Using concrete blocks instead of milk crates

[claude rogers]

That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than 10
inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent leeching
lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with what
kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk crate
hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude

[claude rogers]

The pond is appoximately 950 gallons.



"Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
...
> No painting or acid wash is going to remove the calcium hydroxide - and
> forget about soaking with vinegar it's a myth. How many gallons is your
> pond?
>
> "claude rogers" > wrote in message
> ...
> > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
> what
> > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
> >
>
>

[John Rutz]

claude rogers wrote:
> That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than 10
> inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent leeching
> lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with what
> kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk crate
> hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
>
>

there are two easy ways for you if you can find some old weathered
blocks they will go in now with no treatment, check around contractors,
they usualyu have some old blocks laying around

also you can paint them with acrilic paints
--





John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

never miss a good oportunity to shut up

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

[Nedra]

I vote with John. My pond has four old
concrete blocks... never has been a problem.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"John Rutz" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> claude rogers wrote:
> > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
> >
>
> there are two easy ways for you if you can find some old weathered
> blocks they will go in now with no treatment, check around contractors,
> they usualyu have some old blocks laying around
>
> also you can paint them with acrilic paints
> --
>
>
>
>
>
> John Rutz
> Z5 New Mexico
>
> never miss a good oportunity to shut up
>
> see my pond at:
>
> http://www.fuerjefe.com
>
>

[jammer]

I am leaning towards the pvc with gravel in the ends. Since i have a
pondlet, i am afraid to A) cut down on the fish's space, and B) make
it easy for them to get hurt. My female gets chased half to death.

I SURRRRRE am thinking about my next pond....



On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:09:28 GMT, "Nedra" >
wrote:

>I vote with John. My pond has four old
>concrete blocks... never has been a problem.
>
>Nedra
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
>http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
>
>"John Rutz" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>
>> claude rogers wrote:
>> > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
>> > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
>10
>> > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
>> > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
>leeching
>> > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
>what
>> > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
>crate
>> > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
>> >
>> >
>>
>> there are two easy ways for you if you can find some old weathered
>> blocks they will go in now with no treatment, check around contractors,
>> they usualyu have some old blocks laying around
>>
>> also you can paint them with acrilic paints
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> John Rutz
>> Z5 New Mexico
>>
>> never miss a good oportunity to shut up
>>
>> see my pond at:
>>
>> http://www.fuerjefe.com
>>
>>
>

[K30a]

We sat our concrete blocks out in the
yard in full sun and daily sprinkler treatments
for a couple of weeks. Went in the pond with no
problem.

Remodeling bug hits later... now we have four
in there that are the base for the island.
Fish condos below.


k30a

[claude rogers]

Thanks for all the replies guys....Claude

[Wendy Kelly Budd]

I got rid of the milk crates when the koi got too large to fit through the
holes. I made stands out of pvc pipes and didn't even glue them. I like
this open design much better as the milk crates used to have so much 'stuff'
lurking inside them. Ugh!
--
Wendy* in N. California,

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in
school." - Albert Einstein


"claude rogers" > wrote in message
...
> That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than 10
> inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent leeching
> lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk crate
> hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
>
>

[Bonnie Espenshade]

claude rogers wrote:
> That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than 10
> inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent leeching
> lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with what
> kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk crate
> hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
>
>

I have chimney flues in my koi pond. They are made of red
clay and work well.

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

[Sam Hopkins]

Man you might be pushing it with 5-6 blocks. You can stick them in and then
watch your PH. Concrete in water can quickly raise the PH to 12 or 13 which
as I found out will literally dissolve fish.


