Nancy's Pond- Third Week

Monday I covered the top pieces of plywood for the filter box. I doubled them, first using 6ml plastic from Home Depot and then leftover 45ML liner, alternating the sides of the staples so that the rain has a harder time getting underneath and ruining the wood. Got them nailed on too.
I also had my first visitor. A neighbor (who has never been around before) was walking by with her daughter and they were afraid to walk into the yard (because I was out there working) but I told them to come ahead. She said they had been watching us working over the past few weekends and wanted to see the end result. She really liked it and said that when she got ready to build a pond she'd know who to hire.

Week Three

Now that the major work is done (except the exterior walls and ledge) the fun begins. What Wayne calls "the decorating".

Can you see him? My alligator. He's laying there waiting for some unsuspecting person to walk by......
You can see the artificial lillies. I got tired of killing my lillies or having an algae bloom from the fertilizer or not having any blooms so I decided to go with the fake. They come out the same cost and I avoid all those problems. One day I'll group all of them together but for now they are on seperate fishing weights. Can you see the artificial fern stems? Most people that have seen them don't realize they are fake. Got them on sale at Michael's Arts & Crafts. I picked up a few other plants there that you will see later.

The new pump is a 1HP 2-speed Wavepump. I got it from Adams Aquatics , where they match prices. It came with a leaf pot (which I really don't need because of the screen I have in the pond) and 2 unions. It really kicks butt. I only need the low setting and only after I added rocks to the ledge was I able to open the ball valve all the way. Otherwise it was splashing everywhere.

Tuesday I worked on the rocks for the top of the filter box. Trying this one then that one to see what worked. It was plant day again. Pulled up all my Emerald Gem that was near the front porch. Planted 3 pots to see if they would grow in the pond. Dug up the last Peace Lilly to put in the pond. Planted my Creeping Fig where the Emerald Gem used to be.

    Wednesday I put the 2nd coat on the cinder blocks. Then I watersealed the channels for the lattice. Also cut the first piece of T1-11 for the filter box. Then spent the rest of the night putting the channels on the lattice and reconnecting it. Started getting foam from the waterfall but I don't know why it's happening.
     Went to another pet store today that I found a coupon for. They had alot of kois. One was so pretty. A white butterfly about 15" long. She went for $125.00 but was already sold. Not that it would matter because there is no way I would pay that much for a fish. I did pick up 3 koi that were about 5" and 3 koi that were about 3" (2 of the fish are Gin Rin) and an albino channel cat. They went into Q with the ones I picked up yesterday. Turned my back for a few minutes and one had jumped out. Luckily I came back in the garage and saw him. I will probably put them in the pond Saturday because we are going away for the weekend and don't want to risk something happening.
     The fish in the pond came over last night (much to my surprise) while I was rearranging plants so I gave them some Wheat germ (which I'm not sure I like). Maybe I got the wrong stuff because this stuff is so fine. Also gave them a few Cherrios, which they really liked and some antibiotic fish food. Tonto has a couple of marks on him, probably from where he jumped out of the wading pool, so I thought that might help.

Cleaned up the sawdust, dirt and scraps laying around so at least my house was somewhat presentable. Was going to go to Home Depot to pick up the T1-11 but it looked like rain all afternoon so I didn't chance it. Of course, it didn't rain until after dark. So that's my errand tomorrow.
Also got the equipment to set up my quarantine tank. One of the local pet stores had a coupon for buy 1 get 1 that expired today. (Can't pass up a deal like that, especially when you lose 10 in a day). I got 3 small koi, 2 plecos and a channel cat. Also picked up 14 anacharis (figure I need about 50 but that's all they had). Planted them in a lilly pot with gravel so I wouldn't have to move them around all the time.

Thursday I worked all night on the lattice panels that go around the pond. Secured the top and bottom channels better, then drilled the holes for the eye bolts to go through. Worked on it until 10:00.

Friday afternoon Wayne came over and we constructed the corner pieces of lattice on each side of the waterfall. We made it removable like the rest of the lattice by burying a 12" piece of PVC in the ground for the 2x2's to fit into. The pieces bend at the corner so they can fold flat. Mark and I let the fish into the pond before we left for the weekend. Why the fence you ask? Because I have a day care in my home and the "License Board" requires it. Even though it is in my front yard and that is not the kids "play-yard" (what they don't know won't hurt them). But it comes down quick and the pieces fit right up next to the wall.

The night before I started prepping everything for today. Drained half the water out, picked everything up laying around the yard, etc. The next morning I got up at 6:00AM to finish draining the pond beofre Charles & Kyrstan got here. Timed it perfect too. We were catching the fish when they arrived. Then it was pull out the old liner, lay the new one out and get it folded so we knew where center was. Then of course the boys argue with me when we got it in the pond that it wasn't right but they were wrong...... of course......... :-)

The new liner filling. Boy, it was 100 times easier to deal with this one than the other one. It went in real smooth. I can't thank the liner company enough for replacing it.

Wayne working on the bulkheads. One of them was leaking because I didn't put pipe tape around it. All I can say is I never read anywhere that you were supposed to.

DAY 15

DAY 16

Considering we had worked the last 3 weekends straight we decided it was time to take a break and have some fun and go to the Strawberry Festival. So we cleaned everything up in the front yard and left for the day.

The Bog Planted. I lost most of my plants from being out in the sun for 2 weeks or from lack of water. Oh well, guess I'll have to get some more. What's here: (left to right) Sweet Flag, Spider Lilies, Calla Lilies, African Lilies & Red Canna.

DAY 17

DAY 18

DAY 19

DAY 20

DAY 21

No I'm not making a face I have an open straight edge in my mouth. That's Charles, Kyrstan's boyfriend. He got volunteered to help. He had fun, I think?

Just give me the open blade...... they were afraid I was going to cut myself. Silly boys.

Cutting the liner. Wayne didn't like me using the open blade so he gave me the holder.

The pond almost full. First layer of plastic on the falls. By now we had the pump disaster that killed most of my fish. I was so sad.

The inside of my filter. The first layer is window screen, then an egg crate, then blue furnace filter, another egg crate and then a piece of foam. I made risers out of PVC for each egg crate to sit on so there would be open space between each layer of media.

Wayne installing skimmer. As far as the liner goes, it was a good day. No leaks anywhere. YEAH!!!!!!!

I covered some blocks with liner to use as plant stands. The slate hides the skimmer.

Still have to have lattice around the top. 21" instead of 4' like it used to be. Wayne is just nailing it up temporarily until we get the ledges on and the lattice channels attached to the panels.