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NYPDFrogman

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Looking at the FW reef thread got me thinking of building a pond in my yard.
I'm planning on doing a paver patio outside my basment skliders.
things that make you say HMMMM...

this wont get done till the 450 is done though
 

masterswimmer

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I've been thinking about one also Frank.

Herman, I've got slopes all over my property, I was thinking about a multi-level pond connected by waterfalls too.

Wife likes the idea. 15 months out of commission with the back has some major honey do's in front of this when I get back to normal (if, might be a better choice of words though). :happysad:

I'll be back

Russ
 

Rborgia

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My dad has a massive pond in his yard which he did by hand. I beleive its about 2000 gallons.

Dont put gold fish in there... those thins are like rabbits, start with two and next thing you know you have hundreds.

I must say, in the warmer weather at night, its really cool and relaxing to sit out back and listen the running water.

Rich
 

Rborgia

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yeah he has a bunch of Koi... I emailed him for info, but he must be out. I will respond with more when I hear from him. Some of his fish are like 14" long... big! amazing how fast they grow.

Filtration is much simpler then what we do for our reefs too...

Rich
 

jhale

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If you make it big enough Rich and Steve will come fish in it no doubt.

Can you make a trout pond? :)

sounds like a fun spring project! I made a pond once, lifting those big rocks was no fun, and that was back when I was younger, i.e in really good shape.
 

griMReefer

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when you do, i would recommend you "test" the pond with feeders before you put in expensive koi (i learned that lesson from my previous place in f.hills)

in my newer neighborhood you're somehow more likely to spot a RACOON crossing the road (even in evening twilight) than a cat, even on hillside avenue, yet somehow none of my fish are missing, yet. i think its because i put the pond in the front yard, right up next to the busy street?

you'll hear more crickets (and frogs if you put in non-bull tadpoles) at the end of the summer. i like it because it helps drown out the traffic from the street just a tad. gotta add some electricity this summer.

GO FOR IT!!!

ps NYPD: love the regal!!!
 

Reefer420

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how deep is your pond? i've read you should make one at least 6 feet deep to keep racoons, etc. from eating the fish- or else put a screen over the top of it...

it has to be at least 3 ft deep to keep from freezing fully in the winter, right?
 

jhale

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18" is the frost line, so it should be deeper than this.

a deep section of three feet should keep the fish alive.

I would make one deeper though.
 

Rborgia

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wow 6 feet deep would be pretty serious... probably find the water table at that lvl and not have to worry about filling it.

Usually 36" to prevent a complete freeze. My father usually puts a heater in the pond (floating kind) to keep an open hole for gas exchange.

He has never had a problem and is 36" deep.
 
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Reefer420 said:
how deep is your pond? i've read you should make one at least 6 feet deep to keep racoons, etc. from eating the fish- or else put a screen over the top of it...

it has to be at least 3 ft deep to keep from freezing fully in the winter, right?

Wow, I can snorkle or even dive in 6'. 3' is fine.

Dig the soil right after a rain will help you a lot. I did my old 4'x6'x24" one in 30 minutes right after the rain not including the time to decorate. Never have problem with raccon. Haha, I had a big dog which looks out after my house, yard, me, my cats and even fish. Actually, it also look after my neighbors pigeon. He feels sad upon seeing a pigeon died. He drove away stray cats, a golden one in particular, from doing my super fat cat that I let her take a slimming course in my backyard. HAHAHA.

Aquascaping is completely different from SW reef in a tank though. If your pond is not too deep/big, you should always have a lot of floaters, like water lily, duckweed .... to shade the water, so that the water does not overheat. Ha, duckweed got overheat themselves too, so need a lot of them to help out. Somehow, if you start with only a little they will die off while if you start with a whole bunch they will grow more. They are extra food for your koi too. Algae issue are more likely to overrun your plants in hot water, so keep in cool. I tested water temperature in a 30G garbage as high as 95+ F in the summer!

Gborgia,
Koi does not spawn as fast as "gold fish" and as for
"gold fish" you mentioned, I assumed you are actually talking fish feeder Comets.
 
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NYPDFrogman

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jhale said:
18" is the frost line, so it should be deeper than this.

a deep section of three feet should keep the fish alive.

I would make one deeper though.

48" is frost line up here, friend of mine dug out a 1000 gal pond and we are seting it up this spring so I'll expierment with his.
I'll be sure to post pics.
the 450 has to get done first!
hey did I say, "I start hand therapy next week"???
WOOO HOOO!!!!:yeah:
 

herman

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I have two levels. The upper level I use for filtration. I just bought some water hyacynths. Works amazingly!!! That level is 2 feet deep. The bottom level is just over three feet deep. The frost line here is about 18 inches.

I never put any Koi or anything expensive in there. Just goldfish. The damn Raccoons and cats get to them. I watch them from the window fishing. I built the thing primarily for relaxation. I really like the sound of running water and missed my old pond which was "properly" built.

This pond is a pre cast one thats just sunken into the ground. Cheap but good!
 

Reefer420

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when you dig out a pond, what do you line the bottom with? You can't just fill it up with water as it is, can you? man i wish I had a house- can't build a pond in an apartment!
 

Rborgia

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WingoAgency said:
Gborgia,
Koi does not spawn as fast as "gold fish" and as for
"gold fish" you mentioned, I assumed you are actually talking fish feeder Comets.

Never mentioned Koi spawning, not sure if it has happened for him. however the "gold fish" or whatever they are... spawned like crazy (can see them in picture below)... he called them "gold fish" so I cant really exactly what they are.

I spoke with him last night, the pond is actually 1500 gallons.

pond2.jpg


pond1.jpg


He has a bunch of pictures, but most are really blurry. If I find a FPS I will post it up.

Rich
 

herman

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Reefer420 said:
when you dig out a pond, what do you line the bottom with? You can't just fill it up with water as it is, can you? man i wish I had a house- can't build a pond in an apartment!
There are several options.
1 - Tub precast
2 - Liner: There are several liners to choose from. And then there are the liners to protect the liner from sharp objects.
3 - Lastly there is poured concrete.

The best way to go is probably the liner. You have the flexibility to make any shape you want and its relatively cheap.
 

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