It's finally happening!

[FINWIN]

Oh ok

I know that's the company usually contacted because they will mark every buried line. Be careful if your water use is closer to those petroleum lines than 1/4 mile...could be an issue of soil leaching. I know that's usually a problem with old gas stations that move, contaminated soil.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I remember that I sent you a PM when I just got on MFK explaining my plans, and you were probably like "Yeah whatever. This kid is dreaming" lol

 

[FINWIN]

I remember that I sent you a PM when I just got on MFK explaining my plans, and you were probably like "Yeah whatever. This kid is dreaming" lol

Not me. When I was a kid I'd go up on the hill out back and just dig a big hole in the ground for a 'pond' not having a clue...my folks had some land in Virginia and I'd collect baby toads, frogs, and their eggs from that location. So I would check and each day the water kept going down, LOL...we have clay soil here so I thought something was up. But the tadpoles all changed into frogs and toads, disappearing. I dunno, guess I'm guilty for adding to the local population now. Not that it changes much, it's wild kingdom out here anyway.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

Cooool. Must have lots of pics.

You might want to check with "Miss Utility" before digging if that applies in your area.

LOL in my state its called JULIE . I called them the first thing when i purchased my place to definitely get an idea where lines really were. For landscaping purposes

 

[kendragon]

I hope your Grandpa know what he's doing. Sloped property requires proper drainage to ensure that the ground water pressure at the low point don't lift the pond. I've seen many liners and molded ponds pop out of the ground. Having the big pond on top will also flood the small pond when the power goes out. Connecting two ponds at difference levels requires engineering and not just an idea. I suggest you join the Koi Club of San Diego to get some ideas and visit some ponds first. A big hole in the ground is difficult to abandon.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I hope your Grandpa know what he's doing. Sloped property requires proper drainage to ensure that the ground water pressure at the low point don't lift the pond. I've seen many liners and molded ponds pop out of the ground. Having the big pond on top will also flood the small pond when the power goes out. Connecting two ponds at difference levels requires engineering and not just an idea. I suggest you join the Koi Club of San Diego to get some ideas and visit some ponds first. A big hole in the ground is difficult to abandon.

Thank you for this. I will talk to my grandpa about this. Most likely, he will know about this.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Ken's a pond professional. I'd heed him.

I've only built a few ponds but usually on more or less level ground.

The best filtration depends on details, what's available, etc. Bog / natural filter sounds great but depends on your climate too. I like wet/dry. If you use potted plants inside your pond (in a section that's separated or not from your main section) you might not need a filter or much of a filter. I'd advice into providing a very good flow / stirring, s strong as you fathomably can afford financially; pumping costs $$$; powerheads and bubblers are cheaper and more efficient at stirring..

EDPM liner or Reinforced PE liner (may or may not be 100% waterproof IME) are good options but have their cons. Can't house spiny and toothy fish. I'd consider in earnest a concrete pond / swimming pool like - a lot more labor but could last forever if built well. With or without a liner membrane. Or a fiberglass inground pond - see them on Craigslist sometimes for cheap.

I'd make the bottom come down to one or a couple low spots in a conical fashion to have all the dirt gravitate towards there and attach drain pipes with valves, large diameter like 4", so once in a while you turn the valve and drain all the dirt.

Same goes for the stream.

See my 25K videos (which IS rubber liner) for the fish selection - koi + a large and diverse Co.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

So, my grandpa says he can come in a week or 2. My dad isn’t convinced pond liner won’t hold predatory fish. He says “It’s so thick. It’s one thing if they’re biting it, but a little graze wouldn’t puncture.”

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I hope your Grandpa know what he's doing. Sloped property requires proper drainage to ensure that the ground water pressure at the low point don't lift the pond. I've seen many liners and molded ponds pop out of the ground. Having the big pond on top will also flood the small pond when the power goes out. Connecting two ponds at difference levels requires engineering and not just an idea. I suggest you join the Koi Club of San Diego to get some ideas and visit some ponds first. A big hole in the ground is difficult to abandon.

He knows what he is doing. I’ll talk to him more about the liner popping out. The flooding is simple. The stream will be placed so that it is 1/4-1/2 of an inch under the water line. Then have the second pond a few inches under the top soil line. It wouldn’t flood, right? I’m going to talk to some pond dudes up in Poway. We talked to them last summer a bit. Mainly about the cost. They have a ton of ponds built on sight there.

 

[kendragon]

So, my grandpa says he can come in a week or 2. My dad isn’t convinced pond liner won’t hold predatory fish. He says “It’s so thick. It’s one thing if they’re biting it, but a little graze wouldn’t puncture.”

Many liners get chewed up by rats. I have a thread about that where they went with a molded pond after two 45 mil liners got destroyed. Just make sure there is no chance of nesting pockets along the edges or waterfall.

He knows what he is doing. I’ll talk to him more about the liner popping out. The flooding is simple. The stream will be placed so that it is 1/4-1/2 of an inch under the water line. Then have the second pond a few inches under the top soil line. It wouldn’t flood, right? I’m going to talk to some pond dudes up in Poway. We talked to them last summer a bit. Mainly about the cost. They have a ton of ponds built on sight there.

Did he really say that or are you making that up?. Hope he's insured.