DIY Wooden Garage Pond

[polish]

Well I didn't end up getting much done tonight.

Braces up top.

Ghetto insulation...

65lbs of liner...

 

[100gallons]

A few questions.
1. Are those metal brackets really going to help with hundreds of pounds of pressure of water? Does it add extra support?

2. what is the expanding foam used for?

3. Can you use the Pink Panther insulation, its really cheep.

Im asking because I am using some of your techniques....thanks

 

[polish]

1. To be honest, no idea. I saw others do the same so I followed suit. I am not an engineer or builder, just a normal guy. It would likely be alright without them but I just thought it looked like a good idea and extra support at the corners is not a bad thing.

2. Insulation to seal the gaps around the other foam. I only did that wall because I cant access it when it's full. I will do the rest before winter.

3. I don't know what that is but I got this hard foam because it is going inside between the liner and the wood, plus it was cheap. <$10 for a 4'x8' sheet.

 

[Just Toby]

I would interlock the wood wherever possible and for the rest use lots of dowels, screws and wood glue.

You can get much bigger angle brackets than that and you can bend those ones by hand so doubt the will do much but cannot hurt.

IF you are putting this in a corner then you may be able to attach it to the garage structure too for added strenght?

 

[polish]

I'm not taking it apart to change the design now, it was already expensive enough. I am not sure where I'd put dowel rods either. They do sell much larger metal braces but they are also a lot thicker and would push the insulation out, I didn't really want that to happen so I went with these. I actually had even smaller ones at first.

I have used a few hundred 2.5" and 3" Deck Screws thus far, that is what is holding it together.

Attaching it to the garage isn't an option either, I rent.

I do appreciate the ideas, I just can't really change the design now that it's pretty much done and I've already spent like $400 or so...

The reason I think it will hold ok is check out this pond.

Same design as mine more or less, and if that 8'x8' holds then my little 7'x4' should hold fine.

It is the same design, just bigger. So I think I'll be alright.

 

[polish]

I didn't get much done last night either, just screwed in the rest of the metal braces. I started to trim some of the insulation for the inside but it's proving to be a pain. I'll see what I can get done this weekend. With any luck I may be able to put some water in it.

 

[Just Toby]

Hi Polish, just keep us up to date.....cant wait to see it up and running.

Are you going to cover it to cut down on evaporation?

 

[polish]

I'll have updates this weekend for sure.

And you bet I am making a cover of some sort, for evaporation as well as keeping the heat in the pond.

It will also eliminate any possibility of a fish jumping out.

I have a few ideas in my head for a cover but I won't be able to actually make/decide on something until it's up and running and I get all the top railing on so I can see exactly what I have to work with.

It's warming up here now so heat isn't so much of a concern at the moment, so the cover won't be right away but before winter for sure. I will be hooking this up to my drip system as well so even if some does evaporate in the mean time before I get a cover made it will be more than made up for by the drip. I will at least put something over it to keep the fish from jumping though.

 

[polish]

Small update... Got some insulation in.

 

[polish]

More insulation. I need to go get some duct tape. I am put it over all the seams. No real reason, I just want it all sealed up. Plus it will prevent the insulation from moving as I yank the liner around getting it in. Might get it in tonight, we'll see.