Old soil filled pond coming back to life. Ideas Wanted!

[DIYpondGuy]

Hey All,

I am new to the forum! Happy to be here. I live in San Diego and purchased a house a while back and it had an old pond that was filled in with soil. Guessing it was put in in the 70s. I am looking to bring it back to life. This Friday I have a friend coming over to help with digging out the soil and the large piece of cement in the middle.

Pond Specs: 5'x7.5' Appears to be 18 inches deep to the top of the soil. Could be about 24" to the side as I assume the soil could be impacted in the center of the pond. Please refer to the photo attached.

What I am wanting to do is build it up to try and get the sides built up to 4 feet of water depth(or break through the bottom layer and dig down another foot or a little of both). Anyone have any ideas for me on how to accomplish this? Trying to keep this as cheap as possible but not so cheap that I can house Koi's if possible.

Thanks in advance for the assistance. I will be posting my progress as we go!

[UnkleTim]

How exciting!

[coolwon]

I think I would dig and clear it, and part of the surroundings out, to get some perspective if it has the right credentials to become a Koi pond or

keep its original gold fish pond size to see exactly what it looked like as the delightful garden feature it once was.

Many of the old concrete ponds leak, due to no time given to the pond soil conditions and concrete thickness prior to the foundations and

forming of the ponds actual shell.

Now would be the time to make up ones mind, even though the constant Koi thoughts are now starting to gain a hold,which is very, very strong

in the back of ones mind day and night.

The new pond thoughts, become bigger,better and deeper with every day.

[KingstonKoi]

San Diego has a very active Koi club. They just posted their August newsletter a week ago at Koiphen:

https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showt...024-Newsletter

If you’re interested in making a Koi pond, recommend you get in touch with them and their members. Getting guidance from those who have gone through rehabbing ponds before is one of the most valuable resources you can find.

[DIYpondGuy]

Thanks for the input. I will reach out to the San Diego Koi Club to get some ideas once I have it cleaned out. Given the amount of space and the budget I have. Most likely will become a goldfish pond. But if I can get it to 1000 gallons and 3 feet deep I will be posting koi pond photos soon.

[DIYpondGuy]

Hey all,

Just an update! Had all of the dirt removed from the fountain. Looks like it is about 16 inches deep in the deepest part of the pond. Built in 1965 by someone named Judy. Now comes the question of keeping it a goldfish pond and using some sani-tred to waterproof it from leaks and add a fountain on the concrete in the middle and add a water fall towards the back.

This is getting exciting. More photos to follow!