DIY Network

Installing a Water Garden: Boulders and Skimmer Faceplate From "Waterscapes" episode DWAT-104

The finished water garden. Science classes from a local middle school will learn about natural pond ecosystems using this new water feature.

In this episode of DIY's Waterscapes workshop, host Heidi Robinson and water-garden expert Rick Bartel put the finishing touches on a newly installed water garden. This particular pond was installed on the grounds of a middle school where it will serve as a learning tool for the students. The final phase of the installation includes adding the faceplate to the pond skimmer, installing boulders and stonework and landscaping.

In this segment, some of the boulders and larger rocks are placed around the perimeter of the pond, and the faceplate is installed on the pond skimmer.

Materials:

Skimmer faceplate, hinged door and dividers
Utility knife
Cordless drill with screwdriver attachment

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Installing the Boulders

• To install the large boulders around the perimeter of the water garden, Rick Bartel and his crew used a heavy-duty backhoe (figure A). If you're building water garden, you may want to consider having some large boulders delivered to your site. Garden centers and construction companies are both good sources for locating natural boulders for landscaping. They can also usually recommend professionals who can lift and place the boulders into position (figure B).

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D
  	Figure E
  	Figure F
  	Figure G
  	Figure H
  	Figure I
  	Figure J

  
  Skimmer Faceplate and Door

• With the pond skimmer and waterfall installed, and the pond liner and underlayment in place, the next step in our water-garden project is the installation of the faceplate on the pond skimmer.

  According to Rick, the skimmer faceplate (figure C) and door helps in the control and operation of the skimmer as it filters the water in the pond.

  A line molded into the plastic of the skimmer faceplate indicates the optimum water level in relation to the skimmer (figure D). If the water level is allowed to get too low, the amount of water entering into the skimmer is not ideal for the efficient skimmer operation. If the level is too high, debris floating on the surface of the pond may not enter the skimmer where it would be trapped for removal.

  A hinged door fits over the skimmer opening and is designed to rise and fall with the level of the water. During normal operation, the door allows for the flow of water into the skimmer. A plastic tab permits the door to be closed and locked into position (figure E) to prevent water from entering the skimmer while it is being serviced or cleaned.

  Divider panels installed at the rear of the faceplate (figure F) help channel the flow of water inside the skimmer.

  The divider panels are installed simply by sliding them into pre-made grooves in the skimmer body (figure G). The divider panels can be adjusted to control the size of the skimmer opening for different sized doors.

  Once the divider panels have been installed, the hinged door simply snaps into place between the dividers.

  Once the door is in place, pull the pond liner up over the skimmer opening so that the liner covers the opening. Make sure to remove any wrinkles in the liner where it covers the skimmer; any wrinkles or punctures in the liner at this location could impede proper operation of the skimmer.

  Use a utility knife to cut a small slice in the liner at the top-center of the opening (figure H). This small opening allows a plastic tab at the back of the faceplate to extend through the liner for attachment of the faceplate.

  Place the faceplate over the opening and liner, and secure the faceplate to the skimmer with sheet-metal screws (figure I).

  Once all of the screws are in place and the faceplate is secured, use a utility knife to cut the liner from the skimmer opening (figure J).
  

  Water-garden installation expert Rick Bartel.

  
  

RESOURCES :

The Water Garden Design Book
ISBN: 0764153730
Authors: Yvonne Rees, Peter May
Barrons Educational Series
(August 2001)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
ISBN: 0821227963
Author: Philip Swindells
Publisher: Bulfinch
(April, 2002)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

GUESTS :
Rick Bartel
Owner, Autumn Mist Aquatics
(423) 838-7663
www.AutumnMistAquatics.com