DIY - wood framed pond - am I nuts ?

[Sleepdoc]

I am planning an above ground pond using 6x6 pressure treated timbres, stacked, 8 feet x10 feet. volume will be about 1500 gallons.

Planned height is 33 or 38". Lag bolts on corners, lag bolts connecting layers, base bolted to concrete driveway. Firestone 45 mil liner. 3600gph for filter pump, 3000gph skimmer.

It will be home (short or long term) to TSN/RTC, TSN, Giraffe, False Paraiba, Rousseauxii.

I have a larger, "natural" pond for the fish when and if they outgrow the 8x10.

 

[BIG-G]

Should be doable.
I’ve seen similar builds out of just land scape timber that are not quite 6x6 for indoor koi ponds.

 

[jjohnwm]

Years ago I had an outdoor pond built from landscape timbers as well. The corners were alternating joints much like a log cabin. Each timber was drilled right through at each end, such that the holes lined up and allowed a length of rebar to be driven downwards through all of them to hold the corners together. Not fastened to the ground at all, and very easy to dismantle, move and re-assemble.

 

[dr exum]

Sounds about right, got a quote/bid from local pond builder using those treated 6x6’s - he wanted $10k.... guess those 6x6 my area are few hundred ea.

good luck!

 

[dr exum]

Sounds about right, got a quote/bid from local pond builder using those treated 6x6’s - he wanted $10k.... guess those 6x6 my area are few hundred ea.

good luck!

I just looked and they aren’t as much as I presumed.... I thought the builder was trying to justify high cost saying lumber was $1000’s....

 

[TwoHedWlf]

6"X6" seems overkill. I've seen ponds I'm pretty sure were about that depth made with 50mmX100mm, but that was supported with posts in the ground every meter or so. Should work fine though.

 

[necrocanis]

A bit overkill for sure but hey if it makes you sleep better at night it can never be too overbuilt. My pond was only 24" made with 2x4"s it was 8' long and 4' wide. No measurable bowing after years of being filled. It was an indoor pong. I'd assume 4x4s would do the trick for you. I've seen plenty built with them.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I would try to work with 4x6 stock instead of 6x6. Should be plenty strong enough and free up more room inside the tank.

I had drawn up plans awhile ago for a 6'x6' indoor pond/tank that involved a 22" 4x6 lumber "pond" with a 30" glass tank built onto the top of it. Plans never materialized, but i always thought it was one of my better ideas.

Excited to see how this progresses.

 

[Sleepdoc]

Bottom layer done. Bolted down to the concrete with 8.5” anchors.

 

[jjohnwm]

Those nicely-done pavers are probably laid with a slope angling downwards from the house; it almost appears visible in the pic, although that could be a trick of perspective. I would check that grade with a level, and if it's sloped it would be really easy...now...to slip some shims under the lower end and get all those walls nice and level. It won't be easy once they are done, but it will be annoyingly visible then if you don't attend to it now.