In Search of a Pond to Call My Own
- I live in Dallas, Texas, and have just moved into a new house. The landscape
in the backyard consists of barren, sloping ground. The caliche and back Texas clay are covered by a thin layer of builder's sand.
- My husband wanted the landscape in the backyard to be "something VERY easy to take care of which involved a lot of pea gravel". Since my backyard is approximately
40 feet by 40 feet, I was afraid the backyard would look like a large parking lot.
- HGTV had a show on watergardens, and I was hooked. Since I was raised in
West Texas which is almost totally devoid of water, I have always been
fascinated by ponds and water plants. It had never occurred to me that I could
have such an abundance of water in my own backyard.
- My first problem was to learn something about watergardens. I could not
find a single listing under "Gardens", "Ponds", or "Water Gardens" in my local
phone book. Eventually I found the listings under "Fountains and Water
Gardens".
- I decided that I wanted an informal look to the backyard. I wanted something
simple -- a waterfall, two ponds, and some bog areas. I felt that the
two ponds should have about 3000 gallons each and be approximately 36 inches deep.
I wanted the edge of the ponds to have flagstones or round river rocks. The rest of
the backyard would be covered in flagstones and pea gravel. I was thinking about a
garden with a Zenlike feeling.
- I decided to have goldfish and a variety of water plants. Since I was afraid that
the fish would eat the plants, I decided to keep the fish in the top pond and most
of the plants in the bottom pond.
- I also wanted to keep the pond as clean as possible for the fish. Since the
water plants were probably potted in SOMETHING, I thought it might be a good idea
to keep most of the plants out of the two ponds. Therefore, I decided to build
shallow ponds in which to plant the majority of the water plants. I hoped that
this would keep the pond cleaner.
- During the TV show, I saw a plant floating on top of the water in the pond.
The plant looked like a green tennis ball with leaves. It had pretty lavender
flowers. I had no idea what it was, but I WANTED one for my pond. Later I
learned that it was called a Water Hyacinth.
- I will attempt to follow the advice given by Charles Rush in his web pages.
I am definitely in the inital research phase.
- Answers to the MOST basic questions for the water garden:
- The electrical conduit runs along the back fence about 2 feet inside the
fence line. This conduit is buried about 36 inches down.
- What are the zoning requirements for a water garden in the city of Dallas?
- The phone number for the Dallas Building Permits is (214) 948-4480.
- I talked to a lady named Carrie at (214) 948-4462. She said that any pond smaller than 5,000 gallons is considered landscaping. Such a pond does not require a building permit. Carrie said that I could build what I wanted as long as I stayed within my building lines.
- How much work is involved in digging the ponds?
- My backyard is composed of three distinct layers:
- Two inches of builder's sand
- 2-18 inches of black Texas clay
- Caliche, sand, and small limestone "boulders"
- The hand-digging process is going to take QUITE some time. I chip out the caliche,
load it into a bucket, and then dump the bucket onto the nearest vacant lot. I will keep the black Texas clay for use in the landscaping.
- Basic terrain in the backyard
- My backyard in not flat; it slopes down from the Patio at a rate of approximately
0.75 inches per linear foot. The slope is not uniform throughout the yard.
- Basic components on my shopping list:
- EPDM rubber liner for the bottom of the ponds (45-60 mil)
- Biological filter(s) which I build myself
- Pump(s) for the waterfall, venturi, and filtration system
- Bottom drains for the two ponds
- Water meter
- Water filter to remove chloramine, etc
- Potable water hose for filling the ponds
- Hardscape
- Cement squares (1 foot x 1 foot x 2 inches) to form collar around ponds
- Cinder blocks to for back side of Water Lily Pond
- Large flagstones for the stepping stones and coping
- Round river rock
- Pea and egg gravel for the walkways
- The water garden will contain several elements:
- Headwater pond
- Is 6 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet deep
- Contains Water Hyacinths, Duckweed, etc
- Feeds the Waterfall
- Waterfall
- Falls from the Headwater pond in to Fish Pond
- Is about two feet high
- Fish Pond
- Is 19 feet by 11 feet by 40 inches deep
- Water enters from the Waterfall and the pump
- Water leaves by a bottom drain and overflow into the Waterlily Pond
- Contains about 4000 gallons of water
- Waterlily Pond
- Is 20 feet by 12 feet by 2 feet deep
- Water enters from the Fish Pond and the pump
- Water leaves by a bottom drain
- Contains about 3600 gallons of water
- Settling Tank & Mechanical Filter
- Water enters from the bottom drains of the Fish Pond and the Waterlily Pond
- Water exits into the Mechanical Filter
- Contains about 240 gallons of water
- Is 4 feet by 3 feet by 32 inches deep
- Water upflows through fiberglass window screen
- Biological & Mechanical Filter
- Water enters from the Settling Tank
- Is 4 feet by 3 feet by 22 inches deep
- Contains 165 gallons
- Contains HVAC filters to mechanically clean the water
- Contains a medium (probably Bio Balls) as a substrate
- Bog
- Water enters from the Biological Filter & is removed by pump suction
- Is 18 feet by 4 feet by 22 inches deep
- Contains 990 gallons
- Contains Water Hyacinth and marginal plants
- Plumbing
- Plumbing from the pump to the following:
- Headwater pond
- Fish Pond -- waterfall and venturi
- Waterlily Pond -- trickle and venturi
- Pumbing to bypass the following:
- Headwater Pond
- Waterfall
- Bog
- Power Failure
- The land drops away from the house at a rate of 0.75 inches per linear foot.
