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Micro Pond/Bath For Refreshing

 
Jeff Steez
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When I work outside all day in Florida I am drenched after about 10 minutes and if I need to come inside to do anything, it's a hassle. I smell and am soaked from head to toe. This is the only time I enjoy my restrictive cold showers.

I kind of want to make a tiny pond or tub-like feature at the perimeter of my small garden to quickly dip into before I come inside. I do not want anything for luxury purposes here. Small and efficient.

Any ideas? I was hoping for it to be natural, but I guess an above ground wooden bath style feature could be nice, but I still prefer something natural and level with the ground. It is difficult to create any shapes in the ground because it's pure sand, and I know absolutely nothing about ponds or even where to start here so suggestions first would be welcome.

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Anne Miller
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Dear hubby uses a Rubbermaid tank from Tractor Supply.

We added a drain though I think some of the Tractor Supply tanks come with a drain.

I personally like the outdoor showers, better.

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Jeff Steez
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Anne Miller wrote:Dear hubby uses a Rubbermaid tank from Tractor Supply.

We added a drain though I think some of the Tractor Supply tanks come with a drain.

I personally like the outdoor showers, better.



A simple solution I didn't consider... Do you cover it when not in use? Perhaps I could use that and simply add a proper little froggy pond instead.

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William Bronson
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I think I would dig a hole, line it with plastic or burlap, lay chicken wire over that and plaster the inside with mortar mix.
I would add maybe three layers or chicken wire  at most and seal the inside with a parge of strait Portland cement, surface bonding cement, hydraulic cement or RapidSet CementAll.

For filtration, I would use a solar powered lift to circulate the water and debris through a barrel full of sand.

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Anne Miller
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A cover would be a good idea to keep out unwanted stuff.

Dear hubby uses soap so he drains it each time he uses it.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
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Jeff Steez
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William Bronson wrote:I think I would dig a hole, line it with plastic or burlap, lay chicken wire over that and plaster the inside with mortar mix.
I would add maybe three layers or chicken wire  at most and seal the inside with a parge of strait Portland cement, surface bonding cement, hydraulic cement or RapidSet CementAll.

For filtration, I would use a solar powered lift to circulate the water and debris through a barrel full of sand.



Would this be a good solution to a very small frog pond as well or would there be more to the maintenance? I kind of like the idea of a little plastic tub to hop in and out of but I've convinced myself of having a tiny pond in place.

Just to paint a picture of the ridiculousness of my relatives here in South Florida, we have a hot tub, which is always broken. Methinks it's always hot enough already. Ideally I'd turn that into a little above ground pond or even dig a hole big enough to put it in, it's not terribly big, 5x5 maybe, but alas, they would never let me. So it shall sit there, sad and broken.

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John C Daley
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Jeff, some people like a hot tub that is hotter.
Its theirs to do what the want.
But what about a bath set on legs to drain so the water is clean.
Just plunge in as required.?

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Matt McSpadden
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Hi Jeff,
It sounds like you want something at least semi permanent, vs just a rubbermaid tub that you fill and drain each time. I don't know the exact numbers, but I do know that the larger the body of water, the easier it is to get an ecosystem to maintain water quality. I've talked to aquarium people, and it is much easier to setup a self cleaning tank of 300 gallons than it is to setup a 20 gallon tank. You can do it, but most of the time, you have to manually clean the smaller tank, and/or use filters and aerators and things like that. I suspect the same would be the case with a pond. A small 5x5 can be kept clean with filters and aerators and whatnot, but I suspect if you want a natural swimming pool that keeps itself clean, you will need to go quite a bit bigger.

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Rudyard Blake
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You could use a bucket shower, or combine a bucket shower with a pond/dip/barrel that you can sit in as well, for maximum refreshment?

Basically just a galvanised bucket with a showerhead on the bottom and a hanging rope attached to an internal lever that opens the bucket's 'plug', allowing the water to drain out through the showerhead.

We used to use one when we lived in a van/boat. You can hang it up under a tree - just lovely. Plus, if you paint it black you could also get it to warm the water warm up a bit in the sun a bit so it's not freezing - unless you prefer it cold!



 
Michael Cox
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I set up an above ground pool for my son this year. It takes a little bit of work to maintain - syphon sediment from the bottom periodically, check chlorine levels etc... but it has been bloody brilliant this year when it has been especially hot.  He has been in it every day to cool off. I've been in it regularly as well, especially when I have been doing heavy work in the heat.



The price has come way down, and they are very sturdy.

I would thoroughly recommend it.

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