KR wrote:
> We have a very large garden on a slope and I need and want ways to
> fill it up so my latest idea is to have a waterfall/pond... I know
> you can get those pre-formed molds but I don't think that will give me
> what I want. I would like a small pond in the upper garden with some
> plants (how deep should this be??) with a waterfall, well a river
> really. running to the lower, deeper pond that i would like to have
> fish in (again, how deep??).
>
> Do most people have koi or goldfish here? Will I need some sort of
> filter in addition to the pump? I wonder if a fountain in the upper
> pond would be overkill?
>
> I'd appreciate any guidance I can get in starting this big project!
> Any links or stores I should visit to gather information and advice?
>
> Thank you in advance!!
>
> Katherine
>
Hi Katherine, I just bought some sheet pond liner material. This is
Firestone rubber similar to what you see in a tire inner tube. This
stuff is not cheap - $1.00 square foot and is available at Kent's in 10
ft wide ($10 running foot), 15 ft wide ($15 running foot), 20 ft wide
($20 running foot) and 25 ft wide $25 running foot. You can also buy
prepackaged pieces at a slightly higher cost. The big advantage is that
the sheet rubber will conform to any shape you want. My brother has a
really large man made pond in the Topsail Pond area and has 8 Koi and
goldfish that over-winter. The pond has a section that is deep enough
not to freeze to the bottom in winter an a generous layer of organic
material and soil/sand for the fish to burrow into. There is no
filtration on his pond but you need to make sure that the water does not
stagnate and that air is introduced into it (fountains and waterfalls do
this). They have been there for about 3 years and the largest is about
10 inches long. As to the fountain, my own experience tells me that
pumps/fountains/lights etc are all good, but you need to follow some tips:
1. Make sure any electrical devices are made for ponds or wet areas.
2. Insure that electrical connections are to a GFCI outlet that has been
properly installed and grounded.
3. Each device will probably need an electrical plug so make sure that
you have enough. I would caution about connecting to an extension cord
(unless you use a premium cord (expect to pay about a dollar a foot)
4. Make sure any pumps or fountains have enough power (capacity at head)
to do what you need to do. Capacity at head is the ability of the pump
to push or pull an adequate supply of water to the height that you need
it. For example if you are creating a river that starts 4 feet above
your pond you need to ensure that your pump is strong enough to pump
enough volume of water to a head of 4 feet so that you get a proper flow
back down the river.
If I can give you anymore info send me a note directly to this email
address.
Rick Fisher
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