Tootfinder

I made another work pizza in the pizza oven at work. Quite pleaded with this one! I remembered to rotate it halfway through the bake.
#food #pizza #DIY

Neues Werkstattregal geplant und Material gerechnet. Jetzt habe ich Hirnweh. Was auf Youtube immer total einfach ausschaut (paar Latten, Kappsäge, Akkuschrauber, halber Nachmittag, fertig) wird beliebig mühsam, wenn es ganz bestimmte, krumme Maße einhalten muss. #diy #wasmitholz

Finally all done, bar one little patch that needs a quick dab with the paint pad on the long handle. I can't undo it atm to extend it, just waiting for the strong arm of @… to undo it for me 😄 One before, two afters. Payment is a Chinese takeaway tonight 🍜 #DIY

Hopefully, it's more of a midlife incident than a crisis, but this weekend I dumpster dived for 1,587 pounds of photovoltaics. Feeling a little sore. I hope 7.6W/lb isn't a bad deal. I'm still dismayed that the school district is just throwing them out.
#DIY #solar

Über die letzten paar Jahre hat sich hier eine stattliche Anzahl Forstnerbohrer angesammelt. Offenbar musste ich bisher noch kein Loch mit 21mm Durchmesser bohren. Zefix. #diy #wasmitholz

Video of a mosquito entering a DIY trap containing stagnant water and a Mosquito Dunk. Gravid females enter through an opening on the top (a black pot with bottom removed to make a funnel) but can't escape because they are attracted to light coming through the clear plastic sides (acrylic mixing bowl with bottom removed). Base is a black floral pot that I got for free at Trader Joe's. There's a sticky card hanging inside via a magnet and a paper clip but I don't think it's even needed. Better than standard mosquito buckets which only kill larvae. I'll post design tips on my blog but if you can't wait: I used a Dremel tool to hack off the plastic parts, then a glue gun to attach everything together. #diy #mosquitoes #insects #trailcam

Possibly the world's cutest little paint roller. #DIY

Never take broken for an answer! Bei unseren Gartenstühlen ist das mit dem Right to Repair aber auch echt ziemlich einfach: Halteseil wegen Verwitterung gerissen, im Baumarkt neues Seil gekauft und mal eben eingezogen. Hält wieder ein paar Jahre. #righttorepair #diy

Das CD-Regal ist fertig. Und befüllt. Endlich wieder auf Anhieb CDs finden. 🎉🎵🤘 #diy #wasmitholz

A friend of mine made this flyer/graphic and said theu made it with their "actual hands in real life" and I love it.
This sort of photocopy/print cut & paste style is what I grew up with, and was the gateway into my love for graphic design. (I probably made 100 flyers & zines 35 years ago)
This is 1000% times better than any AI slop flyer I've seen.
#NoAI #FuckAI #DIY

trenches are not my favourite
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy

Abkantbank für Arme. Für schmale Alu-Streifen reicht's. #heuteso #diy #maker

I designed, constructed and built a CD/DVD shelf. The main design goal was “lightweight”. The CD part is done, DVD part will have shorter boards and will be connected just around the corner below the lamp. And while the aluminium poles look a bit quirky and bent, I can assure you, they’re straight. Just some light/angle thing with the photo. #diy

3hrs of work.
feels like I barely got anything accomplished but i know thats not true and there are results. Got the windy part down to 18" and managed ti start on the small Ts for the patio and greenhouse.
really wanted to be done today but tomorrow will be another day and I can definitely get it ready for the plumber.
now to shower... to eat/drink... and hopefully nap
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy

give me strength to conquer this today!
#backyardProject #DIY #poolpond

Oh and my bald spot is peeling.
Wear a hat folks. 😆
#backyardProject #DIY #poolpond

Wenn der Garten dir Zucchini schenkt: leg' sie gegrillt ein in (gutes) Öl. #garten #diy #kochen

cracked the lens of the main camera on my iphone when I was leaning on the ladder last weekend. not great. :(
#greenhouse #poolpond #backyardProject #diy

Well, I made a good dent before the fog burned off and the time alarm went off to get onto other things. Got my workout. 🥵 💪
Just got to have it absolutely done by Monday, but I think I can definitely finish it tomorrow. 🤞
Got electrical conduit and wire yesterday! Plumber comes Monday afternoon!
#backyardProject #DIY #poolpond

Still by far the most fun way to practice data minimisation.
📸 made with a Google Pixel 6 (7mm) on September 6, 2026.
#Photography #Gallery #Diy #Gear

Wenn dir der Garten Tomaten schenkt, koch' Ketchup draus! #garten #kochen #diy
Wobei es mehr was in Richtung süß-sauer wurde. Ich habe anfangs kräftig zu viel Ingwer genommen und einen ordentlichen Spritzer zu viel Essig erwischt und das dann mit Honig und Gelierzucker halbwegs ausgleichen können.

