How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

How to build a pond right the first time, Pond Excavation PART 2 of 2. Proper excavation is critical to a functional and well designed water feature. Building a fish pond is easy when you follow these step by step instructions from a professional builder.

How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2) sentiment_very_dissatisfied 14

Pond 10 years ago 237,246 views

How to build a pond right the first time, Pond Excavation PART 2 of 2. Proper excavation is critical to a functional and well designed water feature. Building a fish pond is easy when you follow these step by step instructions from a professional builder.

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Most popular comments
for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

Tim Bergfeld
Tim Bergfeld - 6 years ago
Love the video. I dig ponds in Ohio and can only disagree with one thing you do. Buy a mini backhoe save your back. Good job well thought out. I will say to all your viewers pre planning is a must in all ponds it can save you a ton of money down the road
Magichands312
Magichands312 - 6 years ago
Hey Eric how do you connect the waterfall and skimmer to the house
Krystal Buoy
Krystal Buoy - 6 years ago
Great crew.
Terry Moore
Terry Moore - 6 years ago
Can you bury the fountain down into the ground part of the way as opposed to having it sit on the top of the ground?
Curtis Ridley
Curtis Ridley - 6 years ago
Hey Eric my question is about the first bench you dug out. How will you hide the edge of the liner where you didnt make a bench?
Jas Buraka
Jas Buraka - 6 years ago
hey man i just wanted to say ty for taking the time out to explain everything.
Mister Bacon
Mister Bacon - 6 years ago
At 4:04 he finally decided to pick up a shovel and start working like a real man lol.
Andrew Press
Andrew Press - 6 years ago
Pond Digger, I have a question on the rim portion of the pond where the rock, water, and top of liner meet. The place where you went straight down so the fish could come up to the pond owners and say hi, how did you get the rocks to stay there. Did you just set the rocks as the top edge the pond and have the liner come up to the corner of the top and just go flat under the rock? Or did you dig into the edge a little bit so the liner was able to cup the rocks and the bend upwards to help seal the water into the pond?
Outputradio1
Outputradio1 - 7 years ago
what kind of dirt u working with that u need a jackhammer jack!!

10. comment for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

GT0 RL
GT0 RL - 7 years ago
I'm new to this area so what does a skimmer do??
Joshua Dickson
Joshua Dickson - 7 years ago
I know this is an older video, but in your newer series of videos you talk about bottom drains. I am going to be building a pond a bit bigger than this (16'x10' ish), would you recommend putting in a bottom drain? (It will hold Koi)
DooDoo Brown
DooDoo Brown - 7 years ago
do you have to get a permit from the city to dig that deep and also would you have to get it usa'd?
jamaicanbos JB
jamaicanbos JB - 7 years ago
thank you for your videos it has helped me and my dad build a really nice pond in our backyard thank you so much
bashir alatishe
bashir alatishe - 7 years ago
OK... So there is this very large hollow land in our compound (I'm telling you as big as a lake) and my dad decided to water-fill the place, we constructed like 7 boreholes and the water just won't stay put, the soil keeps draining it... I kinda need advice on wat to do here
bashir alatishe
bashir alatishe - 7 years ago
+ThePondDigger
Thank You... Would get into researching on that
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
sounds like you need waterproofing. Rubber or poly liners are probably the best bet for you.
Matthew Bramall
Matthew Bramall - 7 years ago
Best instructional video I have seen on any topic. Love the design - I will really enjoy putting my pond in now.
Thanks Matt from Oz
Issac Frutos
Issac Frutos - 7 years ago
Pretty thorough.. Great work
bagsmom GA
bagsmom GA - 7 years ago
Do you have the shelf for the coping stones at the destination point? Is that shelf that "dies" into the destination side for aquatic plants - or coping stones? I know you do edge the entire pond with character stones -- just wondering if the shelf for coping stones/character boulders on the destination side has been sort of covered with loose dirt. I can't see a shelf on that side.
Pyramyth Liu
Pyramyth Liu - 7 years ago
Where can I purchase the pond kit?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Right here! http://theponddigger.com/pond-kits/
thank you for your support!
Khalid Ali
Khalid Ali - 7 years ago
the frogs though