"claude rogers" > wrote in message
...
> The pond is appoximately 950 gallons.
>
>
>
> "Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
> ...
> > No painting or acid wash is going to remove the calcium hydroxide - and
> > forget about soaking with vinegar it's a myth. How many gallons is your
> > pond?
> >
> > "claude rogers" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am
using
> > > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less
than
> 10
> > > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed
or
> > > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
> leeching
> > > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
> > what
> > > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
> crate
> > > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Fred]

"Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
.. .
> Man you might be pushing it with 5-6 blocks. You can stick them in and
then
> watch your PH. Concrete in water can quickly raise the PH to 12 or 13
which
> as I found out will literally dissolve fish.
>
>
> "claude rogers" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The pond is appoximately 950 gallons.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
> > news:bf4dpn$m5> > > > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me
think'in. I am
> using
> > > > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less
> than
> > 10
> > > > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed
> or
> > > > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
> > leeching
> > > > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but
with
> > > what
> > > > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
> > crate
> > > > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
Our back yard pond is about 12' x 8' x 2' and is built entirely above ground
on a concrete slab. The walls are mortared large stone and the chimney up to
the waterfall is made entirely of concrete block. I had this built
commercially and they painted it with something that sealed it as I have
never had problems (nor have my fish). It has been in for about 3 years now
and we have never lost a fish to bad water. Lost several to bad birds before
we netted the pond. Green Herons were the worst as they are extremely bold
and very quick. Fred

[Lee Brouillet]

UP is nice, but your signature line indicates you're in Zone 5. If you're
planning to do an above ground pond, you will need to find space inside to
over-winter your fish. Further, you will probably need to drain the pond to
avoid damage from ice. Now, this is coming from someone in Central FL -
where the only ice I see is in a "cold tall one" - but I think that's a safe
bet.

Lee

"LN (remove NOSPAM)" > wrote in message
...
> Do you have any pictures of your pond? I don't have anymore digable space
in
> my backyard and am thinking of building UP.
>
> --
> LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
> photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed
>
>
> "Fred" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Our back yard pond is about 12' x 8' x 2' and is built entirely above
> ground
> > on a concrete slab. The walls are mortared large stone and the chimney
up
> to
> > the waterfall is made entirely of concrete block. I had this built
> > commercially and they painted it with something that sealed it as I have
> > never had problems (nor have my fish). It has been in for about 3 years
> now
> > and we have never lost a fish to bad water. Lost several to bad birds
> before
> > we netted the pond. Green Herons were the worst as they are extremely
bold
> > and very quick. Fred
> >
> >
>
>

[john rutz]

as a Z5 ponder I would wonder how far up and also how far down into the
ground for this if the pond is 2-3 ft deep in the ground, below the
above ground portion it could be drained to just below ground level and
not crack the above ground suround.

John Rutz

Lee Brouillet wrote:
> UP is nice, but your signature line indicates you're in Zone 5. If you're
> planning to do an above ground pond, you will need to find space inside to
> over-winter your fish. Further, you will probably need to drain the pond to
> avoid damage from ice. Now, this is coming from someone in Central FL -
> where the only ice I see is in a "cold tall one" - but I think that's a safe
> bet.
>
> Lee
>
> "LN (remove NOSPAM)" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Do you have any pictures of your pond? I don't have anymore digable space
>
> in
>
>>my backyard and am thinking of building UP.
>>
>>--
>>LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
>>photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed
>>
>>
>>"Fred" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>Our back yard pond is about 12' x 8' x 2' and is built entirely above
>>
>>ground
>>
>>>on a concrete slab. The walls are mortared large stone and the chimney
>>
> up
>
>>to
>>
>>>the waterfall is made entirely of concrete block. I had this built
>>>commercially and they painted it with something that sealed it as I have
>>>never had problems (nor have my fish). It has been in for about 3 years
>>
>>now
>>
>>>and we have never lost a fish to bad water. Lost several to bad birds
>>
>>before
>>
>>>we netted the pond. Green Herons were the worst as they are extremely
>>
> bold
>
>>>and very quick. Fred
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>


--





John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

never miss a good oportunity to shut up

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

[Bonnie Espenshade]