Oh, I also washed down the entire greenhouse to clean off the dust from the construction. The fog has burned off and the sun is out! Will wait for it to dry a little more, then it is time to start staining!
looks like it is ready!!
#poolpond #pandemicpond #greenhouse #backyardProject #diy

rock.
so tired of moving rocks 😂 🥵
the base is down for the greenhouse.
now working on the patio BBQ area.
gonna see a man about a trenching machine later. To bring water and power from the house.
#pandemicpond #backyardproject #diy

moved dirt for 2.5 hours this morning. Doesn't really look like I did much 😂 😭! levelled the area in front of the shed in readiness for reorientation of that structure 90°.
Then spent most of the time finding the level in the back corner and gradually extending the dirt out toward the middle. It's coming along.
We will need to rehang the gate door so that it opens out to the alley instead of inward
#poolpond #diy #backyardProject

Youtube-Maker! Wenn ihr mit großem Gerät und großem Material hantiert, macht das bitte in ordentlichen Schuhen, am besten Sicherheitsschuhe. Nein, offene Birkenstock-Sandalen sind KEINE Sicherheitsschuhe.
Ihr seid potentielle Vorbilder für alle, die eure Videos schauen. Verhaltet euch bitte auch wie Vorbilder. #zefix
Und ja, auch Handschuhe, Schutzbrillen und Gehörschutz ist wichtige Sicherheitsausrüstung für die eigene Gesundheit. #diy

There is nothing quite so “adulting” as having to randomly order a new kitchen faucet because while you were out doing errands the kid called because all of a sudden there was a large puddle on the kitchen floor because the hose for the sprayer had warn through and sprung a leak.
🚿
#home #diy

We’ve decided where the greenhouse and patio will go in the backyard. (Delimited by the four cement pavers on each corner.)
The greenhouse will be 8ftx8ft on the right near the sheds.
The patio area will be 10ft by 10ft with a 6ft gap between it and the side and back fence so there is room for the garden boxes and to move between.
Also decided that the trailer will move back to its spot in the front driveway as it is much easier to access and move in/out from there and takes up far less room.
Where the trailer is will be a little green area, maybe a wildflower patch? with a tree and the chicken coop.
Will start leveling the two squares nicely tomorrow and put down fabric and stone.
I am not going to build the greenhouse. Hoping my extremely skilled FIL might do that part for us. He built a greenhouse for his yard that is beautiful.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy

aaaaaaaaaaaand done!!!
It only took about 10 hours of solid work. 😝
And thats with prior knowledge from assembling one 2 years ago!
@… is happy.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

Today’s mission has been achieved!
Mounted the pond pump controllers in the shed! I will eventually run the wire to the back of the shed and bring the wires in from there.
And the new shed appeared! I remember putting the other one together. It was a long process. And it needs to be dry and Not Windy!
It might be a few days before that can happen!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping

you can cone if you want Rain! i have beaten you!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

when a picture is truly worth a thousand words..... or in this case.... screw caps. 😭
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

me: hey wow this actually turns so nice on the rocks!
my back: ummmmm
(also me: look at that new perfect roof line for a solar panel!!)
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping

rock down.
rock tamped.
horse pad down!
ready for the shed which is arriving 3 days early! woo!
It takes a full day to assemble though so no new shed pics today.
first, I have to take everything out of this shed and probably unscrew it from the mat so that I can turn the whole thing 90°
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping

back at it this morning after sleeping in a little. got a bit of a sunburn on the neck and back yesterday! But all good today.
weather is perfect. Just a little wind and nice partly cloudy cool day.
the roof is happening! this is the easy part... the most annoying is yet to come, the sliding doors 😂
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

