Thread: bottom cleanup
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Old 28-03-2006, 05:15 AM posted to rec.ponds
Gareee©
 
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Default bottom cleanup

All useful information.

So if I attempt building my own, letting it cure for a week or so will allow
me to then use it for a waterfall?

I'm thinking of working some planters into it, and adding some real rocks as
well to the mortar, to make it look a little more real, and blend more.


"Pat" wrote in message
...
I think fresh cement can turn the water alkaline. After it ages a week or
so its okay.

I bought a 25 foot roll of chicken wire 3 feet wide. I folded it so it
was 4 layers. Sewed the top edge closed using some wire. Then opened the
bottom up and shaped it. I pictured filling the inside up with foam so I
bought some spray cans of foam. I quickly learned that the foam didn't go
very far and was expensive. I ended up with a thin holey layer of foam on
the inside. Mostly I was trying to make a surface that would hold the
mortar in place. If I was to make another one I think I would try Paper
Mache. Cheap and easy. I made it sitting on some sawhorses in my
driveway. I kept having to go back to the store and buy more mortar.
Pretty soon I realized that this rock was going to be pretty heavy. I was
able to back my pickup up to it and slide it in. Then I drove my pickup
to the pond and slid it off. Probably weighs 3-400 pounds. Next one gets
built in place. The rock is probably 1 foot thick. The curved shape keeps
it stable.





"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
"Pat" wrote in message
...
I like it too. I learned a lot making the rock.


Such as??

I might try to incorporate a artificial rock like that along with my
natural rocks as well.

Did you build a wooden framework for the rock, and also do chemicals
leech out of the mortar into the pond? (In other words, is it fish
freindly?)

--
Gareee©
(Gary Tabar Jr.)