Hello to everyone!! My name is Rob... and I have been doing much research on what is involved in constructing and maintaining a watergarden/fish pond. I don't just jump into something I know nothing about until I do enough research into all aspects of such an endeaver. I mean I studied everything!...I think I am at the point where I can now begin ordering all the materials needed to start the construction. (I will do all the labor)...and then... the totally unexpected happened... apparently I underestimated the cost of ornamental rock to line my pond. Two separate "experts" estimated the cost for the amount of "Tennessee boulders" to cover my 12' by 13' by 3' deep pond at $1,400.00!!! That amount equals the total amount I am spending on pump/bio filter/liner ect. My question: I am down here in SW florida ...is there any way to obtain these rocks or some similar to them at a more affordible price? I'm not dead set on these rocks however I like the natural look these give to a pond. I would also be open to other means of creating a natural look. It is very disappointing to have to scrap my plans to build this garden because I can picture it in my mind. Unfortunately I was priced out of the ballpark!!!

Any help recieved is very appreciated

Hi Rob, and !
I have heard the same outragious prices when asking about those big boulder rocks, mainly for my husbands clients in the home design business. There are a few places here in SoFla that sell those rocks, but I am not familar with their prices. Our ponds are all above ground, so there was never any need for boulder rocks as decor, but we are planning our first, and really big, inground pond soometime this summer, and those rocks are surely one thing I would love to have in the pond.
Of course, with prices like this the cost estimates are gonna be rising quite a bit. Where in SW FLorida do you live? My husband is trying to find out some prices on those rocks, I hope its gonna be a decent number this time!

I'm not sure of the price of that particular rock but that sounds reasonable for a pond of that size. I used majestic fieldstone on mine and it is 10' x 16' and it took two full pallets of rock. I started a pond building thread awhile back if you are interested what the rock I used looks like.
If there is a pond builder in your area you might want too give them a call and see what their price on just the rock would be. And go at least 4' deep if you can.

first, I have no idea what Tennessee boulders look like? I am assuming though that you must live in that part of the country? You weren't planning on filling the pond with rocks, were you? If so you should understand if you have fish rocks can hold in many problems that could cause disease. Another thing, rocks in the pond can be messy, and are no fun to clean when that time comes. I used river rock in my pond, but it's also set next to the patio, with a deck on the other side (and not really in in the pond, just looks that way, it's on ledges the sides of my pond go straight down, no slope). I spent $80 on rock total. My biggest expense has been pump and filter system (which had better get put in by the end of next week!). Anyhow, here is what my pond looks like, might be an idea? Mine is 23'x18' and from 1' to 5' deep.



also, check out the thread that Rob (Jetman) put up on his pond that might give you other ideas as well. There are other's on here who've posted their ponds as well. I am sure that there can be an alternative for you so that you can have your pond? If you are wanting big rocks have you thought about getting fiber glass? They are cheaper than the real thing and obviously easier to handle.


Good luck, let us know how it all goes!

Scott

Woow! That is one cool pond.

hmm, you might want to take your car out for a spin.. all the way to the wild and pick up river rocks that is SUITABLE (in size and chemical behavior) for your usage.. that's where people stock up their rock supply for their business..

but that's gonna be several trips unless you have a powerful truck..

good luck in your hunt if you decided to hunt..

Rob, rocks are very expensive in NY. I was lucky for my pond. On our property we have the rock foundation left from an old farmhouse so we just used those rocks. I know in Florida my dad paid $300 for a rock that sits in my parents front year (it's 300 lbs or so..huge).

I made lots of trips down into a deep gullie and hauled many rocks to my house. It is back breaking, but free. Not sure of the size of what you are wanting, but call some buddies and hit the road.....if that is an option.

I just went down to the beach near me and picked up a few ordinary rocks from the beach.

The ones you buy are just too dear. I have mine in a 190 litre aquarium and they caused no problems with my fish.

Just wanted to say Scott, I absolutely loved your pond,in fact your whole back yard!!!!! I am very impressed-good job!

At a job interveiw today I was told that I would sometimes be balancing 100,000 pound boulders on end. Now those are big rocks!

back straining.. wow, I never thgt you will be searching for rocks of that size.. I thgt rocks that maybe the size of a base ball or biggest as soccer..