Issues regarding, plans, and advice.
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Filtration Basics In any good Koi Pond we need two different kinds of filtration. Mechanical, for us humans to keep the water clean and clear for our viewing pleasure, and biological to culture the Aerobic Bacteria that break down and consume the waste the fish produce. (Ammonia). Let’s...
Ok I am trying to rebuild this thread that was lost, if you that remember it, I list some of the commonly asked questions, and provide a link, to a thread, that consists of some of the best information I could find on the subject question, all the information is comprised from members threads...
I feel that there is a need for people to have a better understanding of what concrete is, why it is made the way it is, and how the various components interact with each other. Similar to water quality, treatment protocols, fish selection, the more we know, the more likely we are to be happy our...
While not essential for pond construction, Google SketchUp, is very useful for working out all those little "kinks" that come up during pond construction (or any kind of projects). Before you start hauling blocks and bags of concrete, try your design ideas out in 3D. Its a lot easier to find...
The question of proper gluing techniques for PVC was recently brought up in another thread, so as not to highjack that thread, I've started a new one. A good solvent weld begins with a properly cut pipe, doesn't really matter how you achieve the cut, could be by a ratchet style cutter, hand...
Pond Plumbing Primer http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48919 Plumbing/head/gravity flow curve/ect... by Boggen http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49198 Air-Lift Components http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105319 Filtration Basics
hello koipheners. I am planning to change or add on the current filtration. i would like to get ideas from the more experienced. my goal is to be able to keep 7 22-26 inch koi in here. i have had filter set up for around 2 months and i still read ammonia if i feed more than once a day. i know it...
I am thinking of adding an Aqua Art retro drain. I was wondering if my schematic would work and if I need a settling chamber. I am not comfortable cutting a hole through my liner. This would be pumping to an Ultima II. I am currently pumping to it from the skimmer. I will still pump out of the...
After the first day of setup I'm about half way there. I find myself over thinking everything because I've never setup a system this complex. I mean, as most of you know this stuff doesn't exactly come with a book of instructions. Zac has already answered a few questions before I even began....
Hello everyone at Koiphen. What has to be the most helpful site on ponding that I've seen. I would like to post my planning and build thread here to start getting input on my upcoming build. My goal is to build a concrete collar and drop in liner adjacent to my flagstone patio in the backyard...
I will try to update the photos as I build. I learned everything I know from this forum, (but I may be making a few self "extrapolations"). Please feel free to point out any errors or better ways to achieve the goal, which is a low cost 3,000 gallon kidney shaped 45 mil liner pond with a concrete...
I have a real small (150 gallon) pond -- well, really more of a prefab waterfall w/ a basin -- and am planning my first real Koi pond. I have a variety of space limitations that results in the maximum size being approximately 18' x 8' with a planned depth of 4.5'. The plans call for a...
I have a small pond in the front yard. It has had quite a journey. It started as a puddle for a duck our DD rescued from certain death at the hands of it's siblings. It only had one eye at rescue. He stayed all summer until one night he followed his urges and flew south with the migration. (At...
Ok, I had posted in various preparations, but I wanted to start an official build thread. So here is my progress and folly so far for your viewing pleasure and ridicule.
WARNING: I am not a contractor and I do not believe this type of construction will pass a building code inspection! This is purely an experiment. I have been interested in this type of build for a long time, and finally the wooden QT at my parents house started to rot away and they gave me the...
Morning everyone, I was informed by my local aquarium / pond supplier not to use Sodium Bicarbonate to raise the KH of my pond. The local dealer swore black and blue that the SB dissipates and is used up in the pond much faster than the brand name KH powder off the shelf. He advised that by...
Hi I'm designing my SC and have a question. I'm able to run my BD to a spot that allows draining of the SC by gravity, but only 50% of the capacity. I'm also designing my SC to be shallower and wider to achieve this (28" high x 80" wide). I'm wondering if this is ok. Both a shallower SC, and...
