Pond Covering

[Benign Vanilla]

I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access to
the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long side,
and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea here,
http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.

I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the bar
and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.

Any thoughts?

BV.

[Benign Vanilla]

"Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
...
> I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
> down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access to
> the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long side,
> and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea here,
> http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
>
> I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the bar
> and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
>
> Any thoughts?

I just had a thought. There might be an easier way. I have a bottom drain
made from 4'' PVC. I have yet to install diffuser, so I have a 4'' elbow
sticking up into the pond. When I want to drain the VF, I stand a piece of
4'' PVC in the elbow, blocking it off. This pipe sticks up out of the pond.
Why not do this, drape plastic over the pipe, and anchor the edges around
the pond? Picture here,
http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover2.jpg.

BV

[Bill Stock]

"Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
> > down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access
to
> > the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long
side,
> > and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea
here,
> > http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
> >
> > I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the
bar
> > and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
> >
> > Any thoughts?
>
> I just had a thought. There might be an easier way. I have a bottom drain
> made from 4'' PVC. I have yet to install diffuser, so I have a 4'' elbow
> sticking up into the pond. When I want to drain the VF, I stand a piece of
> 4'' PVC in the elbow, blocking it off. This pipe sticks up out of the
pond.
> Why not do this, drape plastic over the pipe, and anchor the edges around
> the pond? Picture here,
> http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover2.jpg.
>
> BV
>


Plan B looks simpler.

But I was planning something like Plan A with PVC stubs in the ground. I
would use the stubs for electic frence, holders for sturdy cover or holder
for loose snow cover.

[Benign Vanilla]

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
. cable.rogers.com...
<snip>
> > I just had a thought. There might be an easier way. I have a bottom
drain
> > made from 4'' PVC. I have yet to install diffuser, so I have a 4'' elbow
> > sticking up into the pond. When I want to drain the VF, I stand a piece
of
> > 4'' PVC in the elbow, blocking it off. This pipe sticks up out of the
> pond.
> > Why not do this, drape plastic over the pipe, and anchor the edges
around
> > the pond? Picture here,
> > http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover2.jpg.
> >
> > BV
>
> Plan B looks simpler.
>
> But I was planning something like Plan A with PVC stubs in the ground. I
> would use the stubs for electic frence, holders for sturdy cover or holder
> for loose snow cover.

I am definately going to try plan B first.

BV.

[Ralph]

A couple of questions.

What part of the country are you in? Do you get a lot of snow, ice
and cold weather?

What are your pond dimensions?

I live in the central US and I have found that ice and snow will build
up anywhere it can. Keeping the cover from touching the water really
helps to keep the water from freezing. If you ahve a large area you
might want to add more support that is evenly spaced out. My
dimensions are 12 by 20 and I used 1 inch PVC and just set the
structure on the bottom of hte pond then covered it with plastic. I
glued the fittings with silicone so I could take it apart for storage
in the spring. I used a few rocks to secure it but I think I will use
a 1 inch PVC frame and mount it with tent spikes.

Post those details and I will see if I can make a quick drawing.

REB

On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:12:50 -0400, "Benign Vanilla"
> wrote:

>I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
>down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access to
>the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long side,
>and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea here,
>http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
>
>I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the bar
>and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>BV.
>

[Benign Vanilla]

"Ralph" > wrote in message
...
> A couple of questions.
>
> What part of the country are you in? Do you get a lot of snow, ice
> and cold weather?
>
> What are your pond dimensions?
>
> I live in the central US and I have found that ice and snow will build
> up anywhere it can. Keeping the cover from touching the water really
> helps to keep the water from freezing. If you ahve a large area you
> might want to add more support that is evenly spaced out. My
> dimensions are 12 by 20 and I used 1 inch PVC and just set the
> structure on the bottom of hte pond then covered it with plastic. I
> glued the fittings with silicone so I could take it apart for storage
> in the spring. I used a few rocks to secure it but I think I will use
> a 1 inch PVC frame and mount it with tent spikes.
>
> Post those details and I will see if I can make a quick drawing.

I thought of a flat screen over the top, but worried about it collapsing
under the snowload. That may be the way to go.

