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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Sansai ABN67's Avatar
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    Help please 7.3n solid concrete blocks or 7.3n hollow concrete block + rebar & concre

    Hi I'm almost ready to order my blocks for DIY pond build 12'x8'x6' deep, 3' below ground + 3' above ground with an infinity window along 12' length and would appreciate opinions on which blocks are preferable and why, I will be laying on top of a cocrete base and am undecided wether to use solid 7.3n concrete blocks laid on wide face or to use hollow 7.3n blocks reinforced with rebar and filled with concrete, any suggestions or opinions appreciated, I've looked at loads of builds and both options seem popular so am unsure which way to go.
    From a cost perspective I think there isn't much difference as if i use solid blocks I'd use more as the height of each block is 100mm + mortar joint vs hollow blocks at 215mm so hollow would be less blocks but would require rebar + concrete to back fill so I don't see much difference cost wise, suggestions welcome
    Andy



  2. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion samp09's Avatar
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    I think the stronger option has the be the hollow blocks filled with rebar and concrete, but I have seen many ponds built including mine, with 7.3nm laid flat and I have not had any issues. Pond was built in 2019 and still in one piece so fingers crossed it stays that way!

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  4. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Sansai ABN67's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by samp09 View Post
    I think the stronger option has the be the hollow blocks filled with rebar and concrete, but I have seen many ponds built including mine, with 7.3nm laid flat and I have not had any issues. Pond was built in 2019 and still in one piece so fingers crossed it stays that way!
    I had a read of your build thread earlier this week, you have a beautiful pond.

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    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion samp09's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ABN67 View Post
    I had a read of your build thread earlier this week, you have a beautiful pond.
    Thank you, the filter bay is still not done so it's not quite finished yet

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by samp09 View Post
    Thank you, the filter bay is still not done so it's not quite finished yet
    And never will be lol

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  9. #6
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hi Andy,
    Did mine a few years ago all on my own with 9 ins hollow blocks with rebar and filled with concrete.
    Got my blocks cheap as shopped around and haggled a bit with the merchants.
    Laid the first row on concrete very level.
    Then drilled through one block hole into the base and used a short piece of rebar long enough to hold three rows of blocks.

    Then I dry stacked all the blocks all the way up which were up in a day.

    Then infilled all the holes with a watery mix and tapped in more rebar down to the base.
    John

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  11. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Sansai ABN67's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Hi Andy,
    Did mine a few years ago all on my own with 9 ins hollow blocks with rebar and filled with concrete.
    Got my blocks cheap as shopped around and haggled a bit with the merchants.
    Laid the first row on concrete very level.
    Then drilled through one block hole into the base and used a short piece of rebar long enough to hold three rows of blocks.

    Then I dry stacked all the blocks all the way up which were up in a day.

    Then infilled all the holes with a watery mix and tapped in more rebar down to the base.
    HI John,
    Thanks for that, having searched google for what seems an eternity, read through a huge amount of builds and discussing it with the Mrs I think we're going to use hollow blocks and rebar + concrete so now all I need to do is find a decent price for the materials and get shopping, my intention is to get all the materials together over the next couple of months and then start my build in the spring, that way I'm hoping I won't have to keep stopping every time I need something. The list keeps growing though so have to get on the overtime at work. Initial budget has been quickily blown out of the water

    Andy

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Have you done the base yet Andy?

    For blocks really shop around you must have loads of merchants round Birmingham and see if you can get free delivery as it all adds up.

    My build of I remember right cost me £2500 not including pipework etc and you are having a window and the amount materials have gone up !!!!
    John

  14. #9
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-constru...1+build+thread

    My build if you want a read Andy.

    Seven yrs ago
    Didnt think it was that long ago.
    John

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  16. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Sansai ABN67's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-constru...1+build+thread

    My build if you want a read Andy.

    Seven yrs ago
    Didnt think it was that long ago.
    Thankyou for the link, I look forward to reading through that later

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  18. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Sansai ABN67's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Have you done the base yet Andy?

    For blocks really shop around you must have loads of merchants round Birmingham and see if you can get free delivery as it all adds up.

    My build of I remember right cost me £2500 not including pipework etc and you are having a window and the amount materials have gone up !!!!
    Not yet done the base I'm still clearing the area, I've had to chop down and dig up 3 quite large conifers and I'm currently emptying and demolishing the old garden shed in order to make space for the pond and filter house and I've yet to remove a section of concrete path that is sitting about 18 inches into my planned pond footprint. I think the lads at the local tip are quite amused by how low my car sits when I arrive for my weekly visit to drop off the ever growing quantity of garden waste, its surprising how much junk I can squeeze into the back of my car lol. So I'm thinking another couple of weekends of removal and demolition weather permitting and then I will be able to start ordering materials, after a quick calculation last night I think my initial budget has grown by approximately 50%

    Andy

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  20. #12
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hey Andy it will grow mate,
    Think my base was £ 350 odd pound mixed on site barrowed in and all done in less than an hour.
    Now prices dread to think !!!!
    John

 

 

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