We are DIY'ers , have 20,000 gal pond with 4" bottom drain( I know we should have had 1 or 2 more, but hubby didn't listen :) , the bottom drain goes to a pre-filter tank and from there it goes to 3 "skippy" filters ( we are in process of finishing 10'x12'x18" bog filter that will be waterfalls) we...
Yes... I am a newbie on this site! So Hello to everyone. Location is south central Michigan. The title of the thread says it all. About 4 years ago we dug out a small hole in the front yard of my girlfriends house. Ventured into this pond building thing with not really doing much...
Been reading some post on how to do this and got caught up in some of (Roddy's and jpr's ) heated discussions and it seems im confused now. I have a 5600 gal liner pond 2 - S&G filters 2 - moving bed filters w/K1 Rotofilter sieve w/shower over 2 cf of feather rock What is the best way to go...
Anyway to buy Ultima II parts for a 6000? Body or center pipe? Any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks
Hi all i am new here building a new pond and a little help needed with filtration as there seems to be many options ?i have started the dyi project .the top pond has no fish just ornamental water feature but next pond i intend to stock with koi.
Hi, I have two pumps I acquired (at bargain prices) for potential use in a pond expansion. I want to begin planning how I'm going to power my pond and whether the costs of utilizing these pumps will be cost prohibitive or not. My energy company charges $.07 per Killowatt hour. I read online that...
Hi, I am a fish enthusiast but have yet to take the plunge into koi. One of my friends recently moved into a house with a koi pond, 7'x7' square and 4' deep. It is currently filtered by 2 barrel filters and a waterfall. My question has to do the ponds framework: The frame for the pond is...
Yesterday we re-homed the Koi into their temporary home while the pond is being rebuilt. There are a total of 15 Koi and the old pond was about 1100 gallons - I know - way to small... They are in a 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank with a small submersible pump running through a matala...
I am finally ready to get started on rebuilding my old pond. I want to do a formal pond...12'L x 8'w x 6' deep for right around 4,300 gallons with concrete block walls and a drop in liner. The plan is to have it 4 1/2' in the ground and 1 1/2' above ground. I would like to have a waterfall that...
Im using some black caulk to seal off a diy settling chamber. Its been 3 days since the application and its still kind of squishy. How long does it take to dry?
I plan on altering existing filtration on my pond to add a BD,and modifying my existing skimmer to be gravity feed.On a stream type pond will it be beneficial to add a BD with a air diffuser?I plan on putting BD opposite end of waterfall which would place it under the skimmer. Would the uplift...
Has anyone used or heard anything about the AquaFill Automatic Water Leveler? I was looking at autofills online today and I came across them. http://aquafill.com/water-leveler-controller-float/
Quick recap of this pond flow so the video has some reference... The pond is approx. 6' x 16'. Normal flow is 6000gph through 4 tpr's at the bottom of the pond under the falls. Falls/stream flow another 6000gph. Normally there's a s/g filter running and returning water through a return at...
Many people have asked about my sand/gravel filters so here's my construction thread. But 1st, all credit has to go to Kent Wallace. He is the one that originally showed me this type of filter. I build mine different from Kent, but the concept, and operation are the same. This filter...
I have been planning on tearing out my pond and putting a formal pond in it's place. I really only want to do this once. Do to a death in the family, I have just been given a fairly large amount of 8x8x16 block, Plenty enough to do my pond and filter house. I really like the idea of the river flow...
Well have just moved house again 3 pond builds in 4 years staying in this house not moving again learned by my may mistakes in the last 3 ponds Have been collecting filter equipment over the winter and have been using some of it on the indoor basement holding tank that hold 1200 gals and 6 med...
While at Quality Koi last week Mat was suggesting the ceramic air stones over the "normal blue ones". I forget why he said that...Why are they better? I found some on eBay and purchased them http://www.ebay.com/itm/50mm-Diameter-Fish-Tank-Ponds-Ceramic-Air-Stone-Diffuser-/230954193747 These look...