alright, reached my 2:30 time limit.
might have had the roof on but realised the back too support was inverted so had to flip that. Everything is a million screws 😂
Not sure what super humans can put this together in 3 hours. But I will have to come back to it tomorrow morning hopefully befoee the rain!!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

break time... i mean.. bird bath time. Apparently everyone needed to have a bath at the same time!
#birdsofMastodon #stellarsjay #jay #chickadee #birds 🐦
#poolpond #pandemicpond #greenhouse #backyardProject #diy

frame down. first wall next! pray for calm air! 😝 🙏 #poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

four corners!
getting that first corner myself was....... time-consuming lol.
going pretty quick now, though!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

they changed the forecast. no wind and we have a wonderful layer of fog keeping the sun at bay! If this can just last for the next four hours I should be able to get the second shed built!!
wish me luck!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

the walls are up! it is (mostly) wind proof now so that's comforting. unfortunately the sun has emerged and it's hot.
taking a break.
Not sure if Ill get the roof on today but we'll give a good college try!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #home #portalberni

one man's scrap is a another man's perfect fit.
corollary.
"you have a huge piece of thick underlay that would easily fit that entire area! Why don't you just do it in one piece?"
"why would I do it in one piece when I could use up 10 pieces? 😆"
ground is level or at least as level is it is going to be under my supervision lol. Laying down some gardening cloth to keep out blackberries mostly. Next I will put down drainage rock which will bring it to the right level to put down the rubber horse mat, which will then be the same height as the other shed
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping #wastenotwantnot

the skies have opened! retreating inside. Got some more rock down. #bcstorm #poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping #wastenotwantnot

the wind was threatening my thrifty waste usage before i had the chance to get drainage rock down! deploy big rocks! 🪨
Sky is looking threatening. There is lightning off the West Coast this morning.
#bcstorm
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping #wastenotwantnot

THE TRENCH IS DUG
a video
Doing some final measurements to figure out exactly what the lengths are so I can calculate voltage drop for the solar panels.
Good news! The full length is only 97ft! That is a voltage drop of 1.4% for 10/2 wire. Good enough for solar! (2% or under is recommended for micro-inverter based solar installation)
#tradewar #poolpond #backyardProject #DIY #gardening #solar

just cleared some of the rocks I had stored along the edge of the pond. Use them for some of the rocks under the shed since it doesn't matter if they're dirty.
At the same time doing the scariest thing in pond making.
Cutting a liner away.
It's sort of like taking off training wheels. You're not sure if things just gonna collapse lol but you're pretty sure it's OK
#bcstorm #poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping #wastenotwantnot

nothing distracts from a #tradewar like digging!
this last extension of the trench is not fun. I am about halfway there! thankfully it is partly cloudy and relatively cool. good trenching weather.
it would be cool if electricity could wire itself... preferably wirelessly. ⚡️
#poolpond #backyardProject #DIY #gardening #solar

Pipe and electrical wiring going in the trench!
The plumber came today with the water pipe so this is all very exciting. Now that I, back to work I don’t have much time except in the evenings and weekends but we’ll get everything in there and cut to appropriate length so we can cover up the trench!
Yay!
I had a minor panic when I realized I originally, with our old shed, used 3-conductor wiring for the Enphase inverters. But this time I bought 2 conductor (single phase).
But I double checked the wiring diagrams and indeed single phase is adequate for up to 9 panels.
All good!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #solar

moving dirt this morning before the sun gets too hot.
It's supposed to be 34°C with a humidex of 36 this afternoon. 🥵
It is only 20°C in the shade right now so time to get a good dent in the pile before I melt.
Current interim goal is to level a space equal to a little bigger than the current grey shed so I can put an identical one beside it either back-to-back or face to face.
The shovel mark in the top of the dirt pile to the left is the width mark that I have to clear to. 😂 We'll see if I get all the way there today! Watch says I have put 73min in so far.
I also need to convince the boy to help move the rocks from around the pond into a central pile. Pile location is TBD tho. 🤔
But it needs to be done so I can shore up a couple of low spots on the edge of the poolpond and in general start landscaping the edge of it.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #landscaping

work... worth it
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

made good progress so far this morning. it is so much easier in the cool of the morning!!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

branch to the pump in the large pond done!
2 more to go... the sun is starting to break through the morning fog. time is ticking!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

got some of the intake bay branch done... but also hungry!
time for leftover burrito fixings. the tomato is actually from the plants on our deck!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

taking a breather while the sprinkler does its thing watering both the flower/blueberry garden, and the hazelnut tree, and the poolpond itself!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

