Putting in a small pond, have lots of questions...please!

16 years ago

Hi all, I have been reading this board for over 2 years. I have learned so much from all of you, but I never thought I would be able to have a pond of my own, so I did not file the information like I should have. I have watched and read as many of you have built the most lovely of ponds and water features, both large and small.

So long story short, my dh has MS and has been really feeling having a bad spell the last few months. He always says he wanted a pond, but $$$ and the fact that he has very limited energy to do much work it didn't happen. I want to do the pond to help him have a spot to relax and be happy. Here in DFW we have had so much rain the past few months the soil is nice and moist. We had been in a drought for several years. Since the soil is moist, I have been digging a pond by myself, off on on for the past few weeks, when I have a few hours in the evening.

I am planning on a small 7 x 7 pond with about a small off shoot of 4 feet by 2 feet for a small stream off it.

I have it dug but I'm wondering how deep to go? I have it at 1 1/2 feet. I know this is tooo shallow! Now I know I am not going to have Koi (which I adore) because I see Herons in my neighbors yards on a daily basis and I don't want to feed them Koi. So I have decided to just plants and maybe some tiny cheap fish to keep the mosquitos down. I want to have a way to protect the cheap fish if I have them, otherwise I'm fine with no fish.

Here is what I think I have gleaned so far:

I am going to buy EPDM liner as I'm in hot Texas and don't want a PVC one that starts cracking.

I believe my pond will be approximately 800 gallons. What size pump should I use? How deep do I need for just plants?

I will be installing all this myself, so it is going to take me awhile.

If you have advice on pump brand/size I would appreciate it. I would like to buy online if possible, so who is good to buy from online.

So any other advice is appreciated. I started out wanting a Koi pond, but I'm not strong enough to dig it 4 feet and second of all the 3 neighbor Herons would eat the Koi anyway. How deep for plants?

Much appreciation for you guys to help me build this for my dh...

thanks a bunch

Computerklutz

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

zoenipp
16 years ago
Hi Computerklutz,

Where are you in the metroplex? I am from Arlington (Dalworthington Gardens, actually) but our family moved to Raleigh, NC, 7 years ago. My parents and sister are still there; I'm going to see them next week! Yes, you have had LOTS of rain for Texas!

We put a pond in this spring (actually, we had our landscaper build it for us) and we have enjoyed it so much! I would go at least 24" deep, maybe even 30" as it will make it harder for the herons to get your fish. Also, try to dig it out with straight, steep sides - this also makes fishing a bit more difficult for predators. Our current pond is 21" deep; I had asked for 36" repeatedly and am still unsure how we ended up with this. We have a Savio skimmer/pump/waterfall setup which is easy to maintain but creates LOTS of current in our 7'X11' pond which is not so great for the plants.

I think you will be very happy with goldfish and plants. I am surprised that I am enjoying the water gardening end of this as much as the fish! I've especially loved watching the hardy and tropical lilies grow and bloom. We have goldfish and koi and I love my Sarassa comets and shubunkin goldfish as much as the koi (and they are much less destructive with the plants). We are going to add a second, larger, deeper connected pond to our existing pond to separate our koi from the watergarden, hopefully this winter, and are going to upgrade our filtration at the same time.

