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Hi, I'm new in this forum but an old timer in the plants/orchids sections.
I'm in the design/consultation phase of a new pool w/cage. The cage area is basically 51x54 with the main pool being 40 x 16 with an 8x14 sunshelf budging out of that. I have a spa with 6 jets on the left rear connected by a rock faced wall (with plants growing in it) to a waterfall made out of the same type of natural rock. My preference is to use salt to make clorine as my main anti-algae chemical. I've read about Magnesium and Potassium Chloride use instead of plain salt but can't seem to find any further information about in this area. I'll be meeting with some pool contractors to further educate myself and get estimates. I wonder if salt will deface or hang onto the waterfall and rock wall which will have a constant (or by timer) water flow.
I will use propane for my heater and will spec solar panels for our roof for most of the year use. I'm wondering about different kinds of cage wire/cover and the effects strong winds can have on a tight mesh. I have a tight wire around my gazebo which keeps bugs at bay even at night with the lights on inside. The one pool man I've spoken to didn't think that was necessary as he always uses standard mesh without complaints. I have a feeling a tighter mesh will also give me more shading for some of my orchids which I plan to keep under the cage. I'm also curious about pool overflow when we get these ridiculous rains here in South Florida. Will such overflow kill whatever grows?
We were going to use an above ground spa but were talked into a built in spa for the esthetics and functionality.
I've included a rough sketch of what I have in mind. Any and all comments are welcome.
I wish that I would have included a spa when we did our pool. I have the typical chlorine system so I can't comment from 1st hand knowledege but many pools in this area are salt water pools. Our water is so hard (loaded with minerals) that it's hard to say if the salt is leaving any residue. Nearly everyone fights with a calcium deposit line on the tiles at the water line.
Hopefully somebody will jump in here with some answers for you.
BTW, where are you locating the pump and filter equipment?
I've done some more checking and calcium and salt residue should not be a problem.
I'm getting solar panels on the roof on the south side of the house and the rest of the equipment location is a bit of a problem as I wanted it on the other side of the house but they tell me that is a bit far for the pumps to drive everything unless I get bigger pumps and/or piping. That will affect the monthly electrical bills which are high enough as I already have a koi pond running with two pumps 24/7.
So I suggested a spot among some gingers and under trees behind the spa but basically not visible from anywhere because of all my plants. The pool people seem to like that idea. I'm still waiting on estimates. They seem to take their time creating them.
It's not off topic but right on. To answer your question: slowly. Haven't even seen the permit yet.
I have chosen a contractor for the pool and one for the cage. This morning I met with an electrician as I still don't want to have all the equipment next to the house (but that's where everyone else puts it) Not me though. I wanted to know what the big deal was in moving everything to a hidden spot under some trees. Pool guy says it costs more money. Electrican says the whole caboodle is $1500. So where's the problem? I thought the extra few feet of wire can't be the end of the world but folks like to do everything the same way and not deviate from their own mindset. Anyway, I'm paying the bills and will get what I want.
So far all they've done is remove the zoysia (and some plants) and placed it elsewhere so it can grow again to be used as needed when this project is done. There is much more to be done and somebody was supposed to be here this moring to dig up more plants I wish to save. So far I have a nice hibiscus, a pile of variegated ginger and some aloe ready to be transplanted.
Here's a shot of the ongoing clearing work. They'll have to come in with some big equipments to dig all the treestumps up. Most of my estimates were in the 90K plus territory and that didn't include landscaping removal or replacement.
Fred
Oh my God. You said POND. That "is" off topic and caught me completely off guard.
I have various big birds standing guard there daily. They always fly away before I get to see exactly what they are doing or where they are standing but they must be constantly eying a meal. I don't seem to be missing any koi but then there are so many a few more or less won't be missed. I've never seem a bird take off with one yet and there are no wounded fish either. I think the steep concrete walls are what's keeping the parties appart.
Generally the fish are very happy but I'm not. It's a constant hassle to keep the filters clean. I seem to have a good balance though with lots of giant vegitation in the return path after the mechanical and sand filters to the 150 gal tubs which are also filled with plants about 10 feet high. The plants apparently love the fish output and something good is happening there. Lots of algae on the floor though. Water is clear. Fish are giants of their own and they keep having babies.
Sorry for not reading your post more closely. I was in pool mode, not pond.
Not a problem, love hearing about both!
The pool seems to be quite an undertaking. I've been looking at craigslist to find college guys who just want to do labor for cash. It may not be the "best" labor, but much cheaper. I can do the tidying up and decorative planting myself.
I know you have a large piece of land to work with, so keep the pictures coming, I love to see the development. Going from 100 acres in Ohio, to a subdivision in Florida, is quite a challenge for me. I'm looking at making my pond much bigger and pretty much taking out most of the grass in the back yard, with jungle/blooming plants all around the perimeter, kind of like my own little vacation retreat.
I can't get equipment in my back yard, not even a bobcat, so everything is done by hand. I can only dig for so long (especially when it comes to ponds!) before my age shows! :)
WOW Fred that is some presentation. What a fabulous resort you will have. Can't wait to see the end result. What kind of time line do you have till the hard-scape is all in?
Not sure what hardscape is Holly but they tell me it'll be at least another 6 weeks before this is thing is a go. I'm getting a lot of time intensive natural rock work done with water fall and such. Just check back on the link on occasion.
fred
Fred, Hardscape is anything that is not plant. I will be checking back to follow the progress. We use a lot of natural rock in our gardens and it is time intensive but very worth the effort. The reason I used "when the hardscape is done" instead of "finished" is because I figure you will be planting and planting and planting for quite a long time till you have everything in and tweaked just the way you want it.