20. comment for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

Yakubu Sunday
Yakubu Sunday - 7 years ago
Thank you so much, your videos have been so helpful to me as they would to a fresh graduate who is daringly undertaking such a project for the first time alone.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Thank you for the feedback! We appreciate your support!
Jonnathan Padilla
Jonnathan Padilla - 7 years ago
great video
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Thank you!
nybombs
nybombs - 7 years ago
love your videos, ty for doing this
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Thanks! You're welcome!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Keep me posted. If you purchase from www.theponddigger.com you support our efforts and on going educational programs. Thank you for your support.
URHUCKLEBEARER
URHUCKLEBEARER - 7 years ago
Great videos, thanks very much
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
You are very welcome!
Suki Benson
Suki Benson - 7 years ago
How much would a pond that size cost to build please ?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
Approximately 7,500.00 depending on access and material selection.
David Granados
David Granados - 7 years ago
How much do you charge for a pound like this?
BuddhaBelly
BuddhaBelly - 7 years ago
David Granados I'd gladly pay $7500 plus $2500 bonus
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
+David Granados Roughly 7,500.00
alejandro andres
alejandro andres - 7 years ago
Hi eric as levels for the pond this matched are removed and do not have the bug that you stay a higher than other side , not the width if not the largest part , and another question eric that type of mortar you use to fill between the joints of the stones besides foam waterfalls and mortar you can take something to oxidize the board but does not affect the koi fish I feel dwell so much but I have many doubts and questions on the subject and I'm embarking on my project biggest done so far and I want to leave everything to perfection as it is a gift for my parents thanks and keep it up eric you make a spectacular and super nice greetings from Spain work and hope to see new projects in this year greetings eric
alejandro andres
alejandro andres
alejandro andres - 7 years ago
many Eric thank you, one more question and I'll put two drin button on the pond and will not put gravel 've seen a geotextile canvas fabric that comes gravel stuck on one side and had thought of putting it on the floor to protect it from lightning uv since you can cut and paste with special glue for pond you think of Cees thought it would be good or the would affect otherwise something to the absorption of drin button , Eric thank you very much in advance you sure you'll be super busy creating works art you are great and make people appreciate a natural area of great beauty and a greeting from Spain and I hope we can see you soon on your television progam
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
+alejandro andes you can use cement/mortar between the rocks if you like. Use acid on the cement to make it safe for fish.
Alan Wadt
Alan Wadt - 7 years ago
Literally the best videos on pond building. Thanks a ton for the great content!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 7 years ago
+Alan Wadt I am humbled. Thank you so much!
More_D-jam
More_D-jam - 8 years ago
please make your videos longer
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+D-jam greene We make the videos short and specific to certain steps in the project so we can use video links to help our clients over certain parts of the project that they are having difficulty with.


If someone is having trouble leveling the pond from side to side we can send them this specific video link to watch a short video to get the answer without watching and searching a long video.


Hope that helps you understand our approach. Thank you so much for watching.

30. comment for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

Love It
Love It - 8 years ago
Could this work for turtles? How much does it cost to make the pond too, thanks!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Love It Yes. This pond professionally installed sells for around $7,500.00. You could save 30% to 50% is you did the pond yourself.
lamster06
lamster06 - 8 years ago
What happens if the soil is sandy and your shelves collapse?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+lamster06 You need to back fill the edges of the pond once the liner is installed and you start rocking in the shelves.
George Batton
George Batton - 8 years ago
I saw that you leveled the pond with the straight edge and the level on that one plain. How do you know that the whole circumference is level? Do you have to check it level all around the top? Also are you checking that all the shelves are level not just the top level?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+George Batton Yes you want to check the entire pond for level. Typically I will make sure the shelves are the same level as well. Great questions.
S upermanSinger
S upermanSinger - 8 years ago
These videos are great. But ya think they would've had a bluetooth speaker or something with some music. Digging is boring as shit without music.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Jon Singer Thanks for the suggestion.
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson - 8 years ago
Is there a way to filter re claimed water so aquatic plants can grow in my pond? The re claimed water has bleach in it. Thank you!
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson - 8 years ago
Btw, the re claimed goes in to my pond as the water in the pond, the re claimed water comes from the washing machine.
jason mathias
jason mathias - 8 years ago
I just finished building a 1500 gal pond like this for your video. Is it normal for the water level to be a quarter to a half an inch lower within a day or two of running the waterfall? Or do I have a small leak? Thank you!
jason mathias
jason mathias - 8 years ago
+ThePondDigger Ok, I shut everything off over night and the water level stayed exactly the same so no leak in the pond. It has to be the waterfall. When the waterfall is running overnight a half inch is missing the next day. Is that sufficient or could there be a leak in the waterfall area? 
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+jason mathias 1/4" is not out of line with a heavy waterfall. Watch this video on trouble shooting leaks for more information. Hope it helps.


