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Thread: Very small pond

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Very small pond

    I have decided to embark on making a small pond that is mostly for looks but will also add a nice feature to the front area of our house.

    I have already pulled power to the area for the water pump.



    Here is the basic concept of the planned pond. It will have a few small fish and of course my crayfish I have had living in another water feature I will ultimately remove. The challenge will be keeping my "water" dogs out of it so I told my wife I think the best fish are a Piranhas. 555. The pond will be about 3 to 4 feet deep and like somewhere around 7 to 8ft in diameter with a few local water plants. I will make it out of cement versus doing a liner as I know the liner will degrade and fall apart as I have seen in other ponds.


    I am trying to locate the following here in Thailand with not much luck.





    These are available in the states and make setting up the pond easy and with a filter trap helps keep the pond clean.


    Currently I have 3 shade trees which will add blockage to the pond from direct continuous sunlight. I decided to add another tree now to offer further coverage and let it get established. I bought an older mature tree to match the current ones in place.

    Originally the truck with a crane brought the tree but was unable to navigate it down our street so they had to offload into a smaller truck.



    Lil Vigo was loaded up



    We got the tree to the location. The holes in the ground are where the pond will be built.



    We got the tree to the pre dug hole but could not get the tree out of the truck. The root ball was 3 feet in diameter and nearly the same long and it weighed too much



    I got my truck and we set up straps and I winched it out of the bed and we all rolled it into its nice new home. I forgot the tree name but it gets quite full and has very aromatic flowers a few times a year. The plan is to make a small sitting area opposite the waterfall.

    More to come as this is a project for fun.

  2. #2
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    Nice Japper, the idea is on my list also but a few years down the line. I was thinking a rebar cover which can be lifted off to get access to clear leaves out but also stops dog swimming, kids drowning, cats and birds fishing.

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Yeah it's been something on my plans NPT to do and we moved my wife's rose garden from that location to another as the rose's didn't seem to like it. I believe it was from the afternoon sun.

    I would love to put a little Tiki type hut near it with some bar stools so I can enjoy a beverage. I have numerous sketches and ideas drafted up. My wife likes the idea.

    I will do most, if not all the work, myself( with my FIL probably doing the cement rendering as he loves doing it). I have found a rock quarry and have lots already at the house. I will seek out some flat stones for the waterfall part. I again do not want anything big just something to relax by.

    I already calculated volume and will order a pump that flows double the rate. I want to turn the water over at a rate to keep it from clouding up. Next up are a few lights. Some solar a few submersible. I have never done a pond before so I look forward to it.

    As for a cover, I will teach my dogs to stay out. The fish being robbed by birds should not be an issue. I plan on a few that will be about a foot or so long. Maybe a few Koi. Maybe a snapping turtle will keep the dogs out. 555

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    You could put in a small ramp with shallow for the tortoises to come and drink at.

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    When you say 'cement', even for a small pond I would recommend reinforced concrete - the rebar and coarse aggregate in the concrete will prevent cracks forming.

    As a kid, I lost a tortoise due to drowning after it walked into our small garden pond. Tortoises sink like a stone and I would keep them well away from a 3ft to 4ft deep pond. They could fall off any ramp put in to let them drink. Maybe a low surrounding wall?

    Just some thoughts...

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    Mendip agreed on both points, just raising the tortoise issue as i'd hate to see them come a cropper.

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I would recommend reinforced concrete - the rebar
    Yeah I am used to the term cement but it will be properly reinforced concrete. I am still deciding on straight wall design or a slope. I am leaning at a straight wall. I saw a really nice fish pond set up at an Amazon Coffee shop on a recent road trip. I took lots of pictures.


    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Maybe a low surrounding wall?
    The concrete pond part will come flush(or a little above ground level) then will come the stones. I had already given thoughts about the tortoises which is why the raised stoned as in the concept picture will be the way its built keeping them from accidentally falling in. Our tortoises have 3 watering pots around the land that they know where to go.

    I will also have a small water run off tube that will allow the level to remain consistent when it rains and we know how it can rain here.