I'm using a Hayward 16" Converted sand filter for my turtle pond. By mistake I ordered floating Easy Pro media :uggg:. So my ? is will it clean as good as say ultima sinking media once it starts to churn? thanks
I need to build a block wall to separate my new pond from the filter pit. I plan to use pre-made mortar mix (Quickcrete) but have been told that I should add additional portland cement and/or lime to the mix. I don't understand why I need to do that. Anyone with input?? I would appreciate it.
Hi I'm a newbie, so please excuse my lack of knowledge. I'm building a 2000 gallon pond that will have a couple of koi and some goldfish. I currently own a laguna max flo 1500 pump, and I would love to reuse it some how. I'm wondering if I could run the max flo (a submersible) in my...
I am going to be using some 55 gallon barrels in my re-do and need to hide them in the landscape/garden. They are currently white and would stick out like a sore thumb. Has anyone tried to use the Krylon products? If so, how did they work? Did you use another type of paint product? How long did it...
Things are moving along now! The yard doesn't look like THIS, although it still did on May 6th when we got 10" of snow. I verified I don't need a building permit and lined up a friend with a mini excavator. He came over this morning and we staked out the boundaries of the dig. I decided...
Hi there I'm new to keeping fish after having a small pre-formed pond with goldfish I decided to bite the bullet and make a proper pond. This site has proved itself to be an invaluable source of information. though sometimes you have to have a go and hope you understood it right. On 4th of May...
We've decided it is time for a pond re-do. Originally the pond had a liner covered with chicken wire and mortar, had no bottom drain and a submersible pump. After the pump failed we got a Dolphin ES5500 external pump and a NitraMax 8,000 Filter with their Bio cell media and added a retro bottom...
Is it worth to upgrade to the smaller screen vs to keep the 300 micron screen? My current fish load is light...and the current seive is cleaned about once every 2 weeks
Anyone have experience with this? I am looking to add a BD to my already built 2000 gallon pond. I would have taking one of the external pumps out of the skimmer and plumb it to the bottom of the bottom so that water would go into the basket then into the biofilter. I would still have a pump going ...
Hello everyone I have really enjoyed reading the post and threads on here again. I originally built my pond back about 7 years ago and researched everything to believe I had everything done right to first time. As we all learn we never do, but that’s part of pond building you try and experiment...
I am getting some significant DOCs in my pond and would like to add a FF. All of the DIYs I am seeing look kind of complicated/involve chasing around super-sized PVC etc. Would a regular (large) reef aquarium skimmer work, I wonder?
Hi all! First post! I installed the Firestone 45 mil EPDM liner in the pond 6 years ago. I completely drained the pond a few days ago for the first time so we could have some flagstone work done around the sides (and give me an opportunity to completly clean everything out). When I went to...
I am thinking doing it pre-submerged will help it dry somewhat faster. Lol I'm putting in a retro-drain this week. Can I paint the piping soon after its glued or should I wait for a while. Is it ok to use something like Krylon spray or should it be brushed on.
The sieve is bottoming out and regardless of the water level of the pond, the SC which is before the sieve draws down about 4-5 inches when the pump is running. I tried to use a plumber's snake to clear it but couldn't get it past the first elbow out of the SC. I guess I'm going to have to drain...
Hello Koiphen, I made my first pond at my house over 6 years ago. It's a Savio skimmer with UV lamps > Sequence 3600 > Savio Waterfall Living pond filter. It's doing pretty good for the most part with the exception of the mother that doesn't think she's overfeeding the fish. I have an old...
There's been a lot of interest in this product... probably because it seems to be a very economical way to seal a concrete (block, poured, or shotcrete) shell! But I've found it hard to collect bits of info from different threads... so I thought I'd start one where anyone could ask anything. ...
It will be 18' x 26', 3 1/2' shallow end, down to 5' on deep end. There will be 2 3" BD's. There will be one 275 gal. S/C's going to 55 gal. bio's Then to a 55 gal. S/G. From there to the pump and there to the 2 1/2 x 4'x 18' plant and gravel filter. The other 275 gal. S/C will do the same...
