Sleeper pond rebuild. Part 2. Digging sucks..

[@Simonsimps]

I rodded my 4 inch bottom drain line 2 days a go for the first time in 2 years. I could not believe the amount of stuff that came through. Like you said, wish I'd done it with 3 inch pipe now. Looking good so far, thanks for the update. Good luck through storm Christoph. Cheers.

[@dannycurrie1]

Think with a lower flow a 3 inch is a must. I was really surprised how much was in there.

[@marekskoipond9083]

Box weld liner all day long, I learned the hard way, no matter how well you fold the creases they will harbour parasites and bad bacteria, please don't put in flat liner, you'll regret it, good luck with the rebuild.

[@dannycurrie1]

Think box weld it is. Everyone has said it so far. There was alot of gunk behind the folds aswell. Live and learn with hese things. Won't make that mistake again

[@chrisartis4284]

@@dannycurrie1 price of a boxweald might as well fibreglass to be honest

[@dannycurrie1]

@@chrisartis4284 but worried about movement in the wood cracking the fiberglass. If it was brick built I'd definitely do it

[@chrisartis4284]

@@dannycurrie1 yeah fairpoint there ✌️

[@matthewnicholls2658]

Looking good Dan, it’s going to make a big difference for sure, keep the great videos coming All the best Matt

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks. Will be all worth it in the end. I'll try and do 1 a week if I can

[@mountainkoi9673]

Jeez, you've worked really hard there Dan . I'd definitely go for a box welded liner, although you did do a cracking job with the liner. Interesting to see the waste suck in the bottom drain. I've got my flow turned down low for the winter,think I'd better give it a blast at full power of do a proper purge.

[@dannycurrie1]

Wanted to get as much as possible done today as the weather's doing to turn tomorrow. Gona be feeling it in the morning though. Yeah I was really surprised on the drain, I expected it to be clear. Just go's to show you need a way of purging it properly

[@IcenI_Koi]

Good work Dan, brave man in this weather. I'm waiting till it warms up a bit before I start my pond & filter house makeover lol. Following with interest. Take care & stay safe.

[@dannycurrie1]

I was planning on waiting untill spring, but I've been part furloughed so thought I'd crack on now I've got time. Would have struggled for time in the spring. Do some videos of yours when you do it. Love watching pond builds

[@KoiRun50]

Good point on the importance of proper flow rate through the bottom drain. All the best buddy.

[@dannycurrie1]

Was very surprised to see that much rubbish when I checked. I expected it to be pretty clear

[@TelfordKoiPond]

Amazing progress considering what your dealing with. Keep up the good work👍😊🐟🈲

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks. Bloody hard work. Backs really gone be feeling it tomorrow

[@TelfordKoiPond]

@@dannycurrie1 you’ll be able to rest your back while your drinking a beer in glorious sunshine all summer, once it’s finished (fingers crossed). Keep at it but remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day 😉👍 looking forward to seeing the next update.

[@dannycurrie1]

@@TelfordKoiPond that's the plan 🤞 have it all ready for the coming season.

[@marksmith566]

For peace of mind I’d get some rebars in but looking good buddy 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Yeah Im thinking about it, feels pretty solid as it is but it's got me thinking. Didn't do any reinforcing before. Was just timberlock screws in the corners and it held fine. Did the same method on my grow on in the garage and that hasn't moved, obviously alot smaller and much less water though

[@barrykoikeepercooper8052]

Danny so skip full great progress doing all that on your own in this weather mate good work going to enjoy next video most of hard work over now buddy hopefully plan sailing from here on 👍👍👍👍

[@dannycurrie1]

I wish the hard part was over. Getting that old bottom drain out that's set in concrete all the way along is going to suck. Then got to dig the new one in. Will get there in the end though

[@barrykoikeepercooper8052]

Think That will come out easier then you think have a good sledgehammer handy and crowbar

[@adamhelling2601]

Hi dan ironically my sleeper pond is in the same state yours is atm. My fish are also in a paddling pool and judging by your drayton video we live in the same area (I'm hunsbury) it's good to see I'm not the only one going through this hell of a task! Keep up the good work cheers 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Small world. I'm in hunsbury aswell!! It's a tough old slog doing it in this weather as you know. Should put up a couple of clips of yours. Would be interesting to see it. I'll keep doing some updates on mine, weather's put a stop to in at the moment, got atleast 6 inches of water in the bottom at the moment

[@adamhelling2601]

@@dannycurrie1 I was trying to see if I could upload a photo for you and your subs, I didnt realise you couldn't on youtube, if theres anyway of sharing I will, just let me know. My rebuild btw is because i ripped the liner whilst netting poop (piece of slate cut it open) so i thought i may as well make it deeper due to the need of a replacement liner. 👍before anyone asks I have absolutely no idea why there was a piece of slate in my pond, I blame the neighbours 🤣😉

