Author Topic: ~How to build a stream ! step by step By Carlos aka Spanishleprachaun  (Read 3420 times)

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On to a new and fun project !
The plan : Create a stream that will come off from the deck and flow into a existing goldfish pond.
The end result : A beautiful new addition to Phil's backyard that he and the family can enjoy for years to come.

Here are the sketches I did for the project : ( tweaked at last minute a little, but no biggie )






Since I'm the camera man in these shots, you won't see me, but plenty of Phil. I assure you I worked just as hard if not but to dictate rock placement from my chair in the shade while sipping cold water and babbling about world events ! haha Just kidding... I did help as well. Someone had to keep up the progressive picture taking ;)

Phil had already prepped the site area. He had removed almost half the deck to increase the area between current deck and pond. ( 22feet ) Before, deck and steps came within little more than 5feet from the goldfish pond.

Phil, knowing better than to battle TEXAS CALICHE soil, rented a trencher and trenched a line sloping down and away from the area so we could run 2inch pipe to accomodate a drain in the barrel filter fit under the deck. A clever "trap door" lid made of same wood as deck will be set on hinges to access filter barrel.

Here you can see the deck cut back and removed. The cut out area is where the  filter will be recessed down into to fit snug and level under the deck. The 55 gallon plastic barrel, and the EVIL BLUE WHEEL BARREL from HELL ! ( or so says my back )






Trench line leading away from the site. We measured the amount of 2inch pipe needed and began to prime and glue the pipe together.





Putting the pipe together outside the deep trench is easier. 22degree joints were best in this situation.



Phil seen here either tamping the base for the barrel down... or maybe just screwing around.



Trench filling back in. All that dirt burying the pipe. So nice not to be tripping into that anymore. Anyone seen my cell phone ?


The 55gallon barrel is 36 inches high. It's sunk into the ground about 17 inches. Since the VALVE is so deep, I chose a pull up handle on a KNIFE VALVE rather than a ball valve.  This way, a long stick with a 2-prong catch could be used to reach down and pull open the valve. Both are water tight as long as you flush through cleaner water after each use so as not to gum up the seals and cause leaks.





DAY 2

Today we began with the barrel filter.  I opted to use uniseals for these rounded barrel applications. I don't fully trust bulkheads on barrels, and even though unseals can be tough to push pipe through, they are worth the effort.

I began by using a 2.5inch hole saw bit to cut a hole for the my 1.5inch inflow pipe. I then pushed the uniseal into the side of the barrel, lubed it with some dish washing liquid and pushed the flex pipe through.



In this pic the unseal for the bottom drain is already in place with the bottom 2inch pipe sitting flush with the seal.



Next came the 4inch outflow pipe near the top !
Trick : use plenty of slippery liquid soap and bevel the edge with a sander bit on a dremel tool. When pushing the pipe through the Uniseal, use a block of wood to distrubute even, strong pressure.
It's tough at first... but just like sitting though a episode of Jerry Springer- YOU CAN DO IT !






All 3 in place :




Next we buried the inflow flex pvc pipe from the pump up to the barrel filter.



At the point I knew the pipe would run 6inches under the flower bed, I placed broken white flagstone over the pipe.  This way.. should you dig too deep, your shovel will hit the odd placed flagstone, alerting you to the danger of severing the pipe below !


( U might notice the vertical board that runs down the deck with the 4inch outflow pipe protruding from it. This is to prevent backfill dirt from sloughing back under the deck )

Now it's time to mark out the stream coarse ! Used yellow spray paint to get a idea and feel for the run.
Began to make steps and elevations out of dirt to create pools and falls.



Laying down the liner. We used soft topsoil (being careful no rocks were mixed in) so no preliner used. If we needed one, I would have used old carpet. Just make sure to remove carpet tacks ;)






Where the 4inch overflow outflow pipe meets liner, I cut a hole shaped like a X in the liner. I then squeezed the pipe through it, took a extra 1inch 45mil band of rubber to cushin between the liner and the metal hose clamp, and tightened it down.
ta daaaaaaa ! Thanks Greg Bikal for the pipe boot idea ! Leak free !



Here comes the rocks ....... ohh yeahhh.. and the backpain ! Where's the ADVIL !
Moss rock ! Beautiful rock with mosses and lichen.



Starting to position them. When doing this... alternate between your flat and roundish stones.. stagger the look. Make the stones slanted in places, or leaning on one another.  Make it look like time has settled them.. made them lean and fall, some exposed.. and some recessed. Sprinkle both large and small grade pebbles and rocks where the liner is exposed.
I would create a OUTER moss rock wall...have the liner come up the rock.. then put a INNER moss rock wall and sandwich the liner in between. That way-- u see no BLACK LINER WALL on the inside of your stream.
Place some rocks right in the middle of the stream for the water to run around. Make "pinch points" in the stream run where water will come together.



And here comes the stickest, nastiest, most aweful stuff to come across your hands ( nooooooo not the jelly donut your 3 year old handed to you off the floor ) I'm talking about GREAT STUFF !
Great Stuff can be found at any home improvement store. It's a expandable foam that helps seal all kinds of things around the house. Crevices in walls, around electrical outlets, breaks in mortor,. anything that needs a gap filled.
It's wonderful to use in pond applications as it's cheap, readily available, easy to use, safe for fish, fills in all kinds of crevaces, expands 3 times it's bead size, and helps force water OVER ROCK.. and maximizing your waterfall or stream flow.
Only thing is.... try and keep it off your hands. It's hell trying to get it off-- I've resorted to sand paper ! ( yikes !)
Not gasoline, not nail polish, non of the usual stuff will help much against removing it.

Foam up under the rocks near the falls-- follow up with small gravel to help hide it and camoflage it as it expands. Sprinkle sand or dirt on the rest of it to hide it as it dries. Go slow and steady continuing these steps-- you should see no yellow.






Behind me- a resident cat takes a afternoon CAT NAP while the crazy humans play with the dirt and rocks :



Another local feline checks out the progress as the day wraps up to a close :



DAY 3

Today we continued rock work for the planting beds. One situated up against the house, and the other on the right side of the stream.
Eager to see the massive 600lb+ boulder we selected as a sitting rock.. we prepped the area.. and shortly after a long drone of explatives ( mainly from me ) a couple stubbed fingers, and allot of sweat.. we finagled it into position.
Getting ready :


Here Phil poses for the glam cam shot :




It's in !





Phil prepping pond area to shave down a shelf for moss rock.  (replacing old, limestone flag stone )



I made a little cubby for the valves that control water that goes to the barrel that feeds the stream, as well as a up and coming new and improved waterfall area at pond side. You can toggle your perfect flow between the two. The pressure treated wood box was soon after backfilled up to level of the white flag stone top.










As the sun was setting and time to call it a day,... I went next door to visit one of my fish in a pond I build for their neighbor. A beautiful big showa. Also, a fish I picked up for Kathii-- a Gin Rin Ochiba Sigure.


















More to come

 

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