Building a pond !

[ThunderCat]

Ok you guys and gals, i know there's a ton of you out there with ponds, so advice please ?
I've decided on the site, the garden gets the sun all day so it can go anywhere really, i've also decided on the size, it's gonna be 10ft x 10 ft in a quarter of a circle shape as it needs to fit up near the garden fence and patio. I want to put carp in it, so a bit of advice on depth would be good, i've done a bit of reading about it and it says about 3 ft minimum for fish. So any advice welcome ?

[Bet]

I would go as big as possible as you will only wish you'd made it bigger when its finished.
I would have thought 3 ft depth would be ok as a minimum, enough to keep the fish safe during winter. Koi ponds can be 5ft or so.
Mine was going to be half the size but as I was the one digging it,I kept on moving the marker then I had an unfortunate landslide, it ended up approx 18x19x4 1/2 ft at the deepest.Even my hubby says we should have gone even bigger.
My advice would be not to rush putting fish in once its finished,get every thing in place and up and running, feed the filter for a while to bring on the bacteria and check the water quality on a regular basis.
Look around for a reputable fish dealer and stick to the one source or you'll be asking for trouble.
Are you going to be using a liner?
And what type of carp do you want in there?
What filters have you looked at?
Will you be using UV? if the ponds in full sun you will prob need one.
Air pump??
the list is endless matey

[Stig]

Sound advice from Bet there mate big is best and i would have varying depth deep enough so it doesn't get frozen solid if we have a real shocking winter. A good filter is a must also

[ThunderCat]

Originally Posted by Bet

Are you going to be using a liner? Yes ..butyl rubber
And what type of carp do you want in there?Koi, maybe a few mirrors too
What filters have you looked at?None yet
Will you be using UV? if the ponds in full sun you will prob need one.Yes defo
Air pump??Not sure if i will need one...will i ??
the list is endless matey

I have decided on 4 foot deep, i'm gonna dig 2 foot and put two foot above ground with a small wall around. and also this will give me the chance to level it up as the garden falls away slightly.

[Bet]

Originally Posted by Bet
Are you going to be using a liner? Yes ..butyl rubber
And what type of carp do you want in there?Koi, maybe a few mirrors too
What filters have you looked at?None yet
Will you be using UV? if the ponds in full sun you will prob need one.Yes defo
Air pump??Not sure if i will need one...will i ??
the list is endless matey

A rubber liner is a good bet, I went for a rootproof one with having a few trees in the garden,they dont break down in sunlight like pvc.If you can get hold of any old carpet, save it to line the bottom and edges of the pond before you fit the liner for extra protection.

Heres a useful link..........It has advice on pumps and the like.
How to choose a pond pump. Pond pump flow head power

You need to calculate the volume of your pond before you buy a pump, filter etc.
The pump needs to circulate the volume of the pond every 2 hours, go for the largest diam pipe you can fit on the pump that feeds the filter so not to restrict the flow, lifting water vertically also reduces the turnover of the pump.
I have koi and king carp in mine,they are dirty sods! so I invested in a pondvac, great bit of kit as I dont have a bottom drain.
I thought the outflow of the filter would oxygenate the water enough but had a few problems and seeked advice from a koi forum,they advised me to add air,the more the better,I put a diffuser in last year and was amazed at the immediate change in the fish's behaviour (much more active) they love it.
The idea is to have no slack areas of water so I have my pump, filter and diffuser set out in a triangle so the water circulates well.
My pond gets sun all day, I suffer with dreaded algae blooms periodically,it has been crystal clear since I raised the edges to prevent run off, I dont think my uv is up to the job but cant afford to change it yet. I need a better filter aswell you can make your own from a barrel and bits that does the same job as a nexus for a fraction of the price, just never seem to have the time to get started on one.

[Cheshire Set]

If you are going for a raised wall then it is well worth the extra and building the full depth wall and concrete lining the pond. Its not that much more than a liner and the effect is neater, more effective and longer lasting. Dont forget your bottom drain of course, that is key to successful filtration and allows easy lowering of the level. Bet is quite right about filters, at the end of the day they are just there to hold filter media, so no need to buy the brand names when a loft tank does the same job. Depending on the stocking level think about the oxygen level, I made the mistake of thinking I could get away without a powerful air pump and I couldnt. I have had 2 substantial koi ponds and not without going through the pain, its very hard to get it right first time.
In terms of fish the advice from Bet is excellent, do not rush to stock it, however tempting it may be! Beware of cheap fish and stick to one reputable supplier. Good luck and enjoy!

[skilledhandz]

Big ponds are great but the owners dont want to match the pump and filtration system because its too expensive.Estimate the size you want then work out the gallons and then get in touch with your local aquatics and get some idea on price of a filter box a pump and some form of algea killing device (this can be incorporated in the filter box)

[Sam]

the deeper the better to try and stop quick changes in water temp. As on spring day the water can change rapidly if very shallow.