https://youtu.be/4lWNpMxEp-o?list=PLqM5Qn1K_DPzS-5A6e0uKF8MTEIUy6EbE
Mark Patrick
Mark Patrick - 8 years ago
ok my question is I live in the Missouri Ozarks. I'm not sure if you know anything about this area but if not I'll explain. We have ROCKS everywhere. You can't just spray paint a line and dig straight down. so my question is should I excavate a large hole clean the rocks out back fill the clean dirt then excavate the pond? Or is there an easier way to do it. I'm looking at making 2 ponds connected by a stream through my box turtle habitat.
PUNJAU SEPOI
PUNJAU SEPOI - 8 years ago
+ThePondDigge
Mark Patrick
Mark Patrick - 8 years ago
+ThePondDigger sorry that question posted so many times I don't know what happened. I haven't fully designed the pond yet I just had the idea and started looking into how to do it.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Mark Patrick I would love to see your double pond design and have the opportunity to estimate and bid on your pond equipment needs. email me with your design - eric@theponddigger.com
Young Woodsman
Young Woodsman - 8 years ago
I wouldn't be surprised if they found gold
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+UpsideDown Aquatics I'm hoping that one day we find a treasure chest!
Mr Hippo
Mr Hippo - 8 years ago
What's your suggestion of how deep should my pond be in Minnesota with its cold winter or do i have being fish inside.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Allen Her 48" deep is a good place to be.
Jessica Khork
Jessica Khork - 8 years ago
This is an awesome instructional video series. My husband and I are the king and queen DIY'ers of Weirsdale, FL. I'm thinking grand, can't wait to start. Thank you PondDigger.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Jessica Khork I can't wait to see what you guys do! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
Mike B
Mike B - 8 years ago
awesome video series... quick question.
Do i need to reinforce walls that drop 2ft at 90 degrees with no shelf?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Michael Barragan Depends on your soil conditions. In my area 2' deep is not problem. However in Florida where you have sandy soil conditions it could be a problem.
bsug mugs
bsug mugs - 8 years ago
Good explanation!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+satori san Thanks for watching
wiccagaming
wiccagaming - 8 years ago
Instructions unclear.... i got my penis stuck in the soil.........
but no good job it looks like its going to be pretty great.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+wiccagaming Ouch........bahahahahahahah
Nonoy Gee
Nonoy Gee - 8 years ago
just wondering how much this setup cost?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Anthony Gee This install was around $7,500.00
Ezzie E.
Ezzie E. - 8 years ago
Question: Did you add any glue or binding agent between the concrete blocks? Or are the ledge marks and the packed down earth retainer enough to secure them? I'm loving this video.
Mysterious Squirrel
Mysterious Squirrel - 8 years ago
Great practical videos. Thought you might like a tip. Once you have dug out your pond, instead of scraping the loose stuff off the shelves into the bottom, I use a soft broom and sweep it up. This also softens the edges. And tell your viewers never to dig a pond out in wet weather as you end up with a mud bath.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+Mysterious Squirrel We occasionally use a broom! It's a great tip! Sometimes we just have to dig in wet conditions and there's no way around it. Some of our clients had rain from weeks on end this year with just a couple dry days in between.
roxas the rogue
roxas the rogue - 8 years ago
Well...this guy is a pro
roxas the rogue
roxas the rogue - 8 years ago
+ThePondDigger haha no prob! I really like these videos I plan on making one soon
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 8 years ago
+roxas the rogue Thank you!
Billy Rauff
Billy Rauff - 8 years ago
What size rocks did you use to support the destination spot? Is the entire destination wall all large character rocks? If I am correct there are no benches on the destination wall so how do you keep that wall standing without the rocks falling? Forgive me if this question has already been answered. BTW I think you are outstanding and love watching your videos, you have taught me so much. Thank you.
justame smith
justame smith - 8 years ago
Anybody know how adding a couple of ducks would affect the fish pond? Excellent videos. Thanks
Amanda Farris
Amanda Farris - 8 years ago
First off, we love your videos! Very informational. We are first time "ponders" and we have redone our pond twice in he last 2 months. Originally, it was was not big enough for our fish to survive the winter in Missouri. We redid the pond and added about 5 ft width and 2 more feet deep. We would appreciate your input and tips! We can be emailed at Afarris1989@gmail.com. Can you please email us so we can bounce ideas off each other and learn the right way to create a natural pond? We plan to go even bigger (again) to ensure our fish live a long happy life! (they all have names already and we are attached!). Thanks to everyone at Pond Diggers!