Lee Brouillet wrote:
> UP is nice, but your signature line indicates you're in Zone 5. If you're
> planning to do an above ground pond, you will need to find space inside to
> over-winter your fish. Further, you will probably need to drain the pond to
> avoid damage from ice. Now, this is coming from someone in Central FL -
> where the only ice I see is in a "cold tall one" - but I think that's a safe
> bet.
>
> Lee
>
> "LN (remove NOSPAM)" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Do you have any pictures of your pond? I don't have anymore digable space
>
> in
>
>>my backyard and am thinking of building UP.
>>
>>--
>>LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
>>photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed
>>
>>
>>"Fred" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>Our back yard pond is about 12' x 8' x 2' and is built entirely above
>>
>>ground
>>
>>>on a concrete slab. The walls are mortared large stone and the chimney
>>
> up
>
>>to
>>
>>>the waterfall is made entirely of concrete block. I had this built
>>>commercially and they painted it with something that sealed it as I have
>>>never had problems (nor have my fish). It has been in for about 3 years
>>
>>now
>>
>>>and we have never lost a fish to bad water. Lost several to bad birds
>>
>>before
>>
>>>we netted the pond. Green Herons were the worst as they are extremely
>>
> bold
>
>>>and very quick. Fred
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>



--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

[Sam Hopkins]

Yeah they used an acylic admixture + cement. It's common with zoos. A
commerical product is called Thoroseal and you can buy it at home depot.

"Fred" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Man you might be pushing it with 5-6 blocks. You can stick them in and
> then
> > watch your PH. Concrete in water can quickly raise the PH to 12 or 13
> which
> > as I found out will literally dissolve fish.
> >
> >
> > "claude rogers" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The pond is appoximately 950 gallons.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Sam Hopkins" > wrote in message
> > > news:bf4dpn$m5> > > > That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got
me
> think'in. I am
> > using
> > > > > milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less
> > than
> > > 10
> > > > > inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid
washed
> > or
> > > > > painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
> > > leeching
> > > > > lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but
> with
> > > > what
> > > > > kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a
milk
> > > crate
> > > > > hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> Our back yard pond is about 12' x 8' x 2' and is built entirely above
ground
> on a concrete slab. The walls are mortared large stone and the chimney up
to
> the waterfall is made entirely of concrete block. I had this built
> commercially and they painted it with something that sealed it as I have
> never had problems (nor have my fish). It has been in for about 3 years
now
> and we have never lost a fish to bad water. Lost several to bad birds
before
> we netted the pond. Green Herons were the worst as they are extremely bold
> and very quick. Fred
>
>

[Bonnie Espenshade]

Lee Brouillet wrote:
> UP is nice, but your signature line indicates you're in Zone 5. If you're
> planning to do an above ground pond, you will need to find space inside to
> over-winter your fish. Further, you will probably need to drain the pond to
> avoid damage from ice. Now, this is coming from someone in Central FL -
> where the only ice I see is in a "cold tall one" - but I think that's a safe
> bet.
>
> Lee
>
> "LN (remove NOSPAM)" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Do you have any pictures of your pond? I don't have anymore digable space
>
> in
>
>>my backyard and am thinking of building UP.
>>
>>--
>>LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
>>photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed
>>


Hi,
My pond is both in the ground and above. I went down as far
as I could dig and then we built a landscape timber raised
pond - total depth is 44". The above ground section has
2" pink foam insulation between the timbers and the liner
and then we added the dirt from the digging to the sides.
(Both to reinforce and also to help insulate.) The pond has
been done for 2 years and we've had no problems, even with
the past winter which was nasty.


--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

[LN \(remove NOSPAM\)]

Well, our current pond(s) (prefab) is a actually set into a raised flower
bed (you can see pics in my link), so I don't know that it would be any diff
to do another further up on my lawn. Don't think I can talk the hubby into
it anyway, but it's a dream. :D I do take our fish in during the winter
tho. Our pond does freeze (we don't empty it... a friend has an identical
one and when she drained hers, it popped out of the ground. LOL) and gets
completely covered by snow (couldn't even tell we had one this past winter
with about 5' + of snow on top of it). Just don't know if we could put that
much weight on our backyard as there is a leechfield there.

