Filling in pond / hole advice

[Tim Cognito]

I think you can put a weed membrane down before the final layer of top soil which helps stabilise everything?

[vexed]

Also to add- I hired a mini digger for a day which made really light work of it. Also just drove up and down over everything repeatedly to compact.

[The Gauge]

Alternative option for someone with a pond and a toddler is to lay some rebar grid on or just under the pond surface so it isn't so noticeable. Obviously you don't want a toddler walking on it but with small enough gaps it can act as a safety barrier.

OP, if leaving those rocks in there, consider if you might ever want to dig that area out again in the future as they could then become a right royal pain in the arse to get out.

[and31]

The Gauge said:

Alternative option for someone with a pond and a toddler is to lay some rebar grid on or just under the pond surface so it isn't so noticeable. Obviously you don't want a toddler walking on it but with small enough gaps it can act as a safety barrier.

OP, if leaving those rocks in there, consider if you might ever want to dig that area out again in the future as they could then become a right royal pain in the arse to get out.

Terrible advice with the rebar-the gaps in it are big enough for child’s head to fit through ffs-and it would bow quite a bit even with a child’s weight on it
Not to mention the rust it would produce poisoning the water…

[The Gauge]

and31 said:

Terrible advice with the rebar-the gaps in it are big enough for child’s head to fit through ffs-and it would bow quite a bit even with a child’s weight on it
Not to mention the rust it would produce poisoning the water…

Not if the gaps were small. Depends on age of child. Galvanised wont rust, and it might only be for 2 or 3 years. You can even get plastic grids designed for the purpose. As for not supporting weight, a childs weight wouldn't bend reinforced rebar on a pond that size unless you were feeding them cake every mealtime, also....

Edited by The Gauge on Saturday 18th May 18:38

[and31]

The Gauge said:

and31 said:

Terrible advice with the rebar-the gaps in it are big enough for child’s head to fit through ffs-and it would bow quite a bit even with a child’s weight on it
Not to mention the rust it would produce poisoning the water…

Not if the gaps were small. Depends on age of child. Galvanised wont rust, and it might only be for 2 or 3 years. You can even get plastic grids designed for the purpose. As for not supporting weight, a childs weight wouldn't bend reinforced rebar on a pond that size unless you were feeding them cake every mealtime, also....

Edited by The Gauge on Saturday 18th May 18:38

not much point having a pond if you’re going to cover it in that much steel/plastic or whatever

[Snow and Rocks]

and31 said:

not much point having a pond if you’re going to cover it in that much steel/plastic or whatever

Children and ponds are surely only an issue for a couple of years - steel and plastic obviously aren't ideal but they're only temporary and then you can go on enjoying the pond indefinitely.

As an aside, I grew up with a large (1/2 acre) pond and quite a fast flowing stream in the garden and some of my favourite childhood memories involve them. Frogs, newts, toy boats, skimming stones - endless fun. Also didn't drown to death once.

[and31]

Snow and Rocks said:

and31 said:

not much point having a pond if you’re going to cover it in that much steel/plastic or whatever

Children and ponds are surely only an issue for a couple of years - steel and plastic obviously aren't ideal but they're only temporary and then you can go on enjoying the pond indefinitely.

As an aside, I grew up with a large (1/2 acre) pond and quite a fast flowing stream in the garden and some of my favourite childhood memories involve them. Frogs, newts, toy boats, skimming stones - endless fun. Also didn't drown to death once.

I agree-we had a massive pond -when my father finished it in the early eighties lots of my friends came round and we had a small swimming pool for a few days!
They still remember it, sad to say that after my father died a couple of years ago, the pond has been filled in.it was stocked with lots of huge koi for quite a while after it was used as our swimming pool! Many happy memories
But the OP has already filled his in,not likely to do anything similar.
Bit of topsoil and seed, job done, no need for weed barriers or anything as suggested earlier

[Evanivitch]

and31 said:

Terrible advice with the rebar-the gaps in it are big enough for child’s head to fit through ffs-and it would bow quite a bit even with a child’s weight on it
Not to mention the rust it would produce poisoning the water…

I wouldn't use rebar either, but there's plenty of products available. And yes, putting a grid over a pond still gives it environmental value.

[and31]

All irrelevant as op has already drained and partially filled his pond.

[The Gauge]

and31 said:

not much point having a pond if you’re going to cover it in that much steel/plastic or whatever

The mesh isn't really visible if it sits just slightly under the water level. Plants can grow through it and it can pretty much be invisible.

and31 said:

All irrelevant as op has already drained and partially filled his pond.

Not really, lots of people will read the thread, especially when searching the subject, so it's still very relevant.

[vexed]

Snow and Rocks said:

and31 said:

not much point having a pond if you’re going to cover it in that much steel/plastic or whatever

Children and ponds are surely only an issue for a couple of years - steel and plastic obviously aren't ideal but they're only temporary and then you can go on enjoying the pond indefinitely.

As an aside, I grew up with a large (1/2 acre) pond and quite a fast flowing stream in the garden and some of my favourite childhood memories involve them. Frogs, newts, toy boats, skimming stones - endless fun. Also didn't drown to death once.

Confirmation bias! Can all the people who did drown comment now? Also- I'd argue that a 5 year old can still drown, and some families have been known to have more than one child so could easily cover more than a decade.

[M1AGM]

Tim Cognito said:

I think you can put a weed membrane down before the final layer of top soil which helps stabilise everything?

This.

Leave the rocks in, good move, helps drainage. Put a weed membrane over the rocks then fill with soil, and maybe some sharp sand to finish it off and level. This will minimise any sinking.