50. comment for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

Stampy Fan
Stampy Fan - 9 years ago
Hi
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Stampy Fan Hi
MyFishCare
MyFishCare - 9 years ago
"So fish can hang out with people"
The fish be like
Hey sup, don't suppose U could throw me some food?
Graham Outdoor Services LLC
Graham Outdoor Services LLC - 9 years ago
Hi Eric. When you dug out the last shelf, you said we are gonna go to 30". Is that a total depth or did you actually go an additional 30" deeper?
MyFishCare
MyFishCare - 9 years ago
I think it's additional as 12x3 is 36 which wouldn't be the total
Cassidy Taylor
Cassidy Taylor - 9 years ago
The cost
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Fishing Tips And Tricks  Cost of my Hair Cut? Just kidding? Professional Installation? DIY installation? The cost of the equipment? Please Be more specific on the question.
marian spring
marian spring - 9 years ago
I bought my supplies before I found your videos. I have a laguna 2900 submersible pump and a tertra waterfall filter. Any sugestions how to hide the cord and tubing ? Wish I would have seen your videos BEFORE I bought my stuff. It freezes here in MO in the winter so I am thinking I will have to take my pump out in the winter. 
Jane Thompson
Jane Thompson - 9 years ago
Excellent videos. The sides of the shelves will not stay put like that California soil here in Florida. Do you recommend using blocks to retain the walls of the shelves?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Jane Thompson Yes block for shelves could be a requirement in sandy area for deep ponds. For shallow ponds you could use the rock work as shoring for the walls. So the liner would go in and you would rock in the first shelf. Then backfill behind the liner to the top of rock and then move your way up and out. I wouldn't recommend this without checking in with your local pond professional.
Howard Shiu
Howard Shiu - 9 years ago
For a project like this, how much is the difference if I were to hire a professional? Based on typical flat surface without any hidden defects. Also based on a typical and/or reasonable contractor rate.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Howard Shiu You can expect to save 30% to 40% on the installation if you tackle the project yourself. This project would install for 7,500 in our neck of the woods. 
James Brown556
James Brown556 - 9 years ago
Hey and thank you so much! This really helps! My email is
jamesbrownamazon@gmail.com
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+James Brown Thanks for watching!!! 
Green Industry News
Green Industry News - 9 years ago
Great Job
From Richard Daigle & The Green Industry News Team
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Green Industry News Thank you Team Gator!!! 
James Brown556
James Brown556 - 9 years ago
Hey Eric I have a big problem! I've dug out my pond and at the deepest end (54inches) there is water coming out of the ground and quite a good amount ( about 10inches a day ) and then after there's about 12 inches of water it stop rising. If you could help me find a drainage solution I would be very thankful.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+James Brown Hey James! Sounds to me like you need to put a french drain underneath your pond. If you don't have an area to gravity flow the water away from the pond you may need to run the french drain into a sump and pump it away from the pond. I'm certain I have a drawing of this around. Send me your email address and I will send it to you.
Brandi Baca
Brandi Baca - 9 years ago
about how much does a project like this cost
Nick Minchin
Nick Minchin - 9 years ago
+ThePondDigger Does this cost include labour hire as well? What about raw materials? (I.e. DIY - labour is 'free')
Brandi Baca
Brandi Baca - 9 years ago
thank you that's not bad i thought it would be more 
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
+Brandi Baca This pond was somewhere around 7 thousand if my memory serves me. 
Dexiong Zhao
Dexiong Zhao - 9 years ago
Hi, I love to watch your video again and again, how to lay the pond liner for 8x8 with 3 levels and 4 6"PVC piper for fish cave. I have a 15x15 pond liner.
Thanx
Sean
Blake Renfro
Blake Renfro - 9 years ago
Could you please tell me the size of your liner for this particular pond and the width and length of the pond.   Also what is the pump size?  thanks
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
Koi love DEEP water!!!!!  Over 3 feet.  A Lily shelf is typically 12 to 16 inches.  The deeper the better.  It does not get too hot in summer nor to cold in winter so 3 - 4 feet deep.  Also use 90 shelves or the bottom will fill with sand.  Using shape with 90 angles will stop this. Avoid a cone-like shape like the lousy pond that I first had when the idiot first built it.  My pond was 1-2 feet shallower (this unstable) be also missing sand over the liner that had slid down to the bottom do to sloped sides between levels instead of vertical ones.
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
I thought Lily plant like more like 12 to m16 inches of depth and that seems to be confirmed by my own empirical evidence but you claim much deeper and that seems to restrict flower growth and amphibious processes from the emergent lily pads..
Donna Siggelkow
Donna Siggelkow - 9 years ago
How do you build a waterfall with out the plastic container?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 9 years ago
You can run a pipe into your rock work but you don't want the water to be squirting out the top. Additionally you can build a small bog filter at the top of the waterfall and flow the waterfall out of the top of your bog filter. See our Patio Pond Video Series for Bog Filter Installation tips and tricks. 
Helveteshit
Helveteshit - 10 years ago
Good Evening  from Sweden.

