Pond-Free 103 Chapter 3
Excavation
Once you’ve decided on the appropriate depth of the top of the reservoir and the location of the Pump Vault and water matrices, if you’re using them, dig the hole 6” longer and wider than necessary, with vertical sides and a flat bottom, to allow room to backfill around the edges of the reservoir when finished. If you’re using the blocks, you’ll want to make the hole a multiple of the measurements of the matrices. For EcoBlox, for example, you’ll want a multiple of 27.5” long (27.5” 55”, 82.5”, 110”, etc) by a multiple of 16” wide (16”, 32”, 48”, 64”, 80”) and decide whether you’ll need one layer (17.5”) or two (35”), etc. for the depth.
After you’ve dug a generous hole with straight sides and a flat bottom, place the Vault and Eco-Blox in the hole to test for fit. Make sure the bottom is flat and level so the blocks fit tight and plumb, and that the area under the Vault is appropriately lower if you’re using an Atlantic or other Pump Vault that’s taller than the water matrix blocks. Check that the plumbing and the pump cords can be routed where they need to go, and plan where the overflow water will end up in case of heavy rain. Remove the blocks and Vault. Now is a good time to consider installing the pump(s) and check valve(s) in the Pump Vault, for the sake of convenience and to save time later, but it’s not necessary. Next you’ll rough in the steps for the falls or stream in preparation for the liner installation.
Once you’ve decided on the appropriate depth of the top of the reservoir and the location of the Pump Vault and water matrices, if you’re using them, dig the hole 6” longer and wider than necessary, with vertical sides and a flat bottom, to allow room to backfill around the edges of the reservoir when finished. If you’re using the blocks, you’ll want to make the hole a multiple of the measurements of the matrices. For EcoBlox, for example, you’ll want a multiple of 27.5” long (27.5” 55”, 82.5”, 110”, etc) by a multiple of 16” wide (16”, 32”, 48”, 64”, 80”) and decide whether you’ll need one layer (17.5”) or two (35”), etc. for the depth.
After you’ve dug a generous hole with straight sides and a flat bottom, place the Vault and Eco-Blox in the hole to test for fit. Make sure the bottom is flat and level so the blocks fit tight and plumb, and that the area under the Vault is appropriately lower if you’re using an Atlantic or other Pump Vault that’s taller than the water matrix blocks. Check that the plumbing and the pump cords can be routed where they need to go, and plan where the overflow water will end up in case of heavy rain. Remove the blocks and Vault. Now is a good time to consider installing the pump(s) and check valve(s) in the Pump Vault, for the sake of convenience and to save time later, but it’s not necessary. Next you’ll rough in the steps for the falls or stream in preparation for the liner installation.
