I have a lot of stone on my farm. Should I do a bleach water sterilization before putting them in the pond? All this business about Ph and stuff kind of scares me. Where do you get your test stuff and how often do you have to fool with it? Thanks, Steve
river rock or other stones in water gardens
I do not have a lot of knowledge in this area. I know that limestone will do bad things to water qaulity if used under the water in quantity. Smooth river pebbles should not be a problem though.
Most of my rocks are hard sandstone, I'm wondering about whatever kind of critters that might be growing or living on the rock. I guess it might be on the safe side to bleach'em than rinse them good? I don't want to kill any good stuff that might be living on them though.
sandstone? I don't believe sandstone should be submerged. I would try submerging some in water to make sure it doesn't disintegrate over a short period before adding to the pond.
Well, its called sandstone locally but this stuff is super dense and doesn't disolve. Guess I should find a more correct name. Its a nice dark brown color, very pretty and a great accent in gardens.
Ah, sounds like a nice rock :)
I've brought up tons (literally) of them from the back part of my 80 acres. This fall we drug in two of them that weigh in at well over a1000 lbs apiece. When I do an outdoor pond I'll use them as a perimeter. The picture is of one of the "big boys".
Hi, yarapa - I'm over in Iowa in 5a. I have alot of rock on the stream bed, and in the pond. I did not bleach, but put it in the pond for about two months before adding fish. How large is your pond? Do you already have fish? Not an expert, but the size and movement of the water will have a great effect on how the particles on the rock will mesh with the present ecosystem. Mine came into balance very quickly - I just washed them off before putting them in. You'll see limestone in the pics I've sent, but it is actually barely in the water - haven't had any problem with it and it's been three years. The limestone was in our back yard (woodland). Hope this helps - Dax
First, part of the stream -
Whoa - just saw your stone - looks like you're going to have a SUPER pond!! Here's a pic of the bottom stream and pond, lined with stone, and there are small stones on the bottom - Will love to see pics once you've put in your pond!! - Dax
Thats a fine stream. It would be sweet to sit beside and observe the life around it. I haven't gotten my outdoor pond built yet but I'm stocking up supplies to get started next spring. The best spot I have for a pond will limit the size of it but I hope to do a bit of a stream coming out from under a deck and flowing into the pond. At present I'm working on an indoor pond using an old stock tank from when I was a kid. I want the sound of water running in the sunroom, part of the relaxation and comfort it offers.
I could only dream of having something like what you have, but maybe...someday... Thanks for sharing your picture.
HAH! Your second picture came through while I was typing. You must have to run people off. If I lived near you I'd pitch a tent and camp there. Thats such a joy to the eye. It must give you great pleasure and satisfaction to have made that.
I'm lucky to be "growing" the rock crop I have on the farm...rocks seem to do better than most stuff I plant. Of course they're not much on fragance and don't bloom often...still, they are hardy.
Wow, tha's a fantastic rock!
That's a beautiful stream, dax, just stunning.
Hey - thanks - sounds like we're of the same mind - I also spent a fall, winter, and early spring just planning for the work in May. Believe me, it's the best time you will spend. Since I knew the plan and had all the materials put together and how it would be done prior to starting, I think I avoided ALOT of problems. My brothers and I put it in May, 2005 in one week - here's a couple of pics of the start. That's why I think you can use your beautiful stone without huge problems. The advice I received from this forum said to just be patient before putting in fish, and they will do just fine with the rock. The pond itself will kill some of the bacteria, but will support the beneficial bacteria. My worst problem the first year was the ALGEA!! In fact, azreno, you were the one to advice the UV filters, and the second year was a dream - hardly any maintenance needed at all! Dax
#1 - The hole as it's being dug -
And two days later - completely lined -
And with the water beginning to fill - here's a tip - if you're going to have rocks on the bottom, put underlayment both UNDER and ON TOP of the liner. Haven't had a leak yet. I put old carpeting on top.
Thanks Dax, just sort of seeing it happen in pictures helps. How big is the basin itself circumfrence? depth? I've got a few rolls of old carpet already set aside and a bunch of rock piled up. I think I can buy the liner from a local business that sells it off a huge bulk roll. If not I'll do the Lowes or Menards thing. I plan to have some of the water flow from this old pump (pictured below).
I don't have any brothers but six of my seven sons live close enough to get drafted in on various "acts of insanity" when I get an urge to build a project. One of them started a pond project that he hasn't finished so he'll be the first drafted. That way his wife will really put the pressure on him to finish up. You should hear the whining and moaning. I love it...(they do to).
The ideas and help from this forum are saving me headaches already. So, I thank you one and all.
Steve
This message was edited Dec 11, 2007 6:24 PM
Steve,
I'd draft them in a heartbeat too! There is nothing like time with family!
In the end, you will be so glad you did. We always seem to have a 'project' or two going on - especially when the weather is warm. Some of my fondest memories are the wonderful dinners afterwards when the work is done and we all sit down to eat, drink and razz each other!
Best of luck with your 'project'.
Carolyn
Carolyn, Your pond is a lot the size and feel I'm hoping for. It feels good to see it. What size and depth do you have there? My sons range in age from 45 down to 14. Being ringmaster of that Circus is a riot. There are lots of memories growing here on the hilltop where they all grew up. Helps hold us close and sure increases the joy of life for me.
Wow what inspiration you guys are!
I just wanted to interject a thought about the bleach. Sandstone tends to be very porous and will retain the bleach even after rinsing so I would strongly advise against using it in your pond. I really think that the stone you are talking about would be fine just power washed without detergent to get off the surface dirt and any loose peices.
