How it began
After my mother was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in December 1995, I decided not to wait on the things we’d dreamed about. The pond project kicked off sooner than planned (thanks to my sister’s boyfriend), and excavation quickly became the hardest part: well‑cemented conglomerate soil with plenty of boulders meant breaker bars and picks for every inch.
I installed a bottom drain, underlayment, liner, and a DIY surface skimmer. Rocks from the dig became the pond’s border. A fill with water later — and voilà — the first version was alive.
About me
I graduated in 1998 with a civil engineering degree focused on water resources and water quality. Ponding fit right in — I’ve taken graduate classes in aquaculture, water quality, and constructed wetlands, and I enjoy applying that knowledge to this hobby.
Gallery
Pond specifications
- Size: ~1200–1400 US gallons
- Depth: 3 ft center, 1–2 ft shelves
- Liner: EPDM (45 mil)
- Bottom drain: Tetra
- Pump: 1800 GPH Mag Drive
- UV sterilizer: Lifeguard 40W (36")
- Filter: DIY 55‑gal drum (United Plastics, San Diego)
- Border: Dug rock from the pit (free!)
Plants
- Dauben Lily (family namesake)
- White Night‑Blooming Lily
- Attraction Lily
- Un‑named Pink Lily
- Water Canna
- Parrot’s Feather
- Water Hyacinths
- Water Lettuce
- Cabomba
- Bacopa
- Anacharis
- Hornwort
Fish
Comets
- Red
- Sarassa
- White
Orandas (favorite)
- Red
- Sarassa
- Red Cap
Others
- Shubunkins (Calico)
- Ryukins (including Telescope)
- Florida Blue‑Finned Killifish
Get in touch
Email: phillipnospam@dauben.us
Tip: replace “nospam” as needed.