pond plans (my first sketchup)

[xoticaddiction]

**copied from my RC thread**
I am nearing completion of my 125 gallon fowlr which has always been planned to be a growout tank for a pair of cat sharks and my intention has always been to immediatly start a pond once the sharks are aquired. Well me and the wife went out into the garage we are converting more into a games room and lounge today and came up with some firm ideas for what we both wanted and I decided to make a serious effort into my first sketchup.

The pond will be built using 2x6 construction and rather than using a liner I will be running pondshield, the walls and floor of the pond will be insulated as well a large closed loop (think hot tub) will be ran through the walls to hide all plumbing. The filtration basin will be skimmer and reactor chamber that will then lead into the wet/dry chamber and finally to a mangrove marsh waterfall.
Feel free to share any thoughts or feelings and if theres any sketchup/3d artists who would be kind enough to do a frame rendering of this for me I would be in your debt as I would really love to have a set of plans to work from when i start this
Forgot to give dimensions the back side will be at 82 inches front at 72 before the curve the right side is 56 and left side is 36 to the curve, with 6 inch thick walls and not taking the curve into account I come up with about 330 gallons not including overhead sump which I am not sure what dimensions will work best

 

[Zoodiver]

I'd build the pond first, get it cycled with other fish, then aquire the sharks.
For a filter, save yourself some trouble and run a big canister and a pt skimmer.
Mangrove marsh up top is a nice touch.

 

[capo larzo]

You might be better off without the curve. Increases gallonage and easier to build.

 

[Potts050]

Use 2X4 sticks on 16 inch centers. Cheaper and you will get more pond volume for the same size footprint. You don't need 2X6 unless your pond is going to be more than 5 or 6 feet deep

 

[xoticaddiction]

been having this debate with a lot of people and I am thinking that 2x4 is the way to go now it will add 10 cu ft and almost 100 gallons to the pond area but for the price of the few extra 2x4's I will go 12 inches on center.

Any reccomendations to interior ply thickness considering the 12inch on center wall ???

 

[capo larzo]

Granted I'm dealing with more volume but I went with 3/4" ply for inside. You might get away with 1/2". But better safe than sorry.

 

[capo larzo]

And 12" centers with 2x4s should give you a rock solid wall. Especially with 3/4" plywood lining it. For added strength you could double up on the horizontal 2x4s and use 2x6 as braces on the floor between your long sides.

 

[capo larzo]

Any feedback?

 

[xoticaddiction]

I think that doubling up in key stress points possibly even tripled along the long side mid-way is going to be key to the success of this setup I cannot wait to get it started. Thanks for the tip

 

[Potts050]

been having this debate with a lot of people and I am thinking that 2x4 is the way to go now it will add 10 cu ft and almost 100 gallons to the pond area but for the price of the few extra 2x4's I will go 12 inches on center.

Any reccomendations to interior ply thickness considering the 12inch on center wall ???

1/2" G1S Fir sheeting would be fine but I would recommend marine grade if your willing to spend the money. I was thinking do you really need the overhead sump? If your going to hide your pump and other mechanical why not move everything into the room behind the wall. Make a corner of the pond a little shallower for your mangrove swamp, and put some caves under it for fish that want to hide once in a while.