Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Pea gravel options?

I have a pond under construction now and I am considering making one or two areas that would 3'-4' of depth, with a fairly consistent flat bottom specifically to assist spawning efforts. I got an idea from someone about laying down pea gravel in this area(s) to really do it right.

However, I did not realize pea gravel was so expensive per ton, so I am wondering if it would just about as good to use a cheaper form of gravel. Also, should I put down a fabric barrier first prior to dumping the gravel to minimize the amount of gravel that sinks into the mud? TIA.

I used a crusher screenings or quarter chip.

Pea gravel over old carpet is what I used. You can buy pea gravel by the ton at bulk suppliers.

Geotextile fabric is what you are thinking of. I get it locally at White Cap Supply, they are all over the USA. Rolls vary in width, up to 15' wide I think.

Yes, fish will seek out pea gravel areas vs. other areas to spawn.

Geotextile is what I used with pea gravel and Im happy that I did. Also worked great on my beach! I got pea gravel just as cheap as stone, but you have to get it from a gravel pit if there is one near you. My local stone quarry had it but it was super expensive as they have to pay trucking to get it in...

I think this sums it up. If the place you visit produces crushed limestone, any gravel they offer will have been trucked in. Keep looking for a gravel "dip"....usually near a river.

Landscaping retailers? Forget it. Way overpriced when they sell it.

How did this work? Seems a good shag would keep the pea gravel in place on a beach.

It seems to be working very well so far. The carpet keeps the gravel out of the mud. I built a "dam" around the gravel with larger rocks to keep it contained. It's a good way to get rid of old carpet rather than paying to dump it. It is low pile, not shag.

Three to four feet in depth is great for LMB, but a little deep for many BG. They prefer to spawn in about one to two feet, and sometimes even shallower. At least, that's where my pea gravel was placed for BG spawning, and I can see lots of beds there, and not elsewhere.

Pea gravel is not best size . Mixed larger gravel is better and less expensive .

See this

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.ph...true#Post199269