Hi Kevin, I’m think you’ve done the most in making the love of ponds and water landscaping accessible to ordinary people. Aquascape makes beautiful ponds but their products and contractors are priced for people with big budgets who don’t want to do the work. You show how everyone else can make beautiful ponds. Well done, and thank you.
I appreciate your effort to tell the truth, and not offend the pros at the same time. In a way you still recommend them to people with the right situation. This is more of a DIY focused channel. Thanks as always. Make a great weekend Kev !
Another great and inspiring video Kev. My sleepers turned up yesterday for my 2.4 x 1.2 x 0.6 metre raised pond and I have a 240 litre wheelie bin to make the bog filter, thanks to you mate I have the confidence to build it, and all for our two goldfish.
Those are some great money saving strategies. The biggest savings are in labor. Most CACs try to get more than $200 per hour per worker. That labor rate adds up fast and makes the project almost impossible to afford. A 3 man crew will end up pushing total costs to about $10,000 for a 1-day project. A 10 day project total cost might push $80,000-$100,000.
Labour is the killer! When I shop around for plants, or elements I need as we are putting this pond together, I get asked all the time if I have a contractor. I AM the CONTRACTOR! Thanks I can pay myself to dig the hole etc. we are blessed that hubby is an electrician…so that saved a bit of money too. The liner was the biggest cost, but buying a cheaper liner in the long run would be folly. I only want to do this once and enjoy it.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video!!! I'm like you Kev! I like to make my own equipment too use. I didn't scrimp on the liner though and used the Firestone 40mil rubber liner and a good underlay and overlay. Aquascapes prices are a real ass raping and I avoided their products when ever posable.
Thanks for sharing you me knowledge Kev. Is is feasible to have a 2 meter deep recreational pond (100.000 liters) without fish and still have crystal clear water on a budget? Thanks
Yes, absolutely. It’s the liner and rocks that will add the most expense. This video breaks down my costs, building my dream pond. Cost to build a large backyard pond| DIY ua-cam.com/video/zksKabotgKw/v-deo.html
Hi Kev , I think where you have helped me most is with the bog filter. I think it is a fantastic idea. I am just in the process of making a bigger bog out of a large tub I have that I have been using as a container to hold water for watering the garden . I will hopefully get this finished next week then I will send you a picture. I am wondering though if my above ground 😊🐡🐠🐟🦋🐝🌻☀️😊pond is deep enough for my fish. It is only 11 inches deep. Will this be enough for the whole year round. In a usual winter I don't get ice any thicker than 1 to 2 inches thick. I don't know if the depth is enough for the water at the bottom to stay at 4° whilst the top is at freezing. What do you think Kev ? 😊
It varies so much depending on where you live. I buy mine at a landscape yard. My rocks come from an area where they are doing lots of housing, the rocks are dug up and removed, so you basically get them for the cost of delivery.
great vid Kev - have enjoyed watching all your vids. and I agree - love the aquascape designs & theory behind wetlands/bogs etc; but I see a lot of bits at the big green shed that would substitute for a fraction of the price !. I'm about to embark on my own $10k saving build ;) - I'll flick you an email to run design past you. One question - did you have to buy separate 240-12V transformer for the Jebao pumps ?
Hi Kev what diameter pipe do you use from pump to bog filter? Is 20mm pipe enough? The pond is 2m x 2m and 500 deep going up to where I will make my bog from an old bathtub. Kind regards Pix
Every pond and pump is different. I generally will just use the largest diameter for the pump. For example if the pump comes with a barbed fitting/s 20mm & 25mm I’ll use a 25mm pipe. I only supersize it on really long runs.
Hi Kevin, I’m think you’ve done the most in making the love of ponds and water landscaping accessible to ordinary people. Aquascape makes beautiful ponds but their products and contractors are priced for people with big budgets who don’t want to do the work. You show how everyone else can make beautiful ponds. Well done, and thank you.
Thanks Dave. You’ve always been a great supporter of this channel. I really appreciate it.
I appreciate your effort to tell the truth, and not offend the pros at the same time. In a way you still recommend them to people with the right situation. This is more of a DIY focused channel. Thanks as always. Make a great weekend Kev !
Thanks Dave. Have a great one also 👍
Another great and inspiring video Kev. My sleepers turned up yesterday for my 2.4 x 1.2 x 0.6 metre raised pond and I have a 240 litre wheelie bin to make the bog filter, thanks to you mate I have the confidence to build it, and all for our two goldfish.
Fantastic. Those are gonna be some happy goldfish 👍
Hey. I'm french guys. Ty for your vidéo. Nobody here use this type of system ! I want to change that !
