Ok I will not go into detail on how DW got on board but we are going to dig a pond in a few weeks only problem is or maybe it is not but I would like your input on it
MY IDEA ON PAPER



* No liner he wants a clay pond ( I am not sure how deep that will make it)
* I assume it will be about 6x9x8ft deep

* With no liner (clay) will a pump/foutain keep getting cloged?

* with it being deep (water table) what should I do for circulation

* Will the water ever be clear to see my babies?

* how to keep natural vegitation from overtakeing the pond?

* Should I still put in a shelf?

* I will assume that getting in there to clean it well is just not an option, but I could swim in it

* any ideas on a water fall for a natural clay pond how to incorporate that?

Ok that is what on my mind and additional help will be great I need to act like I know what I am doing or he may take over. He knows ponds but he knows no fish.
C2

C2, Yippie! A NEW pond! Good going girl!! I would like to know just how you convinced the DH to build the pond? ;)

I don't have a clay pond but I would add a shelf for plants even if it is a partial shelf just in case you might want to add something unusual. Your going to be digging anyway so it won't that much more effort, maybe another beer or two for the DH ;) JMO

Nice drawing btw. Maybe I can hire you to draw mine. ;)

Congrats and good luck! B)

Aaanndd as usual post us some pics!

Tia

I would love to add input , but I first need to be assured that no husband will be hurt or abused in the new pond build :lol: :lol:

I have friend with clay ponds that are crystal clear.

Go bigger.

I am sure that I can go a little bigger but we do not want to remove any trees how about 15x20 that maybe all the bigger I can go. So clay ponds can stay clear hmmmm that is good to know.

Wayne i promise there will be limited abuse to the husband during this very limited :D
C2

you dont even want to know :angry:

How do you define limited.

Like ; if I were there, would I see any blood or tears on the poor guy. :P :P

BE NICE C2

Ok someone educate me. Is it called a clay pond because of no liner or do you line the pond with clay? Also with no liner and being 8 ft deep I would think you would have to have sloping sides and shelves plus a shallower area for water lilies or you would have excessive erosion if you don't take some precautions.
FM3

It is called a clay pond cause the native soil is clay. Dig a hole , with sloping sides pack, and fill or let it fill with water. Personally I would line it with fish safe filter cloth and a good layer of washed beach gravel to help keep the clay from mixing with the water.
Clay will expand when wet and will hold water very well.

It will certainly be an experiment! Some clay ponds hold water very well and stay pretty clear unless messy fish stir up the bottom. Other clay ponds may always seem dirty. If you have fish that stir up the bottom, that clay will certainly clog up pumps and filters quite a lot. Wayne's idea of adding rocks, at least on the bottom, will reduce the dirt in the water but, in time, debris will accumulate on top of the rocks. Also, since you're in the woods, there will be a lot of leaves getting in the pond even if it's netted in the fall. They are harder to deal with with a dirt bottom. What is the reason your husband doesn't want a liner? Some clay ponds will lose water faster than others, it really depends. For the size pond you want, a liner makes more sense. Clay/dirt ponds are normally used for the bigger ponds.

For deep ponds, sink aerators to the bottom. The companies on my farm pond page at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/farm.htm cater to larger ponds and clay bottomed ponds. They sell aeration systems and other things sometimes not sold at ornamental pond suppliers.

To prevent plants from taking over, avoid the ones that are more prone to do that (no cattails or yellow flag iris) and/or contain plants in pots. Any plant in the clay bottom can feasibly spread all over as long as they can deal with that depth. If the entire pond is 8 feet deep, no plant will grow that deep except submerged plants (that in fact float or grow up higher). You can use the varying depths to control plant spread.

Enjoy your new project!

Well he wouldnt cry and you never leave a mark where it is visable LOL I am kidding.

C2

Robyn my husband is a simple man I love him but he builds ponds for a living every thing he does is in LARGE SCALES like our 1/3 acre 20 ft deep pond serves no purpose but to maybe hide cars in. He is ignorant to the liner idea (not stupid) just isnt the way he thinks soooo in order for this to move forward I had to pick and choose my battle (not that is over yet) I guess with this post I am trying to find my lets called MO to figure if this is the battle I want to fight or the many other ones that will arise during this project.

The clay in this area is MASSIVE our PSI test on the foundation of our house was off the charts I am sure holding water is not the problem I just do not want a mud hole and to be honest I know the fish would love it it is me that wants the crystal clear story book or Waynes pond.

So all comments will be printed and brought to the bargining table because he is an army of one and I AM AN ARMY OF MANY :ph43r:

C2

That explains it all C2 He builds ponds for a living. No one likes to come home and repeat their day job on their down time. I agree Ohio is mostly clay with rocks just to make digging interesting. If you are raising Koi with no liner, that's going to be tough seeing those fish and controlling your plants. Maybe if you can show him a good price on the EPDM or BTL he will give in. Best nest in Cincinnati has excellent prices on 45mil epdm liner and is close and www.btlliners.com for the BTL. Hope this helps. :lol:

Frogman yes thank you I looked at the website not bad at all and doable money wise. (another words i can stash that cash noooo problem).

You all are good keep it comming he will be home from Missouri on Thursday and well we are planning My daughter Grad party and May 30 so that means (in my head) Pond must be complete with grass a growin by then. I love dead lines they make me work faster or gripe at him more LOL poor guy I love him so

and by completed I mean visually pleasing (are ponds ever really done?)

C2

WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here goes my 2 cents seeing as I have a clay pond also. The koi LOVE to dig in the bottom and stir up SH**!! You can tell where they are cause you just have to follow the stirred up mud. A few koi can stir up the bottom and keep it that way :-( My hole pond was mud last year. The first year it was pretty darn clear. My pond used to hold water well (previous owners said so), but now it doesn't as well. I am guessing that your hubby will know how to make it more water tight than most people! I honestly believe that my fish LOVE the clay pond, I think they like the natural environment and they certainly like playing in the muck. As soon as I step into the pond, it stirs up the bottom and you can't see diddly squat! Not to mention, I sink about 8 inches into the clay and can walk worth SH**!! It is kind of a scary feeling actually. I did try and put a pump in there but it was constantly clogging up.

None of that was meant as advise in any way shape or form, lol, just my experience with my clay pond. Congrat's on getting the hubby motivated to start digging! I am happy for you and can't wait to see the pictures! Have fun and keep us posted! Elaine

You will need to sign a disclaimer that plainly states:

"No Hubbies were harmed in the making of this pond" and have it posted next to said pond at all times. :P

Derrick

Derrick I just can't do that i just cant. Trust me he is fairing well with this deal ;)

C2

hahaha....I bet he is!! ;)