My parents FINALLY oked me to build a pond, and I'm trying to deside on a size. I'd like at least 1000 gallons to play around with, seeing as I want between 5-7 koi plus some commons (the ones I already own plus some room for those I'm sure to "rescue" along the way) a few shubunkins.

Anybody know what this size pond will measure?

Length, width, and depth?

aftran,

lucky you! thats a dream to many of us here!!

the length, width and depth will be entirely up to you and your preferences. you can make your pond long (rectangular), round, square or anything in between. do you want a shallow end and a deep end? there are many variables to mull over before you can come up with the dimensions. if you were to sketch out a basic shape and design and post it here, im sure somebody would be able to give you a rough estimate of the dimensions you will need.

post back soon!

Hehehe Congradz like
the poster above me said it could be any shape ect ect ect
it's really up to you to decide.

I can't wait to see pictures!

Try this.
http://www.gardenponds.com/Pondcalculators.htm
That way you can punch in numbers and decide for yourself. And I would suggest that if you want too have 7-8 koi you go much larger than 1,000 gallons.

whoo hoo!!!!!!!

My dad I measured the back yard today I I found out I have more room than I thought!!!!

I made a estimated landscape a few minutes ago and used the site Jetman linked (thanks) to estimate that if I get it the way I want it, or closely anyway, it'll be between 4750 and 5000 gallons! roughly, maybe more or less cause I got confused while punching in numbers..........


And, YAY again!!!!

My dad just came in and approved my design. We're going to work on more detailed graphs that are better to scale (he's giving me a 15x15 ft space to work in).

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats and don't forget those bottom drains. Think of the bottom drain as a filter intake not just a drain that you open when you want. You always want water flowing through it and preferably a gravity fed design.

believe me, I won't!

I want to do this right the first time. In fact, when I talked to my day, he even sujested making it a tad bit bigger. LOL, if only you knew him. It's somethign I dream about...........

The biggest thing I'm worried about now is cost.......

is $1000 an underestimate?

I might have to take on a second job for a while...........

For that size pond your filtration/pump system will almost eat up $1,000 dollars, maybe over depending on what you get.


Aquadine is one of the more popular filters, with a sequence pump;
http://www.aquadynamite.com/

I bought my system (which I'm going to start finally laying the pipe for tomorow) from Colorado Koi. Mine is the 'money savor pump' 1 horse power and the 'Best Filter'. Colorado Koi sales many different set up's, not just the one I chose. They have a large site so you just have to look around. Their prices seem to be cheaper than other sites, such as their sequence pumps are cheaper than other sites, same with their filtration systems.
http://www.coloradokoi.com/

You also might want to check out;

Pond Construction, So You Want a Pond?

Filtration

Koivet.com message board

I hope that these sites will help some. I am sure that they will give you an idea of a cost your looking at for your pump and filter. Good luck!


Scott

Those prices are highly depressing..........

I don't make that much in a month..........

I don' want you to get discuraged. Remind your parents that since you are putting the pond in it wont cost even close to half what it would be if it was hired done. The big plus, it'll raise the property value. Ponds are very popular. It'd be a plus in the landscape. Surely they'll help cover some of the cost


Scott

$1,000 is not going too cut it for a pond that size. If you only spend $1,000 you are going too get a huge headache.
The link provided above for aquadynamite explains my whole setup. Just throw in a savio skimmer and a UV and you have exactly what I have. Almost forgot I recently added a aeration pump and diffuser.
So far this setup has performed great for me but I believe it will be lacking when the fish get larger. My pond is currently understocked and by living in florida I have been able too achieve some good growth rates. My plan in the future is too add some biofiltration too the pond and use the bead filter as mostly a mechanical filter.
Check out the koivet message board. There is an old thread started by Luke Frisbee that details how too build a nice pond for a few hundred bucks. It is really impossible too do but it mentions some great ideas. It is in the pond building section and you might have too scroll back a few pages but it is worth it.
And since your shovel has not hit the ground yet, don't get discouraged.