BV.

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

>http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.

Personally I like this design, over the pipe one, as the pipe might
eventually cut thru the material. As Ralph mentioned, think weight of snow.

Material: Look into shade cloth, durable and comes in wide widths.

One thing I saw in a book or magazine recently regarding keeping our
screening off the water, again as Ralph mentioned, insulation properties
when the snow is on it. Use kiddy blow up pool toys, or capped milk jugs,
or large bouncy balls (the ones with air in them not the hard little ones).
~ jan


~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

[RichToyBox]

BV,

This lean-to type structure is what I use, made of 14 foot long 2X4's. It
is strong, reusable, drains the snow and rain, and easily covered with poly.
The 2nd design has me somewhat worried. If the weight of snow builds up the
weight pushing down on the 4 inch pipe, might be sufficient to push it right
out the bottom of the pond. A similar design could be used where the pipe
is mounted to a concrete paver step of 12 or 18 inch diameter and set on the
bottom, distributing the load across a large area of liner.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/index.html

"Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
...
> I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
> down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access to
> the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long side,
> and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea here,
> http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
>
> I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the bar
> and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> BV.
>
>

[J.D. Stone]

"Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the debris/fallout
> > down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access
to
> > the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long
side,
> > and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea
here,
> > http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
> >
> > I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the
bar
> > and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
> >
> > Any thoughts?
>
> I just had a thought. There might be an easier way. I have a bottom drain
> made from 4'' PVC. I have yet to install diffuser, so I have a 4'' elbow
> sticking up into the pond. When I want to drain the VF, I stand a piece of
> 4'' PVC in the elbow, blocking it off. This pipe sticks up out of the
pond.
> Why not do this, drape plastic over the pipe, and anchor the edges around
> the pond? Picture here,
> http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover2.jpg.
>
> BV
>
>
Unless you plan a curved surface to ensure water runoff you will end up with
a trap (sort of like what happens to my boat cover often). Once it starts
collecting water it just gets worse. I am planning on making a hoop house,
similar to what you are planning but side members top help with runoff.
Here's some ideas,
http://gentlewindfarm.com/hoop.html
http://www.members.shaw.ca/renaissancegardens/hoophouse.htm
http://www.westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html

JD
http://www2.itexas.net/jdstone

[Benign Vanilla]

"RichToyBox" > wrote in message =
news:31M1d.303677$8_6.78295@attbi_s04...
> BV,
>=20
> This lean-to type structure is what I use, made of 14 foot long 2X4's. =
It
> is strong, reusable, drains the snow and rain, and easily covered with =
poly.
> The 2nd design has me somewhat worried. If the weight of snow builds =
up the
> weight pushing down on the 4 inch pipe, might be sufficient to push it =
right
> out the bottom of the pond. A similar design could be used where the =
pipe
> is mounted to a concrete paver step of 12 or 18 inch diameter and set =
on the
> bottom, distributing the load across a large area of liner.
<snip>

Good point. I probably don't want to mess with plumbing. So back to the =
lean to idea. I like the idea of wood because it would be easy to staple =
the plastic to it, but I thinking it will be more costly and heavier =
then a PVC implementation. I wonder how much angle you need to keep =
stuff sliding off?

BV.

[Heather]

I did something very similar last year to hold up the leaf nets. Instead of
string, we used bamboo canes from one arch to the next to give additional
support. This year we plan to cover with vinyl. In Home Depot you can
purchase a long zipper
that is sticky and will apply to the plastic. You then cut up the middle
and you have a doorway. These are used in home reno when an area is blocked
off with plastic.

