Chuckles
1st March 2008, 11:11 AM
Hi guys, I'm a newbie so apologies if this is the wrong forum..first post.
I have an ornamental fish pond in the yard, rectangular, approx 6x1x0.5 metres, Block construction, sealed internally, pump/filter/lights, clad in random sandstone. Complicated by the fact that the fish are already in it...it's been a work in progress. All looks great but needs a capper to finish it off. Have looked at various stone or cement options but nothing suits the boss..or me to be fair. As the house is a mix of natural stone and timber I was thinking of using merbau...to match the nearby deck.
So I have some questions....
Will merbau be ok close to water (minor splashing from pump/filter heads and rain)?
I was looking at 190x45 but can't get the 6m lengths in one piece. Any suggestions on joint to keep it aligned along the long sides? V groove, pinned with stainless steel. I figure dowel or biscuit is probably not be strong enough and may rot out.
How about the corners? Mitre would look good but I ain't the greatest woodworker around on bigger sections. How about a half lap?
I know merbau will bleed but stone is sealed (fish aren't though). Any suggestions to reduce bleed? If I keep it oiled will it settle? I think I read on the forum somewhere that hitting it with a deck cleaning solution would help speed up the initial bleed, but then again it's not decking boards.
If not merbau what elee is around at 6m larger sections?
Lastly, any suggestions on attaching it to top of low block wall. It will be a casual seat and will only have a small overhang over outside of wall. Don't want to get too carried away with achor bolts and make the wall leak.
Hope this isn't too long a post. All your good advice very welcome.
Thanks
I have an ornamental fish pond in the yard, rectangular, approx 6x1x0.5 metres, Block construction, sealed internally, pump/filter/lights, clad in random sandstone. Complicated by the fact that the fish are already in it...it's been a work in progress. All looks great but needs a capper to finish it off. Have looked at various stone or cement options but nothing suits the boss..or me to be fair. As the house is a mix of natural stone and timber I was thinking of using merbau...to match the nearby deck.
So I have some questions....
Will merbau be ok close to water (minor splashing from pump/filter heads and rain)?
I was looking at 190x45 but can't get the 6m lengths in one piece. Any suggestions on joint to keep it aligned along the long sides? V groove, pinned with stainless steel. I figure dowel or biscuit is probably not be strong enough and may rot out.
How about the corners? Mitre would look good but I ain't the greatest woodworker around on bigger sections. How about a half lap?
I know merbau will bleed but stone is sealed (fish aren't though). Any suggestions to reduce bleed? If I keep it oiled will it settle? I think I read on the forum somewhere that hitting it with a deck cleaning solution would help speed up the initial bleed, but then again it's not decking boards.
If not merbau what elee is around at 6m larger sections?
Lastly, any suggestions on attaching it to top of low block wall. It will be a casual seat and will only have a small overhang over outside of wall. Don't want to get too carried away with achor bolts and make the wall leak.
Hope this isn't too long a post. All your good advice very welcome.
Thanks