#Thegreatpoolpondconversion - 201115
After two really sunny and swell days since Eta left, Saturday was a mix of mostly sun and a bit of rain.
We still managed to be really productive both days anyway.
Got all the lava rock washed and shoveled into the bins.
The bottom bin, empty looks like this - that’s how the water drains out.
The bottom and middle 2 bins all look the same filled.
The top bin is different
A layer of lava, then the black fine filter pad on the bottom, then the green medium pad, then the blue coarse pad on top.
Over that goes the shower.
The next thing we did was set up the tower to discharge onto the grass. We ran fresh water through for a while to be sure the connections were tight and that the discharge water was mostly clear and not full of any remaining lava rock dust. And it wasn’t.
After some rain and lunch we shoveled 5 loads of top soil which finished filling the butterfly bed.
Remember that before we plant the butterfly weed, first we dig up the jasmines and gardenia, transplant them temporarily into the now ready butterfly bed, then build the jasmine bed, fill it with dirt, then move them back. After that we can plant a slew of butterfly weed seedlings that are sprouting right now in a sunny southern exposure window.
Sunday was perfect weather for painting the deck and now it’s about half complete.
We took the filter tower down and moved it into its temporary position.
In that last picture, it’s already running.
This is what the top bin / shower looks like in action.
The location out in the open is temporary, just so we could get the filter working.
Eventually it will be moved off the deck next to the jasmine planting bed.
It will be behind a wood screen so it won’t show.
The returned water will be through a wooden trough that will feed the waterwheel.
If you’re interested, here are links to two videos. They are where we got the general design from.
YouTube (you’re going to want to skip all the detail about filtering media)
YouTube
The solar panel and solar controller are also in a temporary location.
The controller is covered by a black plastic bin.
We took the cover off to adjust the controller and met a new friend.
(Actually, Todd is an old friend, living in a new location).
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