Little off topic - Pond build

dwilliams87 · Sep 28, 2013

So, a friend gave me a plastic pond liner, waterfall, and pump to the waterfall. Has anyone done this before that can tell me what else I need or some tips to help this along. I'm going to be digging my hole Monday evening. I have a tiller and shovel for that adventure.

Volitans67 · Sep 28, 2013

dwilliams87 said:
So, a friend gave me a plastic pond liner, waterfall, and pump to the waterfall. Has anyone done this before that can tell me what else I need or some tips to help this along. I'm going to be digging my hole Monday evening. I have a tiller and shovel for that adventure.

Not much help on the pond, but I did have some koi for a short time in a 125. Sounds like a good friend! Good luck setting it up!

p woodard · Sep 28, 2013

Hole,water, fish next year, landscape fabric, sand, pump, filter, maybe more I did my pond in 1999 so it has been a long time

thegrilledcheesus · Sep 28, 2013

From my readings it turns out you still need to do water changes when you get a pond

p woodard · Sep 28, 2013

The only time I do a water change is when I do my spring cleaning

Corals · Sep 28, 2013

We have a pond and we do water changes about twice a year. About 30% water change each time. Make sure u have good filtration.

spscrazy · Sep 29, 2013

my next pond I will put in a drain at the bottom would make water changes so much easier

reefscaper · Sep 29, 2013

Pond build

dwilliams87 said:
So, a friend gave me a plastic pond liner, waterfall, and pump to the waterfall. Has anyone done this before that can tell me what else I need or some tips to help this along. I'm going to be digging my hole Monday evening. I have a tiller and shovel for that adventure.

Just finished a pond build about 6 months ago. The pond is a little over 2000 gallons with a large waterfall and diy filter. So far, the pond stays crystal clear and the fish are doing well. Of you are in the boro let me know and you can come by and look at what I have done. They do recommend water changes a couple of times a year.

dwilliams87 · Sep 29, 2013

reefscaper said:
Just finished a pond build about 6 months ago. The pond is a little over 2000 gallons with a large waterfall and diy filter. So far, the pond stays crystal clear and the fish are doing well. Of you are in the boro let me know and you can come by and look at what I have done. They do recommend water changes a couple of times a year.

I go to the boro, every once in a while. I'll keep that in mind.

JOKER · Sep 30, 2013

Mine has been running for 8 years and I change water when it rains.lol. Never any issues but I do add water softener salt to it

p woodard · Sep 30, 2013

JOKER said:
Mine has been running for 8 years and I change water when it rains.lol. Never any issues but I do add water softener salt to it

That is me only when it rains I have about 10 water lilies

JOKER · Oct 1, 2013

I have no plants but I have several fish. One of my KOI is about a foot long and few other are close to that.lol

p woodard said:
That is me only when it rains I have about 10 water lilies

mapn4reef · Oct 1, 2013

The biggiest headache I have discovered on ponds is having a proper and effective pre-filter setup so not to clog the pump setup. Filtration is key, I have succefully used one of the cheap drum style filters from Home Depot for years, it finally developed a leak, after ordering new gaskets/rings, still leaking, going to chunk it. I bougth one of the big mesh pre-filters from AC, and have yet to get a new filter, as it's end of summer...the pre-filter is doing a good job by itself...but I only have 5-7 fish (only one BIG butterfly koi)...it's a 60 gal, with waterfall... No water changes here...no issues. I would look into a surface skimming setup as well for pre-filtration...

JOKER · Oct 1, 2013

You can also get a whiskey barrel (plastic) from The home depot and make a great filter out of it very cheap. I would use lava rock as pre filter, then couple 2" thick sponge filter pads to make filter. My friend has a 2000 gallon and it keeps his pond spotless. Think he is running close to 3000 gallon an hour through his. Think total setup cost for that filter will be around $60.