Little Pond on the Prairie

Dont worry-the pond is not leaking, I had just watered the plants.  And please excuse the dirt yard- we are planting grass this weekend.

With the new design and placement of the shade structure, the pond stays shaded until around 5pm when the sun peeks in sideways. 

The top two feet of the wooden frame is above ground- which makes it nice for sitting around the pond rim.  You can even take off your shoes and put your feet in.  It also makes hand feeding alot easier then the old pond.

We added a dining area and sitting area for enjoying the pond and shade.

Go to the construction page for pictures of how I came up with this whole idea (because I looked online and in books and couldnt find any wooden framed ponds bigger than 4x4).

All of our Koi have names and personalities- so I made these koi cut-outs so everyone knows who is who in our pond.

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Completed in April 2008

This picture is from the upper deck out the back door of our home.

We enjoy to spend alot of time outdoors and it was important to us to make sure that we could enjoy the pond more.

And it is much safer for the pets and children with the new design.  And an added plus with the raised edge is that not one of the childrens balls have been able to roll into the pond!

  July 08'- The water has never cleared up from it's "new pond bloom"- I am in the process of figuring out what filtration to add to the pond.  

*******We did however get our hands on three beautiful new large koi and we have added some pics to share. 

August 08'- We added a new pump and a very large filter with lava rock and filter media in it...and the pond still didnt clear up!!!  UGG!

Update:  September 27th 08'- It FINALLY cleared up!!!  It has been months of the greenest yuckiest water on earth and one day I decided to try something new before going through the expense of a UV light.

CURE- 

Day one- one jar Pond-Zyme Plus & more oxygen in large filter for bacteria

Day three- one jar Pond-Zyme Plus

Day four- 2 bottles Accu-Clear

Day Five - can see 1/2 way down

Day Six - It's almost completely clear!

Day Eight- CLEAR!

I havent seen my koi in soooo long that they look huge, but beautiful.

(the cure amounts used were according to my gallon size 8000)

We now use Pond-Zyme on Pond Start up in Spring.  Give the pond a great start and "eats" the muck.

UPDATE 4/18/09-  sorry I havent told you how the water clarity is going..................it has stayed CLEAR, never mucked back up!!!