First pond - beginner questions

Discussion in 'Ponds' started by HugBug, Mar 9, 2021.

  1. HugBug

    HugBug

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    It's looking more and more like my pond will finally become a reality next month. But I have some questions about basic set up and maintenance.

    I'm aiming (at this point) for a 1.2m (L) x 1m (W) by 75-80cm (H) pond. The water will only be filled up to 60cm though (reason for extra height is that I have cats and don't want to make for easy fishing). It will be an above ground (raised) wooden pond, based on this type of design:

    [​IMG]
    (another pic as I see the first one doesn't seem to show)
    [​IMG]

    For a filter I plan to do a biological filter similar to this one in @RABUBI 's pond
    [​IMG]

    I still need to decide on what type of container to use for the filter though because I don't think metal will match the look and feel of a wooden pond. I rather like the tap idea though.

    My questions (at present) are as follows:

    1) Do ponds require water changes like tanks do? And if so, how often? Or do you simply top them up with water as and went needed and the sun evaporates all the nitrates and other stuff out ?

    2) I was googling aquarium test kits today and discovered pond test kits test different parameters to aquarium test kits (most noticeably they seem to test phosphates rather than nitrates). Any idea what the reason is for this? How do I know my pond water is safe for my fish?

    3) What type of plants would work well in this type of pond, with goldfish? Both for in the filter box as well as in the pond itself. Ideally I would like some kind of surface cover (like the big round things in the above pic), and then also some that stick up out the water. Things like salvinia and duckweed are a total no-go as my fish just eat them up.

    4) then following on from 3, how do I plant in a pond? I presume in pots? Any guidance on what substrate to use in the pots? And in the filter - do I just stick the plants in amongst the biomedia and sponges?

    5) Any one able to give me a step-by-step guide to building a filter like that above? I'm looking at a submersible pump like this (https://www.takealot.com/water-subm...PY-ig4DrCDtBBPe3aUEaAlZREALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), but I don't know how to actually attach it to get it to push the water up into the filter box. Please explain as if I know absolutely nothing.

    6) Lastly (for now). where can I buy those big insulation sheets that you put between the wooden wall of the pond and the pond liner? Oh, and how do I know how thick of a liner I should get? I've seen articles explaining how to work out the size to buy, but nothing gives guidance on the thickness of the liner.
     
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  3. Beachless

    Beachless

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    Lots of questions :)

    1) if you have plants and a filter its pretty easy to maintain 0 ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in a decent sized pond. I do big water changes once in a while to make sure there isn't any build up of chemicals/minerals over time from evaporation/refill cycles. Half emptying it before some big rain is one way I do it.

    2) phosphates is common in gardens (fertilizers, tap water etc). I never bothered testing much as I said doing some water changes will help prevent build up over time

    3) water lily, miniature papyrus, Typha capensis and Schoenoplectus corymbosus are some of my favorite's.

    4) yes pots are the best IMO most garden centres around me have a mix for planting in ponds (they mostly sell it for water lily's and its a sand and compost mix from what I can see)

    5) typically the pumps can take a hose on the output side. So you put the pump in the pond then run the pipe into your filter container. You get a few kinds of filters some fill from the bottom and go through the media and overflow at the top others fill from the top and flow out the bottom. Best is to google one that looks like it will work for you and follow the guide and ask if you have specific questions.

    6) get the thick sabs liner don't try and cheap out here a leaking pond is a pain. 2 layers is even better if its not too expensive. To protect the liner you can use geotextile, carpet or laminate underlay or whatever you can get pretty cheap that will protect the liner.
     
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  4. Shabir

    Shabir

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    Hi @HugBug I honestly cannot be of assistance here but I remember watching a YouTube video some time ago with regards to the filter and I think it can help you. I'm going to search for it and see if I can still find it. It's not the same concept as @RABUBI but I'm pretty sure it would be much easier to construct or maybe you can put that and this. Together and come up with your own filter based on your experience.
     
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  5. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Thanks @Shabir, that would be great.
     
  6. Shabir

    Shabir

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    Okay so I found it after tons of searching. It's a 4 part video.










    I've linked them in order. Hope this helps you in some way. There is of course a different way but a very similar concept just different position of the powerhead.
     
