suggestion on buying or building a waterfall

I am hoping that someone has pictures of waterfalls that I can build or purchase for my fish pond. I had a tub that I used for a filter system, but it leaked. Just removed and would like to replace it with something else. Already have a filter system so it would only be something that would look nice. My pond is cement 3-4' deep, approx. 1500 gal., with a small black hard plastic tub above the pond. Right now its been raining a lot so when the weather clears up I can clean up around the pond. I have 2x2's over the pond with netting to protect the fish from the birds. I want to put the waterfall by the windmill. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Mike

In looking at the picture it looks like you have used a mold of some sort to create "rocks" around the top edge of your pond. Why not level a spot where you want the waterfall and make it out of the same material that you made the pond? Since it would need to be taller you would not need to excavate it just start right on top of the ground and build up. If you use the same rock mold as you did around the edge of the pond it would look good together. Cement is such an easy material to work with you could make curved edges and a small stream between the two if you would like and would not have to worry about it degrading very quickly as plastic has a tendency to do.

Tetleytuna
The pond is lined with a special rock that when they are kept wet they have a moss growing out of them.
Mike

We built this one last fall. It was a re-do of one built about four years ago. If you like it I can d-mail detailed plans. It is all stuff you can get most likely locally. The bottom pool holds 350 gallons, the top pool maybe 35 or 40 gallons. The top pool is just a splash pool. The water drops from that over ledge into a curved stream and then over another drop into the main pool. Sounds complicated but it wasn't really. Actually the hardest part was sizing the filter and pump with necessary lift and gph to keep the water clean with an attractive flow but not rushing like a torrent. Took a bigger filter and pump than we thought.

Front view - The support for the upper waterfall is a curved wall of stacked retaining wall block available at all home building stores like Lowes or Home Depot. The waterfall itself is a Savio waterfall weir set into an opening in the block wall. The block was covered with rubber liner which goes into the upper splash pool, over the ledge, and under the rock lined stream. Natural stone from a decorative stone yard was stacked and foamed into place over the top of the rubber liner. The natural stone covers all the rubber liner. Black waterfall foam was used. Grey latex paint was dabbed over any exposed rubber liner that couldn't be hidden. It also disguised some of the black foam for a more natural appearance. It would be possible to cement directly over the block in place of a rubber liner. If it doesn't crack and leak you would be OK. I'm not good with cement but handy with foam so stone was the choice.

This message was edited Feb 18, 2007 8:50 PM

What a beautiful waterfall Snapple. You all are always such an inspiration to me!

Geez, you're making me blush.

Back Yard Pond

Back Yard Waterfall

Snapple45 can you post a close up of your concrete man. He is cute.

That's Rankei. Meet his Uncle Go Ju Tou

How'd you do the picture thing?

I want one. LOL Outstanding
Do you mind if I try to copy yours, I would like to try and build one.
I saved your photo and then in Paint Shop I crop everything except the statue.
It does not show any detail though and it is better to have an original up close of it.

How is this? Opp's where is the barn.

This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 1:43 PM

Of course not! Beauty belongs to everyone. There are several web sites with some japanese granite garden stauary that is just absolutely stunning. Before you begin please check out the web .

www.japangarden.co.uk.com

www.granitesculpture.com

www.cherryblossomgardens.com

It is hard to find any local supplier with a wide ranging inventory. The cost of shipping is prohibitive due to the sheer weight of the granite. Both my lantern and pagoda were surprise gifts from my DH. He knew I had been drooling over them every time we went to the stone yard that sold fountains, statuary etc. Both of these were purchased at X-Mas when they were on clearance. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have any!
If after looking at the net sources still you want the photos I will happily see that you get them.

Mary

I love the Japanese garden look with the water. I think it is the simplicity with a focal point of the statuary. Good luck on building your waterfall. They also make small preformed pond basins that you can hide behind your stones and with plants. I did this but you really need to make sure of the level, or you will keep losing water and then a big disaster of an emply pond. It only takes a dribbling.

I saw another waterfall in another thread that was inspiring and so beautiful. I will look for it and see if I can attach it (I am still new to DG). I will be rebuilding mine this year too. I wouldn't recommend going too high with your waterfall on a level area, as it takes away from the natural look.

Oh Boy, RatherBDigging - I have been with the dribble thing. It tooks us 3 soild months to track it down and fix it. A dribble can be so frustrating. Put water in, next day put water in, repeat until you know you have start tearing things apart until you solve it. Good advice on the height.

Snapple,
What is the plant growing around your waterfall/filter in the "Back Yard Waterfall" photograph?
Is it planted in the stone surrounding it or actually in the filter?
(I'm new to water gardening, and still learning the basics--trying to find something good for both water quality and camouflage for our 70-gal stock-tank bio-filter)
Thanks!
Teresa

I'm going to Snapples house for iced tea on my trip to Ohio in a month or 2....


...she just doesn't know about it yet....

:)

Hey MarryMary, we'll keep an eye out for ya!

Sivios. That plant is a common ordinary sweet potato vine, planted in a container. The container is situated just behind and to the right of the filter. It is made from leftover rock from the pond bulding and lined with landscape cloth to keep the potting soil in. I change out part of the soil every spring and try new plants. The sweet potato vine went nuts and grew in all directions over 25' by the end of the season. It made getting into the filter for cleaning challenging. They are obvioulsly extremely easy to grow. This year I have something entirely different back there - Perilla Magilla. Whole different look. Tomorrow I'll post a pic. Today DH and I are trying to recover from a major case of the flu, for crying out loud.

so, mnorberry, how is the pond coming along???

Brenda

Oh no.
Flu in the Summer can't be easy--hope you're soon feeling better!
Teresa

Well its coming along. Had problems with animals getting into the pond. I have trapped four so far. Here is a picture of the pond so far, not completed yet. Purchased a waterfall and added a 3rd pond.

Looking good... what kind of animals were getting into it?

I have trapped two baby acoons, one shunk and a possum (spelling maybe wrong)

Wow!