Simply Koi and More Koi

Even though my plans are not clear yet, the back of the pond will be the same whether I go for the pitched ot near flat roof option.

5 posts 4" x 4" and 4 connecting 6" x 2" timbers
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... -41107.jpg[/img]

I really want the front of the pond to be open and not cluttered with posts. So now I'm thinking of putting in an 'I' beam. If I did this it would be 4-metres from the back posts and run though a line from this brown post through to the head of that Budda sitting on the pond wall at the far end.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... f41107.jpg[/img]

The steel beam would be 8-metres long and it would need to support the front part of the roof timbers. Size of those is dependant on the style I eventually choose.

I'm still drawing out designs and thinking a bit more. I just need a cost for the beam now and of course I need to guage the size of it. I would be sitting it on 6" x 6" post at either end.
This would keep the front of the pond nice and open.

Hi Bob,

Looks like someone has been busy! Im guessing you concreted all those posts in-we all know how you like your concrete! Hopefully your next 'work party' will be in a nice warm fish house!

Andy

Hi Bob

A RSJ that long will weigh a ton you can get timber 9X3 that long
Or 12x12 up to 40ft long or even 14x14 long and that you can get it 60ft long

Is that all you have done in a day Bob.....???

Pull your finger out.....

Bob,
whos been a busy boy then
I think a span of 8 mtrs is just to big mate , you would need a dirty great steel to span that distance, and it would be massive as well, and i would of said two 6x6 posts would be to weak to surport a steel and the whole weight of the roof placed at each end.
here s a thought could you not have say two 6x6 posts slightly in from the ends of the pond and still have a steel but mount in a sort of canter leaver style this way you would still only have two posts but they would sort of be counter balancing the front part of the roof

Hope this makes some sense

Hiya Bob, don't use an RSJ it will have to be too big and like Pete says it will weigh a ton. Try going to a reclamation yard and get an old telegraph pole (still heavy), you can get them at least 8 mts long and it will probably be cheaper, They have them advertised on ebay,

Glenn

Andy - Only 1 post concreted in. One fixed to shed and also anchored with reinforcing into the wall. The other 3 were just anchored with reinforcing onto the original wall.

Pete - I dont know the size of steel required, or whether it could be made from wood. And worse still, I dont know how to work it out!

Jason - It gets dark early now!

Danny - I could probably cut the span down by a metre, maybe a bit more, by doing as you said and moving the post at the near end. The post would then be in the way though if netting Koi out. If I can do it, I'd like to keep the openess of the front. I just need to find out how to do it.

Glenn - missed your post there, sorry. Sounds a great idea, I'll have a look - arent they round though???? Suppose you just 'flattern' a couple of area's where you want to fix it.

Hiya Bob, got it in one, should work ok but it will still be heavy but not as heavy as steel,

Glenn

Great idea Glen it will look better too you have a way forward Bob

LEE

Lee - I'm usually someone who works to a specific plan, but in this case it's being made up as we go along!!!!! It will get there though, all the idea's and thoughts from everyone on Koi Quest means anything is solvable.

Just need to find a telegraph pole now, none on Ebay.

Hi Bob found this dont know if they would have somthing you could use
http://www.totalpoles.co.uk/?gclid=CNfvkcbw ... MAodERUIQw

LEE

Hi Bob
If you decide to go the timber route to help the weight distribution you can put in gallows brackets on each end

OR how about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Telegraph-Poles_W0QQi ... dZViewItem

LEE

Nice one Lee

7.8m, 250mm tapering to 200mm for £65.00 plus delivery

That's 10" tapering to 8" in proper measuring terms - just hope that would be heavy enough for the job.

Christ knows what it weighs though. 3-metre lengths of 4" x 4" weighed a bit.