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  • Results 1 to 7 of 7

    Thread: Using basalt rock below grade

    1. #1
      napalm_beach's Avatar
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      Question Using basalt rock below grade

      I'm rebuilding part of my pond and plan to use stacked stone on the walls, foamed and mortared in place. My plan is to go cheap with the rock used under water and spend more the visible rock up top.

      Is basalt okay to use under water or should I stick with granite? I have about a dozen koi and goldfish in the pond.

      Thanks for your help!

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    2. #2
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      I used basalt too and all the rock I mortared onto the concrete collar and partially submerged has held up great.
      I'm not sure if it was pure luck or something to do with being embedded in the concrete, but I know some in my
      stream has sort of disintegrated. What I see as a common thread is lots of white specks. The more white specks
      in the rock it seems that the more apt it was to break apart into small pieces. An example of one that crumbled:

      Name:  basalt.jpg
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      --Steve



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      Thanks neighbor (I'm on Bainbridge Island)! Did the rocks have those white specs before they were in the pond? That rock does look a bit unstable. Really appreciate the photo, thank you!

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      Quote Originally Posted by napalm_beach View Post
      Thanks neighbor (I'm on Bainbridge Island)! Did the rocks have those white specs before they were in the pond? That rock does look a bit unstable. Really appreciate the photo, thank you!
      Yes, they were speckled from day one. They actually looked kind of cool since they were a little different.
      Since you're very local () I got them delivered from Vern's Topsoil and Bark which is just up the road from
      me on Bond Rd. in Poulsbo. I'll try and take some pics of ones that held together in the pond better to give some
      comparison. It's pouring now but I'll get some tomorrow and share.
      --Steve



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      That is so kind of you, thanks. I'm thinking of taking my F-150 down to Morrison's for the wall rocks and having them deliver the big, above grade rocks for the waterfall and such. But that's awesome advice; something I would never have thought of or recognized.

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      Based on that picture only, I would think you wouldn't want this kind of rock in the pond under water. The surface looks incredibly rough and would cause skin problems at some point by the fish rubbing against the rock.

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      I've not had any injure themselves on them in the years I've had the pond but anything's
      possible. The water level is down a few inches since the pond isn't overflowing to the lower one since
      they're in winter mode... but I'll post one where it's all visible in case it helps:

      Name:  basalt 1.jpg
Views: 60
Size:  147.2 KB

      Under Construction:
      Name:  edge2.jpg
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      Name:  upper pond 1  4.2015.jpg
Views: 66
Size:  370.8 KB


      Not really submerged or anything, but embedded in concrete. But like I said, I've not had any on the edge
      deteriorate.
      --Steve



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