[@alexkoi4life914]

Looking forward to this. Looking good 😃👍🏻

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. I'll keep you posted 👍

[@terryharbert3837]

Hi Box welded liner is the way to go or if you insulate your pond with celotex insulation Board you can fiberglass on top it’s a bit more expensive but a much better job hope this helps All the best in the build

[@dannycurrie1]

Think I'm going to get a boxweld. Will be insulating it with Kingspan, did think about fiberglass, was worried any movement in the wood could crack it though

[@terryharbert3837]

Yep fair play Dan I’ve got a sleeper pond. Witch was 3000 gallons. That’ was box welded liner but I’ve just in lager it to 4500 still in sleepers but I put a window in it so went down the fiberglass root my koi dealer advised me to do this as you get a better seal on the window And as long as you get the sleepers secured the celotex as a little bit of movement it should be fine it’s a bit expensive. So no holiday for the Mrs you go for what’s best for you mate good luck

[@RS20O0]

Definitely box weld mate, well worth it and not ridiculously expensive. Atlantica Gardens have always come out cheapest for me and they supply Gordon low EPDM liners. Try to get depth to 150cm if you can, it's worth the effort even if you need a pick axe. Rebar is worth having - my concrete collar split and pushed outwards, had to rebuild with rebar in the collar and 16mm X 1m lengths vertically through the sleepers and the collar and into the ground.

[@dannycurrie1]

I'll check atlantic Gardens out, thanks. Got me worrying a little on the strength now. Last time I only used sleeper screws in the corners and it held fine, obviously more water this time. Don't have to have to re do it again. I am using 120mm thick sleepers not the 100 that most people use.

[@RS20O0]

@@dannycurrie1 My first build was 2.4m X 2.4 (1600 gallons) and only used timberlocks, no issues. Then extended to 3.8m X 2.4m (2600 gallons) and things started to move a lot more, even the fence which is 18" from edge of pond. Not so much sleepers have moved but concrete collar the sleepers sit on split and pushed out from under the sleepers.

[@dannycurrie1]

@@RS20O0 that's crazy how the water can push that out. Really hoping that's not going to happen. We will see. Was considering putting a window in aswell but think I've changed my mind on that's 1

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

@@RS20O0 jeezzz that sounds bad. I think it's called the water balloon effect.

[@richd-koi]

Looks good mate brings back awful memories of digging mine n filling 2 skips by hand a very hard graft! Make sure that technique is structually sound as iv heard many stories of pond walls giving out n thats going to be alot of water pressure. I saw the Dazzle koi vid yes that must av been the reason for your issues rotting waste a perfect breeding ground for nasties. Looking a good size mate. Try get deeper tho hire whatever tool u need bud 👍🐟

[@dannycurrie1]

Bloody hard work digging by hand. I think it should be more than strong enough. Last time it was held together with sleeper screws at the corners only and held fine. We will see though 🤞going to try and get deeper if I can. With the extra little bit I'm going up ill have a little over 4ft anyway, hoping to get it down to 5 if I can

[@richd-koi]

@@dannycurrie1 mines 4.5 feet deep 5 ft wud be great i think the koi feel safer with it deep n it helps with temp flucs as uv said. Yeah shud be ok just best to be sure 👍 how many gallons/litres will it be u reckon?

[@dannycurrie1]

@@richd-koi as the depth currently stands it would be a fraction under 10000l litres, this is 100mm deeper than before. And only had 5500l before. if I can get it to 1.5m deep it would be about 12500. Going to try and dig the bottom drain out today, depending on how hard that is I'll see how much deeper I will do. Going to be insulated with Kingspan this time and I'm hopefully have an ashp before next winter so temps should be less of an issue.

[@richd-koi]

@@dannycurrie1 decent size that then 👍 good luck with the rest. Ashp will be great yeah

[@roll-in-peace231]

Great job bud be good to see the next update

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks. Hopefully get another update in the next week or so. Just been digging the new drain in at the moment

[@syarifidayat]

Make sure you do anything you plan at first now, No matter how painful now, you will enjoy your hard work later, goodwork 💪🏻 2m deep is recomended

[@dannycurrie1]

That's very true. Don't think I will get to 2m if I can get to 1.5 ill be happy. It might aswell be concrete below 2ft

[@Tom_Prendiville]

@@dannycurrie1 2m deep is really not necessary. The current way of thinking is more about flow than a deep lazy river. So around 1.2 -1.4 metres deep is plenty deep enough. Keep your pipe runs short, you don't need to have returns in all corners to get a good spin. Mine is two returns just below the water level in one corner and creates more than enough movement to not have any dead spots. Looking forward to seeing further updates matey 👍🏼

[@dannycurrie1]

@@Tom_Prendiville think it will end up more like 1.2 at the edges maby 1.3 in the middle. We will see. Planning to have the moving bed return under water in 1 corner to give some flow. The rest will go over the shower. I'll have the arrayed bottom drain so hopefully with the decent flow through the drain it should keep the bottom clear

[@greenmachinesweden]

Good work! Now go to the rental shop and get a good Electric breaker hammer for a few days. You will get as deap as you want, some exercise and no regret ever :)

[@dannycurrie1]

Could be a good shout. Didn't think of that 🤔👍

[@countrykoipond]

Good work! I am left wondering if you have hit an old concrete slab. Is it 100% solid or can you get a spade in it? Maybe an old building was sited there and you have hit part of it.

