Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I'm getting ready to start a new, proper koi pond. 12x20x8' deep. 2' above ground, 6' below. I'm in the US, no ice problems.
The pond will be cinder block walls with rebar. I'm not sure yet if it will be 45 mil liner or Sanitred.
I'd like to put 1 window in the pond but have no idea how to do this. I need to know what thickness the window should be, should it be plexiglass or real glass, what to use as a sealer and how to install the window.
Thanks for the help.
Does anyone have step by step instructions on windows?
Moderators: B.Scott, vippymini, Gazza, Manky Sanke
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Bob Hart
- Site Admin
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- Location: Maidstone, Kent, England
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So apart from the type of glass what exactly do you want to know?
You can use a window frame, or do it without a frame. I've done a few not using a frame at all, I'll explain how to do this.
Build the pond and creat the hole. You can use a lintel of any type for the top of the hole.
Cut a piece of 20mm plywood and inch bigger all around the size of the hole. Screw it inside of the pond, an inch bigger than the hole.
Render the pond ready for fibreglassing and render thicker up to the wood, so the the render it flat/level with the wood.
Once the render is dry, remove the wood, you now have a frame.
Fibreglass the pond into the frame.
Rub down the fibreglass inside the frame area, apply lots of sealent, fit glass, put more sealent inside and outside.
Now as you are in the US, the sealent and glass may be different to what we in the UK would use.
You can use a window frame, or do it without a frame. I've done a few not using a frame at all, I'll explain how to do this.
Build the pond and creat the hole. You can use a lintel of any type for the top of the hole.
Cut a piece of 20mm plywood and inch bigger all around the size of the hole. Screw it inside of the pond, an inch bigger than the hole.
Render the pond ready for fibreglassing and render thicker up to the wood, so the the render it flat/level with the wood.
Once the render is dry, remove the wood, you now have a frame.
Fibreglass the pond into the frame.
Rub down the fibreglass inside the frame area, apply lots of sealent, fit glass, put more sealent inside and outside.
Now as you are in the US, the sealent and glass may be different to what we in the UK would use.
Thanks, Bob.
It's very unusual here to find a fiberglassed pond. My pond will probably be 45 mil EPDM liner. If not, I'm going to try to use SaniTred since I can do it myself.
What thickness of glass do I need? Should I use glass or plexiglass?
If I have the hole formed in the wall of cinder blocks for the window, could I place the glass in the hole and mortar a frame in back of it to hold it in place? Then seal around the block frame?
I guess the main thing I'm unsure about is how to hold the glass in place so it won't leak.
How do you keep the window clean of algae?
It's very unusual here to find a fiberglassed pond. My pond will probably be 45 mil EPDM liner. If not, I'm going to try to use SaniTred since I can do it myself.
What thickness of glass do I need? Should I use glass or plexiglass?
If I have the hole formed in the wall of cinder blocks for the window, could I place the glass in the hole and mortar a frame in back of it to hold it in place? Then seal around the block frame?
I guess the main thing I'm unsure about is how to hold the glass in place so it won't leak.
How do you keep the window clean of algae?
-
Bob Hart
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2292
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 8:53 am
- Location: Maidstone, Kent, England
- Contact:
I'm not sure what SaniTred is, could you explain please?
I've not seen a window fitted into a liner pond, so am not sure what to advise.
Jules is more experienced, he may well have some better advise on hos to do this.
Glass thickness - Generally on a 4 feet by 2 feet window, or less, the glass used is 6mm x 2 laminated, making 13mm thickness. I've emailed Jules to ask if the glass used is toughned or the like, as I cant actually remember,. Must write it donw this time when he tells me.
I've not seen a window fitted into a liner pond, so am not sure what to advise.
Jules is more experienced, he may well have some better advise on hos to do this.
Glass thickness - Generally on a 4 feet by 2 feet window, or less, the glass used is 6mm x 2 laminated, making 13mm thickness. I've emailed Jules to ask if the glass used is toughned or the like, as I cant actually remember,. Must write it donw this time when he tells me.
If I'm converting mm to inches correctly, that would be 1/2" thick. I'm wondering if plexiglass would work or some type of car glass.
SaniTred is a brand name for a rubberized liner that you paint on the cinder blocks. You can do it yourself. There's another spray on liner called Polyurea but it has to be done professionally and is very expensive.
Here's a link to the SaniTred.
http://www.sanitred.com/WaterFountain.htm[/url]
SaniTred is a brand name for a rubberized liner that you paint on the cinder blocks. You can do it yourself. There's another spray on liner called Polyurea but it has to be done professionally and is very expensive.
Here's a link to the SaniTred.
http://www.sanitred.com/WaterFountain.htm[/url]
Hi and welcome to Koi Quest.
Looks like sanitred is a good way to finish your pool. Just as good as fibreglass from the looks of it.
Windows. Some folk use all singing all dancing glass that has been heat soaked and I guess if you don't suffer from massive heat risies and get direct sunlight on the window then you will not need this either. I mormally use 12/13mm laminated glass. I have never have had a window fail on me or a client and have never used heatsoaked glass. You would be better of having the edges polished as it makes handling/fitting easier. There is a product called polyflex that is black and a fish safe silicone. I normaly use 5 to 6 tubs. It is a straightforward job but you may need some advice over the phone.
Good luck
Jules
Looks like sanitred is a good way to finish your pool. Just as good as fibreglass from the looks of it.
