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Thread: The build starts...
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28-03-2020, 04:19 PM #1
The build starts...
Well after over a year of planning and saving (still don't have enough saved!) , the build has finally started. From my initial ideas/plans it has changed so much and I would say the budget has quadrupled from what I initially thought it would cost. Yes I could probably build a pond with my initial budget in mind, but it would not have been right and as the old saying goes.. if your going to do something you may as well do it right first time!
Link to my first post here detailing my plans..... they have changed a lot since then! https://www.koiforum.uk/welcome-extr...ew-member.html (not sure if the link will work)
Even the location of the pond changed at almost the last minute, due to how the neighbouring garden is lower to our garden by a few feet! I was worried when I started digging the ground would collapse. So this meant getting rid of some large bushes trees at the new pond site...
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To be fair with my trusty 60 quid chain saw I got through them in no time, then had a decent fire and a few beers to celebrate the start of the build The roots were a little more hard work, but eventually I got them dug out..
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I marked out the dig site with some cane and left it at that. A few days later I got home from work and as my 13 year old Son is not at school due to Covid19 he decided to start the dig for me (his elder sister didn't lend a hand!)
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A small start, but a start none the less! The next day before I started a late shift at work me and the lad dug a bit more ..
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A quick measure and the size seems to have grown a little to 4 meters in length to 2.8 in width Now I have started the did I have come to realise that a micro digger may be in order as the ground is full of builders rubble, probably from when the houses were built. We shall see I may have to do it all by hand due to the current situation we face in these scary times of Covid19. That being said the build may not get finished anytime soon due to restrictions we all face. But its a start!
I also purchased a Nexus 220 with Draco drum from a forum member Bradcarr60, what a great set up and Koi he has..
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That's all for now, Ill keep you posted on how the build goes
My dog keeping guard of the build site IMG_20200327_091927.jpg
Cheers
Jay
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28-03-2020, 04:25 PM #2
Hi Jay good luck with the build pal and site rules keep the pictures coming
Colin
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28-03-2020, 04:52 PM #3
Cheers will do, might be a while though. But atleast I've broken soil!
Jay
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28-03-2020, 05:31 PM #4
Good going Jay on a bit of a slope there,a digger would have been great keep up the great work and loads of photos.
John
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28-03-2020, 05:40 PM #5
I think when I can, I'm going to get a micro digger in. Due to the state of the ground! It slopes approx 20cm across the 4 meters from ground level at the top right end to the bottom left looking at it from the front.
I'm also pondering getting 2 windows instead of 1, both will be visible from the house.
Jay
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28-03-2020, 05:46 PM #6
Good luck and enjoy seeing it grow in front of your eyes!
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06-04-2020, 01:54 AM #7
Good luck with the build Jay
Coming along nicely
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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06-04-2020, 08:44 AM #8
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06-04-2020, 02:13 PM #9
Couple of hours digging done, the rubble pile is what I'm digging per barrow of earth!
If the micro digger is a no go, atleast I know I can do it by hand.... Slowly. The wood is 60cm that's the shallow end as it's on a slope, the other end needs to be 80cm deep.... Oh well might burn a few calories.
Jay
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06-04-2020, 02:23 PM #10
To show scale of the mission ahead!
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06-04-2020, 02:30 PM #11
looking good mateexciting times..... is that a beware underground electric cable notice
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06-04-2020, 02:39 PM #12
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07-05-2020, 01:46 PM #13
Phase 1 complete! The Dig!
I ended up getting a micro digger and grab wagon. Really down to getting the job done in one go. With the ground as it was I reckon it would have taken me a month or so to do by hand, then it's getting rid of the soil/rubble.
The wagon held 15 tonnes and it was full! Price wise I reckon it didn't really cost that much more and it was all done in 5 hours!
Onto phase 2.... Setting the bottom drain, when it arrives
Cheers
Jay
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07-05-2020, 01:56 PM #14
Oh this is what 15tons of soil looks like in a small front garden!
I could just see the wife's glares over the top of the pile through the front room window
To be fair the grab wagon done a great job, the grass didn't really suffer, another reason I wanted it done in 1 day.
Cheers
Jay
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07-05-2020, 02:05 PM #15
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jayjt29 Thanked / Liked this Post
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07-05-2020, 02:08 PM #16
Indeed! I'd highly recommend a mini/micro digger and grab wagon. It literally was 5 hours from start to finish with beer in hand.
I'm hoping to get the base down in the next few weeks. For me in my mind that's the hardest part. Getting it all level and making sure the pipe works leak free!
Jay
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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25-05-2020, 03:37 PM #17
Will follow your progress with interest.
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01-06-2020, 10:11 PM #18
Tagging along mate
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02-06-2020, 10:47 AM #19
Looking good mate!
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02-06-2020, 10:53 AM #20
As some may have seen, I hit a slight delay. The base of the 'hole' wasn't level. It is now after my days off work were spent digging and leveling by hand!
Still glad the majority was done by the micro digger!
Next step, I'm taking our the frame and friend is coming round to peg the level of 25cm he is skilled at concrete so will level it to the pegs once me n a few friends have done the donkey work of barrowing it to the hole.
Once the pegs are in place I'll set the bottom drain and pipework. (Awaiting pressure pipe to be delivered)
I have rebar at the ready to, do it all hinges on when my friend is free and when the pipe turns up, already been lost twice having ordered it on 7th may....
Any ideas what mix to set the pipe work and drain?
Cheers all
Jay
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