I have lived outside the cities and in sweden we got much nature still untouched by human hands. I have played with water ways before, drenches made by human hands that collects water for example. Any how, to my notion;

When you excavate, you obviously plan the waterfall but how do you plan how to place the "rocks" for the waterfall aside from just an extra wide bench there? And more importantly, wouldn't you want a maximum depth around the area where the Water from the waterfall hits the water? That way you can possibly force some oxygen down to the bottom.
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
+ThePondDigger  Using upward height will also result in the oxygenated water plunging deeper.
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
You can easily add a bottom (to top) Venturi to insert oxygen without much effort but unless you are hosting fish (typically Koi) it is not worth the effort.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
The bench is created of course to support the larger character boulders that will frame the waterfall. I do like the water a little deeper at the base of the waterfall but it isn't necessary to have it deep close to the falls to push oxygen to the bottom of the pond. If you are planning on a deep pond we will want to circulate the bottom water to the top of the pond with an aerator or bottom drain. Even a strong (man made) waterfall will only drop oxygen down a couple feet from the current. Hope that helps
Romeo Le
Romeo Le - 10 years ago
Love this stuff, but don't have enough time to do it...:-(
Freddy Granados
Freddy Granados - 10 years ago
+ThePondDigger how much dos something as such cost?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Hire a professional and begin enjoying the outdoor pond lifestyle!
Tori Charlock
Tori Charlock - 10 years ago
I don't have a comment, but a question....Is it possible to create this same fish pound for saltwater and saltwater fish?...along with the waterfall and same filter system?
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
Filters are basically the same but there are HUGE nutritional differences between fresh water and marine systems as well are significant lighting issues where coral requires 450 NS light to thrive unlike plants which like which like 6500-6700 K light.  Avoid yellow 6000K to avoid algae. Algae likes yellow light plant like orange / red light.
Tori Charlock
Tori Charlock - 10 years ago
Thank you so much for your input...I've enjoyed watching the building of this pond and waterfall. Very informative and wonderful ideas I would have never thought of. Would love to watch you and your crew design and build another saltwater pond and waterfall all the way to the final detail of adding the fish when completed.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
YES! about a decade ago we did a salt water pond in a garage at a friends house for testing. We might make a few changes in the design. Maybe an external pump instead of submersible and I would want a UV on the system. These are just a couple things I would suggest.
K'Hairi Anderson
K'Hairi Anderson - 10 years ago
Damn do you work by a frog farm?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
The frogs are crazy eh! We installed this demonstration pond near several rows of aquatic plant grow out beds where the tree frogs lay their eggs each year. We love them!!!
layne crawford
layne crawford - 10 years ago
pondDigger, how deep can you excavate in southern california, are there any licenses or permissions?  thanx !
Toriless
Toriless - 9 years ago
+ThePondDigger Depending on jurisdiction the city, county, or even federal jurisdiction may be the ultimate authority but often codes are based upon the IEEE standard which are international so if you are in any state other the CA the permissions required may be different.  At my location 98% is county based which is 90% IEEE and 10% state.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Each city will have regulations on depth. For example in my city the max depth is 18" without a fence. You can go deeper with a permit and proper fencing. My city requires a swimming pool permit past 18". We have installed a big ponds 10' to 15' deep.
Mauricio MP
Mauricio MP - 10 years ago
"so that fish can come out and hang out with people right there" LOL. great stuff. www.mauriciopalma.com Cheers from san Jose Costa Rica
Scott ta
Scott ta - 10 years ago
you need to invest in some decent digging shovels the ones your guys are using look hard work
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Only a nibble!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
I would recommend you make the pond bigger!
David Chupp
David Chupp - 10 years ago
THE GOAT ATE THE LINER!!!!!!
Taylor Hood
