Raised Ponds easy, cheap, fun and portable

Here is my pond that DH built for me about 6 years ago. We used that special paint on the inside. But that had to be redone every year or it leaked. So last year we bought a liner and put it in and I am very happy with it. It holds either 170 gals. or 270 gals. Its been a while since I figured it out.

Just have parrots feather.waterlettuce and water hyacinth. Plus my 14 goldfish. Largest about 8-9 inches and about 10 years old. I bring them in in the winter. I wintered over the parrots feather in the greenhouse. But the others die even in the greenhouse.

Am enjoying everybodys ponds. Someday we might do a bigger one.

that's really adorable!

Of course mine isn't portable as I look closer at the title! LOL someday I might learn to look closer. LOL But it's an interesting thread. I am making some changes in that area as it gets really hot.

yes, but it IS raised, so you fit the criteria :)

I love anything with stone, so I'm glad to see this.

Ves, I made the same mistake, mine isn't portable either. ;) Very neat pond you have. I love rocks too. And I know for a sure, that Mrs-Ed love BIG rocks too. 8*)

Here's a picture of the whole area. We went to the rock piles and
picked out most of the rocks. When DH picks rocks in the field he brings them to me and shows me the ones he thinks I would like. Then of course I go thru them all and pick out more. LOL

I have done everything with rocks because it is what we have .

Yes C I know and you know I would be there right now if I could.

I was reading the threads again and saw the posts about the algae and one person mentioned the uv
the gal at Tyler water gardens and pretty much every place I have read on line about ponds has talked doubt the uv light/filters begin an investment you want to make for any pond to keep the water clear.


Here is one place I found that sells them rather reasonable and Lowe's also carries one for around $60
http://americanaquariumproducts.com/CompactUVSterilizer.html

but of course I am no expert by far but I know I am saving up to get one to add to my pump.
I'm just concerned about leaving the pump running when we go up to visit family and friends next month in Illinios

I would never consider NOT having the UV light. When I put in my little Koi pond last year all I could see was the green pea soup water. I tried just about everthing to treat it and nothing worked. After I put in the UV light I had clear water in less than a month with no problems to either fish or plants. It works by killing the suspended algea as it passes along with the pond water under the light. There are those with concerns regarding it killing beneficial pond bacteria as well. It will to some extent, but a lot of the beneficial bacteria is on various pond surfaces such as the sides and various plants that you may have so you will not lose that benefit. The one that I currently have is a bio/UV filter unit. It has the filter media to get the solids and then the water passes under the UV light before going back into the pond. A UV light will not kill string algea though.

Every brand new pond goes through a "pea soup" algae stage from what people tell me. But it doesn't mean your pond is unhealthy. You should be putting in a "good bacteria" chemical to season your pond. Once you have done that the pea soup will begin to clear on it's own. I have never used a uv light. I have had some string algae, but from what I read that can be controlled if it got out of hand. The sun is what makes it grow more. If you have water lilies to shade
Phyllis, I have a flat pan filter/pump with bell fountain. and another small pump that you can have. Also I have several lights (5 I think) that may or may not work. DH isn't interested in seeing if they are still working. Two are the more expensive type others are harbor freight ones. Also have a thermometer to pass along. Not sure how we can get it to you. It may be October RU before I see you again.

Sheila If I can talk Dh into it I may be going over to LouC's this weekend or early next week how far are you from her?

I am finding the small water fall pump we got at Lowe's runs but today after Dh got done putting water in said it would run then stop for awhile then run again so I'm sure ti was from the heat of the water....so I guess I need to get some plants in to help shade things (?)

Ves, it's free, and many beautiful things can be done with them. Your very fortunate your dh brings it home for you. I have to run for mine, and my dh complain if I haul a few with the van.

Mibus2....
I wouldn't think the heat would effect the pump's ability. Sounds like it may be pinched or clogged. If it isn't clogged up, or the tubing pinched; then it could be it isn't strong enough to pump the vertical distance you need from the bottom to the top.
I would love to meet you at Christi's (not sure where she lives yet) let me know for sure when you will be there, and if it is ok with Christi! I will have a funeral to attend sometime next week, should know tomorrow when that will be.

I wouldn't think it was pinched or clogged as the stream coming out of the tube is a real nice stream almost too much when it runs ...and I just checked it and it is running without stopping now that it is dark out.

I'll let ya know if I can talk Dh into letting me go over to C's...she is in De Soto off of what is it 45 that goes towards Bronc's and where Mitch lived....I'm pretty sure she would love it

Ves, Yes, you fit right in with your raised pond and it is a beautiful pond. I added the portable because so many people would like to have a pond but may still be living in apartments, condos and places where they can't dig in. They may not realize that just because you can't dig a hole in the ground doesn't mean you can't have a pond. We have quite a few rocks here, too. I use them in walkways, stonewalls and edging on some of the beds. That is a beautiful arbor area so pretty. What are the climbers growing up the arbor posts?