    BTW NPT.....

    Want a Sulcata Tortoise.....





    She dropped out 17 eggs on Christmas day ( Takes about 100 days or so if they survive). Of course the Thai Lotto numbers started instantly flying around with my wife's friends and family...5555

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    Thailand Expat Airportwo's Avatar
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    A friend has a couple of ponds in his garden in Bangkok, keeping them clean was a consuming daily job, not long ago he put some UV lights in and reckons they are the dogs bollocks! may be worth looking into.

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    ^^ 555 they obviously are in good condition, in all my years in the UK i have never heard of tortoises laying so something must be right there. I'd love a tortoise of two but can't commit yet, besides we've not yet settled on where we are going to settle if that makes sense and the eventual place will need to be secured so they don't sprint off somewhere. Very kind offer though Japper.

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    Is that a waterfall in your "small pond" concept?

    &, who the hell has been fukin your tortoise??? Is Stoker in town?

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    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    Very kind offer though Japper.
    Anytime NPT. My wife did some research and appears these little bastards can sell anywhere from 2000 to 2500 bht? Our tortoises are registered with some specialty pet agency. My wife took care of all that when I started to raise them. I guess it allows you to legally sell them. It didn't cost anything so I didn't care.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Is that a waterfall in your "small pond" concept?
    Yes it will have a waterfall. drop will be about 2 feet or so. It will cascade down to the pond

    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    who the hell has been fukin your tortoise???
    Our big male is always riding the female. In fact it takes some management by all of us to move the big horny bastard away from her so she can rest or I swear he would hump the shell right off her.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post

    Our big male is always riding the female. In fact it takes some management by all of us to move the big horny bastard away from her so she can rest or I swear he would hump the shell right off her.


    & the waterfall concept is nice - looking forward to seeing how it turns out - probably more impressive than some of the Nakhon Nowhere 'waterfalls' I've visited over the years...

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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    Our big male is always riding the female. In fact it takes some management by all of us to move the big horny bastard away from her so she can rest or I swear he would hump the shell right off her.
    a man of your engineering prowess should be able to fettle up a Shag Break contraption to place on her shell for a few days at a time or more.

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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    a man of your engineering prowess should be able to fettle up a Shag Break contraption to place on her shell for a few days at a time or more.

    A tortoise chastity belt...Now there is a money maker. 5555

    The best method so far is spraying the bastard with water from the hose. Must make is pecker shrink up and he slides right off her then she runs (Yeah funny I know) like hell from him. My FIL told me the other day that the 2 big males got into it with her around and the bigger one flipped the other over on his back which is common battle tactics.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Airportwo View Post
    A friend has a couple of ponds in his garden in Bangkok, keeping them clean was a consuming daily job, not long ago he put some UV lights in and reckons they are the dogs bollocks! may be worth looking into.
    You stated your pond site gets a lot of sunlight, which will promote algae growth (algae = dirty green colored water). In line UV lights incorporated into your pumping system will kill the algae as it passes through, resulting in crystal clear water. Well oxygenated water is very important, your water fall may not be adequate. So you might want to incorporate a fountain feature.


    Your pond should be at least 3 feet deep with sharply angled sides to prevent crane type birds from wading/feeding on your fish. Also put concrete pipes on the bottom of pond to give hiding places for the fish from diving type birds of prey.

    Koi are dirty fish monitor nitrogen levels for healthy fish.

    I had a re-enforced (rebar) gunite pond and early on had major leakage problems. Proper sealing of the concrete is critical. Fixing established pond is a major problem. Everything has to be removed from the pond for several days. Also chemicals in the concrete/sealers can be toxic to plants/fish. So do a few water changes with long periods between.

    There's nothing so relaxing as the sound of splashing water, multi colored koi silently gliding through the water, a cold beer at twilight...Or coffee in the morning.

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    Quote Originally Posted by CalEden View Post

    I had a re-enforced (rebar) gunite pond and early on had major leakage problems.
    what sealer did you use and where did you buy it?
    I have the same problem,....looking for the best solution in Thailand,...