Taylor Hood - 10 years ago
Now I have a 2 foot long and 5 inches deep trench like hole that my rabbit dug now do you think I could turn that in to a small pond about 3 feet long 4 foot wide and 3/4 feet deep????
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Thank You for watching!
Rashid Hamid
Rashid Hamid - 10 years ago
thanks man
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Unfortunately if you want the pond deeper you are looking at replacing the liner. Either way if you want to go further into the ground or raise pond above ground you are looking at a new liner. I say GO FOR IT!
Rick Lechuga
Rick Lechuga - 10 years ago
the koi pond at the house here in Colorado is 2 feet deep, I did not install it. I want the right depth for the 6 koi. They have a koi cave that you told me about last year to do. What can be done now that the whole pond is in place? I want it much deeper than it is. It's 8.4 feet x 6.4 feet. 840 gallons maybe?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
I would suggest the first bench be approximately 8" to 12" depending on the size rock you are using. If you are using 12" to 18" coping stones you should have the first bench about 12" deep so the top of the rock will stick out of the water a couple of inches.
Anthony Ribis
Anthony Ribis - 10 years ago
That's what I was concerned with, losing water volume. So how deep should I go on my first bench?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
I would suggest digging only one bench at the top of the pond for plants and coping stones, then go to the bottom! On smaller ponds I am always looking to maximize my water volume! With planting benches we are taking away valuable water space for fish. But then again, I am the fish geek.
Anthony Ribis
Anthony Ribis - 10 years ago
Eric, my overall pond size is going to be 9x8 and 3' deep. How many benches do you suggest and at what lvls should I dig them?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
We will typically be taking dirt as we dig down to the first shelf and fill in the low areas. Hope that helps.
steve mikolike
steve mikolike - 10 years ago
Hello, I'm unclear about leveling it...I have a 2 or so inch low side..do I level after first shelf (level) or the top level?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
You are going to want approximately 2700 gallons per hour on a pond this size for good circulation and a nice looking waterfall.
Daniel Vattathichirayil
Daniel Vattathichirayil - 10 years ago
hey Eric, what size of a pump do u recommend for this pond?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
30" is not very deep for a pond. If you are going 3' or deeper in a pond you will want to consider circulation in the lower end of the pond. Easily solved with aeration. At 24" depth the great blue heron can stalk your koi very easily! If you go a little deeper say 30 to 36 inches and add a tunnel or cave for your fish they have a better change of evading predators.
kingtysonanderson
kingtysonanderson - 10 years ago
Why so deep people around here are saying if its too deep the water want circulate correctly because of the depth?
kingtysonanderson
kingtysonanderson - 10 years ago
Ok I'm glad you said that because I already dug it 3' before I seen your video ..can I put back in the excavated dirt to make benches 2' deepI dug it 3' all the way around?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
The benches in an excavation provide areas for aquatic plants and coping stones for starters. More importantly the benches are creating stability in the excavation. I believe a koi pond should be a minimum of 3' deep. 4' is even better.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Thanks for your feedback and I love the name of your biz!! Back when I was cool we did aquarium installation and maintenance! Your work looks outstanding!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
It's a little small but a small pond is better than no pond!
kingtysonanderson
kingtysonanderson - 10 years ago
Why is it important to have benches in pond and what the best depth to dig my koi pond to?
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
To inspire is one of our motivations for waking up each day!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
This specific pond is an 8' x 11' pond that we take to nearly 3' deep so we are using a 15' x 20' pond liner. A very typical pond kit in a box would offer a 12' x 15' pond liner. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Shane our jack hammer is a part of the family. Not uncommon to see it on our Christmas Cards!!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Yes Eight hours filming for 11 minutes of video is grueling work. But we do it for the love of our craft!