Mibus2, I don't have UV lights in either of my ponds or my Fathers and we don't have many algae issues. My other small pond has string algae but that is the only type of algae it has ever had and I hand collect it. The box pond has never had algae in the past other than that initial start up bloom which then disappears. This year after we rehabbed it and restarted it, we got that start up algae bloom but it is clearing up nicely on it's own. That's not to say that you would not need one or want one, just that I haven't had the need for one yet.

You all have some very lovely ponds. Here is a new picture of my box pond taken this morning. The plants are all growing very nicely although the only thing that seems to want to bloom is the Pickerel. Holly

And a close up of the water, you can see some of my goldfish.

This message was edited Jul 19, 2008 8:08 AM

Holly they are cucumber plants. I usually have morning Glories climbing. But wanted to extend my vegie planting this year. So there went some of the flowers. On the back 3 trellis' the MG's weren't growing so I pulled them last weekend. Next year I think I will plant green beans on all of them.

Well Ves, They look very attractive as well as eatable.

I killed ALL my fish last night! My poor koi and shubukins were finally getting less skitterish and coming up to feed.. they were all about 5" long and growing... got home from work after 40 hours in 3 days.. constant non stop on my feet and was dead tired. I usually stay out in the yard while adding water to the pond so it does not get too much chlorinated water in it but was so miserable I went inside to sit down a few minutes.. left the hose running in the pond... woke up 6 hours later to dead fish! I can't believe I did this... going to get an auto filler fixed up before I buy more fish. Well, at least I can take this opportunity to clean out my pond.

Tammie

... just had to share my stupidity. I was really getting attached to those fish and some were soooo pretty. Have had some for 2 years.

Aww Tammie - so sorry - you're not stupid - just overworked - we all do stupid things when we are overtired - I know it doesn't help - doesn't bring them back - but don't beat yourself up - you were just trying to take good care of them - - How many were there? how long did you have them?

Kitty

I think I have scooped about 12 out of the pond.. some I have only had about 6 months.. others I have had for 2 years. My pond is only 1 1/2 years old.. I had a tiny pop up pond before then that some were in. I watch wally world fish for color combinations I want and buy them. Just scooped out my beautiful gold and while and black and white koi... so sad.

Tammie

I can relate to your sadness and feeling of stupidity Tammie. I had Koi and Shubinkin that I had in my pond for 5 years and killed them the same way.
I was on pain killers prior to back surgery and not thinking clearly. In a hurry one morning before a doctors appt., I turned the pond water on and got side tracked with something else. When I checked the time, I needed to hurry to make my appointment; left with the water still running. Never thought about it after that. When I got home my DH greeted me with "Don't get upset, but you killed the fish." Of course he hadn't dipped out the dead fish! I had to go face my babies' glassy eyes as I dipped each one out. The larger ones weighed about 5 lbs each. I was sick and vowed I would never get fish again. I haven't as yet but I missed having them so much that I have reconsidered my decision. I won't get Koi though; too much of an investment personal and monitary. Regardless, I also want to get maybe a timer on the water hose that is hooked up for the pond. I could set it as I turned the water on and estimate the time it will take to fill. That way it will back me up and turn it off if I don't.
Again...I feel your pain, sorry you are having the experience.
This is the first time for quite a while I have looked at their pictures. :-(

So sad, Tammie and Sheila, I am so sorry for both of you...

Telling our stories may help someone else be more careful when turning the water on; thus saving other fish.

Well, this is sad, but Shelia, I had to really laugh at your husband's comment.

Bless both your hearts. Sheila, you already know that I lost my most favorite koi last week. Luckily, Becky (next door neighbor) took the others. Don't plan to restock fish until next Spring as they go dormant in November anyway. Becky said she would give you juvenile fish anytime you want them. Just let me know.

Lover, So sorry. It is not your fault. I have killed 3-4 and didn't know what I did.
There was a time when I thought fish were only for catching and frying. Man, how I have changed. I would talk so softly to my babies. Have learned that anyone that has had fish has had an accident and never on purpose.

Christi

Oh Tammie, I'm so sorry that must have been terrible for you.
Sheila, for you as well. I have done that more times and I can count, just put the hose in the pond thinking I will come back later and forgot all about it. It's a very common thing to do please don't beat yourself up about it. But is is hard losing a pet and they will be missed.

Final count: Tammie: 18 Fish: 0 Oh, I hate that. No more fish until I have an auto fill installed on the pond.. just a little copper tubing attached to the garden hose with a fill float mechanism from a swamp cooler. My father has agreed to set it up for me. He did it for their pool and it has worked great for years.

