brand new, need advice

[shelgirl]

Hi everyone!  I am building a pond. Yay!  It will be 4 ft wide by 12 feet long.  It will be 2 feet underground and 2 feet above ground with lumber being the frame.  How thick of lumber do I need to keep it from bowing from the water weight?  I have 4 x 4's already so I would love to be able to use them if they will work.  If I use rebar to support the walls, how far apart should the rebar be?
I would like to purchase a filter instead of making one from scratch.  I want to spend under 200 dollars if possible.  Pond will be roughly 1500 gallons.  Any suggestions on a filter?  I want one that sits outside of the pond.
Thanks!  I'll take pics of the progress.

[Rad Michelle]

oOo! how exciting i cant wait to see it! be sure to take pics of it in the process =) i would say 4x4s would work, you definetly need the thickness considering your going 12 feet long.

[newbieincaliprincess]

As I am a beginner as well I can't say much besides......






I'm green with envy!  I started with a 60 gal preformed. I look at mine  then imagine how nice my fish would look in something like what you discribe....   :'(


any ways good luck and bring on the pictures!!!

[frloplady]

Filter: Biostep 10 made by Matala.  Here is the pic and description from Fosters and Smith http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5163+5186+16843&pcatid=16843

I always want to see a bottom drain and settlement before pump and filter. 

How are you using rebar on a wooden wall? or are you going to pour cement?  Wood underground too? (doable in some climates)

[shelgirl]

I've seen people drill holes in the wood and drop rebar all the way down.  Still deciding on what we want to do.  Trying not to let this project get too out of control!   

I had a 90 gallon pond years ago, back before UV was really popular so I'm not too informed on it.  How much of a difference do UV filters really make in pond clarity?

[frloplady]

A UV isn't a filter per se, it's a light that kills the green water algae..the stuff that gets suspended in the water, pea green soup stuff.  A UV sometimes makes the difference between seeing the fish and not. 
http://www.koivalley.com/Quarantine_Tank_Construction_Photo_Gallery.html maybe Karl's build of an indoor tank might help you with yours

[shelgirl]

Gotcha.  They make filters/UV light combos for a bit more $$ too I see.
That is a very neat indoor Koi tank.  Wow.
Here is more what I am envisioning for my space out back:

http://www.rumblefische.com/fische/pond.html

[miguynmkoi]

Welcome!

4x12 pond , you need rebars, drilled through the 4x4's and into the ground, spaced out evenly about every few feet and on the corners.  The liner if you get a good rubber one (what's the name?!>!) will cost you plus a good pump.  You build your own filter box, look under DIY.

You already have a good start here.

Good Luck!

[PondmaninAL]

For good prices on pond liner, go to www.pondliner.com. EPDM is $.44 per square foot.

[shelgirl]

What is better - pressurized filters or gravity filters?