Stream
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I have just completed my 2nd on my current line. Not sure what your base might be. Mine are both in Rockeries so I have Concreted in a route, Pond Liner in that with Pond Liner Underlay. Then I concrete over that with Pebbles and Gravel in to create interest and rippled movement. Once that is done then I Season the Concrete with G4, this seals the Concrete stopping Lime getting into the Retention Tank or Pond. One Stream has a large Roof Tank for the Water Retention. The other one has two small Hot Water Tanks linked together with Copper Tube and Plumbing Bits. Both have a Solar Powered Pump which of course means my Wate only runs when it is Sunny. I do not find this a problem but you might want a Powered Pump. You need a pump that will cope with the Lift and the length of line keading to the Outfall at the Top of your Stream. Pond supplier will be able to help with this and supply G4 if you go down the Concret Route. There are pictures of both Water Courses in my Layout Build Thread. Good luck, I find that I love my little Streams.
I also did a couple of Water Features for Andy Rush's Ruschbahn. One a Torrent that dropped Water down a long course from 12ft High. The other represented a Dam Overflow. Both used similar Construction, but the torrent for its base used Wood Gravel Boards made into a U Shape then the Pond Liner and normal methods as described above. This needed a pretty hefty Pump due to the Height and level of Water that Andy wanted. He was pleased with the result.
JonD
I also did a couple of Water Features for Andy Rush's Ruschbahn. One a Torrent that dropped Water down a long course from 12ft High. The other represented a Dam Overflow. Both used similar Construction, but the torrent for its base used Wood Gravel Boards made into a U Shape then the Pond Liner and normal methods as described above. This needed a pretty hefty Pump due to the Height and level of Water that Andy wanted. He was pleased with the result.
JonD
The Tinker
Every day I wake up is a good day
I recommend pood-less water features to keep the maintainence to a minimum also stops the mosquitos from breeding. Look on the internet for ideas on pond-less water features.
Presently, this is less of a problem in the UK, though there are 'scares' that certain disease-carrying mosquitos will arrive with climate change.
Jon,
Are your streams almost flat? - With only a very slight fall??
I like the idea of moving water, and solar pump sounds a neat idea (though I might add an optional power-feed)..
If the fall is too great, a larger pump will be needed. Also, by having the stream 'run-dry' when not being used, I would expect less water-loss due to evaporation, damage by frost, and no mosquitos!
In which case I will put it down as a project..
Will report back either flushed with success, or it all having gone down the pan!
If you go the pond or water tank route then pond suppliers (most DIY markets have a section) have fluids to add to the water to kill mossies, algae etc along with products to control the ph (important if you want fish in there).
Although my pond was seperate from the railway it was a big one with Koi, it was fitted with two pumps one of which supplied a stream on a timer during the day, the second was a big pump to supply the filter and ran constantly. Being a serious over-engineer I had extra thick pond liner sitting on top of felt and sand plus the root/weed inhibitor. Nearly everything but the fish came from Oase, and very pleased I was with the stuff.
http://www.gardensite.co.uk/Aquatics/OASE_Shop/
Although my pond was seperate from the railway it was a big one with Koi, it was fitted with two pumps one of which supplied a stream on a timer during the day, the second was a big pump to supply the filter and ran constantly. Being a serious over-engineer I had extra thick pond liner sitting on top of felt and sand plus the root/weed inhibitor. Nearly everything but the fish came from Oase, and very pleased I was with the stuff.
http://www.gardensite.co.uk/Aquatics/OASE_Shop/
I did see a water garden with a 'canal' (complete with locks!), but no change in water level.. The 'gates' went to just below the surface, and ended, so the fish could travel end-to-end.
The 'basin' at the end of the canal was the site of the pump to a waterfall back to the main-pond.. This kept everything fresh.
I ?think? the basin was very deep, and had a sloping bottom to collect sediment, and the filtration system was built into the rockery / waterfall.
The 'basin' at the end of the canal was the site of the pump to a waterfall back to the main-pond.. This kept everything fresh.
I ?think? the basin was very deep, and had a sloping bottom to collect sediment, and the filtration system was built into the rockery / waterfall.
beavercreek
Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
I have fairly sizeable pond that will soon have some track running across or around it (that is the plan any way).
I have looked at having a stream flowing into it and a pump to recirculate the water. But I have also thought that I might utilise one of the sumps currently used for the static water features around the layout, as one of them in a better position for the stream placement.
I was considering using some fibreglass preformed stream beds as the basis with rocks etc to enhance the general appearance.
But as Dunnyrail has said, the twin butyl/underlay system with concrete bed, gives the option of building the stream exactly as you want it.
Maybe combining the two methods would work....... now to find some end of line fibre glass jobbies going for a song at a local pond centre......
I have looked at having a stream flowing into it and a pump to recirculate the water. But I have also thought that I might utilise one of the sumps currently used for the static water features around the layout, as one of them in a better position for the stream placement.
I was considering using some fibreglass preformed stream beds as the basis with rocks etc to enhance the general appearance.
But as Dunnyrail has said, the twin butyl/underlay system with concrete bed, gives the option of building the stream exactly as you want it.
Maybe combining the two methods would work....... now to find some end of line fibre glass jobbies going for a song at a local pond centre......
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Given our average ages on here, if anybody has only got a trickling stream then maybe they should consult their doctor.....
Jon.
I prost(*)ate myself before thee oh wise one!
Weeeee!
beavercreek
Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
Blimey!.......... those prices are more like a concert than a song!
I was hoping to maybe get some used or end of line stuff that has been hanging around in a corner of the garden centre.....
but perhaps that is just pipe dreaming......
First one I built in my current Garden is almost flat. Probably a fall of around 12 inches at most. However the lift for the Pump is somewhat more as I run to Water through Plastic Push Fit Pipe to represent the horrible pipes that I saw in the old East Germany. Pipe probably adds another 1ft of drop then a few inches where the water runs back into the Tank. The latest one has a drop of around 3 feet which runs quite well. Plus another 8 or so inches drop with more Pipes. I onky G4'd that ine last week so it was only tested yesterday. The Solar Pump copes quite well with the lift,
I have one for I each feature. The outlet I got them from does not list my one now, but are listing ones that have a Battery as well. This will give you the idea. But suggest that you speak to them about the Flow Rate for what you are planning. The Flow Rate will relate to the Lift that you need.
http://www.watergardeningdirect.com...-250-Control-Solar-Fountain-Pump.html#aOAP182
This firm do not charge for post over £50.
JonD
Yes ready made Water Courses are silly prices, as said off cuts of Pond Liner can be got for not a lot of Money. Plus Cement and Sand not that much either. G4 can be a bit deer for a smalish can, but you will probably only need 1 Small Can around £15 and a disposable Brush or two from Pound Shop. Don't bother trying to reuse them.
JonD
I have used Fibre Glass for other purposes in the Garden with limited success. Perhaps it was me, ought to last OK after all is used for Boats and they need to keep Water out. Exactly the opsite from what we need. However I did have a small expensive Fibre Glass Water Fall once and it did break down over time.
JonD