Had a decent sleep last night after a long day. Got up before 6AM so that I could start the sprinklers on time.
(We are allowed 6-9AM/PM alternating days but I only water in the mornings because watering when it is still 32°C at 8PM is dumb)
While they were going I got going on another dirt-moving session. Over 3 hours! The sun was blocked by clouds for much of it so that helped a lot. Managed to get the space cleared for the 2nd shed. The whole back part of the yard is nearly level. It’s amazing just how much lower one side of the yard was from the other!
Another couple days of moving dirt and leveling and the dirt mountain should be spent!
Lunch and naptime. 2000 calories burned 😝 💪
Started to feel some pains in hands, thumb, back. Body knows… so I stopped :)
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #dirt #portalberni #clay

good morning!
did some early-morning ponding on the #pandemicPond this morning.
The water level was unusually low, so I started looking around for leaks or blocks. I have been wanting to cut down the vertical PVC at the top of the bog barrels to make it not stick out so much and blend in a little nicer and also because it would reduce the height for the pump, so increase flow.
Well it turns out that connection, where the black pipe goes into the white PVC in the barrel, was a little loose and some water was leaking out and adding to the evaporation budget.
So that gave me the push to do the small modifications on the top end of the pipe. It was also a good time since turning off the pump meant the top pond would drain into the bottom pond. When the system is full, that would normally cause the bottom pond to over flow, but since it was all low, no extra water was lost.
I cut the inlet down a few inches under the water in the bog barrel to move the T down and then cut another 6in from the top pipe to snug it all up.
Then I also tightened up the connections for the over flow/air valve and added an elbow to keep water from escaping out the valve outlet. Only took about 5 minutes. I have been wanting to do this for months. 😂
Result:
black pipe doesn't curl as high over the barrel ✅
no more leak from the PVC connection ✅
no more water escaping from the air valve ✅
noticeably more flow over the waterfall! ✅
Pump is back on and water is replenished from the rain barrel ✅
the fish are happy! 🐟 and me too. ✅
oh oh! did I tell you we have a new fish! The top pond fish had babies and it looks like one has survived to be big enough not to be cannibalized. 😂 It is very skittish and is still mostly black so I havent got a good picture of it yet.
#pondlife #diy #gardening #portalberni

ok. the branch behind the shed is not gonna happen today. It will be a chore... lots going on there. But got started at least and the branch to the intake bay pump is done.
ready for the plumber tomorrow.
ready for a dip in the clear water of the pool pond NOW 😝 🏊
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

main trench is complete!!
including branches to the south fence, patio area and greenhouse!
now just need to make 2 or 3 final branches. two short ones to the edge of the pond for each pond pump wire and one long one along the back of the shed to the north fence post for wiring into the shed and to the fence!
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

the hasta is super happy in the bottom pond this summer. It likes that it has not been too hot and it is also getting a lot more shade now that the pussy willow and hydrangea are established and a little bigger #bloomscrolling #pandemicPond #pondlife #diy #gardening #portalberni

made a good dent in 2.25hrs
one more half hour stint and then I'm done for the day. Sun is getting high and hot! 🌞
The goal is to turn the grey shed in the picture 90° so the door is facing to the left, then get an identical shed and place it facing the first shed with a gap in the middle to get things in and out.
AND THEN... because the roof lines will face south, put solar panels on top of both. 😊 ☀️ ⚡️
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #landscaping #solar

Excited to have ordered my first length of fibre ever! When I started learning networking there was still Coax around and Fibre was a mythical beast!
Now I am going to start replacing the Cat5 in my house for the #homelab
woot!!
Ironically the first run of fibre is the one that has never had physical network cable before, outside. But you gotta start somewhere.
My only question is if Telus has an ONT/gateway box that has both SPF and Ethernet ports? 🤔 questions for another day. This is not a high priority project but nice to get started in earnest.
#homelab #networking #fibre #home #diy

