New pond, New leaf, All natural (almost)
- Thread starter Tom
- Start date
I had a similar setup for my histrix years ago...without the plants.
I found that the easiest way was to mount the sump off the ground, above the pond and off to the side. I built a frame for it and had it about 3.5' off of the ground. I hung a large submersible pump into the pond and pumped the water up into the sump and let gravity return it. It worked very well.
I also plumbed a ball valve and a "T" fitting in line so that I could open the ball valve and actually pump the water out for water changes. It was a really slick setup.
Having built my own pond and dealt with the issues that come with stingrays and a liner, I highly suggest purchasing something that is plastic or fiberglass. You will spend more money up front but, the piece of mind and the long term cash out flow will make it worth it.
I am a huge fan of the Rubbermaid 300 gallon tub. Solid, cheap, available everywhere and it has a built in fitting for your sump. They are also easy to move around. You can even plumb a few of them in line. At $200 each, they cannot be beat.
Good luck.
Colin
I found that the easiest way was to mount the sump off the ground, above the pond and off to the side. I built a frame for it and had it about 3.5' off of the ground. I hung a large submersible pump into the pond and pumped the water up into the sump and let gravity return it. It worked very well.
I also plumbed a ball valve and a "T" fitting in line so that I could open the ball valve and actually pump the water out for water changes. It was a really slick setup.
Having built my own pond and dealt with the issues that come with stingrays and a liner, I highly suggest purchasing something that is plastic or fiberglass. You will spend more money up front but, the piece of mind and the long term cash out flow will make it worth it.
I am a huge fan of the Rubbermaid 300 gallon tub. Solid, cheap, available everywhere and it has a built in fitting for your sump. They are also easy to move around. You can even plumb a few of them in line. At $200 each, they cannot be beat.
Good luck.
Colin
I believe by growing beds mjohns you mean for the Hydroponics?
I would be putting the Hydroponics in (around lol) the sump and the Pothos will be suspended along the entire back wall of the pond for efficiency as well as aesthetics.
Four foott wide leaves ample viewing space so I should be fine as long as the plants are concentrated along the back and sides.
Nic I was debating making a separate container just for the plants themselves much like a 2'x4'. Would this be more efficient?
Would it be bad if the roots of the pothos dangled in with the rays?
I will be going with a sump that sits above the pond as mentioned by rvrrays earlier.
My current liner was purchased from Lowes. It has alot of give to it and is textured to hold more benificial bacteria (which you can feel the layer of slime on it).
I think I will be going the same way for my new pond.
I would prefer to build my pond rather than buying a tub because I have access to all the materials I need (except the liner) for free.
A custom, finished and stained wooden pond is much more pleasing to the eye than a tub in my opinion
The whole thing is still in it's "fertilization" stage.
I appreciate all for your feedback.
Keep these suggestions coming!
I would be putting the Hydroponics in (around lol) the sump and the Pothos will be suspended along the entire back wall of the pond for efficiency as well as aesthetics.
Four foott wide leaves ample viewing space so I should be fine as long as the plants are concentrated along the back and sides.
Nic I was debating making a separate container just for the plants themselves much like a 2'x4'. Would this be more efficient?
Would it be bad if the roots of the pothos dangled in with the rays?
I will be going with a sump that sits above the pond as mentioned by rvrrays earlier.
My current liner was purchased from Lowes. It has alot of give to it and is textured to hold more benificial bacteria (which you can feel the layer of slime on it).
I think I will be going the same way for my new pond.
I would prefer to build my pond rather than buying a tub because I have access to all the materials I need (except the liner) for free.
A custom, finished and stained wooden pond is much more pleasing to the eye than a tub in my opinion
The whole thing is still in it's "fertilization" stage.
I appreciate all for your feedback.
Keep these suggestions coming!
So I checked out the apartment today. It is even bigger than I expected. The only issue I have is it is not on the ground. There is a basement underneath it. So I am going to have to enforce it from beneath somehow. But it is a huge place and I am more than likely going for it. Any suggestions for support?
Bellacornuta;3049143; said:
yea ask your landlord if you can have over 700 gallons of water on there floor...
It should be no problem. We are making it part of the criteria of moving into a new place to be able to have a pond of that size. The landlord has no problem with it so we will see how it goes.
I couldn't agree with you more. The plastic tubs are not much to look at.
The only problem with the liners is that they will leak. It is not if, it is just a matter of when and how much.
Colin
The only problem with the liners is that they will leak. It is not if, it is just a matter of when and how much.
Colin
If your building the pond you could make the grow beds all along the backwall (if your pond is against a wall ) which wouldn't limit your viewing area. Your growbeds could be the entire length and only need to be 6" wide. Google a site called backyard aquaponics for more details.