- The water surface of all conponents at ground level will be the same.
- Fish Pond (upper pond)
- The Fish Pond will contain a bottom drain which is not built into the bottom,
but instead sits on the bottom.
- The pipe from the bottom drain to the Settling Tank will go up to the top of the Fish Pond, across the walk, and down into the Waterlily Pond. It will then go along the bottom of the Waterlily Pond, up the side, and into the Settling Tank.
- The pipe can be filled with water to start the siphon action.
- Waterlily Pond (lower pond)
- The same type of bottom drain and plumbing will be used as is found in the
Fish Pond.
- Rain
- The extra rainwater will be shunted out the top of the Settling Tank.
- Filter(s) clog
- If the filter(s) clog, the pump will not receive enough water and could be damaged.
- A device is used to shut down the pump.
- Water loss due to evaporation
- Water levels will drop slightly, but water will continue to flow out the bottom drains.
- Water will be manually added to the system. Later I may consider an automatic fill device connected to a garden hose.
- The ponds have been dug, lined, and filled.
- The pumps, plumbing, and surface skimmers have been installed.
- The water system has been filled, and is running.
- A few small goldfish and a few plants have been added. Currently, the water
is very green.
- Optional expenses -- $ 360.00
- Initial research -- $200
- Books, magazines, seminars, associations fees
- Patio Pond -- $160.00
- 30-gallon plastic pond -- $ 59.99
- Spitting Fish -- $18.48
- Pump and tubing -- $35.59
- Black mesh plant bucket -- $2.36
- Chemicals to condition the water -- $17.64
- One dozen feeder goldfish -- $1.99
- Fish food -- $3.99
- Misc items for fish -- $19.96
- Foundation expenses -- $ 3,273.16
- Excavation -- $200.00
- Wheelbarrow, spade, pickaxe, posthole digger, brick hammer, and buckets
- Electrical work -- $ 700.00
- 4 GFCI duplex receptacles on the garage wall
- 4 GFCI duplex receptacles in the Pump Well
- 4 GFCI duplex receptacles near the Quarantine Tanks
- Two new lines and two new breakers
- Bog, Filters, and Settling Tank -- $ 490.00
- Wood, brackets, screws, and tools -- $ 440.00
- Underlayment (carpet and insulation board) -- $ 50.00
- Quarantine Tank -- $ 112.98
- 100-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank -- $ 94.99
- Float valve for Rubbermaid stock tank -- $ 17.99
- Liner (Permalon @ Bent Tarp and Liner) -- $ 835.00
- Hardscape (foundation) -- $ 935.18
- Cinder blocks, caps, and pavers -- $ 425.15
- Cinder blocks 8"x8"x16" @ $ 0.99 each (259 total) -- $ 256.41
- Cinder blocks 8"x8"x8" @ $ 0.93 each (8 total) -- $ 7.44
- Cinder blocks 4"x8"x16" @ 0.91 each (10 total) -- $ 9.10
- Cinder-block caps 4"x8"x16" @ $ .95 each (109 total) -- $ 103.55
- Cinder-block caps 2"x 8"x16" @ $ .98 each (19 total) -- $ 18.26
- Patio blocks (18"x18") @ $4.96 each (4 total) -- $ 19.84
- Patio blocks (12"x12") @ $1.00 each -- $ 2.00
- Pavers 2"x4"x8" @ $ .57 each (15 total) -- $ 8.55
- Cement, mortar, etc -- $ 437.40
- Concrete Mix (6 bags) -- $ 13.52
- Concrete Patch (1 tub) -- $ 4.79
- Great Stuff (6 cans) -- $ 19.68
- Portland Cement -- $ 67.40
- Quickrete Concrete (4 bags) -- $ 11.88
- Quikrete Sand Mix (70 60-pound bags) -- $ 156.80
- Sand (all purpose; 2 bags) -- $ 6.52
- Spackling -- $ 143.88
- Super Tub for mixing cement -- $ 12.93
- Miscellaneous -- $ 72.63
- Diamond metal mesh (4 sheets) -- $ 16.44
- Plastic cable ties -- $ 48.23
- Silicone adhesive (4 cans) -- $ 7.96
- Plumbing -- $ 2,161.50
- Basic material -- $ 42.30
- PVC saw -- $ 15.36
- PVC primer (3 cans) -- $ 7.29