Windows. Some folk use all singing all dancing glass that has been heat soaked and I guess if you don't suffer from massive heat risies and get direct sunlight on the window then you will not need this either. I mormally use 12/13mm laminated glass. I have never have had a window fail on me or a client and have never used heatsoaked glass. You would be better of having the edges polished as it makes handling/fitting easier. There is a product called polyflex that is black and a fish safe silicone. I normaly use 5 to 6 tubs. It is a straightforward job but you may need some advice over the phone.
Good luck
Jules
Kntry,
Good to see you here from KB!
If you want a window in a liner pond you will need to have a frame made with a flange and flange cover that can sandwich the liner and seal it. I would have it done in Stainless Steel with a 3"-4" flange. This will serve to both sandwich the liner AND retain the glass I would make it so the window mounts from the inside
[img]http://www.koi.excalibur-nw.com/images/windowframe.JPG[/img]
Good to see you here from KB!
If you want a window in a liner pond you will need to have a frame made with a flange and flange cover that can sandwich the liner and seal it. I would have it done in Stainless Steel with a 3"-4" flange. This will serve to both sandwich the liner AND retain the glass I would make it so the window mounts from the inside
[img]http://www.koi.excalibur-nw.com/images/windowframe.JPG[/img]
How many Boards are you on? 
I found this one by accident searching for step by step instructions to build a microscreen. I can't find the pics I took when building mine. Anyway, I Googled microscreen and it led me here. The guy that built the screen has a window in his pond.
The reddish/brown area in your diagram are the cinder blocks notched out to accept the flange, is that right? I could screw the flange into the cinder block, sandwiching the liner in between.
You have 2 pieces of "blue" window. Did you use 2 pieces of glass or car glass that has the plastic between panes?
Ya'll need to check out KoiShack.com/forums. We've been getting several members from your side the pond lately.
I found this one by accident searching for step by step instructions to build a microscreen. I can't find the pics I took when building mine. Anyway, I Googled microscreen and it led me here. The guy that built the screen has a window in his pond.
The reddish/brown area in your diagram are the cinder blocks notched out to accept the flange, is that right? I could screw the flange into the cinder block, sandwiching the liner in between.
You have 2 pieces of "blue" window. Did you use 2 pieces of glass or car glass that has the plastic between panes?
Ya'll need to check out KoiShack.com/forums. We've been getting several members from your side the pond lately.
Hi Kntry
and welcome to Koi Quest. The answer to your question about how to clean the glass, you can use an aquarium glass scrapper, it has a long handle that float's incase you drop it, and the blade is covered so the fish can not damage themselve's, and believe m you need to know they are safe because when you are cleaning the glass they suck your hand arm and the window cleaner.
The glass is the diagram is laminated glass, laminated glass is 2 thicknesses sealed together with a sheet of something, I can not remember what it is called, but what it does, is if the glass does anage to get broken the glass wont shatter and fall out in tiny piece's, it is a bit like car glass but the sheet in between the glass hold's it all together.
I hope that help's, good luck with the window.
and welcome to Koi Quest. The answer to your question about how to clean the glass, you can use an aquarium glass scrapper, it has a long handle that float's incase you drop it, and the blade is covered so the fish can not damage themselve's, and believe m you need to know they are safe because when you are cleaning the glass they suck your hand arm and the window cleaner.
The glass is the diagram is laminated glass, laminated glass is 2 thicknesses sealed together with a sheet of something, I can not remember what it is called, but what it does, is if the glass does anage to get broken the glass wont shatter and fall out in tiny piece's, it is a bit like car glass but the sheet in between the glass hold's it all together.
I hope that help's, good luck with the window.
)
Kntry the two pieces of glass represent laminated (bonded) glass. I would avoid Plexiglas as it becomes very scratched eventually.
Yes the red would be the cinder block but you would want either a lintel across the top or to beef up the frame on the top part so it would support the blocks above it and extend the to sides. I can make you another drawing if you wish, let me know.
you could screw the frame into the blocks but I would do that separately and then tap holes into the frame to attach the flange I think you would be better. but the water pressure would hold the frame in place no mater what. You would also need to seal the window of course with a mastic of some kind and i would also put some sealant between the flange and the EPDM rubber.
Now how come it took you so long to find us? This is the best forum on the web as far as fish health goes whereas Koi bito is the best on fish appreciation. These are the only two proper koi forums you will find me on onther than a Dutch forum from time to time. I can only spread myself so thin!
never been on Koi Shack. Is that the one where the people get extra status if they pay or am I confusing it with somewhere else?
While you are here you might want to try clicking on the KoiQuest logo (top right) and you will come across loads of info on koi health.
Cheers Kntry
B.Scott
Yes the red would be the cinder block but you would want either a lintel across the top or to beef up the frame on the top part so it would support the blocks above it and extend the to sides. I can make you another drawing if you wish, let me know.
you could screw the frame into the blocks but I would do that separately and then tap holes into the frame to attach the flange I think you would be better. but the water pressure would hold the frame in place no mater what. You would also need to seal the window of course with a mastic of some kind and i would also put some sealant between the flange and the EPDM rubber.
Now how come it took you so long to find us? This is the best forum on the web as far as fish health goes whereas Koi bito is the best on fish appreciation. These are the only two proper koi forums you will find me on onther than a Dutch forum from time to time. I can only spread myself so thin!
never been on Koi Shack. Is that the one where the people get extra status if they pay or am I confusing it with somewhere else?While you are here you might want to try clicking on the KoiQuest logo (top right) and you will come across loads of info on koi health.
Cheers Kntry
B.Scott