Saltwater Pond Project
- Thread starter Boat_Drinks
- Start date
Boat_Drinks
New member
That does look great with the glass/acrylic cover! I'm not sure if I'm going to go that route or not yet. I am concerned that the glass or acrylic would trap too much heat. I'm also counting on a little evaporative cooling as one way to help regulate the temperature, but will have to take the steps to ensure that it does not throw my water chemistry out of balance.
I'm looking into other Ideas for cooling the pond as well. An employee at my LFS gave me the idea to run the pond water thru a series of buried PVC tubing to take advantage of the cooler ground temperatures. I'm trying to encorporate this into my plumbing.
I'm looking into other Ideas for cooling the pond as well. An employee at my LFS gave me the idea to run the pond water thru a series of buried PVC tubing to take advantage of the cooler ground temperatures. I'm trying to encorporate this into my plumbing.
melev
Well-known member
That is a difficult situation, as far as I understand it. The PVC tends to insulate the water inside a little too well, so you have to run pipe very long distances to get the achieved goal. You might see if you can get a reply from Treeman, who has a greenhouse aquaculture business going.
Boat_Drinks
New member
Good point on the insulation factor of the PVC. The last thing I want to do is waste time and energy (physical and electrical) on something that will most likely not have the desired effect. What you said makes sense, and when you include the the additional heat given off by the pump, it probably would be counterproductive.
Hopefully the weather will stay nice tomorrow, and I'll be able to pick up where I left off with the digging. I'll try to get a few more pics of my progress.
Hopefully the weather will stay nice tomorrow, and I'll be able to pick up where I left off with the digging. I'll try to get a few more pics of my progress.
Boat_Drinks
New member
I had a chance to work on the pond a little this weekend.
I had to make quite a few changes to my original plan as I hit a few snags. After making my way thru about a foot of coral rubble, I ran into a few really large chunks. The one in the pic is just the tip of the iceburg. After hours of chiseling away at it, and trying to figure out how big it really was, I decided the best thing was to not make my pond quite as deep. I chiseled away at it a little more to get an even surface and moved on to make the frame for the concrete.
I built the frame out of 1/2" plywood, put the frame into place, and used most of the limestone rubble as backfill.
Next weekend (weather permitting) I am going to make sure my frame is level, and try to pour the concrete.
Plywood frame
I had to make quite a few changes to my original plan as I hit a few snags. After making my way thru about a foot of coral rubble, I ran into a few really large chunks. The one in the pic is just the tip of the iceburg. After hours of chiseling away at it, and trying to figure out how big it really was, I decided the best thing was to not make my pond quite as deep. I chiseled away at it a little more to get an even surface and moved on to make the frame for the concrete.
I built the frame out of 1/2" plywood, put the frame into place, and used most of the limestone rubble as backfill.
Next weekend (weather permitting) I am going to make sure my frame is level, and try to pour the concrete.
Plywood frame
Boat_Drinks
New member
Yeah, I built the frame with a 4" thickness. I am also going to add another layer of concrete around the inside edges to round out and reinforce the corners. Do you think this should be thick enough?
I have been debating drilling holes into the frame and putting in PVC for the plumbing, but think that just going over top of the sides is going to be the best way to go. It may not look as nice, but I don't want to compromise the structure.
I have been debating drilling holes into the frame and putting in PVC for the plumbing, but think that just going over top of the sides is going to be the best way to go. It may not look as nice, but I don't want to compromise the structure.
melev
Well-known member
I don't know about strength, but if you reinforce it with rebar or steel mesh, it probably would be plenty strong.
If you run PVC through the concrete wall, it's permanent. Running it over the edge allows you to make changes later. Since this is your first attempt, I'm thinking you should leave yourself flexible for changes. If you know how to run the PVC so it will not leak around the pipe, you could do so for future upgrades as your project evolves.
If you run PVC through the concrete wall, it's permanent. Running it over the edge allows you to make changes later. Since this is your first attempt, I'm thinking you should leave yourself flexible for changes. If you know how to run the PVC so it will not leak around the pipe, you could do so for future upgrades as your project evolves.
