New Pond: Questions

We are planning to move and need to build a new pond for our fish at
the new place. Since we will be starting from scratch, I thought I'd
see if any of you have any good advice.

Specifically, we are wondering about:
1. pond kits vs. buying the separate components individually
2. Preformed pond liners vs. flexible pond liners
3. Recommended sources for materials
4. Recommended sources for instructions on how to do this?
5. The pros and cons of putting river rock in the bottom of the pond.

Any suggestions/thoughts/ideas are welcome!

Thanks.

Joan
________________
Joan G.Wikler
)

"JGW" wrote:

Specifically, we are wondering about:
1. pond kits vs. buying the separate components individually
Almost always individually, IMHO. Kits would be okay, but there is always
something that isn't "just what I wanted." If you buy individual stuff you
can often get better pricing on the items from different vendors as well as
getting what size/performance suits you.

2. Preformed pond liners vs. flexible pond liners
For anything larger, flexible liner without question. Actually, now that I
think about it, it would be easier for a small pond too. You have to dig the
hole the same, but for the preform it has to be leveled, etc. The liner just
gets put in, albeit you would want to use an underlayment.

3. Recommended sources for materials
I bought some of my stuff from:
http://www.justliners.com
&
http://www.pumpworld.net

4. Recommended sources for instructions on how to do this?
You are at the best source - this news group. Also, several books are
useful. (now where did I put my list?)

5. The pros and cons of putting river rock in the bottom of the pond.
Pros: Looks way, way, way better.
Cons: Cleaning is a PITA

Centrist position: I have rocks on the bottom of my pond. But not gravel -
large rocks. I also have a bottom drain.


Hope that helps

San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.



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Hi,
"San Diego Joe" wrote in message
...
"JGW" wrote:
Specifically, we are wondering about:
1. pond kits vs. buying the separate components individually

Almost always individually, IMHO.
snip

What SJD said.

2. Preformed pond liners vs. flexible pond liners

For anything larger, flexible liner without question. Actually, now that I
think about it, it would be easier for a small pond too. You have to dig
the
hole the same, but for the preform it has to be leveled, etc. The liner
just
gets put in, albeit you would want to use an underlayment.

Flexible almost always because the shape is variable and most important the
depth can be deeper than most preforms. Also the angle of the sides can
usually be more verticle with flex liner. But flex liner has to be level
also, personally I'd consider a concrete rim with liner over it.

3. Recommended sources for materials

I bought some of my stuff from:
http://www.justliners.com
&
http://www.pumpworld.net

Never bought from either of these sites but the justliners site has a link
to books that could be useful to you. Basically if Helen Nash wrote it you
can't go far wrong. Her "The Complete Pond Builder" is a good start.

4. Recommended sources for instructions on how to do this?
You are at the best source - this news group. snip

SDJ is right again - rec.ponds

5. The pros and cons of putting river rock in the bottom of the pond.

Pros: Looks way, way, way better.
Cons: Cleaning is a PITA

Here SDJ goes wrong but he is entitled to his opinion even if he is wrong.
Did I tell you he is wrong on this.
I'm an ex stoner -- recovering ;-)
HTH -_- how
no NEWS is good

On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 14:06:33 -0700, JGW wrote:

We are planning to move and need to build a new pond for our fish at
the new place. Since we will be starting from scratch, I thought I'd
see if any of you have any good advice.

Specifically, we are wondering about:
1. pond kits vs. buying the separate components individually

Buy separate, often cheaper and better quality components.

2. Preformed pond liners vs. flexible pond liners

Flexible, more gallon for the buck, easier to install.

3. Recommended sources for materials

Check local places and compare on the internet. When you're ready to shop
ask folks here their favorite internet ponding sites.

4. Recommended sources for instructions on how to do this?

Books, here, websites, here.... really indepth www.akca.org

5. The pros and cons of putting river rock in the bottom of the pond.

I think we have a FAQ around here that covers that. I'm a con, but I live
where it is very dusty. ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

For what its worth, this is my opinion. We have had both preformed and now
flexible liner pond. I prefer the flexible liner. In this pond we have now, we
have a undergravel filter, it works like a undergravel filter on a aquarium.
And we love it!!
Jan
"Our Pond" Page
http://hometown.aol.com/pinkpggy/index.html

JGW wrote:

2. Preformed pond liners vs. flexible pond liners

The preformed pond liners have a history for cracking and leaking.
There are repair kits, but it is a pain to patch a preformed liner. If
you like preformed liners, you could put a flexible liner inside.

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