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.

Drilled Holes

I drilled three holes; one in the stock fish tank and two in the trough.  I then carried the trough out of my garage to the site location.  It was heavy but I was able to carry it by myself.  

The Package Arrives....

I received my first order from Aquatic Eco-Systems, INC. I bought various items that I would need to get to PHASE II (water in the system).  I will add the cost to the "cost item breakdown" tab.  Here is what I bought from them.

• water pump
• airstones
• bumpers for airstones
• connectors for air tubing
• air pump
• bulkhead connectors for the holes

Grading Begins

I placed an order with Aquatic Eco-Systems, INC. and will discuss the items I purchased when my package arrives.  In the meantime I started to grade the site where my system is going.  I have to make sure everything will fit and that the site is level before I put down the "weed tarp."

Trough Part 3

I have finally finished the construction of the first box.  I did run into some design issues but that was expected the first time.  I had Home Depot cut my plywood pieces for me at 54" by 99" (4.5 ' x 8.25') BUT the plywood I used to for them to cut was a 4'x8'.  So the pieces I had were 54" by 96". 

I started by attaching the painted 2x4x8 to the1/4'x12'x8' plywood piece with the 1 1/4'" screws.

 Then when I was constructing my boxes the inside dimensions, as I understood them from the plans, needed to be 4' by 8'.  Therefore, I had to cut my 54" side down to 48" (4').   

Above is how I attached the corner. The side facing us is the 48" piece.

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Below are the final products.

Next, I will begin to prepare the site location and order the bulkhead fittings that will allow for attaching the PVC water pipes to connect the whole system. See you soon.

Trough Part 2

I have started to paint the 1/4" plywood cuts and 2x4's  that will be constructed to make the troughs.

The next step will be to construct the troughs. I had to purchase another 2x4 which makes four total for my one trough I am building.  In the meantime I am in the process of researching and purchasing the pond liner.

The Tank Arrives!

I drove to Ace Hardware to pick up my fish tank.  My concern was that it would not fit in my car but it fit perfectly. 

I am excited to bring it home to my kiddos they will get a kick out of it.  I intend to have them help me with the whole process and then once it is functioning I will create lesson plans for my daughter to assist in teaching her various aspects of the process.  These lesson plans will become the basis for the curriculum that will be used for schools.