10' Pond Build

[moriarty]

I have been planning to do this for some time, and my schedule has finally allowed me to start getting things going.

I have to preface this thread by saying that this is definitely not a cheap/easy means for having a relatively large system. My reason for going with a pond is that I really enjoy the top down viewing perspective. I looked at a lot of different options, and decided on a 10' round intex metal frame pool with an additional 45 mil epdm pond liner.

I plan on doing the insulation this weekend, but wanted to set the pool up first so that I could get an idea of how it will look in the space that I intend for it to go.

I'll update with more pics as I go along.

Thanks for looking!

 

[humaguy]

love it....good luck!

 

[krj-1168]

What are you planning to put in the pond?

Also approximate what is it's volume (how many gallons)?

 

[moriarty]

What are you planning to put in the pond?

Also approximate what is it's volume (how many gallons)?

The volume of the pool filled to about 6" from the top is roughly 1200 gallons. To start with, I'm going to plumb in a 150 gallon sump, and a 50 gallon container for equipment such as the skimmer. This will be about 1400 gallons in total. I left lots of space to add additional tubs as needed.

As for what I plan to put in, I currently have a juvie Queen Angel (3"), Maculosus Angel (5"), Aussie Harlequin Tusk, and a pair of Green Bird Wrasse which I'm sure will appreciate the extra space! I would eventually like to attempt keeping some of the larger angel species in pairs, and have been spending a good amount of time searching the forums looking at other RC member's experiences in doing so.

 

[Dmorty217]

Following along. How do you plan on accessing something in the middle of that 10ft pond?

 

[kegogut]

Following along. How do you plan on accessing something in the middle of that 10ft pond?

I would assume that he would walk out to the middle?

Looking forward to watching this progress. Good luck!

 

[SPotter]

im in! looks awesome!!!!

 

[HPark]

Funny - one of my current tanks is pretty shallow at 10" and even though I hated it at first, I've really grown to like the top-down view. Best of luck on this project - can't wait to see it progress.

 

[Zoodiver]

You'll like that pool a lot. I have a 1200 gallon Intex for holding sharks at my place - but with PVC instead of the metal frame. Those liners are tough.
For a cost effective biological set up, I'd suggest a large Rubbermaid trash can full of bioballs on a platform next to the edge. You can let it gravity feed back into the pool. It will also be a great way to provide a de-gas/off-gas area without the need to have the surface moving so much that you can't see down into the display area.

 

[Dmorty217]

I would assume that he would walk out to the middle?

Looking forward to watching this progress. Good luck!

Thanks captain obvious. I meant without putting swim trunks on everytime

 

[Cu455]

Thanks captain obvious. I meant without putting swim trunks on everytime

I didnt think it was obvious. I would have doggie paddled out there. He can also wear a wetsuit insted of the trunks.

The pool looks good. The window there is pretty cool. If humidity builds up you can throw an exust fan in the window.

 

[Cu455]

You'll like that pool a lot. I have a 1200 gallon Intex for holding sharks at my place - but with PVC instead of the metal frame. Those liners are tough.
For a cost effective biological set up, I'd suggest a large Rubbermaid trash can full of bioballs on a platform next to the edge. You can let it gravity feed back into the pool. It will also be a great way to provide a de-gas/off-gas area without the need to have the surface moving so much that you can't see down into the display area.

Was it stocked with PVC or did you switch the metal out?

 

[Dmorty217]

I didnt think it was obvious. I would have doggie paddled out there. He can also wear a wetsuit insted of the trunks.

The pool looks good. The window there is pretty cool. If humidity builds up you can throw an exust fan in the window.

I meant that I personally don't even like to stick my arm in my tank if I don't have to. With a pool as your tank putting on a wetsuit or trunks or whatever to get into the pool anytime you need to get something off the bottom/middle will become a huge PITA

 

[Zoodiver]

I didnt think it was obvious. I would have doggie paddled out there. He can also wear a wetsuit insted of the trunks....

As per my sig? Hahaha

Was it stocked with PVC or did you switch the metal out?

I swapped it. Some of their pools have the PVC option for bracing.

I meant that I personally don't even like to stick my arm in my tank if I don't have to. With a pool as your tank putting on a wetsuit or trunks or whatever to get into the pool anytime you need to get something off the bottom/middle will become a huge PITA

The trick is to make it so you don't need to go to the middle often...if ever. Once this type of pool is up and running, there shouldn't be a need to access the middle that often. Maybe once or twice a month - if even that much.

 

[Dmorty217]

As per my sig? Hahaha
The trick is to make it so you don't need to go to the middle often...if ever. Once this type of pool is up and running, there shouldn't be a need to access the middle that often. Maybe once or twice a month - if even that much.

Good points, I guess if you setup something that's 10ft across you sign up for getting into it. I was thinking cat walk...

 

[anbosu]

Good points, I guess if you setup something that's 10ft across you sign up for getting into it. I was thinking cat walk...

Or maybe one of those foldable ladders if they are big enough for that.

 

[moriarty]

Following along. How do you plan on accessing something in the middle of that 10ft pond?

Haha! I actually have a pair of waders that I'm going to re-purpose for reaching the middle if/when I have to. Going to try to set it up so that this happens as infrequently as possible!

 

[moriarty]

You'll like that pool a lot. I have a 1200 gallon Intex for holding sharks at my place - but with PVC instead of the metal frame. Those liners are tough.
For a cost effective biological set up, I'd suggest a large Rubbermaid trash can full of bioballs on a platform next to the edge. You can let it gravity feed back into the pool. It will also be a great way to provide a de-gas/off-gas area without the need to have the surface moving so much that you can't see down into the display area.

Yes sir! Doing exactly that!

 

[moriarty]

I got the insulation and liner installed today. Was going to do it this weekend but I managed to finish what I needed to at work, and was able to start my weekend early.

First I put in a layer of 1/4" foam board underneath the pool. I had originally planned to go with something a little thicker, but thought that the pool might not sit right if I had done so. I'm going to trim the excess board away once the pool is filled.

The next step was to insulate the walls with 6" thick fiberglass insulation. I'm sure this will be compacted down to next to nothing once the pond is filled. Because the underlaying foam board is so thin, I went ahead and put a layer on the bottom as well. (Once the liner is in place, it should be water tight).

Finally the liner. 45 mil liners are heavy (this particular one is 110 lbs), so I had a buddy help out as not to just drag the pool around trying to do it myself. We got the liner centered in the pool as best we could. I am going to play around with where I want the creases to be as I fill it up.

Here's a pic of the 150 and 50 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks which will be the sump/refugium, and where the skimmer and other equipment will go. My next step is going to build the stands, and get them in place and plumbed.

I probably won't have any major updates over the next couple weeks as I promised my wife that I would get to a couple other projects around the house first. She's been great about my little basement project, so I'm more than happy to oblige!

 

[moriarty]

The pool looks good. The window there is pretty cool. If humidity builds up you can throw an exust fan in the window.

Yeah, that window worked out really well. If the dehumidifiers don't do the trick, an exhaust fan will be the way to go. Plus I have the added benefit of natural sunlight!