Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Need some Serious Help!!

And after it's all said and done realize that it would have been cheaper in the long run to hire a pro, and would have started to see the results quicker.

Been there, done that.......

We have one particular customer who likes the DIY aspect on his projects. He wants to do a chunk of it, and that is OK. He now has 6 unfinished projects, and the oldest two were started 17 months ago. The newest 4 are about 9 months old. He'll spend a thousand bucks to make something that cost a hundred bucks to buy.

Think he is saving any money

He mentioned that on the next one, he would like to do the programming and develop the screens

I'll be retired by then, so he will have to do it

Yep, and that it why I do not just simply post go see a pro & feel like I am done. I see you and I pretty much feel the same way on trying to help someone that is asking for help about possibly doing something. There is a reason I own my own equipment with NOT FOR HIRE displayed.

I can relate to the person you mention very well.I do alot of things that save me money and I do things that also cost me more money. I own my own equipment for pond building with NOT FOR HIRE displayed. It would have been cheaper for me to hire someone and watch. It would be alot cheaper for me to Charter a Boat to go offshore fishing instead of owning my own. I did probably save 75K on being my own contractor on my house. There is a method to some of the madness, but I will not go there.

I know all about madness, and methods thereof!

Big POnd no offense I have given all the free advice I can without visting the site. Not only are our prices for consults lower than most and have diagnoised about a hundred leaks over the years, I was able to get the price way down since in the area. Too bad I was not able to look at this site that is about 2.5 hours away when only 15 mins away.

You guys have given great advice as well. Raliegh I wish you the best with a bad situation again let us know if you want our involvement. If the client on the other side of Lake Oconne moves forward on his lake construction I will let you know if you like.

Well the only reason was that I had not accomplished what I needed The weekend prior. I thought it would not make much difference being that I had made a failed attempt. At this point I am trying to figure out how to get the water out like I told you I would. The only thing I know to do at this point is to swim at the bottom and try to pry open the Shear Gate open with a screw driver.

When do you think you would want to come out again?

Just flip me an email but dont see an opening until February and have to charge the $250 in travel. If the other client gets me back out I will for sure give heads up so you can piggy back and save that money. With all this rain it has probably risen quite a bit.

Is it only me, or does this sound like a REALLY BAD idea?

I would save my life, and go rent/buy a 4" trash pump. Get the water down to the pipe level and try to open it. If that don't work grab a cutoff torch. Might also be able to rig up a siphon to do it instead of a trash pump.

Do not try that as it may well be a fatal mistake.

Not knowing what shear gate you have. Could you not just rig something up external (out of water) to operate it? They usually come with these operating devices.

It would be a bad idea to swim under water and open it up. Even trying to crack it a bit with a screwdriver, something could go wrong.

Not like you are dealing with a stopper in a bathtub!

Many people drown each year noodling for catfish, because the catfish is more powerful than they are under water. You say, what's that got to do with it? People are weaklings under water, not our element.

Stay Safe!!!