I have a small pond that was supposed to be just temporary but it looks like it's going to be there for a while. When I built it I just dug a square hole 12 inches deep, leveled a course of 2" solid block about a foot back from the hole, dry stacked 2 courses of block, dropped in a liner put it a...
Seven tons of stone
Hi all Just wanted to show my miniature Totorri Onishi stream flow. It´s a new build with just one purpose. To grow a Mukashi ogon faster than my koi friend who´s challenged me to grow the biggest mukashi this summer. The prize is a keg of beer. No matter who will win, it´s gonna be the most...
We've moved, and even though our old pond was merely 1,300 gallons, our movers couldn't find a box or crate big enough for it to fit in...and so began the project... Hello all. I started reading threads on Koiphen a few weeks ago, and have learned a ton. Just wanted to say "THANK YOU" up...
Hello Koiphen members, Been some time since I moved to my new house. This year finally got aound to build the pond. I estimate 5000 gallons, 20 feet long, 12 feet wide and 4 feet deep. One areated 4 inch bottom drain, two return TRP's. One Skimmer, overflow and an autofill....
I was just reading the "Mr. Spooky" thread regarding his S&G filters and a question came to me. So here goes........ I too built a S&G unit three years ago. It initially had a 3" shower drain in the bottom but it cracked shortly after placing unit into service so I put a toilet flange on the...
I wanted to use the local plumbing supply for some of the parts for our upgrade this year. I like to buy local at the "little box" stores when i can to help keep them alive. I called with my order and that's the last time I heard from them, so "big box" store here I go. The question is that they...
Hi everyone! My name is Markus. I live in a small village in south of Sweden called Vejbystrand. Its a little beach resort. I have four lovely children and a fantastic spouse. I am 47 years old and a pediatrician specialized in asthma and allergies. Searching endlessly the Internet I finally...
Well, I'm digging a big hole in my yard :D: I've gone through various designs and filtration plans. The original design dubbed the "Manta Ray" was beautiful and lovely...but due to various factors we decided against going all out. In the end, we decided to go with a rectangular pond. 12'...
Moving to a new house this summer and I won't have time to completely finish a new pond. Should it be ok to start digging the pond now an finish it in the spring ? Or will the rain/ snow an weather make a big mess of my pond if it'd just a dirt hole?
I just bought a house that has a pool and I want to convert it to a koi pond. It's a inground gunite pool with a marcite finish. I have been searching online and came around a pool paint Home Depot sells called...
The pond will have 6' dry stacked and filled walls and the foundation needs to be 42" down. What size footing should be poured? I'm thinking 12" w x 8" deep with 4 3/8 rebar.
greetings koiphen community. let me start by saying thanks to any and all who posted general guides, diy step-by-steps and those who organized them in such a way to make them easily accessible. i've been browsing for a few weeks now and there definitely is a wealth of information here. this...
Hi - I want to create a small bog filter that works from down flow as opposed to upflow. Ideally, water would pour into the bog via small waterfall after mechanical filtration, then exit the bog into the main pond from BELOW the main pond's water level. This would hopefully create an under...
Hi all, I've had something wonderful happen and I have been waiting to share it until I was sure it was working. What made me sure is the reproductive rate and voracious appetite of Asellus Aquaticus. Some of you might remember this post from last year:...
Ok we'll I think ism going to get a external pump for my 1000 gallon pond and what I need frm you guys is a hole runs down on how to they work can they go ink the rai ect because i shave never used one wand really need info on them thanks and regards shawn
ok so I have just a few questions on these filters one being the pump how much flow do I need to have this filter efective can it run off any amount of flow or just X and up? also does this filter provide boilogical filtration is it ok if I add a layer of lava rock to the mix. and last how do the...
I'm modifying a Waterco skimmer. I've cut off the bottom of the ABS unit and have a 6x4 pvc adapter that I need to attach. The leftover 6" stub on the skimmer is only 1/4 long and I don't think a glue will hold it with so little overlap for the joint. Using the little plastic welder from Harbor...
