teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Im thinking of setting a pond up in my backyard and havent a clue where i start If somebody could explain/point me in the right direction of what the best setups are and any basics it would be much appreciated Cheers Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 First, dig a hole Alot will depend on what you want from your pond - what do you want to keep in it, do you want to run pumps and filters or no? etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.d.m Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 a good start is the library and as ducksta said start digging, a few tips only use a butyl or epdm rubber liner these last ten times the vinyl ones and are almost puncture proof but shop around ,some of the mail order places are less than half the retail price,have the biggest pond you can as the basics for ponds are the same as tanks and also very important have at least 15cm of the pond above ground otherwise youll be battling run off from your backyard,you can use rocks or sleepers for this,take time before you fill er up to make sure the top is level(same as tanks)also if you go through my old posts youll find a design for a very cheap filter, but definately get a book out the library or check out google theres loads of tips like making levels out of garden hose etc which youll find useful. ive got 2 ponds and the larger one is 13,000 lts koi will grow to 90cm in this and evaporation is not too bad, if you need any more help you know where i am! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricky Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Make sure you get the proper liner. I think its EPDM or something similar. Before putting the liner in put sand down or some old carpet to cushion the liner from the ground. Use a water level to get your pond level spot on, so thers not a 20mm drop one end and 120mm gab the other. The liner is available from rock around the Block at Guilford. (They were the cheapest when i built mine 2 years ago. A UV light is a must or you will get crappy green water, my globe went on mine once and it went green in a couple of days. I use a submersable pump, its rated at 7600 litres an hour and have 2 waterfalls to keep the circulation going. I positioned my pond so it only gets morning sun. Hope some of this helps, I will post a pic when i get a chance Cheers Ricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 First, dig a hole ← Time to get some shovels for my neices and nephew Thanks for all the replies I never thought there was that much working out involved in building a pond. I thought you dig a hole,line it,cycle water and add fish how wrong i was whats the usuall price for a standard half decent looking pond? Are those hard plastic moulded ponds worth buying? or are they another waste of money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 I made a 6000L pond about 6 years ago (and 6 mths later my wife convinced me to move house ) I did as most have suggested: -Work out where you want it and how big it is to be -Dig a big hole, bigger than your finished pond. -Line the hole with 100mm of river sand (that's why your hole starts bigger) -drop the liner in (do not trim it yet) -Fill the pond, smoothing out the wrinkles and creases in the liner as you go. -Trim the liner when the pond is full, then hide the edges of it with rocks. Some things to consider: -Check with your council first, some councils will want a fence around a pond deeper than 300mm. -You do not need a filter or a UV steriliser. Some choose to use them, some choose not to. My pond was heavily planted and fairly lightly stocked, and the water was always crystal clear. -Consider a bridge over a big pond, or plenty of other hiding places for the fish to retreat away from the birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 The moulded plastic ponds are fine but they limit your size and shape. My pond was way too big to do in a moulded one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 Cheers for that BaZ How big is a 6000l pond thats sounds MASSIVE! Looks like im off to bunnings in the next few days that place is starting to be like my second home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Not really massive. I think it was about 3m x 4m x 1m deep at the deepest point. Remember though, 1m deep will be illegal unless you want to fence it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 Not really massive. I think it was about 3m x 4m x 1m deep at the deepest point. ← Sounds nice I think I might aim for something along the lines of 2m x1 1/2m x 1/2 m I saw a pond started kit the other day for $70 came with a pond pump lining and some other junk. What can i keep in a pond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 I just had normal old orange Goldfish in mine. They survive winters which was an important point for me, and they look great as they dart around the pond. Koi are another option but I hear they get very messy as they get bigger so they are suited to a huge pond. That kit sounds like it might come with a plastic liner of some kind for that price. Go for the real deal. Get the thick rubber liner from a pond specialist or you will be likely to have leaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricky Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Here are some pics of my pond, the liner itself cost me over $500! Thought i would take a pic this afternoon to give you some idea of how i did mine. I cant get the whole pond in shot lengthways but it should give you an indicator. I keep Koi, goldfish and some smaller murray cod in mine. I need to add some water! Pond Closer shot of part of waterfall with some fish Ricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Salita Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 I have heard, I dont know how true it is. That you shouldnot/cannot keep bristlenose with either type of rubber liner. Due to it killing them when they rasp at it. Does anyone have any experience here. I would like to pu B/N in my pond???? Cheers, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 Thanks for going to the trouble of taking pics, I really appreciate it Thats a great looking pond something like that on a smaller scale would look good in my yard. BaZ I didnt think the kit was going to be all that great, where is the best place to get the linning? cheers Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Nice pond Tricky Teflon mine came from Kellyville Pets, and someone else earlier on mentioned Rock Around the Block. Any good garden/pond/fish type specialty outlet should be good. Just make sure the liner you get is a thick rubber. Shop around a bit and ask a lot of questions before you decide on something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teflon Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 Cheers for that BaZ I will keep everybody posted Now if only i can make it looks as good as tricky's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricky Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Cheers for that BaZ I will keep everybody posted Now if only i can make it looks as good as tricky's ← It takes time, just dont rush it and you will get a good result. It looks a lot better when the crappy back fence is covered, but i trimmed the passionfruit vine right back recently. I thought mine would be done in a week or do. 3 months later it was done. It was actually one of Josh's(little swimmer) mates that done all the technical stuff. I just designed it, dug the hole and basically was his apprentice. I learnt a lot though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 My pond is on hold till the council decide on weather my shed stands or I knock it down .The pond all the same is made of rock laid on cement and a waterproofing additive Silesec ,it was used in the construction of Warrigamba Dam . Then after laying rocks you paint a strong mix on the inside it should seal indefinitely. My pond has three over hanging rocks under water and this is where it leaks so more care on the underside of the over hanging rocks/crevices should be taken the first time and it would hold straight off. Neil check my photos http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/neigau/de...6&.dnm=afbe.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 I have heard, I dont know how true it is. That you shouldnot/cannot keep bristlenose with either type of rubber liner. Due to it killing them when they rasp at it. Does anyone have any experience here. I would like to pu B/N in my pond???? Cheers, Jason ← I'm interested in this too - tho it probably won't be an issue for me as I'm building mine with sealed masonry/cement like Neil has mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Nice project Neil! I've seen those pics before, has this been on hold for a while now? How long until you find out, and what's wrong with the shed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 The council received a complaint from the neighbours after the handrail was placed on the sheds roof ,and now the council wants to enforce the 1.5 metre easement . This is nearly 3years since the first shovel was dug. I think if the worst case happens a few explosions might be needed to demolish the top slab. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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