Pond Construction-(General)
July 7, 2011
When we install we are well trained by classroom time and many step by step instructional videos to properly install the pond of your dreams. Construction materials generally are of three types: concrete, preformed rigid liners or EPDM liner material. Concrete has two serious shortcomings; the tendency to crack and, unless properly sealed and/or cured, the propensity to make the water too alkaline for fish or plants to survive.
Preformed rigid liners, due to their small volume capacity, poor volume-to-surface ratio and their depth restrictions, are very inappropriate for the inclusion of fish other than for the rearing of fry or use as a hospitalization facility.
EPDM 45 mil liner material is the viable alternative offering excellent value when cost is related to useful life. Draped in a hole and filled with water, it will mold itself to every contour of the excavation. It can be obtained in almost any size giving the pond-maker freedom to design a pond which fulfills all his specified ideals of shape, size and profile and exactly suits the needs of his particular site. EPDM also stretches and can absorb the stresses resulting from ice pressure or soil movement. We only use a liner specifically approved for ponds. Materials designed for other uses may contain toxic chemicals.
To determine the size of the liner required, add twice the maximum pond depth to both the maximum length and width measurements. Add one additional foot to each measurement for overlap around the pond edge.
Come to a preliminary decision as to how big the pond will be and then MAKE IT BIGGER! This will allow for improved water quality, greater versatility and greater stocking capacity. Most first ponds are enlarged in less than two years; this process being more labor intensive and expensive than the original installation.
Maximum surface area is of primary importance. The amount of gaseous exchange available at the surface will determine the stocking capacity of your pond. In the middle Tennessee area, the pond should have at least one area with a minimum depth of 18 to 24 inches.
The pond should be located where it will receive the maximum amount of sunshine both in terms of intensity and longevity and as far away from trees and overhanging bushes as possible. Water lilies, the most popular pond plant, require a minimum of four hours per day of intense sunshine in order to develop to their maximum potential. Trees, in addition to casting shade, annually shed large quantities of leaves, pollen, petals, twigs, seeds, berries and fruit. This detritus, rotting in the pond, pollutes the water with the by products of decay having at least harmful, and possibly fatal, results to the fish.
Further, the pond should be located and designed so that it does not receive run-off during heavy rainfall. Lawn and garden fertilizers will add concentrations of phosphate and nitrate to the pond water causing severe algae problems; insecticides and weed killers will poison the pond, resulting in fish death, and least problematical, silt will create brown, cloudy water. We hope to hear from you please send us e-mails if you enjoy our website. Thank you!
POND VOLUME-(GENERAL)
July 7, 2011
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It is imperative that you know the total gallonage capacity of your pond. Equipment size, stocking levels, water quality adjustments and medication dosages are all expressed in terms of total gallons. Guessing the total gallonage, particularly in the case of administering medication, could be lethal to your fish. Rectangular pond volume can be calculated by multiplying the length (in feet) by the width (in feet) by the average depth (in feet) by 7.5; the answer being total gallons. For circular ponds multiply ½ the diameter (in feet) by itself, by 3.142, by the average depth (in feet); the answer being total gallons. If your pond is too irregularly shaped to use either of the above formulas to calculate total gallonage, it must be determined at the time of the initial filling. Turn on your water and fill a measured container such as a five gallon bucket, recording the amount of time taken to fill this container. Fill the entire pond, recording the time to do so, and equate the two to determine total gallonage. For example: if it took one minute to fill the five gallon container and sixty minutes to fill the pond, the total pond volume would be 300 gallons (60 X 5). Note: For determining the proper size pump(s) and filter for a pond, the following modifications must be made to actual total gallonage:
For more information and more resources please feel free to contact us. gordonslandscapes@sbcglobal.net |
