The first test run.....

These videos are going to show the test of the pump system.  The first one shows the whole system and the second is when I started the pump.

The Plumbing is Complete....

As I stated in my last post I was going to finish the plumbing over the Thanksgiving break.  I finished today ahead of schedule.  This will give me time to paint and add the trimming, cut the Styrofoam, create a cover for the fish tank, and add the air pump.  The fish tank brings water to the trough by gravity through 1 1/2" pipe.  The other side of the trough has an external pump attached that will bring water back to the fish tank.  I began to fill the fish tank and half the trough before the sun went down.  Tomorrow I will finish filling the tank, add the Styrofoam, and turn on the pump.

 Back of the fish tank with a male 1-1/2" nipple attached to the bulkhead fitting and an elbow ready to go to the trough.

 Beginning of the pump assembly.  There is a 1-1/2" nipple attached to the bulkhead fitting and a 1-1/2" to 3/4" reducer to a 3/4" slip/slip ball valve. 

 The pump will be attached on both sides by fish-safe flexible tubing.

 The finished pump assembly.

 The 1-1/2" pipe that brings the water by gravity to the trough.

The Pond Liner is in.

I recently took a trip to Home Depot to purchase the pond liner and a few other items.  I had trouble finding the right type of pond liner for my system.  The plan calls for a pond liner that does not contain EPDM and is no less than 20 mil.  My concern was price, of course.  I am trying to build this prototype system at the lowest cost possible.  Many of the online pond liners were either too expensive or not the right size.  I was looking for a 6ft by 11 ft liner.  I did not want to cut the liner I just wanted the right size.  I finally just decided to get the pond liner sold at Home Depot and would cut it myself.  The pond liner I bought from Home Depot was from Total Pond pond skins 10ft x 13ft.

The first thing I had to do was to measure and mark off 6ft. Thanks for the help son!

I decided to install the liner without cutting it first.  This was not what the plan called for.  I was concerned that I could potentially screw up and could not go back if I already made the cuts.  Therefore I decided to do it when I was installing it.  It did make it more difficult to install but I have never done this before so I wanted to make sure I gave some room for error.  I did have to remove some of the staples and install again.

I still have to get the 2x2's, paint, and add to the top as trim.  I have the week of Thanksgiving off and I plan to get the plumbing and electricity done so I can fill with water and get the system going.