Someone with more knowledge than me should address filtration/pump suggestions with you. I would suggest investing in the very best liner material that you can afford - you don't want leaks or to have to redo this later! Also, I would suggest including a waterfall feature as it is so soothing and I think your husband will enjoy it. I hope you are building your pond close to your home where he can see the pond from the porch/patio and/or inside the house. I hope he gets to feeling better very soon. This is such a sweet thing you are doing for him!
brandilippincott
16 years ago
Don't give up on having koi...I had a run in with the herron (he cleaned out my neighbor across the street) and afterwards strung a net tightly overtop of the pond with U shaped metal clips holding it secure. I thought I would hate it, but because it is so tight, you really don't notice it until you're really close. It's been a year and no herron's!!
Related Discussions
Can I put a pond in my drainage easement?
Q
Comments (1)
Burkie, Sorry no one has responded to your question. You have posted in the gallery section, intended for pictures, where most people don't go. The discussions section is the best place to post. That looks like a nice piece of property you have. I would think of a fish pond too. However, there are a couple of concerns I have with your plan to have a fish pond: 1. There is a very good possibility that, if there were a heavy rain, the fish would be washed out or could swim out. 2. Also, if they did escape by whatever means, I would think you would have to have native fish if they could get into the common waterway. If I were in your possition I would contact the county extension service (or its equivalent in Kansas) for suggestions on how to do this. That way you are getting expert assistance that fulfills legal requirements. Good luck and post pictures afterward. If you want more people to answer, post this question in the discussions section. Anne
...See More
My new pond! Yay!!! (sorry, lots of photos)
Q
Comments (5)
YOU ROCK! Oh, WOW! You are an inspiration to this lurker! I've been reading here for about a year, planning my pond, and then you go ahead and just do this remarkable work of art in a few days. OK, I can do this. . .I can do this. . . .I can do this.. . . Thanks!
...See More
What should i put in my new pond?
Q
Comments (4)
Any fish will eat mosquito larvae, but if your water has movement from the pump, the mosquitos will not lay their eggs. Zebras and guppies are tropical fish requiring water temperatures above 70 degrees. They would be okay if you're willing to bring them inside to a heated tank when the temperatures drop below 70. However, the guppies will probably be too slow and will likely wind up as turtle food. Zebras are fast, though. My feeling is that you might do better with a couple of comet goldfish or mosquito fish. Both are prolific breeders. Just be careful that you don't get overstocked. As for plants, pretty much any aquatic plant that strikes your fancy. Personally, I like blue pickeral and black magic taro, but there are lots of other plants that will do well. Just choose ones that will do well in you pond's location, i.e. shade or sun.
...See More
Having issues controlling PH in a small pond
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Newguy Well do I need to say that overstocking is your major problem. Ok this is what you need to do. Right now changing your water is the only thing that has not killed everything. Tell me what kind of filter you have. Continue using rain water if you can, the high amounts of lime will drive your PH crazy. Also if you plan to do a bigger pond, Make sure you do not use any Lime rock in the pond. Start out by testing your rain water PH, here in Pennsylvania it is usually around 6.5. If you are able, add a air bubble to your rain water harvest and attempt to keep debris out of the water. A simple air stone will cause some circulation. Do not get water from a lake, you will be bringing what ever parasite is in the lake into the pond. Second, Never use any item that will make the Ph go down like an acid. Pick up a Kh test kit, Kh or Total Alkalinity is a buffer that prevents massive ph swings. In the day your plants are pumping out CO2 with photosynthesis. At night they stop and your Ph would crash if not for the buffers provided by Total Alkalinity. This is why when you add a ph down it only lasts for a few days. However, if you add enough of it, you will wipe out your buffer completely and crash your Ph. Ever hear of people waking up in the morning to find a pond full of dead fish. Or, when the ice completely thaws. This is what to do....buy a large bag of Baking Soda. Yes, baking soda is a base, but Baking Soda is your best friend. Start doing 25% water changes every few days for a week. You need to restart your pond. Every day dissolve a fourth cup of baking soda in a gallon of water and pour it into the pond. Try not to get it directly on the fish. Baking soda will only take your Ph to a max of 8.6. Anything above that it will slowly lower your Ph. Plus Baking Soda is how you build up that precious buffer. 8.6 ph is fine for koi, a little high but its ok. After the week, dissolve the 1/4th cup after your water change. If you have heavy rains, add another 1/4th cup...it wont hurt them. Think about either upgrading your filter or donating a koi or two. Another tip, if you have a waterfall, get a bag or crushed seashells from your pet store. Put them in a woman's stocking, rinse it really well, then place it somewhere where it will get good water flow. This will also stabilize your PH. Good luck with your fish, hope this helps...Craig I run a video blog on youtube, check out Craiggers Koi and Garden Ponds. I just enjoy talking about the hobby.
...See More
nkm56
16 years ago
I would try for someplace that sells as a kit; liner, underlay, pump, filter, and skimmer. It should have the correct size pump included. However, depending on the fish load you intend to have, you may have to go up one size on the recommended pump for that size kit. If you do that, there will be an upcharge, but some places seem to offer a lower price as a kit rather than purchasing each item separately.

I know you said you wanted to purchase on-line, but you will probably have to pay shipping charges. I would think that DFW area would have a lot of good ponding stores, so you might want to check some of them out before you make a decision. Avoid the chain hardware stores -- they're not ponding experts and you'll get few questions answered correctly. If you do decide to puchase online, do a google search for pond kits.
mybusyfamily6
16 years ago
We did what nancym suggested, bought a kit that has everything in it, except liner for a stream if you want that you have to buy it extra. The garden center that we bought it from even loaned us a how to build it video. we have a pond that is 11x6 ft and 2.5 ft deep.

Here is a link that might be useful:
loma_ponder
16 years ago
computerklutz

AZ Ponds - online and free shipping ( I attached a link below). Depth is only an issue if your winters could cause the pond water to freeze solid. If that possibility exist, go deeper.
Note: the kits usually advertised allow for a 2-foot depth. If for any reason, you go deeper; the dimensions of your pond will change (shorter and narrower). You may need to up the size to make-up for the depth.

LP

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond Kits
pikecoe
16 years ago
Check out www.adamsaquatics.com Glenda
buyorsell888
16 years ago
Depth is an issue if you are keeping Koi no matter what your weather is like. Koi need at least three feet to properly exercise, four is better.

There are plenty of beautiful goldfish like Shubunkins available that require less depth and less filtration. I highly recommend them.
computerklutz
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow, so many responses both on here and those who wrote to me on my email. Thank you each and every one of you, how kind you are. I have not been able to work on my pond digging as it has rained and rained and rained. I tried a few times, and I have been able to enlarge it another feet wider, but everytime I dig deeper the mud washes in. So I'm going to wait. I hope to get it dug to 2feet deep.
Thanks so much!

Putting in a small pond, have lots of questions...please!

Comments (8)

zoenipp

brandilippincott

Related Discussions

nkm56

mybusyfamily6

loma_ponder

pikecoe

buyorsell888

computerklutz
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Putting in a small pond, have lots of questions...please!

Comments (8)

zoenipp

brandilippincott

Related Discussions

nkm56

mybusyfamily6

loma_ponder

pikecoe

buyorsell888

computerklutzOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

computerklutz
Original Author