#silentsunday
(end of today's pond thread) 🧵
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening

got very spicy outside all of a sudden. definitely storminess incoming.
flag is good tho! 🇵🇸
#palestine #freePalestine #gaza #endgenocide #israel #BDS
#bcstorm #poolpond #backyardProject #diy #landscaping #wastenotwantnot

achievement unlocked!
just before I got stuck on the curb, I put the trailer back around in the back!
Managed to move and level enough of the dirt to make a spot for the trailer!
Perfect little spot :)
#poolpond #gardening #pondlife #diy #backyardProject

there. watering fill
#poolpond #gardening #pondlife #diy #backyardProject

i was just reminded that the city water is..... not warm... 😂 🥶
gonna dip anyway!?
it's nearing full, full enough for both pumps to be operating well, but family members are having a shower so filling has been halted until they're done.
The poor banana plant in the back corner got a little dry in the feet 😆 😬. Hopefully it's ok. The first plants in the pond always have the toughest job.
The others are looking ok. Marsh marigold is maybe a little too exposed. I will move it to be more under the hazelnut tree. The bug eating plant is not enjoying life. It might perish. Will do my best to nurse it back to life.
#poolpond #gardening #pondlife #diy #backyardProject

oopsie doodles!
Came outside to do some dirt moving only to find the #poolpond intake bay very nearly empty!
I have not been topping up the water since I filled it about 9 days ago? It has been cooler but windy and the last little bit of rain we got was a few days ago.
It must have just got below the level of the intake bay in the past hour or two as it was on its way to emptying. Luckily i caught it in time.
Water is being added now. I am also going to use the twirly sprinkler to water the flower and blueberry garden and it will also add to the pond at the same time in a nice aerated way.
Adding from the hose is not ideal as all that chlorine goes in at the same time
Anyways, crisis averted and information gained. It is already coming back up nicely.
hopefully it is full in time to have a dip after dirt moving!
#gardening #pondlife #diy #backyardProject

well I made the new splice, and the pump came to life!!
But the controller is not responding to inputs 😢
It seems to be locked at 90% power.
I don't know if I have fried the controller so it is only partially working, or if this is still due to a poor connection through the extension.
When I was making the last splice, I was noticing that the extension cord wire is quite blackened. This could be preventing a good connection?
Well at least it is working and circulating again. I am going to find another extension cord to use and see if the wiring looks more pristine.
#poolpond #DIY #backyardProject #chores

Doing some #poolpond math as someone was asking about power usage/cost.
I have been running the pond pumps (Jebao 20000) at 50% normally. They show on the controller to be using around 63 Watts. So that’s 126 Watts total. The pumps run continuously, 24/7.
When we are in the pond, or if I am doing something that disturbs it and it needs a clean, I’ll put them up to 95% temporarily which is 160 W on the display. So 320W total.
I am thinking that in the winter when we are not swimming as much (lol!), and the demands are lower as there is less plant and other growth, I’ll reduce it to minimum which is 30%, which I believe is 15W. So that’s 30W total.
Ok, so now that we have those three modes we can talk about cost and comparison.
Cost: My power cost is based on time of day (cheaper overnight, normal in day, more expensive in evening), so we will keep it simple and say I pay an average of about 11c/kWh.
Comparison: for comparison, since I talk about my #EV a lot, let’s compare to my Kona EV. Which has a 64kWh battery.
Here comes the math:
Let’s say I never do anything but run it at 50%, 24hrs a day and 365 days a year. The math is easy.
63Wx2pumps = 126Wx24hr =3024Wh or 3.024kWh per day
3.0kWh x 365 = 1095kWh per year
1095x11 cents = 12,045/100= $120.45
Or
1095kWh / 64kWh = 17 “fills” of my Kona EV.
Realistically, I will be running these pumps in various configurations and power levels throughout the year. I might even only run one pump at times. I am not sure yet.
But at this point let’s break it down something like:
2% of the time at 95% (320W)
40% of the time at 50% (126W)
58% of the time at 30% (30W)
That works out to:
95% / 320W for 7.3 days = 56kWh = $6.16
50% / 126W for 146 days = 441kWh = $48.51
30% / 30W for 211 days = 151kWh = $16.61
Total: $71.28
If your question is “why is that so much less than running my hot tub like 20 times a year?”… it’s the “hot” part. There won’t be any heating in my poolpond. You swim in whatever temperature it chooses for YOU. 😂 🥶 🥵
Well. That was fun. 🧐
To complete the nerding, I have attached a snap of the user manual with the various pump ratings/specs. It is searchable online for Jebao pumps.
Now you too can have a poolpond!
#poolpond #backyardproject #diy #cost #electricity #power

early bird gets the worm in the dirt pile. And also the wet boot from the unexpected rain overnight 🤷 🌧️
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #portalberni