All the best 👍
Thanks for making ponds accessible to people like me!!
Thanks so much Barb. Your generosity will help others 😊👍
Those are some great money saving strategies. The biggest savings are in labor. Most CACs try to get more than $200 per hour per worker. That labor rate adds up fast and makes the project almost impossible to afford. A 3 man crew will end up pushing total costs to about $10,000 for a 1-day project. A 10 day project total cost might push $80,000-$100,000.
You are right. If I included labor costs, I figure I’ve saved well over $100,000 on all my ponds and streams.
Labour is the killer! When I shop around for plants, or elements I need as we are putting this pond together, I get asked all the time if I have a contractor. I AM the CONTRACTOR! Thanks I can pay myself to dig the hole etc. we are blessed that hubby is an electrician…so that saved a bit of money too. The liner was the biggest cost, but buying a cheaper liner in the long run would be folly. I only want to do this once and enjoy it.
Spot on 👍
Has anyone had luck hiring local labor for this type of hybrid DIY build? Someone with a large excavator to dig the hole and set the boulders in place
Thanks for taking the time to make this video!!! I'm like you Kev! I like to make my own equipment too use. I didn't scrimp on the liner though and used the Firestone 40mil rubber liner and a good underlay and overlay. Aquascapes prices are a real ass raping and I avoided their products when ever posable.
🤣I’m the same. Never skimp on the liner.
Your ponds are all so beautiful! I think a good place to save money on pumps (in the US) is Harbor Freight.
Thanks for the tip 😊👍
Yes, I've been using a Harbor Freight pump ( on my third season) with no problems in my pond.
I imported quite a few pumps from ZKSJ- they’re the same place that makes Aquascapes blue pump. They make great DC pumps.
I like those. Anything sine wave dc. So many makers these days. Lots of options.
Aquascape must hate these videos 😅😅 great tips once again!
Maybe, maybe not. Someone needs to look after the regular people.
Wonderful, thank you Kev 😊
Very helpful video mate
Thanks for sharing you me knowledge Kev. Is is feasible to have a 2 meter deep recreational pond (100.000 liters) without fish and still have crystal clear water on a budget? Thanks
Yes, absolutely. It’s the liner and rocks that will add the most expense. This video breaks down my costs, building my dream pond. Cost to build a large backyard pond| DIY
ua-cam.com/video/zksKabotgKw/v-deo.html
So very helpful. Any tips on getting a good liner? The one thatvi need is like 9k which will be the most expensive bit of my rec pond.
It’s the most important part don’t skimp!
Hi Kev , I think where you have helped me most is with the bog filter. I think it is a fantastic idea. I am just in the process of making a bigger bog out of a large tub I have that I have been using as a container to hold water for watering the garden . I will hopefully get this finished next week then I will send you a picture. I am wondering though if my above ground 😊🐡🐠🐟🦋🐝🌻☀️😊pond is deep enough for my fish. It is only 11 inches deep. Will this be enough for the whole year round. In a usual winter I don't get ice any thicker than 1 to 2 inches thick. I don't know if the depth is enough for the water at the bottom to stay at 4° whilst the top is at freezing. What do you think Kev ? 😊
I think it will be ok as long as there’s a hole in the ice.
@@Ozponds you are a super star Kev 🌟 or as they say in France une étoile formidable.😊🌟
Hi, my first hurdle when planning to build a pond is how to get those bigger rocks. Do you buy them? They are quite expensive. Thanks.
It varies so much depending on where you live. I buy mine at a landscape yard. My rocks come from an area where they are doing lots of housing, the rocks are dug up and removed, so you basically get them for the cost of delivery.
With the money you saved .. my bet is you'll use it to build another pond, chips are down 😎
😂 it’s a safe bet 👍
great vid Kev - have enjoyed watching all your vids. and I agree - love the aquascape designs & theory behind wetlands/bogs etc; but I see a lot of bits at the big green shed that would substitute for a fraction of the price !. I'm about to embark on my own $10k saving build ;) - I'll flick you an email to run design past you. One question - did you have to buy separate 240-12V transformer for the Jebao pumps ?
No transformers are included 👍
Hi Kev what diameter pipe do you use from pump to bog filter?
Is 20mm pipe enough?
The pond is 2m x 2m and 500 deep going up to where I will make my bog from an old bathtub.
Kind regards
Pix
Every pond and pump is different. I generally will just use the largest diameter for the pump. For example if the pump comes with a barbed fitting/s 20mm & 25mm I’ll use a 25mm pipe. I only supersize it on really long runs.
@@Ozponds thanks Kev very helpful info.
Kind regards
Pix