Just another idea,
Heather



"J.D. Stone" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Benign Vanilla" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I am thinking of covering the pomd this year to keep the
debris/fallout
> > > down. I have pine trees behind the pond, so I do not have ready access
> to
> > > the back of the pond. I am thinking of an off zxis cover with a long
> side,
> > > and short side to aid in implemetation. I have a doodle of the idea
> here,
> > > http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover.jpg.
> > >
> > > I figured I'd pound some rebar into the ground, slide the PVC over the
> bar
> > > and then cover in plastic or landscaping cloth.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts?
> >
> > I just had a thought. There might be an easier way. I have a bottom
drain
> > made from 4'' PVC. I have yet to install diffuser, so I have a 4'' elbow
> > sticking up into the pond. When I want to drain the VF, I stand a piece
of
> > 4'' PVC in the elbow, blocking it off. This pipe sticks up out of the
> pond.
> > Why not do this, drape plastic over the pipe, and anchor the edges
around
> > the pond? Picture here,
> > http://www.iheartmypond.com/links/ideas/pondcover2.jpg.
> >
> > BV
> >
> >
> Unless you plan a curved surface to ensure water runoff you will end up
with
> a trap (sort of like what happens to my boat cover often). Once it starts
> collecting water it just gets worse. I am planning on making a hoop house,
> similar to what you are planning but side members top help with runoff.
> Here's some ideas,
> http://gentlewindfarm.com/hoop.html
> http://www.members.shaw.ca/renaissancegardens/hoophouse.htm
> http://www.westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html
>
> JD
> http://www2.itexas.net/jdstone
>
>

[Benign Vanilla]

"J.D. Stone" > wrote in message =
...
<snip>
> Unless you plan a curved surface to ensure water runoff you will end =
up with
> a trap (sort of like what happens to my boat cover often). Once it =
starts
> collecting water it just gets worse. I am planning on making a hoop =
house,
> similar to what you are planning but side members top help with =
runoff.
> Here's some ideas,
> http://gentlewindfarm.com/hoop.html
> http://www.members.shaw.ca/renaissancegardens/hoophouse.htm
> http://www.westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html
<snip>

JD, this may be a better and easier to implement idea for me. Thanks.

BV.

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

>On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:36:12 -0400, "Heather" > wrote:

>In Home Depot you can
>purchase a long zipper
>that is sticky and will apply to the plastic.

Way cool, are they very expensive?

BV, the shade cloth I use for the lily pond, laid flat, never had leaves on
it, though there were leaves all around it. I assume it was just too slick
for them to stick too. Looking at it though I would never had guess. With a
slight angle, should be no problem. ~ jan


~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~

[Benign Vanilla]

"~ jan JJsPond.us" > wrote in message
...
> >On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:36:12 -0400, "Heather" >
wrote:
>
> >In Home Depot you can
> >purchase a long zipper
> >that is sticky and will apply to the plastic.
>
> Way cool, are they very expensive?
>
> BV, the shade cloth I use for the lily pond, laid flat, never had leaves
on
> it, though there were leaves all around it. I assume it was just too slick
> for them to stick too. Looking at it though I would never had guess. With
a
> slight angle, should be no problem. ~ jan

We get at least a major snowfall each year, so I want to make sure I can
support or run that snow off. I think I am leaning towards the hoop house
concent. Sounds like it would be the easiest to build, dismantle and store.

BV.

[John Bachman]

If you use PVC you will probably have to go to 1" for the major hoop
pieces. I tried a 3/4" design last year and the snow collapsed it.
For ease of disassembly I attached the end pieces with hardware. I
bored out the intermediate joints so that they just slid onto the
frame member.

I also have some nice Velcro attachments if you need them. They work
really well and are easy to disassemble and reassemble.

Cripes, the trees are starting to turn. Time to reassemble that
cover.

John

On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 10:45:57 -0400, "Benign Vanilla"
> wrote:

>
>"~ jan JJsPond.us" > wrote in message
...
>> >On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 11:36:12 -0400, "Heather" >
>wrote:
>>
>> >In Home Depot you can
>> >purchase a long zipper
>> >that is sticky and will apply to the plastic.
>>
>> Way cool, are they very expensive?
>>
>> BV, the shade cloth I use for the lily pond, laid flat, never had leaves
>on
>> it, though there were leaves all around it. I assume it was just too slick
>> for them to stick too. Looking at it though I would never had guess. With
>a
>> slight angle, should be no problem. ~ jan
>
>We get at least a major snowfall each year, so I want to make sure I can
>support or run that snow off. I think I am leaning towards the hoop house
>concent. Sounds like it would be the easiest to build, dismantle and store.
>
>BV.
>