New pond build. Due to limitations of garden size I will need to build pond close to house + neighbours fence boundary so would like some thoughts.
This would be DIY over the winter months to be operating for next spring.
Aim is approx 2000 gallons, I would love to stretch to 3000 however think build plan would limit as would garden size.
Initial thoughts Pond 9ft long / 6ft wide / 6ft deep.
above ground plan would be to use NEW untreated railway sleepers.
these come in 10ft lengths 8" high and 4" wide.
My plan would be to have four rows high to give the 2ft 8" height and cap with a row on sides. a further 4" to lip of pond. I plan to brace the internal joints in corners and externally brace with uprights of 4" thick Pergola posts, These being set into concreate collar below. probably set 18" from corners of pond so water pressure is along six ft max lenth
Underground my idea was to do a concreate collar of 1ft by 1ft first and then dig down three foot below this to get depth. or 2ft 4"if you think is safer.
Hopefully with this plan and only 18" away from house i would not interfer with house foundations????
I will try and draw out and add to post later. The bottom drain being dug further in a trench. ( possible silly question to follow on this later!) I would look at getting a box liner made to fit.
As far as filteration is concerned My idea was to use both a EasyPod feed by a bottom drain, then have Pump connected to this and skimmer feeding UV and finally to the small sized Aquadyne filter. I was very impressed with OASE aquamax pumps six years ago as my Aquamax 10000 is still going strong in friends natural pond.
Filter bay area will be tight max 30 " wide although would have 6ft long. I do not see how i could fit a seperate vortex and cannot see how a sieve would work in plan. Filter bay could be at ground level as then Easypod would be raised to be at same height as water level, possibly need to 6" " for Aquadyne? is only 30" high acording to website.
Good news is i would be very close to drainage. where smille appears
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X = Pergola post
Please comment on plan so far.
Plan would be to keep about 15 Koi ( six of my original collection that are in a friend natural pond well wintered over last six years average size 18")
Sorry for long winded first post.
Now for the silly question re bottom drain.
assuming the above plan is not complete rubbish
be kind to me please.
If i dig down pond depth first and then do a trench for bottom drain and pipe say another 1ft How do i run 4" pipe up to filter bay without ground below concreate collar between pond and filter bay caving in?
The above plan if feesible soulds like a way of getting a 2000 gallon pond.
How much would i need to change construction method/plans if I could get pond to 10ft long 7ft wide and seven foot deep. This would get me 50% more water volume. May need to lose a nice maple tree to get filter bay in place.
Also apart from issue with leaves what plants creepers could I grow on Pergola that would not be poisonus to KOI. I would like to get a Japanesse feel.
Also on Capping of Pond i intend to have a metal grid along the lines of painted concreate reinforcement sheet in a wooden frame hinged at back of pond. Any ideas as 1) Keep child proof 2) keep Koi in and predetors out.
Thanks in advance for you thoughts.
New pond ideas - help before start 
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