Buadhai Builds A Pond

[El Gibbon]

BH
Do like the idea of the bridge, but keeping it in proportion with the other elements of the design is key.

From my perspective it is way to large and detracts from the overall view, it is the dominant feature of the project. I thought the key element was to be the pond/stream combo.

It also overpowers the "old" wall effect and the icon sitting on top of it.

If the bridge is to stay it could be much smaller or at least appear to be more 'delicate' in nature.

Maybe done in bamboo style with lots of open space. The 2X4 effect is just too strong.

Just one opinion.

E. G.

[The_Dude]

BH,
Thanks for the info. And , as for the pond great work. But the bridge does look a bit oversized. You have alot of things going on- too busy. IMHO - Perhaps maybe use the bridge on another area of the garden.

[Jet Gorgon]

I humbly agree with the no bridge voters. But, you're looking dam fine for 58, BH.

[buad hai]

Thanks for all the input. Ms. B loves the bridge so in it will go. I poured the footings this morning.

I think it will look fine once It's surrounded by plants.

The idea of a garden like this is that there is no main feature. As the garden grows everything gets hidden and overgrown. The only way you'll see some things is by moving around and peering behind stuff. The most expensive small plant I've bought is an Osaka bird's nest fern. I planted it right behind the old wall. The only way to see it is to walk around the end of the stream and look behind the wall.

Maybe it will work, maybe not....

[buad hai]

This is probably a silly question... but how are you going to stop overflow?

Turns out you were right. I installed an overflow drain today. Photos tomorrow.

[buad hai]

I started putting the bridge together yesterday afternoon:


The boards tacked on to the bottom are just a temporary jig to keep the main supports parallel.


Started in the middle and worked out to preserve a bit of symmetry.


This is the hardest wood I have ever worked with. I only had 28 nails to drive. I drilled a pilot hole for each one. Even then I bent a dozen nails and had one drill bit simply disintegrate when I removed it from the hole. Amazing.

[buad hai]

This is probably a silly question... but how are you going to stop overflow?

Turns out you were right. I installed an overflow drain today. Photos tomorrow.

[Butterfly]

Ms. B loves the bridge

what does she know ? it's our pond, tell her to get with the program

You are the man in the house, aren't you ?

[buad hai]

You are the man in the house, aren't you ?

The man, yeah. The boss? Uh, er, well....

[NickA]

I don't know if it's hard wood or crappy nails (or me being useless), but I've given up on nailing things and use a drill and screws instead.

[Mid]

err , about the size of the overflow pipe .........................

[buad hai]

err , about the size of the overflow pipe ...

It doesn't have to be fast. Just slowly keep the water level below the grass line if there's a heavy rain or if the float valve gets stuck.

[buad hai]

[Mid]

It doesn't have to be fast. Just slowly keep the water level below the grass line if there's a heavy rain or if the float valve gets stuck.

bridge looks great , now

bet the pipes too small ..............................

[El Gibbon]

The staining of the wood helped A LOT. Now not so conspicuous in the overall scheme. Nice job.

Bet Ms. is pleased..

E. G.

[Butterfly]

yes, the color is helping a lot, looking much better

[Marmite the Dog]

What about a handrail?

[jizzybloke]

It the bridge fixed somehow? Someone on your moo ban is a bit light fingered at night you know!

[attaboy]

BH
Do like the idea of the bridge, but keeping it in proportion with the other elements of the design is key.

From my perspective it is way to large and detracts from the overall view, it is the dominant feature of the project. I thought the key element was to be the pond/stream combo.

It also overpowers the "old" wall effect and the icon sitting on top of it.

If the bridge is to stay it could be much smaller or at least appear to be more 'delicate' in nature.

Maybe done in bamboo style with lots of open space. The 2X4 effect is just too strong.

Just one opinion.

E. G.

Could move it closer to where the stream falls into the pond.

[Texpat]

A "Bridge freezes before road surfaces" sign.

Is it too narrow for my wheelchair?

[kingwilly]

how do i fix this green mold that keeps coming back? snails?

[buad hai]

The staining of the wood helped A LOT.

It's actually not stained. I just sanded off the old paint and stain and then put on several layers of oil followed by many coats of wax.

I'm afraid now that it looks too much like furniture. Ms. B took her shoes off before crossing it the first time. She's very pleased with it, though. I predict all that shine and gloss will wear off quickly.

bet the pipes too small ...

My last pond used 1/2" CPVC for an overflow and that has an even smaller ID than the PVC I used here. Next rain will tell. Remember that there's no runoff into the pond. It only would overflow during a heavy rain (or valve failure) so the outflow doesn't have to be very high.

It the bridge fixed somehow?

Not really. It sits on pins in the concrete footing. However, it weighs a ton. Not sure how much of a deterrent that would be.

Could move it closer to where the stream falls into the pond.

Little late for that now, but it probably would look better there.

Based on some of the comments above I plan to widen the bridge to 2 meters to permit wheelchair access, add a non-skid finish and put stainless steel handrails on both sides with appropriate "at your own risk" signage...

[kingwilly]

^ and dont forget to add a toll gate to it!

[buad hai]

how do i fix this green mold that keeps coming back? snails?

The green is probably algae. If you have fish in the pond they produce nitrogen. Algae consume nitrogen. Put lots of other plants in the pond. They will consume the nitrogen before the algae get a chance. Also, you need plants that cover the surface of the water and prevent sunlight from penetrating the water. The algae need sunlight. Blocking it will keep the algae down.

If all that doesn't work, you can try a filter. The filter in my pond is the long deep stream that is full of small river pebbles.

The snails are OK. They eat algae. If they get to be too much, just hand pick them.

What's the black arch in front of the pond?

[kingwilly]

cheers,

as for the black arch? god knows!