Boat_Drinks
New member
Agreed... I have some steel mesh that I plan to put inside of the frame before pouring the concrete. Hopefully that will do the trick.
victor_c3
Premium Member
I haven't worked my way through reading your entire thread yet, but as an amateur astronomer, I know that they have devices on the market to automate a home observatory that might really come in handy with your pond. There are devices that can determine cloud cover and or weather conditions and then these devices can be used to automatically close or to open a dome or an awning - something that could buy you a lot of piece of mind if you were gone on a long vacation.
Do some reading or research on home observatory automation.
Unfortunately I'm a very novice amateur astronomer and I have no experience at all with what systems like this are out on the market.
Looks good and keep up the updates!
Do some reading or research on home observatory automation.
Unfortunately I'm a very novice amateur astronomer and I have no experience at all with what systems like this are out on the market.
Looks good and keep up the updates!
Boat_Drinks
New member
Yeah, once I pour the concrete, I plan to pull the 2X4 uprights and add more concrete. I am going to run the steel mesh in a "U" shape from one side, thru the base, and up the other side to help secure the sides to the base. After that cures a bit, I will remove the inside plywood panels and add a final layer of concrete to the corners and where the base attaches to the walls.
Victor, Wow, that sounds really expensive! I will have to check out some sites though and see if I can maybe get some ideas. Thanks for that idea, I would never have thought to look into home obeservatory automation!
yellowwatchmen
In Memoriam
that would be awesome
erics3000
Active member
This is a very interesting idea with some real issues. Like Marc mentioned if you can get you hands on some rebar or any kind of steel do it. I did a lot of cement work with my dad back in the days and we would use whatever metal we could get. The good thing is its not that deep so not to intense on the structure. YOu could put some pipes in and then capo them off for down the line if you ever want to have your plumbing hidden.
This is too cool....
This is too cool....
Boat_Drinks
New member
I filled the walls with concrete this weekend. Before pouring the concrete, I placed 2 layers of steel mesh into the walls to add support. I wound up using 24 bags of concrete, as the plywood started to bow out once the concrete was added. I used 1/2 inch plywood to build the frame. I think that at least 3/4" would have added a lot more support. I wound up having to add more 2X4 braces drilled in and moved up gradually as more concrete was added, as well as wedging more 2X4's inside to help with support. Overall, there was only one spot where the weight of the concrete started to crack the plywood frame, but I managed to get that under control by adding a couple more braces.
Here are a couple pics of the progress so far:
Next weekend I am going to remove the inside of the plywood frame, pour the base, and then reinforce the corners by rounding them out with a little more concrete. If I have time after this is done, I plan to work on getting some electricity out there, and start on the sump.
The 2 steel bars (seen in the pix) are for future projects. I have some ideas, but not sure what I want to do just yet...
Here are a couple pics of the progress so far:
Next weekend I am going to remove the inside of the plywood frame, pour the base, and then reinforce the corners by rounding them out with a little more concrete. If I have time after this is done, I plan to work on getting some electricity out there, and start on the sump.
The 2 steel bars (seen in the pix) are for future projects. I have some ideas, but not sure what I want to do just yet...
yellowwatchmen
In Memoriam
Looks nice. I know alot of people who talk about doing somthing like this but never do. It is nice that you actually are. Keep us updated.
Boat_Drinks
New member
Being in the S/W hobby for some time, I have tried just about every type of filtration and most of the gadgets that came out over the past 15 years. (I was 15 years old when I started my first sw tank, back when undergravel filters were still the most popular option... Holy smokes, where has the time gone??)
On my current tanks, I take the "less technology, more biology" approach and use only LR and LS, (some with DSB's others without), AquaC remora skimmers, powerheads for water movement, and Refugiums. (I use the AquaClear filter mods as fuges on my nano reefs). Combined with 30% weekly water changes, I have had better luck than with any other system I've tried.
My current tanks are relatively small, (65g being my largest) so it really doesn't take much time/effort/salt to make these water changes every week. This pond is going to be pretty big, therefore making water changes a more lengthy, process. Not to mention more of a strain on my finances. I think 10% weekly is going to be more realistic on this one.
Anyways... I am looking into a few different options, or a combination of options for the pond, and thought I'd ask if anyone had some ideas/advice...
