10' Pond Build
- Thread starter moriarty
- Start date
moriarty
New member
What are you going to use to stop jumpers? Mesh?
I showed your build to my boyfriend. He was not excited.
Non-fish people are so weird.
Good call on something to prevent jumping! Was thinking of trying the kind of netting used in koi ponds to keep the fish in and predators out. Would like to make something thats easily removable/retractable and keep it in place at night and when I'm not home. There is a good 8" between the water line and the top of the pond, but it definitely couldn't hurt to take some extra precautions.
Non-fish people... gotta love 'em! My wife was less than enthusiastic about my little project when I first started putting it together, but she's starting to come around. She has already picked out a couple fish that she likes, so we are making progress
We have an agreement where I get the basement, and she gets the rest of the house to do with what she likes. (She's an interior designer and isn't exactly keen on my potential for having "marine explosion decor" throughout the house). I will say though, she has been a really good sport about this whole thing
moriarty
New member
Yeah, it can be done. If I had gone with a deeper pool I would have likely added a viewing window. With the pool that I decided on (30" depth), I can reach almost anything I need to without having to enter the pool. (granted my sleeves get a little wet if I'm not careful). I didn't think that a window would be of much value in a pool that is so low to the ground that you would have to be laying down to look through it.
Zoodiver
As seen on TV
Are you concerned about humidity? My house isn't small and I've noticed a significant amount of extra humidity in the basement with just my 50 gallon reef and mixing station down there. I would think you'll have a sauna with that pond. It'll take a beast of a dehumidifier to keep up.
Last edited:
You can purchase bird netting from Lowes. Use thin wall 3/4" PVC to fabricate a frame first. Then, with a helper, stretch the bird netting and attach to your frame with black tie wraps. You can be creative by installing a hinge in the middle. Using thin walled PVC, it's easier to heat up slightly and bend to the curvature of your pond. Good luck with your build.
cabinetman123
Member
This is insane! I love it. Looking forward to more pics!
moriarty
New member
Don't encourage me! Haha!
moriarty
New member
Humidity was actually a big concern! I purchased 2 70-Pint dehumidifiers. As of now, I only run one pretty much constantly which is plumbed directly into a floor drain. The humidity in my basement stays under 50% with just the one running. These also produce a bit of heat (a good thing in my case as I don't have to heat the water quite as much). I also have 3 screened Egress windows which help in the warmer months, but I may have to employ the other dehumidifier once the weather outside prohibits having an open window. Central air helps in keeping the humidity under control as well.
moriarty
New member
Thanks for the suggestion! I'm currently looking into some options for building a "frame" to go around the pond along with some sort of ledge to go around the top (As it is now, it kind of resembles a large trash bag filled with water, sand, and rock). Am considering materials like Trex decking and PVC wainscoting as I suspect that wood would likely not hold up unless I shellac the heck out of it. Once I get that sorted out, I'll figure out how to go about doing the netting. I like your idea of building a PVC frame. I may do several hinges so that it can be easily folded up and removed when needed.
Been Mired
New member
Really? I wouldn't think a raccoon would like living in this pond much. :fish2:
moriarty
New member
Probably wouldn't be reef safe either (even for an artificial reef).
kegogut
Active member
I use the deer netting for my screens on all my tanks.
As for the frame around it you could always use ceramic or stone tile, Theres an LFS here that has a look down pond that has the stone around the sides with a ceramic tile ledge around the top you can lean on you help look into it since its raised about 48" of the ground.
As for the frame around it you could always use ceramic or stone tile, Theres an LFS here that has a look down pond that has the stone around the sides with a ceramic tile ledge around the top you can lean on you help look into it since its raised about 48" of the ground.
moriarty
New member
I like your tile idea. Will have to look into that!
moriarty
New member
Not too much as far as updates go. Still waiting out the cycle. After the initial bump with a few shrimp blended into a slurry in the Vitamix, I've been using some expired dry food to feed the pond daily as I would if it were very lightly stocked (as it will be at first).
Still trying to sort out what I want to do for a skimmer. I attached an AquaC Remora Pro S skimmer that I had laying around to the back of the sump which has been pulling a good amount of dark brown/green skimmate, especially during the first few days. This won't be anywhere near sufficient long term but should be okay until I make a decision on which one to buy, or if I want to attempt a DIY skimmer project.
The pond gets a lot of natural sunlight from the south facing window just above it. I also attached a couple Kessil A150s to the ceiling (previously had them on my reef before upgrading) and while they add enough light to see well enough, I'd really like to go with a brighter center spot light. Still looking into different options for this.
SteelMastiff
New member
Very cool build, tagging along for this one...