Looking for some #diy #solar advice. Specifically, I am looking for a bracket solution whereby I could mount solar panels on the top of each fence post around the yard. (either full size 6x3ft rectangular panels or 5x5 “half size”?
My backyard is in a state of flux, and the fence is new last fall so this is the time to do it.
The brackets would need to attach on the inward facing side of the post, or as a “cap” over the top of the post and then have a bracket that holds the panel up and far enough away to clear the fence at an angle.
The long side of our yard faces north/south so it is perfect for panels throughout the year.
We get strong southerly winds so they would need to be solid.
Suggestions appreciated. It would be great if there was something purpose built for mounting panels on fences.
It might be something I just need to have made custom (there are lots of welding shops in town) but I am not sure how to make sure that the panel itself would be able to attach to the bracket properly.
#solarpanels #metalwork #welding #hardware

back around to the backyard and the #poolpond project. got one pad levelled and cloth down for the greenhouse (8ftx8ft). Now levelling the pad for the patio/sitting area and paellero / bbq spot (10ftx10ft)
#backyardProject #diy #gardening #home

it's gone! Dirt Mountain has been flattened.
here's a couple before and after shots.
The close up shots of the pile are between this spring (May) and today.
The wide shot is from the beginning, Labour Day 2024.
And today.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #portalberni

2nd #poolpond pump is back up and running!
Spliced in a new (old) extension cord.
But I actually think the previous one was OK as well and I had just misconfigured the controller and didn't know how to reset it because of the --shall we say-- less than English instruction manual 😂
all good.
Onward!!
Main job now: Finish levelling the whole backyard dirt pile and start landscaping!
#diy #backyardProject #gardening #pondlife

one more!
we have had this tall lilly on our outside deck for 5 or 6 years.
it is also tubors so we split it into 3 clumps.
#pandemicPond #PoolPond #diy #gardening #pondlife

finally, we had a small hasta underneath the rhododendron that needed a new home as it was being out competed by two others.
So I removed the whole thing but was surprised to find that it was essentially only growing on top of the fabric! Amazing it was doing as well as it was.
I left behind I little baby it must have just propagated this year and split the rest of the tubar up into 3 to plant in the bog filter. 2 are visible in the picture in the orevious post, this is the third, beside the tall plant and with a new hasta we bought this year.
#pandemicPond #PoolPond #diy #gardening #pondlife

it's a #pandemicPond and #PoolPond crossover day!
I am splitting some of the established plants from the small pandemic ponds to give some love to the backyard!
First up, I broke off a giant chunk of the milfoil (the low spiny/finger looking plant floating on the water). the picture is *after* i removed more than half of the original plant.
I split that chunk into four and planted it in a few little mounds of gravel along the edge of the poolpond.
the water in both ponds is murky because of my shenanigans. Itll takea few hours after I finish messing with things before it clears up again.
#diy #gardening #pondlife

next up I moved over a chunk of the marsh marigold that grows in the bog barrels.
One thing we have learned after planting these guys there... marsh marigolds LOVE full shade. Really any sun and heat at all and they start to wither.
So I am also moving the little new marigold we bought this year for the poolpond from its initial spot near the edge of the backyard bog pond to a spot under the hazelnut tree.
It's the little guy on the left of the -also new- small hasta. The big round-leafed plant beside the hasta is the big marigold from the barrel.
barrel picture again taken after I split the plant. Crazy how big!!
#pandemicPond #PoolPond #diy #gardening #pondlife

The progression of the #poolpond #backyardproject over the past 2 years. I started it on Labour Day of 2024.
The first picture is August 3, 2024 as the last true “before times” picture. We started by demolishing the old shed… but the pond work itself didn’t start until Labour Day that year!
We’re getting there! It is almost starting to look like a backyard again :)
A few important things remain from the original yard. The fence, which was mostly just renewed and heightened for bylaw, not changed. The hazelnut tree, which has dealt wi5 all the earthly disturbances surprisingly well. It is full of nuts again this year. The rhubarb, which is impossible to kill if we wanted to and is as big as ever, and the chicken coop and run, which has been moved around but will find a spot eventually.
#diy #patience #gardening #landscaping