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    Any simple tank of bricks or blocks rendered by a normal cement mortar - enhanced with some water proof addition - nam jaa - or with a Lanco mixture - will do.

    No UV light, what for? The fish like the algae. Just a simple recirculation will make the water better, there are different sets available in garden shops or special fish shops. Or making an additional filter tank next to it.

    I have shown here once my system - not the best solution made without my knowledge by local gardener - but improved over years by my ingenious inventions.

    The water outlet at the bottom of the pond flows slowly by gravity into the filter cascade of few chambers where the dirt sediments. The last chamber is equipped by swimmer that switches on/off pump leading the water into the pond back again. Additionally I have in the loop also a pressure sand filter that is frequently backwashed, so making use of the fish dirt for the garden fertilizing.

    I have there some 25 kois, in a water gained from strongly ironized ground well, over years without any casualties...

    Very small pond-14092901-jpgVery small pond-filter-jpgVery small pond-fish-pond-filtering-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Very small pond-14092901-jpg   Very small pond-filter-jpg   Very small pond-fish-pond-filtering-jpg  

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    Quote Originally Posted by importford View Post
    what sealer did you use and where did you buy it?
    I have the same problem,....looking for the best solution in Thailand,...
    This problem occurred 30 years ago. I did not anticipant this problem until I transferred the fish back to the pond and quickly realized I had a problem. I did several water changes until water was at acceptable level. With the popularity of ponds I'm sure there are now some fish friendly sealers. Be careful of petro based sealers and concrete type may have lye or caustic additives. I always bought my stuff from Builders Warehouse or pond shop.

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    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    I have there some 25 kois
    I can count 2 dogs and atleast 11 Comets in that picture

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    ^
    A better picture when they are called to see the master:
    Very small pond-18051514-jpg


    Also two of this plaa kot caught in the river (not by myself) had survived there some 4 years, rarely reported themselves at the surface, finally they gave up:
    Very small pond-15052109-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Very small pond-18051514-jpg   Very small pond-15052109-jpg  

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    All good info. The pond will likely be done with brick and then cement and rendered. Then sealed. Plan is 4 ft ( 1.2m) deep. Even considered using pool type tile. It will be straight edge type. Not a slope.

    As for the note about the sun hitting it, I have already planted trees to cover it. It will see some sun but not much. Also, my goal is to have all the plumbing/pump etc all hidden.

    And I agree CalEden. It is very relaxing to go out and sit by a pond. We also have a lot of Doves on our property. They constantly hang out on our Lotus Pots to drink. I expect them to nest up in the trees by the pond (And just in case, the branches will not hang over the pond so no bird crap. )

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    I have no doubt, due to the OPs nature, this will be a massively over-engineered and utterly magnificent pond; he may be able to sell entrance tickets for folks to come and visit it!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    I have no doubt, due to the OPs nature, this will be a massively over-engineered and utterly magnificent pond; he may be able to sell entrance tickets for folks to come and visit it!

    Or...perhaps, it'll be a humble affair, per the author's nature
    Complimentary to the already existing garden.

    If done right, these types are more complex than what meets the eye.
    Keep it simple but elegant and functioning.


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    Quote Originally Posted by HuangLao View Post
    Or...perhaps, it'll be a humble affair, per the author's nature
    Complimentary to the already existing garden.

    If done right, these types are more complex than what meets the eye.
    Keep it simple but elegant and functioning.

    And rapidly become a money pit.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    I have no doubt, due to the OPs nature, this will be a massively over-engineered and utterly magnificent pond; he may be able to sell entrance tickets for folks to come and visit it!
    Well there is that on the over engineering part.....555. I always plan and do projects clean and attempt them to be well thought out. I would like a nice little pond that isn't an eye sore when you look at it. I told my wife I didn't really care if it has fish. I will have to research on which fish is best and easy. I might just put a bunch of Skeeter eating fish that need nothing to survive. They might enjoy the free ride from the water pick up back out the water fall part. I will have about 3 to 4 big crawdads in it so any fish that die are food for them.

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