Since we knew that we could not take on a project much larger than our current pond, we contacted a person known as "the pond expert" who installed ponds. He told us that our current pond, or as he called it a "puddle," was nice, but that he could build a nicer pond for us. We explained that we knew that we needed a larger pond and that we wanted it to be in our back yard. He explained that he builds state of the art ponds and promised crystal clear water, very little maintenance and a beautiful water feature. Of course, we were interested. Who wouldn't be!

In a follow up visit, this pond builder brought brochures of the pond system and some photos of pond that he had constructed. We, then, proceeded to discuss details of our proposed project. We showed him a drawing we had put together. We told him that we wanted the pond to be as deep as possible - 4-5' deep; he said that he could do 4', but not 5'. We also told him that we wanted straight sides to keep small animals and large birds from getting into the pond; he said that his ponds slope down from the sides with a series of shelves for plants - that the pond would be 4' in the middle - and that no birds or animal would get in the pond. Now, this was not exactly what we had in mind and was contrary to what we had learned about Koi and the ideal environment for them. Our conversation continued and he was quite convincing that we would be very happy with the end result using his pond system. We also knew that we need a larger pond by spring 2002. He took some measurements and agreed to build a 20' x 20' pond with a large waterfall. He, then, made several design suggestions. We agreed that the 2 ponds with 2 streams and 2 large waterfalls that he proposed would look nice, but we were concerned about cost. He said that this re-design wouldn't cost much more than our original design, would fit perfectly into the landscaping, and would look more like "Mother Nature" put it there. He agreed to price out original design and his re-design.  

March 2002: 

We received a box from our pond expert with i) a videotape of "the pond design system" which demonstrated and explained the material which would be used to build the ponds, and ii) a sketch of our pond expert's design (which detailed where the waterfalls, streams and skimmer would be located, the dimensions and depths of the ponds, the lengths of the streams, a breakdown of the number of plants, underwater lighting and heater, etc.). The price was far more than we anticipated. We called him about the quote and he told us that it was the absolute highest it would cost, but would likely be lower. We also asked about a price for our original design; he said that it would be about three grand less. We discussed his proposal and decided for a few grand more, we would be getting twice the pond. So, we decided to go with the pond expert's suggested design.

June 2002:

We also agreed for work as soon as possible. After promising to begin construction the first week of May, construction actually began on June 5th with a crew of eight workers. His foreman began to layout the pond area with spray paint; everything was measured and, after a few adjustments, we were all in agreement. After the workers removed the grass, the pond expert moved in with the bobcat and dug holes as deep as he could. The entire outlined area was around two feet deep. As the workers continued to dig by hand, our pond expert and his foreman placed the plastic tubs (waterfalls and skimmer) into place. Also, on this first day, the streams and plant shelves were situated. Our new pond was developing right before our eyes in a few hours! Our only disappointment was that the water depth in the bottom pond was only 37".

The next day, we asked about the depth and our pond expert said that 37" was "all he could get out of it, that it was plenty deep enough and the deepest he had ever built, and that we worry too much." As the excitement of a new large pond took over, we didn't argue. On day two, they installed the piping and the liner and placed some very large boulders on the bottom of the pond along the sides.

Day three saw the installation of truckloads of boulders in and around the pond - every nook and cranny in the ponds, waterfall and streams were filled with rocks of all shapes and sizes and the underwater lighting. The following days also included an auto-fill line at the skimmer and a "scarecrow" (motion activated water sprinker) to keep critters out of the pond. After completing the entire pond construction, the landscaping around the pond took several days additional days.

While we continued to marvel at our pond construction, it now occurred to us that the once big hole for the bottom pond was now filled with a massive amount of rocks/boulders. In addition to looking overdone, there did not seem to be much room left for the fish. The liner that was visible on the bottom was loose with several folds and wrinkles. [The liner in our first pond had few fold/wrinkles.] When we questioned our pond expert, we were told that we wouldn't see the folds and wrinkles, because he would be covering the liner with 1.5" river rock. At the time, that sounded fine to us. He, later, told us that this was the only way he could build a pond of this size and that we wouldn't even notice the rock once the pond was filled with water. He also said that because of the amount of rocks/ boulders and labor, the pond would not come in under his original quote.  