Maybe this is the way.
Treat it like one single line of panels by extending the posts up attaching to a cross bar that would go the full length of the fence (or however long the line of panels is) and provide the base for each panel.
#diy #solar #solarpanels #metalwork #welding #hardware

impress the neighbours.
use a big level.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #ants #anthill

Here's the overview. 😝
#pandemicpond #poolproject #backyardProject #diy #tools #cars #ev #trailer

back into the trenches, literally. I'm continuing to get the trenching done for electrical, internet, and plumbing out to the shed.
If anyone sees this who has experience with home fiber networks I would be interested in their advice. Our home is mostly wired with CAT5 but there are increasingly heavy bandwidth loads over the past few years.
We have 10Gb fibre to the house from Telus. I would like to gradually add a few ports of fibre to key points but it is out of my day to day networking experience.
First question would be, can I bury fibre with the electrical?
suggestions welcome.
here are some pics. I have dug this trench before, almost 20 years ago.. when we first put solar and power to the old shed. 110 and 220V circuits.
different route this time arohnd the ponds, and also more connection points for both 220 solar and 110 home. Only want to do this once every 20 years at most, so now is the time to do it all. 😝
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #networking #fibre #cat5 #gardening #home

well that was one of the best $112 I have ever spent for 3 hours of labour! Got it back just under the 4 hour-wire!
The backyard is a bit of a disaster again!
But it's all part of the process.
If I can get ahold of an electrician and plumber reasonably soon then the trench will disappear fast.
I will need to hand dig some parts that were too tight for the trencher, and make sure the whole thing is down 18" minimum but I'd say that thing just saved me 15 solid hours of digging!
#pandemicpond #poolproject #backyardProject #diy #tools #cars #ev #trailer

ran out of steam but good progress!
the area in front of the sheds is pretty much level and I got the dirt pile down to level up to the edge of the sheds. I think another 5 or 6 loads cart loads of dirt will finish off the pile and bring then dirt up around the back of the pond!
my back was starting to complain and the sun came out so I stopped and ate black berries poking through the fence!
then I went for a swim. It felt sooo good.
#poolpond #backyardProject #diy #gardening #ants #anthill

in all the #pandemicpond and #poolproject shenanigans since 2021, there has been one tool that has played a massive role in making it both possible, and fun.
This utility trailer is the best car-thing I have ever bought!
Is the Kona EV rated for towing. No.
Did putting a trailer hitch on void the warranty? Not officially 😝 and its well past now.
This thing has been so damn handy! From cross country camping trips to hauling 400kg of rocks, it's done it all!
New toy rented today! Welcome Tony the Trencher Machine to the party!
(I rented the metal ramps too.
theyre not cheap to buy)
#backyardProject #diy #tools #cars #ev #trailer

alright, job #1 for the day done -- dishwasher filled as much as possible (we can't do dishes in the sink due to a busted faucet pipe!)
job #2 -- update mastodon -- also done.
Feeling good…..
job #3 -- now to try again to splice in an extension line for the 2nd #poolpond pump. I'm apprehensive... feeling like it is probably not going to work and that I'm missing something else, or that the pump itself or controller has gone bad (due to my actions). I'm going to try to shorten the existing extension as much as possible in case it is something in the line or the length. If that doesn't work, I’ll use a brand new extension cord for the extension. I'm also nervous because the line I am extending is not long (thus the extension!) and I'm going to run out of cutting space at some point -- ruining the pump. : (
wish me luck.
#DIY
#backyardProject #chores

success!
checked on the pandemic pond this morning and even though it was hot yesterday it is still nearly full!
Very little evaporation loss! Looks like that woody debris on the edge of the water was the culprit.
Woot! IT troubleshooting skills for the win. 😝
#poolpond #pandemicpond #pandemicpond #pondlife #gardening #home #diy #IT #TroubleShooting

