise up when we have severe tides and can tip!! hydraulics!!
I built it log cabin style with 4x6's...liner from Lowes..strapped the wood together with corner plates and metal straps. Line it with thick cardboard and old carpet backing to cushion the liner.
The black netting keeps leaves out...filter runs 3 years + without cleaning (overbuilt)
the pond is 16x8 feet...water area 14x8 feet,,,2 foot wide filter in the raised part at the back of the structure.
Last edited by TedsTank; May 10th, 2009 at 09:19 AM.
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Cool I was looking for something in the 8 x 10 x 3 deep inground so i can put some fish in it. | |
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May 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
|  same thing....unfortunately...start digging!!! make it about 1 foot above ground sides and ya only need to dig 2 feet deep, and it makes a nice little shelf. I would have done that but couldn't. and check out liner sizes..you don't want to splice if you can avoid it. | |
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