[@dannycurrie1]

It's not concrete but pretty solid. Can get a pickaxe into it but no chance with a spade. Was awful digging the bottom drain into it last time, took ages. Going be be hard and painful work I think...

[@elmerkilred159]

Heavy clay is usually followed by a heavy mineralized layer about 8"-12" deep called. "Hardpan." (in my area of the states).

[@progressivepondkeeping]

Good progress mate, I don't envy you with all that mud . Did you do a video of how to fold the liner so neat ?

[@dannycurrie1]

It's so muddy now. you wouldn't believe haha. I didn't video it but you want to get the bottom and the middle of all the sides flat, then at the corners fold the excess behind the liner rather than in front if that makes sense. You should be able to get the folds so they line up down the corners and you don't really see them. I didn't it crap when I first did it, drained it and re did it. Best thing to do would be get a box and some wrapping paper and have a practice. Although I'm getting a box weld this time, there was alot of muck trapped in the creases still

[@progressivepondkeeping]

@@dannycurrie1 yes mate makes sense, I'll have a practice with some paper and a box 🤞 . cheers 👍

[@markf5758]

Muddy muddy muddy 🤣 getting slippery there mate ! Did you have a purge line off the bottom drain ? Makes you think though as that's a heaven for bad bacteria down there like that !! . In my opinion if your going to liner it I'd probably go for a box liner knowing now that them folds are just another area for bad bacteria to thrive. Keep going though bud 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Proper muddy. Have to barrow all the mud through the house aswell, made a right mess. And no, didn't have a purge line on the drain. When I built it I though fusing the eazypod would give enough flow to keep it clean, learnt my lesson now though

[@zippydoesit7690]

Dan, have been watching all of your build video's a few times over. Great stuff. I'm in the process of building my first pond and doing a similar design. In my climate, I also get snow and the temps get pretty low, as low as -12c. I was wondering about if I should put a cement footing for the sleepers to sit on or if putting them directly on the ground is ok using rebar to secure them all together? In the US, we call our sleepers railroad ties and these things are massive, 7x9 inches. So the question, cement footing or no?

[@dannycurrie1]

I didn't bother with a footing. Not had any problems so far. It dosnt need it from a structural point of view but It would definitely extend the life of your sleepers if you did put one in, so up to you really

[@Technologyadvisor1]

Hello How did you fit return pipes did you put holes in wood for return pipes and how did you fit them ?

[@markevans8948]

Looking good

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks :)

[@gerardfry4876]

Looking at doing my own similar size to you. Watching all your videos so as to minimise the “what I would have done differently at the end “😅. Out of curiosity what do you think to a blockwork raised pond instead, rendered on the inside and then resin coated to form the “liner”. I’ve seen it done at pond shops as their holding bays, would you say it’s a good method of doing one?

[@gavincullen3212]

Where did you get your big bolts / screws?

[@davidrand1984]

Brilliant can't wait for next update

[@gazzaellisx]

Aup mate you not putting a concrete collar round it. If your going to the expense of a box weld I would. The liner will outlast your bottom sleeper nice size pond though. You putting a roof over it

[@dannycurrie1]

Wasn't planning on it. Wood is pressure treated so should last atleast 10 years if not longer. I'd imagine I'll have moved house before then. Might put a roof over it, not sure yet, or atleast some sort of shade. Need to get the credit card paid off first though

[@jay-_meister]

Hi I’m looking to making a sleeper pond just wondering how much did you pay for the sleeper and for how many thank you

[@dannycurrie1]

I can't remember to be honest mate. I bought them right at the start of 2020 before the world went mad. About half the price you can get them for now

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Wow that will be a huge flow

[@dannycurrie1]

🤞Should be good once it's all sorted

[@MikeyDunn]

If you haven't got the flow rate to keep a 4" drain clear, you just need to add a 4" purge valve to it and let it blast out occasionally.

[@J31-l9s]

What size of pond thanks

[@bobcharlie7982]

Are they 200x100 sleepers?

[@dannycurrie1]

No there 240x120. Went for the thicker ones for a bit extra strength. Lots of people do use those other ones though

[@danieldavis9946]

Fibreglass it m8. 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

There's always a bit of movement in wood, could that not cause the fiberglass to crack?