so I think I have found the perfect location in my yard. The total space I have to work is about 20x40 ft. Not saying Im going to make the pond that big but thats the space I have for everything to do with the pond. I probably could squeeze another 10 feet or so but thats the size I want to stay around. Ill get pics of the area when the snow goes and I clear some trees out.
outdoor pond in canada
- Thread starter Garlover
- Start date
Terra Greenhouses and Sheridan Nurseries are both distributors of AquascapePRO products in that neck of the woods.
www.aquascapeinc.com
Might be worth a few phone calls to see if any of them have any discounted items or special order liners that never got pick-up on sale.
www.aquascapeinc.com
Might be worth a few phone calls to see if any of them have any discounted items or special order liners that never got pick-up on sale.
FYI, if you're planning on doing a pond for fish, rather than a shallow "water garden", avoid filling the bottom of the pond with rocks like many designs do. There is no way to clean the detritus form the bottom of the pond, imagine filling the bottom 1/3 of your tank with egg to fist sized smooth stones...
ya Im doing a fish pond. I dont think Im going to put alot of gravel in anyways. I havent finalised the design yet but I think Im going to do a couple steps and put stone and gravel there and thats where the plants will go
There is much controversy on gravel vs. non-gravel lined ponds. I myself prefer gravel than bare bottom.
First, your not going to fill the bottom 1/3 of the volume with gravel. Are the rocks and gravel going to collect silt and debris over time, sure, but fish and other inhabitants will help stir the bed to keep it healthy and aerated. Just by walking around in the pond during maintenace is enough to stir it up and prevent dead spots.
Second, 1-3" of small (#6 and #8 washed in these parts) gravel provide a bed for BB, protects the liner from UV rays, and gives traction during maintenace. A little algae film on a liner is about the best slip-n-slide you could ever want.
Third, all the ponds I have built and maintain have rocks and gravel in them. Staying under 4" is the best thing. Once the gravel gets deeper than 4" you have to worry about anerobic activity. All the goldfish, albino channel, and snails burrowing in my pond keep the bed clean. Again, a little maintenance goes a long way too.
I am not saying gravel is the only way. I just would not do an EPDM liner in my climate w/o gravel. I have seen and loved many bare bottom Koi only ponds. With the right planning on filtration and other mechanicals, there are ponds that look great and the stock super healthy.
The choice is yours and what you prefer.
First, your not going to fill the bottom 1/3 of the volume with gravel. Are the rocks and gravel going to collect silt and debris over time, sure, but fish and other inhabitants will help stir the bed to keep it healthy and aerated. Just by walking around in the pond during maintenace is enough to stir it up and prevent dead spots.
Second, 1-3" of small (#6 and #8 washed in these parts) gravel provide a bed for BB, protects the liner from UV rays, and gives traction during maintenace. A little algae film on a liner is about the best slip-n-slide you could ever want.
Third, all the ponds I have built and maintain have rocks and gravel in them. Staying under 4" is the best thing. Once the gravel gets deeper than 4" you have to worry about anerobic activity. All the goldfish, albino channel, and snails burrowing in my pond keep the bed clean. Again, a little maintenance goes a long way too.
I am not saying gravel is the only way. I just would not do an EPDM liner in my climate w/o gravel. I have seen and loved many bare bottom Koi only ponds. With the right planning on filtration and other mechanicals, there are ponds that look great and the stock super healthy.
The choice is yours and what you prefer.
thanks for the input. Im going to line the pond with some gravel for sure but not alot. My channel cat is about 24 inches now and when he starts swimming around most of the stuff on bottom is sturred up anyways.
