Greg Bickal's DIY Series: How to build a bottom drain during new pond construction.

Design
This style bottom drain is ment to be installed as the pond is being built.


Materials

Item	Qty	Description	Size	Cost
A	1	Plastic Bowl	16" diameter	$1
B	1	Bolt, Washer & Nut	1/8" Stainless Steel	$1
D	1	PVC Pipe	4" PVC, Schedule 40, around 7" (length varies based on height of bowl)	$1
E	1	Pipe Boot	See Pipe Boot Instructions	$2
F	1	PVC Elbow	4" PVC, Schedule 40	$4

Assembly/Installation

1. Install the plumbing (as necessary) from the area where the drain will be installed to a settling chamber. The elbow should stick out of the ground about 1" (depending on the thickness of your underlayment).
   
2. Backfill the plumbing.
   
3. Install the underlayment. Used carpeting works great.
   
4. Use a pipe boot to pass the plumbing through the liner.
   
5. The amount of elbow sticking through the liner should be about 1".
   
6. Cut the chunk of PVC pipe like so. Length is determined by the height of your bowl. Review the steps below before continuing.
   
7. Heat up the ends over a stove.
   
8. Bend the ends in to form a flat top.
   
9. Put the bowl over the new fitting and mark for your drill holes.
   
   
10. Drill the holes.
    
11. Attach to the bowl using stainless steel bolts and washers.
    
    
12. Finished Bowl
    
13. When installed, the bowl will be about an index finger off the bottom of the liner.
    
14. Insert the drain cover into the bottom drain. This method of assembly will allow you to remove the drain in the future without the use of any tools.

This style of DIY drain replaces the old type that I installed on the Thompson Pond or the Shulista Pond.