Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Sewer pipe structure

I have about an 8' length and a 5' length of 8" green PVC sewer pipe. I also have a 56" length of 12" pipe.

Looking at applying the bucket structure concept to the pipe and make "logs" using 1/2" drip line tube.

So the question is do I leave the ends 100% open or do I try to block them off and only add small openings?

On the 8" I figured that the tubes could be arranged extra densely to block the end somewhat to keep the larger fish out, but the 12" would be far more challenging. The 5' length already has gasketed caps on it. I used it as a tank at one time.

Add enough weight to sink them but leave room for them to fill with water quickly for sinking. No need to close the ends unless you are trying to keep cavity spawners like catfish from reproducing. Post some pics.

I'm thinking that the solid core pipe should sink on it's own. It's some heavy stuff.

My concern with the ends being open is if the Bass will learn to hide out inside. I'd rather it be a refuge for the fatheads to hang out and spawn inside.

How many "branches" do you figure a guy should add? I figured a semi uniform pattern something like every 8 or 12" then stagger the next row a couple inches rotationally and so on. This would require a lot of 1/2" tube.

Am I correct in thinking more should be better?

One of these "logs" I was thinking of stashing right under my dock. Plenty deep there. Not sure if the shade will hamper growth, but I'd guess not? Water is VERY clear.

Also not sure if I'll make 3 individual structures or if I'll make the 8" unit a full 12' one piece yet. Leaning towards 3 pieces.

Take a look at the archive link below for ideas.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

Thinking like this only bigger pipe and laying horizontal as well as more branches. My thinking is the more the merrier with the branches.

I think you're on the right track!

Leaving Wed early a.m. for Dairymans.

I may be up the 31'st or 1st if you want to try to connect at Hazelhurst.

We'll be headed back early on the 1st to avoid the traffic down near Mad City and Milwaukee. Give me a shout on Sat. I think cell service works up there!

Well we build unit #1. Definitely overkill which is typically my style. Drilled holes about every clock position skipping the 4 thru 8 or so. Holes every 4-5" and staggered rows. Added a couple of large holes for side entry. I also wove the ends to try to prevent larger fish from entering.

The end tubes cross over and some press into holes to maintain position. The main body hose the tubes just stick in.

Cool man I like those..

I still have a couple of 8" pipes to use up. That was the 12" section. I ended up using over 400' of 1/2" tube on the first one so I think I'll back it down on the next one.

There is a shallow water "shelf" where the boat parks and the baby bluegill and some minnows/tadpoles, dragonfly hang out up under the boat. I'm thinking the one 8" tube will get shorter branches and less qty and I'll stash it under the dock so that the one end is up in the shallow.

I parked the 12" pipe right by my Christmas trees.

That is incredible. Anyone who has not tried to make one of these will not respect the time and work this takes. Well done... well done indeed.

Cheers Don.

You need some giant googly eyes on it and teeth in the maw. When you move some day, let a swimmer discover the alien in the depths.

All I can say is "impressive!" The fish will love it.

Depending on location and purpose a few stand up pvc pieces to give more vertical relief would help attract bigger fish.

Thanks guys

Next one less branches for sure.

Could you elaborate on the stand up PVC suggestion?

heading up this weekend to see what it looks like. Almost thinking I should park the one end up to the bog edge. I figured these would be more for small stuff to hide out in. Maybe the fatheads will spawn inside? Dunno

Vertical structure that has some tight spaces and some open areas works better for fishing. For fry/yoy/small fish survival all tight structure works better.

If for fishing I would stick a few (4) pcv stems straight up about 3-4 ft above the rest of the structure. Might even put a T on the top of them about a foot each.

I can see where a more open structure would be nice. My tubes are all covered with thick, slimy FA. Dock legs are as well. I haven't explored to see what sort of open gaps there are around this unit, but I'm guessing it's close to a solid mass.

Lots of very hungry fish in our new to me waters. The dock extension plus the lime heap seems to be drawing the fishes in like flies. I just put out the feeder so they haven't figured out the pellets yet, but as soon as I hit the dock the small gills were schooling up in plain site. The mud turtles even come a swimming and hang out while I fish. They know that they'll be eating the scraps.


The gills are so hungry that I was catching on an almost bare hook. I had just the tiniest chunk of silverskin (about the size of the head of a pin) and they were biting on this 2' in front of me in our crystal clear water...

The pond doesn't seem to have much cover in it for the fish other than the floating bog, so any added cover for the fish will be like a magnet. What will help with the fish population is adding cover to the pond (something to think about down the road). It will create places for small fish to hide, and increased surfaces for aquatic growth.

So the next question is where to begin?

Here for ideas and ideas for placement in the pond.

Well I guess I have a few pallets laying around so that's a good place to start. Once the hay comes off the field I'll see how many I have available. Plenty of blocks to weight down.