Building a Koi Pond in Phases - Ask #35

my pond took about 4 weeks on my own just working on it whenever I got a spare hour or 2.
any chance we could see some videos or photos of the ponds in your own home?

I feel you.

I started in 2013, its not over yet.

My pond is on its fourth year of construction. One guy no machine equipment. It hasn't been everyday but it should be done this year.

Took me about 3 weekends to build my last pond. All hand dug. Will most likely take longer on the next one. Envelope is on its way.

I'm on my third year the hardest part is trying to buy all the filtration system very high dollar 3 income tax returns later and I'm still building very disappointing when the system doesn't work like u want it too I have two old school skimmers that suck and not in a good way I keep getting thrown back to the beginning it seems like

We are doing improvements all the time so I'd say it will take forever and it's really fun. Started up with a small one and now we have a pretty big pond. We continually think of something new and get a new project going. For us (me and my wife) it's really a nice hobby that we enjoy. We also spend some time at landscaping around the pond e tc for us that is part of the pond as well as padio, bridges etc - so there is a lot to do all from digging to building.

I planned my pond all winter... took me two weeks manual labor to dig the primary pond out, used the extra dirt to raise my BOG filter including the waterfalls.  It's a never ending job but the bulk is done.  About a 600 GAL pond with 100 GAL BOG.

took me 4 months. worked on it only on sundays. just finished it a month back. i have koi, mollies, goldfish in it. today i noticed about a hundred fry swimming in the shallows. curious to find out which species they belong to. 
question - do koi and sucker catfish coexist?  the rocks are starting to have algae growth on them since the plants havent grown enough to cover enough of the surface. suckerfish might be able to clean them out.....

I am still building.  Phase 3 is the GO BIG or go home phase..... Thanks for giving me options if my budget is tight

Eric what size envelop wood I need to send

20 years 9 days and counting... But seriously actual build time of those 20 years and 9 days  is probably 200 - 300 hours, not counting the annual spring and fall remove and rebuild of my stoned sides, as I remove every stone to catch all fish and fry for winter storage. And as it is cold out I do it quick and dirty and  usually end up redoing it the next spring.,,

My moms pond been up for 6 years I have been active in the rehab of it for the last year and a half. I am going up this next week to Remove a DIY filter and add a New Three stage  Settling, mechanical, Bio DIY filter with new Pump And a in pond skimmer. Taking measurements for the Redo next spring. electrical plumbing and liner and a helix skimmer . make a unsafe pond safe. with proper coping. little bites at a time I only get up there three or four time a year and only for less than a week at a time. Just wish I had taken pictures At The start to show progress.

5 months but only had around 4 days a month of actual time spent. For now pond is running strong and fish are happy and active. Am planning a helix skimmer addition within the next year for sure and re-route my pump and hoses. Boom!

All in, I think my first pond took 3 weekends. I guess we could have done it faster but the temp was in the high 90's. It room much more time to get everything balanced since it was a water garden style.

I would love to see a tour of the pond you described in this video near your home. It sounds very cool.

Which time? Lol i have dug up moved and messed with my pond about 5 times and each time took at least 3-4 hours. And im still not pleased with how it is lol

That's a funny question Eric, are ponds ever done?  My first pond 4 hours (100 gallon preform), second pond 4 days (2000 gallon liner) and my third pond (3000 gallon liner) going into month four with no end in sight!  :-)  Most likely a year because I'm doing it in two stages, this year the pond and filtration, next year finish waterfall and landscaping.

We've been working on ours for a month. Have the hole dug however it hasn't stopped raining.

Maybe a wierd question for this episode, but if i make a fish tunnel or fish cave and 1 or more fish die in it and get stuck will it hurt the other fish and waterquality?

Isn't a pond build always stages .We build then we change this and that or we see a pond that has something we want to add to our pond .We are just pond addicts and that makes us different .Would we ever want it any different NO .HAHA that is a funny question ,11 years and still not done

Thanks for answering my question!

Just started my pond this last month (ish). Planning on a cement pond so I definitely want it right the first time, size and equipment. Plumbing in a bottom drain and skimmer for the side for sure and will be cheap on the rest till I can afford it, or the wife lets me splurge. 😏👍😏

it toke me about a year to build my pond!!!

20x30! wow! do you have any pics of that one?

My first pond was a long time ago but was a learning experience to say the least. I started to dig manually and it rained 22/30 days that month in Texas of all places! Took a month to dig.. then I didn't think about putting the waterfall in first and dirt around it, had to move the heavy wet clay again. Finally finished and it ended up really solid, no leaks, fish spawned.. toads loved it! Looking to do new, bigger one, at new house now.

It took me around 3 week to build my current (temporary) pond with bog filter as I only had my week-ends to do it. For my next project I think ask you Eric for some advice later.

Building a medium size 13x12x4 pond with- { water falls,- settling tank,- skimmer,- bio-filter and UV light.- 8200 pump,-}( bond beam 16inx5,} - -bottom drain. side jet for water movement, -- 45mil liner with under liner.  I rented a Kubota excavator on tracks to dig major ditches and main pond. 1 day- $235.  delivered. Clay and rock soil in Lake Elsinore Ca.- 2 days hand digging and final  shaping. -- 2 day plumbing and back filling ditches -1 day electrical to panel.- 1 day under liner and 45 mil liner. 2 weeks for rock work.  I did most o the work by myself.  Some jobs like rock  work will take two people to move large stones. My 40 Yr of construction back ground helped. The video series by the pod digger - PRICELESS.  All materials were purchased  in Yucaipa Ca - The Pond Digger, Thank you Mrs. Leslie Triplett for the professional guidance. All supply's were on hand and top quality.  I spent 3 week --  12HR days, -- I enjoyed every moment !  My pond is a work in Progress and I will enjoy adding the surrounding land scape.  My large back yard is my oasis after work and on the weekends. Creating a beautiful setting is one of the gifts of life.  I have invested my time and money were it meets my need the most. Half the price of a good used ford truck ! and well worth the effort.

New to koi what's the best way to becoming a breeder

3 months in 2 grand in cost 18x20 still working on it

Such helpful vids...keep it coming brother. We appreciate your knowledge and help