I guess my first question is about pond filters. Do you see any reasons why a filter designed for pond use would not work in a S/W system. Most of them don't seem too much different than many canister filters out there.
I am definately going to add a skimmer. I think the best option here is going to be a DIY project, but if I can find a used one that is large enough, that may work too.
I left some room between the pond and the fence should I decide to add a refugium at a later time.
Again, If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them!
On my current tanks, I take the "less technology, more biology" approach and use only LR and LS, (some with DSB's others without), AquaC remora skimmers, powerheads for water movement, and Refugiums. (I use the AquaClear filter mods as fuges on my nano reefs). Combined with 30% weekly water changes, I have had better luck than with any other system I've tried.
My current tanks are relatively small, (65g being my largest) so it really doesn't take much time/effort/salt to make these water changes every week. This pond is going to be pretty big, therefore making water changes a more lengthy, process. Not to mention more of a strain on my finances. I think 10% weekly is going to be more realistic on this one.
Anyways... I am looking into a few different options, or a combination of options for the pond, and thought I'd ask if anyone had some ideas/advice...
I guess my first question is about pond filters. Do you see any reasons why a filter designed for pond use would not work in a S/W system. Most of them don't seem too much different than many canister filters out there.
I am definately going to add a skimmer. I think the best option here is going to be a DIY project, but if I can find a used one that is large enough, that may work too.
I left some room between the pond and the fence should I decide to add a refugium at a later time.
Again, If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them!
Boat_Drinks
New member
Being in the S/W hobby for some time, I have tried just about every type of filtration and most of the gadgets that came out over the past 15 years. (I was 15 years old when I started my first sw tank, back when undergravel filters were still the most popular option... Holy smokes, where has the time gone??)
On my current tanks, I take the "less technology, more biology" approach and use only LR and LS, (some with DSB's others without), AquaC remora skimmers, powerheads for water movement, and Refugiums. (I use the AquaClear filter mods as fuges on my nano reefs). Combined with 30% weekly water changes, I have had better luck than with any other system I've tried.
My current tanks are relatively small, (65g being my largest) so it really doesn't take much time/effort/salt to make these water changes every week. This pond is going to be pretty big, therefore making water changes a more lengthy, process. Not to mention more of a strain on my finances. I think 10% weekly, or even bi-weekly is going to be more realistic on this one.
So...... I think I might have to rely on a little more technology for this project, at least until I get the hang of my new system......
Anyways... I am looking into a few different options, or a combination of options for the pond, and thought I'd ask if anyone had some ideas/advice...
I guess my first question is about pond filters. Do you see any reasons why a filter designed for pond use would not work in a S/W system. Most of them don't seem too much different than many canister filters out there.
I am definately going to add a skimmer. I think the best option here is going to be a DIY project, but if I can find a used one that is large enough, that may work too.
I left some room between the pond and the fence should I decide to add a refugium at a later time.
Again, If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them!
On my current tanks, I take the "less technology, more biology" approach and use only LR and LS, (some with DSB's others without), AquaC remora skimmers, powerheads for water movement, and Refugiums. (I use the AquaClear filter mods as fuges on my nano reefs). Combined with 30% weekly water changes, I have had better luck than with any other system I've tried.
My current tanks are relatively small, (65g being my largest) so it really doesn't take much time/effort/salt to make these water changes every week. This pond is going to be pretty big, therefore making water changes a more lengthy, process. Not to mention more of a strain on my finances. I think 10% weekly, or even bi-weekly is going to be more realistic on this one.
So...... I think I might have to rely on a little more technology for this project, at least until I get the hang of my new system......
Anyways... I am looking into a few different options, or a combination of options for the pond, and thought I'd ask if anyone had some ideas/advice...
I guess my first question is about pond filters. Do you see any reasons why a filter designed for pond use would not work in a S/W system. Most of them don't seem too much different than many canister filters out there.
I am definately going to add a skimmer. I think the best option here is going to be a DIY project, but if I can find a used one that is large enough, that may work too.
I left some room between the pond and the fence should I decide to add a refugium at a later time.
Again, If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them!
Last edited:
