Jim Elbrecht wrote:

I'm about to make a small pond for some plants[?], the birds, a water
feature and a doggie wading pool. [our pug Gizmo likes to wade- but
doesn't like to swim.g]

Tell me how many things I should do/change before I start digging.

I'm thinking about an 8x10 or so pond liner- depth of the pond to go
from 2-4 inches on one end to 18inches or so on the deep end.

Sand or gravel on the bottom of the shallow end.
This will all drift to the deep end. I would personally avoid putting sand
or gravel on the bottom. Very hard to keep clean.

Will you EVER want fish? If so you should take into account fish protection
from predators before you dig.


More or less kidney shaped- with pavers/stone edging.

My plan was to utilize the unused dug well adjacent to the site and
re-circulate the water between pond and well. The well holds about
1000 gallons, usually about 10 feet below the surface. I was
hoping to keep the water cool and refreshing.

The more I read the less this seems like a good idea- and the more I
think I should just set it up to be self contained.
Self contained will be less problematic. I'm not sure keeping the water cool
will be a benefit to any of the creatures using the pond.

[though there will be running water from a bucket over the well to the pond
through
a trough over the flower bed.] I'll use one pump to fill/cool off the
pond- and another to skim & filter.
If you go self contained you'll only need the one pump. If you use the well,
it sounds a bit as if you will be circulating water in two different
locations. One the 'self contained' part and the other circulating through
the well. I'm thinking you will be somewhat contaminating (okay contaminate
is way too strong a word...) your well water with pond water.

How many cardinal sins have I committed so far? g [BTW- I'm in NY zone
5-6ish and the site will be in full sun only about 5 hours on the longest
days. It is on the west side of a deciduous tree.]
How close to the tree? Leaves will fall in the water and need to be removed
or you will need to net in the fall.



San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.