Pond build update

[easylife]

Hi,
I've not posted the slow progress on my pond build for quite some time, so will fill you in with a few details

Last post was regarding a retaining wall that was needed very quickly, so this was built to retain the clay beyond where i had leveled the garden

pond build 118.JPG (70.96 KiB) Viewed 40110 times

The pond dig then started and as much clay was dug out as poss without disturbing the existing pond

pond build 01.jpg (78.73 KiB) Viewed 40108 times

Once i had shifted as much soil as poss i needed to find a place for the temp pond so a patio area was dug and another retaining wall built

patio.jpg (68.74 KiB) Viewed 40102 times

The old pool was drained and the fish put into their new home, using the old water

temp pond.jpg (63 KiB) Viewed 40100 times

Then came the task of removing the original pond and completing the dig by hand
the original pond was reinforced concrete so it took a while

breaker.jpg (67.61 KiB) Viewed 40091 times

breake2r.jpg (77.33 KiB) Viewed 40087 times

14 skips later and the dig was complete

dig finnished.jpg (85.32 KiB) Viewed 40085 times

The bottom drain was set along with the air inlet and the base was prepped for the pour

base prep.jpg (79.79 KiB) Viewed 40079 times

Pouring and then floating the base

pour.jpg (59.61 KiB) Viewed 40080 times

floating the pond.jpg (58.22 KiB) Viewed 40080 times

[Gazza]

Looks like its coming along well

[easylife]

The build could finally begin, 4" solid blocks were laid on their side up to ground level and upright with a facing brick front above ground

build 1.jpg (60.03 KiB) Viewed 40044 times

build 2.jpg (61.19 KiB) Viewed 40041 times

Pond returns in

pond returns.jpg (59.88 KiB) Viewed 40032 times

window frame fitted

window in.jpg (60.37 KiB) Viewed 40026 times

Once all the internal brickwork was complete Matt from GRP Lining services was called to book the glassing, a cover needed to be built over the pond to protect it from the weather
Matt did a great job over 2 days due to the cold, putting on 3 layers of fibres and then then the flow coat on day 2 leaving the minimum of sanding needed once finished

cover.jpg (71.46 KiB) Viewed 40025 times

fiberglassing.jpg (63.39 KiB) Viewed 40018 times

fibreglassing 2.jpg (46.39 KiB) Viewed 40018 times

flo coat.jpg (34.65 KiB) Viewed 40012 times

[Gazza]

Well it looks even better now it will have water in it soon

[easylife]

Gazza,
thanks for that will update again tomorrow

[TicToc]

Really good record of the build. Nice one Easylife. On one of your concrete pour photos I had thought you had completely covered up your Bottom Drain with concrete Clearly not

[Graham.]

easylife, looking really good mate, great set of photo's thanks.

So whats the next steps ? all on track are you for completion ?

Great stuff.
Graham

[easylife]

Hi
After Matt from GRP had worked his magic the exterior brickwork could be finished and the low energy brick lights could be wired back too the filter bay as could the 12v lights around the interior of the pond and the blue slate cappings to finish

cappings.jpg (45.93 KiB) Viewed 39884 times

lights.jpg (56.37 KiB) Viewed 39885 times

lights2.jpg (39.93 KiB) Viewed 39882 times

Next job was to sort out the filter bays and drains
the skimmer was to go 4" to a eazy pod and return was by an aquamax 8500, two returns were put in so that the flow could be reversed to see which worked best with the position of the skimmer the skimmer was fitted with an overflow before it was fitted

pond build 268.JPG (57.13 KiB) Viewed 39880 times

pod on skimmer.jpg (44.7 KiB) Viewed 39871 times

The waste from both filters were plumbed from the main filter bay direct to the main drains

drainage.jpg (64.46 KiB) Viewed 39874 times

drainage2.jpg (63.34 KiB) Viewed 39869 times

The filter from the bottom drain is a nexus 300 eazy to optimax 1500 to a 110 uv then back to the pond via 2 returns, again so that the flow can be reversed
the 300 is currently on the temp pond and will be plumbed in once i return from a much need break in Barbados to watch the England cricket 3rd test
might take my pads as it looks like i could get a game

filter bay2.jpg (51.13 KiB) Viewed 39869 times

[Bob Hart]

Easylife,

Thas a great diary of what you have done, thanks for taking the time to post it all.

I think you will need those pads mate, 51 all out, appalling

[Louie]

Brilliant coverage of the whole build. 14 skips! Now that's a LOT of hard work!

Well worth it though.... Looks really good.

Louie

[easylife]

Hi all,
Thanks for the positive comments

Louie the 14 skips were all dug and filled by hand taking approx 12 months to complete, this and the poor summer over the past 2 years is part of the reason i have been on it for 21 months i think the rest of the garden will take as long to sort out too

The base for the main filter is now down and i have just finished the blockwork to ground level so when i get back off my hols it will be full steam ahead with swopping the filter over and then waiting for the weather to warm up to get the fish in
Cheers Alan

filter base.jpg (67.69 KiB) Viewed 39710 times

electrics returns and uv.jpg (62.12 KiB) Viewed 39712 times

base.jpg (60.43 KiB) Viewed 39710 times

[easylife]

Hi all,
Well im back off my hols and have moved the nexus 300 in to place in the filter bay and put the eazypod on the temp pond
the easy is plumbed in to the bottom drain, gravity fed then to the 15000 pump, 110uv, then returned to the pond, the b/d is also set with a purge valve and the nexus waste is plumbed direct to waste
the nexus has a airtech 80 on it and at present the b/d has a airtech 40 on it which will also be used to clean the pod, i plan to upgrade to a 120l for the b/d
the air pumps are situated in the garage
The pond was then filled which took about 40ish hours
and i have had a a bit of a tidyup around the pond

filter bay 002.JPG (51.92 KiB) Viewed 39513 times

filter bay 005.JPG (49.73 KiB) Viewed 39506 times

pond full

filter bay 010.JPG (50.85 KiB) Viewed 39504 times

This one is from above the skimmer bay showing the resident orb to the right of the main filter

filter bay 012.JPG (46.79 KiB) Viewed 39501 times

and its the last time i work in the dark again!!!

[Gazza]

Looking good mate you must be pleased the water is in and the fish can go in soon,any idea when the fish will be going in

[easylife]

Gazza,
I've put a few goldfishin to keep the filters going but Im away on tuesday for a week so this will give things a chance to settle then i will be draining down about 2000 gallons and filling up with the existing water and of corse the koi

[Andy H]

Looks great and a lot of hard work over a long period!

Puts me off upgarding!

Will get there one day..........

Thanks for the pics.