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Thread: Progress Pics
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23-06-2020, 04:45 PM #1
Progress Pics
Block work done. Skimmer installed and one return pipe (will add another when I've decided where!) Finally starting to look like something, and nice to get some of the garden back a bit tidier... only trouble is the reseeded patch of lawn (where I levelled out using the dug out topi soil) looks sooo green compared to the rest now!
Doing the insulation, prior to hopefully, doing the fibreglass DIY this weekend! Wish me luck. Got a friend helping out.
I was a bit anal on the blockwork making it as square and level as possible... probably to the nth degree, I'd do well if I was paid by the hour!
Thanks for all your help folks so far... This started out as a "Lets build a pond so I can demolish the old one to build my uber man shed and keep wife happy" and it's now turned into quite an addictive obsession... I can see how people get obsessed over it! super excited to see it with the fish swimming, drinking a beer on the patio in front of the window!.. Also planning a patio/decking area above the pond where the pile of dirt is now, with a waterfall coming out underneath this area.
I'll let you all know how the DIY fibreglassing goes!
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23-06-2020, 05:11 PM #2
Tidy job that, what size is it?
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23-06-2020, 05:13 PM #3
Very neat and tidy work. Looking good.
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23-06-2020, 05:25 PM #4
It's 3x3x1.2m. So about 7200l with filters. We didn't want to overpower the garden.. Also wanted roo. For our 3 kids to run around still (don't worry, it'll be covered!) We've got about 7 small to medium koi in the current pond, plus the 4 or 5 babies they had
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23-06-2020, 07:40 PM #5
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23-06-2020, 07:51 PM #6
Thanks Ken, really appreciate that... You might get a call Saturday in a panic lol! 0I've done a fair bit with composites at the school I teach in.. Made a mould out of f/g to cast a carbon fibre body for a race car the students drive so I'm hoping the bulk of it will be OK.. I at least know how quick the damn stuff goes off and the importance of getting it flattened. Also been watching a lot of GRP lining services videos on YouTube. He seems to know what he's doing as well.. Like his method for the skimmer, returns and bottom drain.
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23-06-2020, 08:17 PM #7
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23-06-2020, 08:19 PM #8
You too buddy, top man!
If I hadn't brought a kit already I'd hire you on the strength of your character alone! I'll let you know how it goes!
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23-06-2020, 08:51 PM #9
Nice job there mate.
Exciting times
Cheers
GazHobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:11 PM #10
Looking good. What skimmer did you go for?
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:12 PM #11
Nothing fancy, just a wide mouth in wall skimmer from cotswold. Koi. About 50 quid I think. I'm not after gallons and gallons of turnover so hope it will do.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:20 PM #12
It looks neat and fits the flat block structure well. I'm doing similar myself so will take a look at it.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:28 PM #13
Happy to send you pics of how I did it tomorrow if you need. Basically cut the blocks carefully with angle grinder. Going to be doing insulation and fibreglass into the skimmer reveal then seal to the skimmer with sealent or resin mix thickened with talc (grp lining services a has a vid on YouTube).. Seems much more reliable than glassing to the plastic of the skimmer as it doesn't bond to plastic.. If you're planning a liner though you may want to do it different
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:31 PM #14
Pics would be great. No, not going with liner, but not sure whether I'll fibreglass or paint at the minute.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-06-2020, 10:47 PM #15
Awesome build mate, very neat and great location. Good luck with the glassing over the weekend
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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24-06-2020, 08:02 AM #16
Nice build mate. Your right Ken's a great guy
Fred
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jayjt29 Thanked / Liked this Post
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24-06-2020, 11:44 AM #17
As requested mate. I cut the blocks to rough shape with diamond disc on angle grinder, then chiseled to remove the rough shape. Made sure the unit fitted. Then placed a bed of mortar down just to level it and bring it up to same height as top block. I've left about a cm clearance around the back edge and fitted mine sitting proud rather than flush. Reason for this is I've got 25mm insluation board going in prior to the Fibreglass, and conveniently, the skimmer face is 25mm deep so it will side flush with the fibreglass and insulation when done.
Plan is to then chamfer the edges of the insulation board and fibreglass into the gap and round onto blockwork. Then plan is to either fill this gap with resin bulked with talk (see vid link) or to use general pond sealant. This way your bonding to the plastic with something that will actually stick to it, rather than bonding the fibreglass to the plastic of the skimmer which is unreliable. At least the pond sealant will stick equally well to both the plastic of the skimmer and fibreglass. The skimmer came with a rubber gasket and face plate for fitting to a liner. I'll put this over and just stick it on for smooth finish/decoration afterwards.
I'm planning to pipe mine into the barrel of my diy filter or the upright of the bottom drain (still not sure which is the best method) but this is why I solvent welded a 40mm corner piece to the threaded adaptor it came with. I think it was intended for 'flexy hose' type connections, but convieniently, if you cut the threaded adaptor, it will just about take a 40mm solvent weld fitting... bit sloppy fit, but I tested it
Hope it helps you... again, i've never done it before, but to my mind, this seemed like a belt and braces approach with the least chance of going wrong!
With the return pipe, I cut a channel in the top of one block, and the bottom of another, and bedded the pipe in with the mortar when building up that layer. if I put another return in, i'll need to drill a hole with a core drill but havent made my mind up yet.
Hope pics help you (and others) and if it goes wrong... it'll be a record of how NOT to do it at least!.... think my pergola needs work though lol!
Vid Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpMW3aHF-yE
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I'll update this thread after the weekend if people are interested in the fibreglassing and how it went.
Cheers all
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24-06-2020, 12:01 PM #18
Please, do will be great to see the weekends progress
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24-06-2020, 05:11 PM #19
Nice sized pond. I personally would have taken it deeper but 3x3 is a great size
Are you insinuating the sides and floor, also assume it will not be filled to the limits so you will likely be at 3.5ft?
Hope all goes well with the glass and window
Really like the way it sits in its footprint where 1 side is floor level you, I like looking down on the koi
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24-06-2020, 06:02 PM #20
Yeah. 25mm insulation going in and I've worked out I should be able to get 1100 to 1150mm fill depth. It's 1210 from slab to the top of the bockwork at moment.. Obviously you lose 25-30mm to the foam and glass but the coping stones have got to go on yet also. So it would sit about 50 to 60mm from the coping. My worry is the glass which will be below the coping... I'm worried fish will jump it (though I'm going to cover pond anyway with a galvanised mesh frame to stop kids (and toys) falling in so don't have to worry about that until kids are older and the frame comes off
The Daily pond temp thread
Pond still covered, currently 11.6C Been really mild this year as far as pond temps go. ...