June 17, 2002:

Although this construction project was incredible, we were becoming quite concerned that the pond that was evolving was not what we originally envisioned. We wanted a much larger area for our fish to keep them safe and healthy. We originally wanted the pond to be 4-5' deep; we had agreed to 4' deep; the pond (without rocks) was only about 3' deep. In addition, the sides were gently sloped so that we felt that anything could walk into it in several places. We were also concerned that when the river rock was installed, it was not washed off (as demonstrated in the video) and, from past landscaping experience, we knew that these rocks were very dirty; all of this dirt was now in the pond. Our pond expert told us that the filter system would take everything out and that, again, we worried too much. He said that the pond would be crystal clear and he began to fill the pond using two hoses. He estimated that the ponds would be filled with about 11,600 gallons of water by morning. As we watched the pond fill, it was a muddy brown color; the pond was nearly full at about 2 a.m. Our pond expert suggested that we run the system for a day to clean the water (an oily substance seemed to be floating on the top) and make sure there were no leaks. He told us that we could transfer the fish from the front pond to the new pond the next day if the pH level was acceptable.  

June 19, 2002: 

We went to our local pet store for advice on moving our fish to the new pond. He explained the process and gave us some plastic bags to float them in the new pond. We accomplished our fish move in about two hours. We were excited and the fish seem to be excited, too, as they explored their new surroundings. We checked the water quality often; everything was at acceptable levels - the same our front pond: pH (7.5), ammonia (0), nitrite (0) and temperature (72 deg. F.). Twenty-four koi and six shubunkins were now in the new pond! Our pond expert arrived, saw the fish and congratulated us. He was as happy as we were; he was amazed at the size of the fish and how beautiful they were. He said that he would be back to take pictures and that he would be entering our pond in a garden contest. A few days later he called with the final invoice (which was higher than expected, but he did reduce the price when we reminded him that we were paying cash).

June 24, 2002:

A few days later, our fish were acting strange. Some fish stopped eating and began to stay around the waterfall seemingly gasping for air. They would go to the bottom and stay for a few days, then they re-appear with white cottony patches and red sores like bruises under the skin. We called our pond expert. He told us that the fish were just getting used to the new pond and they would be fine.

June 27, 2002:

Nine koi died - some of the biggest ones and some that we had for four years. We called our pond expert again; he came out the next day. Our pond expert did not check any of the water quality in the pond. He said that he called "the company" and they said that we put too many fish in at one time which spiked the ammonia levels. We replied that was not the case as all water quality parameters were perfect. At this point, it was clear to us that he didn't know anything about fish. He couldn't give us any other explanation and left. He told us that we killed our fish; needless to say, we were extremely upset.
Sometime later we went to our pet store to ask questions; he didn't have any answers and referred us to Koi Villa in Coventry, Rhode Island. Our second pump stopped operating and went to Koi Villa to replace it. We told our saga to Gail and the first thing that she said was that these rock bottom ponds are not appropriate for koi and explained why.

June 29, 2002:

Six more Koi died. We called the pond expert again and did not get a call back.

April 21, 2003:

Spring clean up of the ponds.

May 9, 2003:

Called the pond expert about the pump turning off and on. He said that he would come out and replace it. He never showed up.

May 29, 2003:

Pump stopped completely and leaked oil into pond.

June 23, 2003:

Fish jumping and scratching were against the rocks.

June 24, 2003:

Koi looking sick. Same symptoms as June 2002.

June 30, 2003:

Two koi dead.

June 30 thru July 21, 2003:

Seventeen large Koi and over thirty baby Koi born in pond the previous summer die. Treated the pond with Nitrofuran. Only fifteen fish survive.
Returned to Koi Villa; Kirk and Gail visit the pond. We agree with them that the pond needs to be overhauled and a new filter system and UV light installed. The pond appearance was disgusting; we couldn't see the fish unless they came up to eat.
We drained and cleaned the upper and, then, the lower pond. We removed several tons of Hudson River rock and muck as well as the plants (which had leaches and other creatures on them). After the top pond was cleaned, Kirk treated the Koi for parasites and any other health related problems in this pond returning them to the lower pond after it was cleaned.
I also sent several items for testing, including tap water, old pond water, bottom sediment, old liner, new liner and a paper towel.

The saga of the Phaneuf's Pond continues in: A Koi Pond Rebuilt by Gail & Kirk Hermann