--
LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
http://photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed

"Lee Brouillet" > wrote in message
...
> UP is nice, but your signature line indicates you're in Zone 5. If you're
> planning to do an above ground pond, you will need to find space inside to
> over-winter your fish. Further, you will probably need to drain the pond
to
> avoid damage from ice. Now, this is coming from someone in Central FL -
> where the only ice I see is in a "cold tall one" - but I think that's a
safe
> bet.
>
> Lee
>
> "LN (remove NOSPAM)" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Do you have any pictures of your pond? I don't have anymore digable
space
> in
> > my backyard and am thinking of building UP.
> >
> > --
> > LN in NH (new gardener in zone 5)
> > photos.yahoo.com/lns_obsessed

[claude rogers]

Great idea there Bill.....Looks like I'm breaking out the saws all and
propane torch.....Thanks Claude

[Lee Brouillet]

Smart idea to cut out the sides like that. All the benefits and none of the
detractions!

Lee

"Fish Head" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:31:19 -0400, "claude rogers" >
> wrote:
>
> >That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> >milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> >inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> >painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> >lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> >kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> >hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
>
> Claude,
>
> I have a dozen milk crates in my 2000 gallon pond. The sides of the
> crates have been removed and do not present an obstruction or hazard
> to the fish. Never had a fish get caught in a milk crate. Here is a
> link to my page on crates: http://bmoke.freeyellow.com/cppg027.htm
>
> Bill M.

[Lee Brouillet]

Smart idea to cut out the sides like that. All the benefits and none of the
detractions!

Lee

"Fish Head" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:31:19 -0400, "claude rogers" >
> wrote:
>
> >That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> >milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> >inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> >painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> >lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> >kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> >hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
>
> Claude,
>
> I have a dozen milk crates in my 2000 gallon pond. The sides of the
> crates have been removed and do not present an obstruction or hazard
> to the fish. Never had a fish get caught in a milk crate. Here is a
> link to my page on crates: http://bmoke.freeyellow.com/cppg027.htm
>
> Bill M.

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

Interesting and good idea! I can cut enough out to alleviate the danger!

?

--
____________________________________________
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per jogger) at:
www.jogathon.net
See our pond at: http://www.home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-jameshurley
"Fish Head" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:31:19 -0400, "claude rogers" >
> wrote:
>
> >That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> >milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> >inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> >painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> >lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> >kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> >hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
>
> Claude,
>
> I have a dozen milk crates in my 2000 gallon pond. The sides of the
> crates have been removed and do not present an obstruction or hazard
> to the fish. Never had a fish get caught in a milk crate. Here is a
> link to my page on crates: http://bmoke.freeyellow.com/cppg027.htm
>
> Bill M.

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

Interesting and good idea! I can cut enough out to alleviate the danger!

?

--
____________________________________________
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per jogger) at:
www.jogathon.net
See our pond at: http://www.home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-jameshurley
"Fish Head" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:31:19 -0400, "claude rogers" >
> wrote:
>
> >That poor fishy stuck in the milk crate has got me think'in. I am using
> >milk crates for plant stands, my fish are still fairly small, less than
10
> >inches, someone said they use concrete blocks treated or acid washed or
> >painted or something. Exactly what did you do to them to prevent
leeching
> >lime "I think it's lime" I thought about painting them black but with
what
> >kind of paint.....Thoughts...I don't want my fishies stuck in a milk
crate
> >hole...or...is there an alternative to concrete....Thanks Claude
> >
>
> Claude,
>
> I have a dozen milk crates in my 2000 gallon pond. The sides of the
> crates have been removed and do not present an obstruction or hazard
> to the fish. Never had a fish get caught in a milk crate. Here is a
> link to my page on crates: http://bmoke.freeyellow.com/cppg027.htm
>
> Bill M.

[Wendy Kelly Budd]

I tried this and by the time you remove enough supports for the koi to get
through, the milk crates were too week to hold up the lilies.

--
Wendy* in N. California,
"If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum." - Chinese
Proverb

[Wendy Kelly Budd]

I tried this and by the time you remove enough supports for the koi to get
through, the milk crates were too week to hold up the lilies.

--
Wendy* in N. California,
"If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum." - Chinese
Proverb