First Tropical Pond Build
- Thread starter charles-n-charge
- Start date
Alright thanks guys. Just making sure I'm not talking to myself here.
Today we got rain for the first time in 4 months, good news for sure.
I found a pump online for $170; it's 1.5 HP and does about 6000GPH or so.
The pond is only going to be 15x10x3 now, so not as large as I had originally planned.
Other than that, not much progess in the past few days. The fish are definitely ready to be moved into the pond though, aggression is getting pretty bad.
Any suggestions or ideas are still wanted so don't be shy
Today we got rain for the first time in 4 months, good news for sure.
I found a pump online for $170; it's 1.5 HP and does about 6000GPH or so.
The pond is only going to be 15x10x3 now, so not as large as I had originally planned.
Other than that, not much progess in the past few days. The fish are definitely ready to be moved into the pond though, aggression is getting pretty bad.
Any suggestions or ideas are still wanted so don't be shy
I found a pump several months ago at a house we were cleaning out and took it. I just remembered we had it so we took it out and tested it and it runs great. I'm thinking about using it instead of buying one, but I did some research and it only does about 3000GPH, 1HP. I'm not sure if that is enough
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Sorry I haven't been updating, I'm having problems with my internet.
First off, why does this feel like a waste of time even updating when no body is helping whatsoever?
Second, Today I found a ton of old carpet for free to line the pond with and to put the liner on top of. We have also built a 40' bulkhead next to the pond to keep the ground elevated and stable.
Third, We have figured out all our plans as far as stone-work goes. I'll post more on that later and add pics of everything if anyone is even paying attention
First off, why does this feel like a waste of time even updating when no body is helping whatsoever?
Second, Today I found a ton of old carpet for free to line the pond with and to put the liner on top of. We have also built a 40' bulkhead next to the pond to keep the ground elevated and stable.
Third, We have figured out all our plans as far as stone-work goes. I'll post more on that later and add pics of everything if anyone is even paying attention
Nice find! It is a bit small for your pond, maybe you could get another about the same size and run both. You really need close to 1x turn over per hour in a pond. Otherwise looking good.
Also if you need any more supplies or pumps I would recommend http://www.highdesertkoi.com/. I hear great things about the evolution pumps and Steve is a great guy to work with. How were you planning on getting the water out of the pond without a bottom drain? Just using a submersible pump I guess?
pumps rated in HP almost always mean alot of $$$$$$ to run. Make sure to check the amperage and average it out over 24/7 usage. Also stay away from anythign that's not a pond pump. Pool pumps aren't made to be run 24/7 365, neither are sump pumps. Both will consume a ton of electricity and leave you footing an extra 100$ a month at least to run them. A pond pump that pushes 6000gph shouldn't consume over 500 watts. It will also be beuilt for 24/7 use and cost ~ 200-300$. If you're paying attention that extra 100$ at the start has just been earned back by 1 month's use of the pool pump.
I love my anjon monsoon pond pump (it's the ms6100), it pushes a great deal of water at not too much energy cost. pay antention at the cost per day.
http://anjonmfg.com/monsoon.aspx
http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/maxflopumps/maxflo4200.php?link=141
laguna is even more energy efficient.
The point is to spend a few hundred now to save thousands later. true pond pumps are cheaper in the short and long run. They will require little to no maintenance and will not randomly brake costing you your precious and expensive stock. Even at that make sure to have 2-3 pumps. At minimum 1 for a water feature and 1 for a skimmer. This will give you backups and better filtration.
and see your pm, the solar pool heater styles are much cheaper and more effective in the southwest.
I love my anjon monsoon pond pump (it's the ms6100), it pushes a great deal of water at not too much energy cost. pay antention at the cost per day.
http://anjonmfg.com/monsoon.aspx
http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/maxflopumps/maxflo4200.php?link=141
laguna is even more energy efficient.
The point is to spend a few hundred now to save thousands later. true pond pumps are cheaper in the short and long run. They will require little to no maintenance and will not randomly brake costing you your precious and expensive stock. Even at that make sure to have 2-3 pumps. At minimum 1 for a water feature and 1 for a skimmer. This will give you backups and better filtration.
and see your pm, the solar pool heater styles are much cheaper and more effective in the southwest.
Alright I got my internet issues fixed, I can start updating again finally.
pics soon.
Right now my plan is to have it all filled and running, but not adding any fish until Spring. So that I can really see how rough our winters will be on it.
As for heating, I want to do a large bubble-wrap pool cover on it.
It always gas-exchance still, produces a small greenhouse effect over the whole thing, allows light in still, and is easy to deal with.
I'm also finally breaking down and considering electrical heating... We have a 50gal water heating, brand new, still in the box that I'd like to run on it.
With the heater and bubble-wrap, I think ill be able to hold up against the winters.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much it will cost monthly to run a water heater like that on a 5,500g pond, in 45f weather, trying to hold a temp of 75f?
That would be very helpful
pics soon.
Right now my plan is to have it all filled and running, but not adding any fish until Spring. So that I can really see how rough our winters will be on it.
As for heating, I want to do a large bubble-wrap pool cover on it.
It always gas-exchance still, produces a small greenhouse effect over the whole thing, allows light in still, and is easy to deal with.
I'm also finally breaking down and considering electrical heating... We have a 50gal water heating, brand new, still in the box that I'd like to run on it.
With the heater and bubble-wrap, I think ill be able to hold up against the winters.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much it will cost monthly to run a water heater like that on a 5,500g pond, in 45f weather, trying to hold a temp of 75f?
That would be very helpful