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  7. Zuraki

    Zuraki

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    Hi @HugBug I used cinder blocks to raise my pond off the ground with a 800 micron pond liner installed. The thicker the better, and yes more layers are safer. Cinder blocks are fairly cheap and sturdy @ R 18 each. As for insulation, I would layer a polystyrene sheet inside the cinder block structure before installing the liner. You can always decorate the cinder block wall with wood sheeting on the outside to get a better look. The wood itself will also provide some minor insulation. If I may ask, what livestock do you plan on?

    I have some floating plants to donate (compliments of @A new day) if you are interested. However, some of these are regarded as invasive and should always be destroyed or burned when removed from your pond to prevent them from spreading to our natural water systems.
     
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  8. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Thanks @Zuraki. Maybe a stupid question, but why do I need to raise the pond off the ground?
    And where do I find those polystyrene insulation sheets? That's what I was talking about for putting between the wood and the liner.

    Regarding stocking, I have goldfish that are fast outgrowing their tank, so the pond is for them.
    Ideally I hope to build them a pond at least double the size listed above, but due to a variety of reasons, it's looking like that won't be possible for probably at least another year. So this is kind of an interim pond which will give them at least 3 times the water volume they're currently in.

    Regarding plants, that would be awesome if I could get some of those floating plants. As soon as the pond's finished construction we can make a plan to meet up.
    My fish are brutal on plants though, so I really hope the bigger size and hopefully greater robustness of pond plants gives them a better chance of surviving. So far my fish have just eaten pretty much every plant I've put in their tank.
     
  9. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Thanks for all these great answers @Beachless. Definitely very helpful!

    The plant suggestions look great. The water lily is the round one I was talking about! The miniature papyrus and Schoenoplectus corymbosus also look good. Those certainly look like they could survive my fish. I think the Typha capensis might grow a bit big for this pond.
     
  10. Beachless

    Beachless

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    That would make a good good internal filter but I believe @HugBug wants an external one? She can also do both, a small one like this inside the pond and then the external one outside.
     
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  11. Beachless

    Beachless

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    Its a pleasure, every pond needs a water lily they make beautiful flowers some right through the year. The plants won't have an issue with fish, they are pretty tough and grow fast as well. They are also very good spawning and hiding spots so expect to have some baby Goldie's as well. I believe I've seen a miniature version of Typha capensis but I can't remember its name. Its a good looking plant but the bulrush flowers can make quite the mess so keep that in mind.
     
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  12. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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    my view is you can never have too many plants.
    Below the surface I have eel grass and Horn-wort
    then Also I have above surface waterlilies, water cabbage, iris, water crescent, arum lilies, and some other I do not know the name.
    My bigger pond is covered more than 60% by plants
     
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  13. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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    67BB1C17-0259-415D-9EF9-23BED7CBF34B.jpeg
     
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  14. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    I have an arum lily growing in my front garden that will need to be removed when we start the house renovations. I must definitely see if I can maybe transfer it to the pond.

    Will check out those others as well.
    Pretty sure my fish eat hornwort though, But will certainly look at the other options.
    My goldies are a mix of commons and comets. They seriously go through plants like chocolate! But some of these suggestions certainly look hardy enough to withstand even them so will check them all out and make a collection from that.
     
  15. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Are all these plants planted in pots?
     
  16. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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    let me upload some pics of my filter setup
     
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  17. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Thanks! I think you did once before in another thread, but I can never find that post again. Can you also explain it with the pictures, as if youre writing a "how to make a filter for dummies" book? What pipes I need, where they go, that sort of thing.
     
  18. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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  19. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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    Not all my plant are in pots, this should give some idea
     
  20. RABUBI

    RABUBI

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    07135952-C550-4D1A-9166-3713AB236EC0.jpeg F48B8448-99B5-41DD-8054-AF02B61ECBF8.jpeg 2C951390-75BE-4FA0-B2C6-68C085DC6C87.jpeg 15EF4708-09B5-4B4C-86E9-109B73E2CB4D.jpeg
     
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  21. OP
    HugBug

    HugBug

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    Oh wow, that's such a cool idea!
     

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