Whatever you end up doing I know you will enjoy it! Keep us up to date on the progress. :^)
Steve,
The pond is just under 5000 gallons. Without the bog, it is 11 ft wide by 27 ft long. The shallow end is 3 1/2 feet deep and the deep end is 4 ft deep. This end that you see against the fence has the single waterfalls.
Carolyn
Steve,
Here is the other end with the twin waterfalls. The plantings should grow up in a year or two to cover the 2 biotech filters that you see in the picture.
The bog is 2 1/2 ft wide by 10 ft long and it is made from a stone fence that my husband foamed to the shelf and then filled with pea gravel. The pea gravel and the plants that grow in the pea gravel help to filter the water.
Tetley,
We used a lot of rock when we finished off our pond. We were very lucky in that we have friends that have 80+ acres and they have told us that we can have as much rock as we want. We put in a coping shelf with that rock and then the rock all the way around the pond. All of the rock was sprayed off with the hardest spray setting on my hose attachement and then used around the pond. Now the trick is to get my plants to grow amongs the rocks.
Carolyn
Hi, everyone - Sorry for the lateness in response, but we lost electricity for THREE days - had to live out of a hotel room since we have a well - lost water as well!!
yarapa - Looks like you're on a well - right? Makes it much easier for the water - no need to do those de-floridation chemicals, etc. Also, MUCH less expensive to have "free water," so to speak. Anyway, the bottom pond is 18' generally in diameter and varys from one foot to 3 1/2 feet deep. The pic above shows the configuration. Since it's a Wildlife Habitat pond, there is a slanting beach about 6 feet wide for the animal access. About 4,500 gallons. As far as carpeting - you may want more - I got a bunch from a Carpet retailer for free - they're always looking to get rid of it. I get in the pond for maintenance and it's comforting to know I'm not digging rocks into the liner. LOVE your pump! Great conversation piece, and just darn cool. Here's a pic of an old milk can I have in the top pond which delivers the water from the bottom in a 2" PVC pipe. People always comment on it - it's magic! Also, you're indoor pond sounds wonderful - do you have a pic? I'd love to have something inside for the winter.
And Carolyn22 - Beautiful!! I'll have to get advice from you on the bog. I tried one, and failed miserably. At this point, just a few grasses grow in it at all.
Again, sorry it took so long to get back to you - Dax
Dax,
Thank you - here is a picture of part of the bog. It really only covers the left side. If you want, send me a DMail and I can tell you how we did it. It wasn't bad at all to build.
Carolyn
Hey Dax,
Sorry about your weather. Its been big & bad news according to all the media stuff. Thus far we've ducked it all. Winter is not my pick of seasons.
The old pump is the one we used when I was a kid. It's just sitting there for fun cause it's a handsome old thing. Fifteen miles from town and I'm lucky enough to be a rural water system. Where I plan to put my outdoor pond will be an excellent spot to fill from my tin roofed porch roofs. In terms of gallons I'm not sure how big it will be. Likely not more than a 12' diameter ranging from 1' to 3' / 3 1/2' deep. This is still a real fluid project...so to speak. How much fluid I'll figure out when I'm digging.
The indoor pond is just this old cut in half boiler we used for watering the cows. I sealed and painted the inside of it to make sure I didn't get seepage in the house. I want the sound of running water, if I can support a plant in it great, if not, ah well. This is just goofy old man recreation so it's a no-lose situation.
Heres the tank sitting in place, I have to get some more rock for the "falls" and put some more plants around it.
Heres a long view. This is my first full winter in this room so it's still pretty raw. Just now figuring out how to live in it.
Hi - Thanks for the pics - It's much better for me to be able to figure out how to do something if I can see an example - I think I could do something like yours, yarapa - although now I'll need to wait till next year. If my koi survive this winter in the pond I think I'll bring them in next winter. My breaker keeps going out with the pond heaters so I'm continually fighting to keep the ponds open. Won't know if they survived until next spring ---- UGH!!
Carolyn - I've sent you a d-mail for instructions - thanks!
Dax
My pond was designed by a pond maker ansd i watch them do the job. It is lined with river rocks and all they did was rinse the rocks. I do not know how mant tons was put insde. I do not need tyou need to sterilize the rochs with chlorox since the awater is not bacteria frre. Also you need some bacteria to balance it. Just my 2 cents worth bellieg
Love the indoor water feature yarapa! What does it look like from above? I'm having a hard time picturing what a half boiler is (call me a city gal). I have a large aquarium going inside with koi and it satisfies the yearn to hear running water, but not the yearn to observe fish from above, ya know? I'm considering doing something like what you have. I wonder what other kind of large containers I could use in lieu of my aquarium.
Dax, I adore your pond and stream...well done!
The boiler is from an old hotel. It was part of their hot water system. Think of a 55 gallon barrel, then make it about a 150 gallon barrel. That's basically what it looks like. Those things have been out of date for many years now. Grandpa was a great scrounger and got the thing for free. Cut in half, we ended up with two watering tanks for the cows. I think a lot of people use livestock tanks for water features. You can get them at any farm supply store and I'm sure there are plenty of those in Colorado.
This picture may show it a bit better. Please bear in mind I have no idea what I'm doing with this thing but I won't let that stop me.
I think it looks great! You definitely don't know less than I do, so good job.
I'm kind of like you (or your grandpa) a scrounger, so I don't want to go out and buy a stock tank...I'm looking for something cheap/free/used like what you have. :) But now I have some inspiration! Thank you for posting the pics.
Huntin' for the goodies is half the fun, Enjoy and have a great Christmas. Steve
The original idea was about using local stone but it kind of morphed into talking about this indoor pond thingie. Played with it a little today and made it this far with an idea.
Oh! I think that looks so pleasant. Can I come sit? Really good job.
Thank you, it's a work in progress which means more fun to come. By all means, pull up a chair, its becoming a nice place to sit and daydream.