- All-purpose PVC glue (5 cans) -- $ 19.65
- Bottom drain system -- $ 196.02
- Bottom drains (four 4-inch drains) -- $ 67.12
- 14-inch dark green bowl (4 @ $ 2.48) -- $ 9.92
- 4-inch pipe-to-clay coupling (4 @ $ 8.83) -- $ 35.32
- 4-inch 90-degree coupling (4 @ $ 3.93) -- $ 15.72
- Dome silent glides (4 @ $ 1.54) -- $ 6.16
- 4-inch flex coupling with clamps (8 @ $ 6.88) -- $ 55.04
- Dark green vinyl trim cap -- $ 12.98
- Black corragated 4-inch pipe (100 feet) -- $ 20.00
- 4-inch flex pipe cap (8 caps) -- $ 40.88
- PVC plumbing -- $ 1,635.31
- Plumbing for Pumps and skimmers-- $ 1,267.98
- High-pressure braided PVC pipe (125 feet) -- $327.50
- 1 1/2 inch swing check valves (4 valves) -- $ 51.92
- Perforated pipes for intake -- $ 18.66
- 1800 GPH magnetic-drive pumps (6 pumps) -- $ 744.90
- Surface skimmers (2 skimmers) -- $ 98.00
- Aerators (2) -- $ 24.00
- Air valve silencer with hose barb (2) -- $ 3.00
- Plumbing for Bog -- $ 85.70
- 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe (85 feet) -- $ 33.66
- 1 1/2 inch PVC Ells (76) -- $ 50.16
- 1 1/2 inch PVC caps (4) -- $ 1.88
- Plumbing for Manual Air Purge Valves -- $ 191.77
- 2-inch x 3/4-inch Saddle Tees (20) -- $ 14.60
- 4-inch x 3/4-inch Saddle Tees (14) -- $ 10.64
- 3/4-inch x 1/4-inch Bushings (30) -- $ 13.80
- 1/4-inch Hex Nipples (25) -- $ 17.00
- 2-inch PVC Caps (16) -- $ 9.28
- 2-inch Clear PVC Pipe (7 feet) -- $ 52.85
- 1/4-inch Brass Ball Valves (16) -- $ 73.60
- Plumbing for Bottom Drains -- $ 209.86
- 4-inch PVC Pipe (100 feet) -- $ 113.20
- 4-inch PVC Couplers (4) -- $ 7.96
- 4-inch PVC Short Ells (24) -- $ 71.76
- 4-inch PVC 45-degree Turn (4) -- $ 9.88
- 4-inch PVC 22.5-degree Turn (2) -- $ 7.06
- Filter Material -- $ 155.91
- Medium density filter material -- $ 99.20
- Fiberglass window screen -- $ 33.47
- Eggcrate (2 sheets) -- $ 15.80
- 3/4 inch PVC pipe (30 feet) -- $ 6.24
- 3/4 inch PVC Ell (8) -- $ 1.20
- Miscellaneous -- $ 11.96
- Great Stuff Expanding Foam (2 cans @ $ 5.98) -- $ 11.96
- Decorative hardscape -- $ 3,560.87
- Man-made stone -- $ 631.47
- Man-made stone for outside of Cistern -- no cost
- Talavera fiberglass waterfall (Alta) -- $ 278.99
- Talavera boulder #1300 -- $ 103.99
- Talavera boulder #1400 -- $ 145.99
- Talavera boulder #2600 -- $ 102.50
- Natural stone -- $ 2,359.70
- Apache Red Gravel (Custom Stone; 5.70 tons; plus delivery) -- $ 612.16
- Arizona River Rock (Chesshir Stone; 0.71 tons) -- $ 114.66
- New Mexico River Rock (Custom Stone; 1.23 tons) -- $163.08
- Colorado River Rock (Chesshir Stone; 0.048 tons) -- $ 9.60
- Colorado Red Flagstone (Chesshir Stone; 3.578 tons) -- $ 962.94
- Colorado Red Flagstone, oversized (Chesshir Stone; 1.075 tons) -- $ 394.49
- Colorado Red Ledgestone (Chesshir Stone; 0.371 tons) -- $ 102.77
- Miscellaneous "exteriors" -- $ 569.70
- American Accents Spray Paint (2 cans) -- $ 5.34
- Exterior latex paint (Olympic #425-5 "Tattered Teddy") 4 gallons -- $ 75.32
- Fancy Plants FP-17 Boxwood (6 @ $ 12.97) -- $ 77.82
- Metal clamps for Bog (36 clamps @ $ 1.45) -- $ 52.20
- Vinyl flooring with pebble pattern (324 square feet) -- $ 89.94
- White 4-inch cover base (86 feet @ $ 0.54) -- $ 46.44
- Silicone adhesive (136 cans) -- $ 222.64
- Grand total (so far) -- $ 9,355.53
- Optional expenses -- $ 360.00
- Foundation expenses -- $ 3,273.16
- Plumbing expenses -- $ 2,161.50
- Decorative hardscape -- $ 3,560.87
Bonnie's Links
created by Bonnie Lee Hill,
bonniehill@verizon.net
last modified on June 25,2008
URL: http://mysite.verizon.net/bonniehill/ponds/pages/mypond.html
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