| Author |
Message |
    
calypso
Citizen
Username: Calypso
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:03 pm: | 
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I'd like to build a small pond/water garden/fountain thing in my backyard, but heard that they are illegal in Maplewood due to safety concerns. Is this true? And how do you get the electricity out to the pump? Do you need a new outlet? Is burying the cable complex? In short, has anyone out there done this and wants to share advice? |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 816
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 11:06 pm: |
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There are solar powered pumps for fountains, much easier than running 220V out to a water feature.
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2271
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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Wild guess here, I think if there was an ordinance about backyard pond it would be for a Fish Pond (Those need to be at least 3 feet deep) but a plant pond can be much more shallow.
When we put in a pond we got the solar powered pumps but buried a wire two years later because we found we needed to power other things near the pond (Lights, Radio, etc). I may be worth it to do it all in the beginning.
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Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1522
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 11:31 am: |
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Be aware that they might be quite the breeding haven for all kinds of bugs. |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 497
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 11:44 am: |
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I just put in a birdbath fountain that is solar powered. If you walk in front of it it stops and same if a cloud goes over, and at night. It's never on.
Splurge for real power if you want to hear burbling water (which will also deter bugs more than still water.)
J.B. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7237
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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We put in a dry pond last year (filled with rocks and two fountains that recirculate).
It's very pretty, but now we have a probelm with bird ••••. The birds like to hang out by the pond & drink from the fountains. Since the pond is beside the deck, well, use your imagination.
When we built the deck, we put in lots of outlets, so it was easy to plug in the fountains.
Hmmm. I was wondering how to keep the birds away from the pond this year. Maybe a real bird bath on the other side of the yard? What are those like to maintain? If you change it frequently, do you still have mosquito problems? |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 265
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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We have a pond in our backyard. It and several others in MPL/SO were profiled in Maplewood Matters a couple of years ago.
You are welcome to come see our pond. We decided not to have fish because that would be alot of extra work. There are some really awesome ponds in our area.
Please Private Line to me.
Tabby |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1505
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 1:26 pm: |
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We have a regular ol birdbath Greentree, and I just make point to dump the water and refill about every week or so to keep any mosquito issue at bay. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4534
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
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Ponds, when I lived in California I installed and serviced them.
Correctly designed, they do not need pumps. A balance of fish, plants, sun and weather they will run without pumps.
That said, a pump and moving water solves many problems and will allow you more freedom in what you put into it. Simple 110 Volt GFIC outlet is all you need in the area.
Bugs, bunk. Correctly installed, the slight movement of water and the fish will solve that. In fact, the pond can become the bug trap and draw bugs away from the house, to the water where the hungry fish eat them.
If this will be a winter over pond, you will need an area 3.5 to 4 feet deep or a heater so that the fish will have a place to winter over.
Local building codes will need to be followed regarding fencing for your pond yard.
Later,
George |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 621
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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"If this will be a winter over pond, you will need an area 3.5 to 4 feet deep or a heater so that the fish will have a place to winter over."
Not really. As long as you circulate the water, and allow it to splash back in, the pond will not freeze. I've never had a freeze up no matter how severe the winter and my depth is 24" max, and circulation is much cheaper than a heater. One word of caution if it should freeze over, never try to break the ice by hitting it. The concussion can kill the fish. |
kap
Citizen
Username: Kap
Post Number: 248
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:20 pm: |
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The second annual Maplewood/South Orange Pond Tour will be held on Sunday, June 25. Last year's was a blast! Any pond keeper (or wannabes) interested please send an e-mail to pondtour@comcast.net and I'll get the information to you.
kap
P.S. Ponds are not illegal in Maplewood. Calypso, drop me a private line if you'd like some responses to your questions as well as the best local places for supplys and professional advice.
tabby, hope you and the hubby will be able to join us this year!
jg, you only need a depth of about 18 inches for wintering over a pond with livestock in NJ. A heater is a good idea, however, just to keep the gases from building up under surface ice. |
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