Tammie

Girls I'm sorry for your loss I know it is hard to lose any pet :(
I think I am going to wait until next year if then to put any fish in my lil pond ...I need to make sure I don't kill the plants first and with us going to visit family and friends in Illinois next month I am worried enough about the dogs being taken care of.

Mibus,

It's actually better to wait to add fish. It's like cycling an aquarium. You want everything up and running for a while, the filter growing beneficial bacteria, the plants settled in a bit..etc.

very true Prickle ..Dh had mentioned getting goldfish but I said no and gave my reason as above plus as you have said and besides he would be the one that would do them in since he takes care of things when I am at work LOL

Tammie, take a picture of the mechanism when you get it made. Sounds like something that would work for me. Almost sounds like a toilet tank cut-off. Making something would be a lot less expensive than buying I'm sure.

LhasaLover - I'm so sorry! I've fallen asleep when I should have been doing something else. It happens to the best of us when we're too tired. I just feel bad that falling asleep cost you so much.

Sheila_FW - I've done some bad things on meds myself. Mine have been sleeping pills. I didn't even realize how messed up I was at the time.

Tammie - So sorry about what happened with your fish. It happens to the best of us! {{{hugs}}}

I have been reading all the posts here and taking mental notes. I want to build an above ground pond, but with this darn recession and the price of everything going up (except my salary), it's on hold for now.

If your dad installs an auto fill on your pond, would you please post information and photos! Maybe step by step photos of how he makes one? I think it would be greatly appreciated by everyone here! :-)

I will try if he does it on a day I am home. I work 7a to 7p and he is really good at doing things when I am not here.. he comes over every day I am at work and lets the dogs out for me.. they really give him a time.. sometimes he has to drag one or another out of its bed! LOL .... an mom constantly worries the dogs need to go out more!

Tammie

Tammie - I didn't know you worked 12 hour days! Ugh! Well, forget the step-by-step photos. Maybe just a photo of the finished product and we can figure it out! LOL! Thanks again for your great idea after the fish tragedy.

Bump - great ideas here

We will be getting our ponds up and running pretty soon. I picked up a small pump and filter for the bathtub so I should have some pics of that for you this year. The question now is where do I put it. I have come to realize that the spot I had picked out is probably too shady so do I try it there and see how it goes this year or find another spot? I can just see me now with the guys, heavy cast iron tub in hand, moving it around the yard. Hummm let me see it sitting there, no move it a little more to the right.....LOL
I saw a great looking raised pond over in the trash to treasure thread. It was made from the cover off a satellite dish.

Holly..... I would not put the pond under a tree because of debris but they do need shade in small ponds and especially the iron tub. Maybe a lattice on the west side if you don't have somewhere that they would be shaded by a building etc.

I have gotten my pond up and running again and got Shubunkin and regular fantail goldfish, but not Koi to restock.
...Just a side note, my pond has been running for a year or so before I stocked with fish and when the larger ones and shubunkins did well I put two little fantails I had in the house in there with them. Then they went missing. The next day I saw one and thought it was a goner, but when I picked it up realized it wasn't and sat it back down. It just sat there so I was going to take it and put it in a separate container. As I picked it up again, I noticed that it had a huge dragonfly nymph attached to it's tail. I yanked it off and tossed it to the otherside of the pond. When I released the goldfish it went under a rock and hid. Never more to be seen.... Guess the DF nymph returned! I wasn't thinking, should have thrown it in a pond that I don't keep fish in.

Shelia, I had this old bath tub, it has some history as it was a water trough when we had horses and before that it was at my Uncles camping place with a pump, childhood memories. I painted it bright red/orange thinking it would look nice sitting near the trumpet vine. We live out in the country but have a small neighborhood and I wanted it along side the front entrance. Thinking that visitors would walk by as they come to visit and the neighbor hood children would think it fun. You won't be able to see it very well from the front porch, it won't be under and overhanging tree but a large spruce will shade it in the afternoon. I have been thinking that maybe I need a more sunny spot but I like the way my front yard is and don't really want to put it elsewhere. My back yard has two small ponds so I can't really see putting it back there. My son a plumber is going to hook up the pump so that the water will run out the drain in the bottom and pump back through the facult. I will only put in some inexpensive gold fish but I wouldn't want to cook them. I keep thinking that I should go with my first idea and if it doesn't work find another spot next summer. It would sit right here on the right of the walkway.

Nice spot, I think that is a great thing to reuse something that has history. I don't believe the spruce would be as much problem as what we have. Pecan, Oak, Crepe Myrtle; all within blowing distance. If it isn't tassles, nuts, or leaves, it is flowers! Do you have water lilies, if not I have a couple starts I could share. Not sure what kind, just run of the mill, probably pink.
Sheila