Hi All, My AV150 air pump has went out ( really just needs new diaphragms) But im wanting to replace it with a more reliable air pump. The 150lpm was just too much. Im thinking of a air pump that does around 100lpm or 80lpm. I have two bottom drains 5 feet deep. Im thinking 80 will work fine. Ive...
so I am just wondering I have some questions on in pond skimmers I orederd one it it will be here today to be presice its the tetra pond in pond skimmer I dont know if any one has used these before and has a some postive or negitive thoughts on these skimmers I know evry one is going to say why...
Just wondering... If the filter pads are clean (not gunked up with algae and slime), is there any need to clean them? Pond & water is beautiful and has been for over 3 years and every fortnight we clean the filters/pads when we do our water change (we do a water change weekly but only usually...
Hi Can anyone direct me to a good thread that shows detailed DIY design for a small settlement chamber design? (pre-mechanical / mechanical only). One that would work with a 1800 gallon pond stocked with 3 koi and a handful of goldfish. Thanks!
What are the brilliant schemes for getting rid of pond waste from backwashing filters, or RDF automatic washing, or draining a pond? My pond will be too low to feed easily into the town sewer system, though I suppose I could pump waste up to the sewer elevation. While I have a nice-sized...
Hi, Im starting on the first of 2 SG filters, and following the directions in the stickys, my outlet pipe looks like its going at a 45* angle uphill.. can I get this to come out straight, or better yet , a slight angle down with a fernco or something? thanks Jason
I am working on plans for a S/G filter for a airlift pump, so it has to be gravity flow. I am planing on building a new pond this summer, and I want to try a airlift pump. The only thing in the pond will be goldfish and plants. The head will only be 8-12", I know airlifts can't do much when it...
I don't have a choice but to have a short one tray shower flow into a small barrel(barrel # 1) with cermedia then flows out from the bottom up to large barrel # 2 then back to the pond. will this work ? Tom
Hi all, My pump got submerged and got noisy. I replaced it today with a new, quiet one. I want to keep this one as an emergency back up. The water is drained. Do I need to do anything thing else to prep it for hopefully long term storage? Stacy
Johnny five need input! http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?134827-Pond-design-review&highlight= Above were my initial plans. All of the equipment (minus pipe/valves) are on hand so no major changes there. Had to get rid of a stump to make things work. Unfortunately when they...
I'm in the process of building a QT/Pond of roughly 1500 gallon. It will be a river flow design that's 4' wide x 8'8" long and between 5'2" - 6'6" deep. I was planning on using stacked concrete on a slab (or, perhaps three connected slabs stepped down using 18" concrete block: The present...
Hello I have constructed a counter current foam phraxonator on my skimmer circuit that fits into my first stage of filtration barrel in the center, where the water is taken to the pump which is a Sequnence 4500 gph pump. Hooked it up, kicked it on and the pump sucked the bubbles down with the...
pros: this is a skimmer from tetra it works with in line pumps and it is in pond although people don't like in pond it makes my life eayser because i don't need to cut the liner and it is fairly cheap cons: well for one things it is kidna hard to hide but some slate and a little rockery work and...
Hey Friends. I am in the middle or planning (and buying) for a new EPDM 5000 gal, two tier pond. The upper part being a calm stream for plants and critters, (900 gal) the bottom for goldfish. Maybe koi in the future so I need to do this right the first time. I may be able to get away with upgrades...
I'm looking for a new uv and came across this unit. My pond is 2000 gallons. I know stainless helps reflect the light making it more effective. Has anyone had any luck with or use this unit? Anyone speak on build quality?
Hello there, are those pump really good pump? I found a little light used pump, that the owner want a 100 for 1 of those pump. Please let me know pro and cons about those pump. Thank
Well I started a new project today that will take a while to fully complete. These wonderful people JUST had their pond built and have been dealing with various issues from the beginning. I was called in to fix their filtration problems and it will start off with a Zakki Sieve to keep the pump...
