Will I need a pump, filter, UV?

I have moved into a house with a partially built pond. It has a brick
above-gound structure, about 10'long x 5' wide, with a 2' deep
squarish hole in the ground. I am thinking about lining it with a EPDM
liner, but I don't want any fish. I may add a plant or two, but mostly
like the idea of looking at cool water on a hot day. I've been reading
library books and webpages, etc., but everything seems to be designed
for fish and plants. I'd like to know if I will need the whole
shebang: pump, filter, UV light, for what will essentially be a
reflecting pool. If I don't need it now, will I need it if I add a
plant or two? I might like to add a fountain later and know I need a
pump for that, but would I then also need a filter? Any help
appreciated for this new-to-the-pond world.

There's a (not very good) picture of the pond structure at
http://www.sonic.net/dana/pond/

I think a reflecting pool there would be a very nice addition to your new home.
(Did they tell you what the brick structure was supposed to have become?)

Standing water will eventually go stagnant, grow algae (from dirt and dust that
blows in) and breed mosquitoes. Moving water will take care of the mosquitoes
and keep some of the algae down. There are all sorts of choices to keep the
water moving. A pump under the surface will well the water and that would look
neat. Or a fountain head of your choice. A spitter on the side (think some kind
of critter with a stream of water flowing from it). Even a slate waterfall at
the far end.
There are chemical additives you can add to keep algae down (no fish or plants
so no worries that way) made for fountains.
Emptying and cleaning it out once a year will help as stuff will collect.

Filters are good for fish to take care of their waste.
UVs are good for getting rid of suspended algae that turns the water green. I
don't expect that would be a problem in just a water only feature.

Once you get the feel for the water you can think about plants and fish later.
There are filters that can be built around a pump (in a lightly stocked pond).


kathy :-)
algae primer
http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html

On 30 Jul 2004 12:12:45 -0700, (Sally Jacks) wrote:

I'd like to know if I will need the whole
shebang: pump, filter, UV light, for what will essentially be a
reflecting pool.

You're looking in the wrong books, check at pool stores, as what you want
is what they do to swimming pools to keep them clean, add chlorine. ~ jan


(Do you know where your water quality is?)

"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
On 30 Jul 2004 12:12:45 -0700, (Sally Jacks) wrote:

I'd like to know if I will need the whole
shebang: pump, filter, UV light, for what will essentially be a
reflecting pool.

You're looking in the wrong books, check at pool stores, as what you want
is what they do to swimming pools to keep them clean, add chlorine. ~ jan
snip

Hi,
I've seen UVs used in this type situation, apropos IMO. This would require a
pump and Jan's suggestion could be done without using a pump. The problem I
see is how is the liner going to be attached? Normally it would be folded
over the top edge and the brick placed over it. Consider gluing it or using
a strip of metal screw it to the walls. This would be visible of course.
Another way would be to finish digging the hole and pour a concrete bottom
and then using a cementaceous product like 'Thoroseal' coat the entire
basin.
It can be colored if wanted. Winter could bring problems with the concrete
bottom, you'll need to wait for an answer on that. Don't do frost
personally.
HTH -_- how
no NEWS is good

Thank you for all of the information and good ideas! I thought about
finishing the concrete, but have heard too many stories about concrete
cracking and leaking - I'm north of San Francisco and the ground
doesn't freeze, but we have a lot of rain and the ground gets
saturated. I don't want to use chlorine- I would like it to be
attractive to birds. A friend has a concrete drill and we are going to
use a strip of aluminum or maybe copper that will be bolted through
the liner and underlayment to the brick. I love the idea of a
waterfall or spitter and it sounds like a pump to keep the water
moving will be all I need unless there's an algae problem - I'll start
reading about barley pellets and other algae treatments. Thank you
again for the help!