100. comment for How to build a Fish Pond - Part 4 | Pond Excavation (2 of 2)

ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
We typically work hard to establish brimming water at the destination area and then we work hard on the surrounding grade to keep run off water out of the pond. On occasion it is necessary to install a drain. I will cover this for you when we do our Edge Treatment video in this series Jo! Stay tuned!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Yes AVO thanks for hooking up our team with such an epic tool! Thank you for your constant support of The Pond Digger and Helix Life Support!
Dave McClennan
Dave McClennan - 10 years ago
Do you supply Ontario Canada?
Michael Andrews
Michael Andrews - 10 years ago
Thank you for all the great videos. I'm about to begin the largest pond project of my life. I have built several smaller ones but you've inspired me to greater heights.
fishinginnj88
fishinginnj88 - 10 years ago
hi, what size liner would you use for this specific pond?
Shane Anderson
Shane Anderson - 10 years ago
Great videos. I love watching these as I am right in the middle of building my own koi pond. Did it wrong the first time two years ago and I am redoing in now and being a lot more patient with it. I am in Southern CA and a jackhammer is so key for digging and saves so much time.
joethefishguy
joethefishguy - 10 years ago
Nice videos Eric, I know you are putting a lot into what I get to see, 11 minutes must take all day. Thank You
Jo Chan
Jo Chan - 10 years ago
Eric, have a question! How would you determine the surrounding areas of the pond level in relation to the pond? What I am curious about is the rain water. Would the rain water wash in the surrounding soil into the pond? Would the pond level would be higher than the surrounding area in order to prevent the rain water from filling in the pond? I'd appreciate your input. Wonderful video series, keep up the wonderful work.
Avo Balboa
Avo Balboa - 10 years ago
sick jack hammer!!!! level is very important! i didnt do that when i did my pond and i had to redo much of it... take your time people digging is a day the beauty of the pond is for many many years. do it right! thanks for the videos Eric, full of great tips!
Ran Zohar
Ran Zohar - 10 years ago
thanks for the quick reply and the info cant wait to see how this turns out...
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
We will be filming the installation of underwater lighting and pump installations later today so I expect to have those videos edited by this time next week. Stay Tuned!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Gabriel are you in America? We can help you will all your equipment needs if you are here in the states. If you are out of the country still might be able to point you in the right direction.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Hey Ran, I Southern California we are dealing with the high cost of electricity. We will be using a submersible pump on this pond in the video. We will be pulling 3 amps. Using a high efficient external pump will cut that by 33 percent! We use external pumps in our installations more than 50% of the time because of the reduced electrical consumption and longevity of the external pump.
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
We should absolutely film a How to Build A Turtle Pond Video! You can count on that one in the near future! Yes we build bog filters frequently and YES you can count on that video too!!
ThePondDigger
ThePondDigger - 10 years ago
Ya it's coming together! We are filming the rock work today and have 3 videos on the editing computer!
gabrielz
gabrielz - 10 years ago
Good step by step instructions, your videos inspired me to start working on my own backyard pond, but my question is were to buy the materials can you recommend a kit for my pond?, I'm thinking about 8' x 20' x3' deep with a 10' x 3' long water fall
Ran Zohar
Ran Zohar - 10 years ago
eric i would love to know what size pump are u using for such a pond -and whats its watt rating? i love your videos and hoping to build a pond in my back yard -in my country electricity prices have more than doubled in the last 3 years -so its a major issue
Shazvana
Shazvana - 10 years ago
I love all your videos, you explain well and show what you are doing well. It's great seeing all this come together from start to finish. Look forward to the next video. It would be nice to see you build a turtle pond. Do you ever build bog filters?
Rico Suave
Rico Suave - 10 years ago
It's really starting to take shape now

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