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Well, just to add some closure. I finally talked my client (a family friend) into getting a skimmer box, but had to make her a biofalls. Ever have one of those projects that you did years ago and now that you have learned new things you are basically embarrassed about it (even though you felt good after you built it so long ago?). Well, that was basically the situation. She had extra liner, and I had access to free rocks around my property, thanks to farmers dumping rocks to get it out of their fields. I did the project for very cheap. Good business decision?? probably not, but I feel better about it, am not embarrassed, and plan to add the pictures to my website soon.
The business I usually get my Aquascape materials from are basically getting away from Aquascape supplies. They sold me the cheapest skimmer box (which is what my client wanted) and the brand was...gah, can't remember at the moment..Pondbuilder? Pondmaster? maybe... Anyways, I was impressed how easy it was to put together compared to the Aquascape skimmer, although I had to wrestle with the pipe that attached to the pump...not alot of room.
For the biofalls, I built up a mound of dirt with a rock wall supporting it (not a volcanoe look, but a natural mound). I dug a hole at the top, put down my underlayment and liner, and then purchased one of those cheap, black, round, planting bins. I cut out a few notches (had a split stream) and threw my lava rock sack with some plants into the bin. I hid the pipe entering the bin with rocks. I would of rathered had a true biofalls, but so far, its working good.
I basically worked for free. Like I said, probably not the best business decision, but all the materials were paid for (or were free-ok, maybe not totally free as it was my time, but time I was willing to give for a family friend) and I'm not embarrassed about the pond anymore. Plus, after I was done, the neighbors want some work done now, so I think it was worth it. Not as busy as I would like to be, seems like most people are gun-shy about landscaping in my area due to gas prices, so it kept me busy, and got me a job at the neighbors.
Aquascape has a program to become a certified pond builder. I would like to become a certified pond builder, but it would mean I could only buy their products...is there any other pond builder certifications out there? I like to keep my options open when purchasing materials, and frankly, I find being a certified pond builder for Aquascape to run along the lines of bulls$%^t. I do believe there is value when you can tell your clients that you are certified though.
I plan to give Savio a try when I build a pond on my own property.
I apologize if this post doesn't make sense, been tipping the bottle tonight, but that's my story.
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