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Thread: New pond build
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04-04-2020, 08:43 AM #1
New pond build
Hi, for those interested, thought I would post some pictures and details of my new pond build.
It is my second pond, in the new house, first was a simple garden liner pond, but decided to do a proper one as part of the garden landscaping in the new house......
Here is my original plans:
It is a gravity fed bottom drain pond 4 x 3 x 1.5m deep, so 4000 gallons, 18,000 litres. I planned it to be covered to avoid issues with security, predation and debris. There will be 3 sides where you remove panels that can enclose the structure fully if required in winter or when I am away.
Here is the base being done:
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04-04-2020, 08:59 AM #2
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04-04-2020, 10:04 AM #3
In that case, here are a few more pictures..........
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04-04-2020, 10:12 AM #4
There will be a viewing and seating area to the right, where the window is. Window is 1200 x 600 and there should have been two, however, the glass suppliers only sent one by mistake and then shut down due to Covid......so now only one . I had to block up the other opening sadly.......
Being a builder by trade, I am doing some bits myself, but leaving all the grunt work to younger, stronger people.....
The excavation was done with a digger and only took a day. Construction is a 300mm base with fibre reinforced concrete, 215mm blockwork laid on their sides and a 250mm thick concrete collar around the first 5 courses under ground level.
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04-04-2020, 09:56 PM #5
Looks really good mate and very similar to the pond I will be building.
Mine will be 3 meters x 3 meters x 1.5 meters so around 13000 litres. I had the same idea of having 2 infinity windows. One facing the house and the other facing the decking/patio area. I will be building mine out of 6 inch hollow block with re bar down each hole that will be resin anchord to the 6 inch concrete base and then all holes backfilled with concrete. I was going to use steel mesh in the base but have heard of the fiber re enforced stuff. Is is much more expensive than normal concrete?
I am on chute a tight budget so trying to get things together before I start. I think the only thing I need to get now are the surface skimmer and 2 pieces of glass but I'm not in a rush so just waiting till I find 2 pieces of 21.5mm laminated glass at the right price.
Anyway like I said brilliant work mate and keep the photos coming
Thanks Colin
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04-04-2020, 10:16 PM #6
Great project - exciting times
GazHobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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04-04-2020, 10:18 PM #7
My advice would be to build in an additional outlet/inlet as this offers some future proof for additions etc...
Looking forward to seeing this develop.
GazHobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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05-04-2020, 05:27 AM #8
Very nice. Love a pond build. Keep it coming as in photos mate
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05-04-2020, 07:21 AM #9
Gaz - it has a gravity bottom drain as well as a skimmer. The bottom drain feeds a Nexus 320, the skimmer feeds an ezypod. So there are two redundant systems, each variable pumped back to the pond via a EA50 UV. The returns are offset and at opposite ends and at staggered heights, to circulate the pond towards the skimmer. I am hoping that set up will be sufficient for all future use......too late now anyway..! Aeration via the bottom drain.
Colin - it will be quicker and cheaper to use blocks on their side and just as strong. Fibre concrete not expensive either and again, quicker and cheaper than using rebar. My glass was only £275 per window......regarding cost, it cost me approx £7k to get the pond excavated and the slab and block-work done. Fiberglassing and insulation will cost approx £1.5k......Lots of other costs to factor in as well though once you have the filtration etc decided, if my costs are anything to go buy, it will be at least the same again for the electrical and plumbing and filtration. Then there is all the stuff like the roof and structure and cladding..... I also had to get water and power across the front of the house and re instate after which cost a bit. So I think you need to be budgeting for around £17K for a pond that size - hope that helps.
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05-04-2020, 07:29 AM #10
Here are some more piccies.....
This is the plant room, the hole is for the waste sump.
Starting to construct the framework for the structure around the pond. I was going to just have a pergola frame, but decided to cover it completely, as I had a continuous battle with my first pond with blanket week, debris and also lost some fish to birds. The plan is to have the plant room completely enclosed with removable panels on the sides of the pond....have not quite decided exactly how to do this yet, but it will probably be done using fence panels that slide in and out.......
‘The plant area and the area behind the actual pond I plan to deck over so you can sit around the pond under the roof if you want as well.
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkLast edited by GunHouseKoi; 05-04-2020 at 07:32 AM.
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05-04-2020, 07:39 AM #11
Having blocked up the 2nd window, Looking at the pictures I just posted, I am now sitting here pondering if that would be a mistake........If I re instate it, I would only be able to fill the pond up to the level of the window, which would be OK I guess, to start with? It may be a couple of months before I can get the 2nd window delivered ( it’s paid for already.....)
Can anyone see any issues? The returns would be above the water level, but should not matter should it?
The secondary filter fed by the skimmer, I could feed by a pump temporarily?
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05-04-2020, 08:21 AM #12
looks like will be a nice pond mate,the issue i see is if returns are above water does that mean top of nexus will be above water,as its gravity fed it wont fill will it,me personally i would wait until you get 2nd window,you will always regret not putting it in if you dont,maybe do as much as possible on pond then do work on rest of garden,at least then your still accomplishing something,,,,,,andi
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05-04-2020, 10:07 AM #13
Agree with andi. Second window. And going by what your saying. Your gut instincts are telling you the same thing.
My ponds 5000gallons with a 320 nexus with drop in draco drum. UV 55. 300lts media On one line.
And 2nd line skimmer an ultra sieve 3. With uv.
Your pond setup is similar. I have around 45 fish in there.
And the setup handles the water quality
No problems.
So I think your setup is adequate.
Nice build mate. I like it a lot.
Fred
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05-04-2020, 10:25 AM #14
Ah yes, of course, I will need to use a pump temporarily to fill the nexus........I dont need to bring the 2ndary system online straight away anyway if the water volume and fish numbers are lower......
Gonna take a look and see what be involved in rigging it up that way temporarily
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05-04-2020, 04:19 PM #15
Pump is very easy to set up, I think that’s a decision made, I will get the blockwork removed and wait for the 2nd window to turn up. The pond will be approx 900mm deep up to the windows, so plenty as a temporary measure.
I imagine it may be a little tricky getting the 2nd window in without getting wet though.....
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06-04-2020, 07:31 AM #16
Some more pictures ......
Constructing the roof and side walls around the walls and getting the Nexus in.....
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06-04-2020, 07:35 AM #17
The pictures will catch up with the current status shortly....
Hopefully getting the fibreglass done this week on Friday, so need to alter the blockwork and install the insulation this week, as well as some finishing work like the plant room door.
Also, the oak cladding / decking should arrive tomorrow, but I am unlikely to have time to start that before the weekend.
I am desperate to get my fish into the pond, so with some luck may ready for this in a a couple of weeks?
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06-04-2020, 07:44 AM #18
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06-04-2020, 07:51 AM #19
Well, it was not technically a diary, as I started work around a month ago, so playing catch up currently.......it did go pretty quickly though, considering I am fitting it around other stuff as well. Lockdown has meant I have been able to get a fair bit done my self, but sadly, I am finding my age and bad back a limiting factor
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06-04-2020, 02:18 PM #20
Awesome build and progress!
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