i think the reason I have enjoyed building and maintaining the ponds so much is because they are kind of like a computer system.
Most of the time they work fine, and when they have issues, which generally manifests as "I'm losing water", it is for a clear reason.
But like computers, getting to and identifying that reason, and fixing it, is the challenge.
Over the past few days, the #pandemicpond has been losing water at an accelerated rate. In the summer, it should be able to go at least 2 or 3 days before needing a top up due to evaporation.
But these past few days it has been very low after just a day.
There has to be a leak/escape of water somewhere.
I also recently (about 2 weeks ago) changed the inlet at the top of the bog barrel to shorten the pipe and make it not stick up as tall and ugly.
Like computers... "have you changed anything recently" is a top contender for the root of the issue.
Shortening and dropping the height of the pipe increased the flow without having to increase the pump power. But that could have also caused a minor overflow on the waterfall, or raised the level of the top pond to where it might be overtopping somewhere non-obvious.
I suspect this increased flow is the main issue.
However, like all IT issues, you should cover the easy stuff first. I checked all the piping from the barrels to the waterfall to make sure there were no joints leaking or drips down the pipes.
All seems fine there. I also did a check around the perimeter of the pond to look for overtopping. Nothing there at low levels, but I have to check again when the system is full.
I wanted to cut the hose down further anyway, so I have done that. Was able to remove over 4 feet of pipe. The height hasn't changed though so the impact on flow should not be large.
Then I checked the pump itself, cleaned out its filter bag, strained the skimmer box and put it all back. Nothing untoward there either. Basically just regular maintenance.
A thought occured to me though, the main overflow for the pond is behind the skimmer. If it rains a lot or I overfill the system, it overflows there into some rocks and drains out under the garden to the sidewalk.
I wonder if when the new posts and gate were installed, the level of the overflow dropped slightly. This would give less leeway (freeboard) for the pond before it gets too low. 🤔
Re-raising the overflow would be tricky. And best done after the rains return in fall. But it is something Ill have to consider if today's investigations don't fix the issue.
I just finished refilling the pond (overfull oops... typing too much)
Time to check for overflows and seeps around the edges.
#pandemicpond #pondlife #gardening #home #diy #IT #TroubleShooting

ooo. I have a new top candidate for cause of accelerated water loss. Cedar chips.
I checked the whole perimeter of the top pond after the system filled and all was good there. But then I did a check of the bottom pond, which is steeper on the edges and harder to do, so I do it less lol.
Right away I found a problem. The flat stones had slipped slightly into the water (likely due to animal visitors over the winter). Edit: just saw a black (invasive) squirrel on the sidewalk near our house! First time. I wonder if he is the messer of flat stones and stealer of fish from the bottom pond!!
Once I reposistioned them, I realized there were a lot of cedar wood chips that had also slipped down, particularly near the skimmer box and were --- HALF IN AND HALF OUT --- of the water.
They were waterlogged.
This is bad.
Dry wood chips outside the water is obviously fine.
Wood chips floating on or sunk under the water is fine.
Any mass of woody material chips, sticks, logs, or even small gravel on the edge of the water, will act as a siphon. They suck up the water and then give lots of surface area for it to quickly evaporate. It has been a rainy July so the woody debris may have already been wet and not evaporating much, but it has been dry for a few days now, and hot the past two. Any siphoning/evaporatoon action would be supercharged.
In the case of gravel, the surface tension between the rocks can cause the edge of the water to creep uphill and also reach the top of the gravel, enhancing evaporation.
Today I found a whole mass of cedar and dirt along the edge of the pond under the flat stones on top of the liner. It was near the skimmer, likely from the gate work.
Bad news.
So I scooped it all out and up onto dry land, and to make sure woody debris can't get to the waters edge under the flat stones, I added some drainage rock along the edge. This should keep the dry and wet zones better separated!
That was just the near side edge of the bottom pond. I haven't checked the far side by the fence.
I might do that tomorrow, but there has been a lot less disturbance there over the past year, so I doubt it will need much help.
I am pretty confident I found the biggest culprit. If my hunch is right, Ill know later today and tomorrow if the water remains relatively stable. It will be hot today so there will be evaporation, but it should not need an emergency fill tomorrow.
Fingers crossed!
Bonus #poolpond content lol. The milfoil is looking very hapoy. It has settled in and the leafy fingers are vertical poking out of the water which is a good sign that they are continuing on happily in their new location. yay!
#pandemicpond #pandemicpond #pondlife #gardening #home #diy #IT #TroubleShooting