There are always a few chores associated with owning a pond. If your systems are easily accessed and you have planned well the maintenance is not hard and can be enjoyable. I consider it part of my exercise routine.
– Clean and drain the new filter box – done. Wasn’t too bad since I had only started it up on Wednesday. changed about 150 gallons of my 1600 gallons. Added Amquel Plus which fights chlorine, ammonia, and supposedly nitrites/nitrates.
– Clean small filter pads – done (gross)
– Back fill dirt around the filter box – done
– Add inner piping to to filter box to control water flow – done. Added two elbows so I can evenly distribute the water over the two outlets. $15 for two male threaded connectors and two street elbows.
– Purchase containers for replanting bog plants. done. 7 containers x $2.50.
– Test water – Done. PH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.1, Nitrate 0.1.
– Repair broken tile on patio – Done.
– Remove gravel, rocks, & plants from bog and replant plants in containers. Inspect structure and lining. Figure out some kind of shelf for plants to sit on in the bog area. Bought Hyacinth and anacaris instead of building a shelf. Moved old plants to big plastic bin for now.
– spread dirt pile. done – using it to redirect water flow when it rains. Can also use it for a planting bed now. Will need to mulch it or cover with rocks or something so it doesn’t become a mud pit.
– Type up instructions for the kids next door to feed the fish when I go on vacation.
Still to do:
– Shop for plants to disguise the filter box or put rocks around it, or both. Thinking something evergreen like the hemlocks.
– redo back side of raised bed to replace rocks with retaining wall blocks.
– dig trench for intake side of pump plumbing and redo piping.
– research electrical box options. considering getting switched outlets so I can turn off some items at the switch.
NOTE: as you plan your ponds piping you can use unions to connect bits of pipe that might need to be removed or changed frequently. Else use male & female connectors for possible future redesigns. or just plan very well from start if you are experienced with ponds.