I couldn't find any dimensions online anywhere for the Koi Toilet I. I need to core drill my concrete wall and don't have my drain yet. Does anyone have a 4" Koi Toilet that they can measure. I need the length from liner to center of 4" port and also from liner to bottom of 1" air port. ...
It's been touched on in other threads but I'm still confused. I haven't been able to figure out how much Portland cement is in a 60# bag of Quickcrete concrete. Or how much is in a 60# bag of Quickcrete Mortar. 1) So I'm using the Xypex C-1000 admix and am about to go with 2/3 cup per bag of...
Hi All, Well, I'm sure many of you followed by build thread over the winter, which included a non-aerated BD. A few weeks ago I tested air on the BD - and what a huge difference in terms of how the bottom is being cleared. I will never have a non-aerated BD again. My original plan was to...
ok so here we go weeks of planing and it has all boiled down to this so this is what I have my plan is to use a dual filter a skimmer and a twist design on birdmans sg filter so lets do the sg filter first sorry for the crapy image but I had to use paint to do it so here it is please see...
We are in the process of adding a settling chamber to our filtration and we only have a very small space for it. It looks like it will be about 60 or so gallons. Will that be enough to settle stuff?
Made a pond call today for a newbie to the hobby; she bought a house in Jax FL with a small DIY pond. I was called because the pond filter overflowed and nearly drained the pond and the pond has lots of string algae. A very frustrated new pond owner just needed some help and education. It was...
My Nexus 310 1 1/2" drain out of the center chamber is plugged. What is the best/easiest/most effective way to unplug it? FYI...2 3" bottom drains feed directly to the nexus. There is no filter prior to the nexus. Thanks Bill
I need to remove my fish to repair a leak, and Joey S. kindly suggested a way to make a temporary filter from a 55-gallon barrel (below), which could later be used for a quarantine tank. I like the idea, but being new, I don't know what pump and fittings I need for a 55-gallon filter for the...
Hey Ponders, I have a Microscreen that has been in use the last 6 or 7 years. During the summer the screen needs to be garden-hosed for a few minutes around once every 5 to 7 days. I was looking to eliminate that (especially if we have to go away) My first thoughts were to have a 1 inch PVC...
Hi, This is my first thread as you will be able to see. Not sure if I should be in Construction or DIY 'cause it is both but... I have researched Koiphen for several years and built my first 1,200 Koi Pond with the help I received. My new project is way too complex for this simple DIY’r. I have...
I am so glad I found this forum, I am getting so much information. I have just started to redo my pond. Here is a link to a video of my project that I posted on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgCPjz6kOpw&feature=plcp[/URL] The digging is going to kill me though, I am going much, much...
Can anybody tell me what this threaded plug is for that is on the impeller housing of a ES5500 pump.
We have paid to have Creative Water Gardens of Garland TX to build us a 5k gal pond for our kids. I would like to share the pics with all of you. Please let me know your thoughts and concerns. :yahoo: :scratch: :cool: :uggg: :ok: We are posting pics from my hubbys photobucket account....
I'm working on a MB that will be using MB3 media. The drum has an outlet near the bottom, if I use a 90 which just fits with 1/4" gap from the 90 to the bottom of the drum, I can suck off the bottom of the tank. How many 1/2 holes would I have to drill into a 3" 90 to get normal flow?
:yes: this one is mine...lol..I have another thread here where I have posted some of these pics, but I thought it would be easier for those who would like to follow to come here. Thanks to all who have helped this far, the original plan was to do as follows: 10 X 9 X 5 feet deep. we will see...
I've been wanting a Koi pond for many years. I've finally gotten to the point I have started designing one and have an area in the yard all picked out. First: I had a guy give me a HUGE piece of plastic sheeting. I think it is the same stuff they use to do the underlayment under houses in...
Thanks ahead of time for any and all advice. Looking to begin construction soon on a pond in the front of my house. This is primarily a "sound and sight" pond, but I do plan on having at least a light fish and plant load at some point. I come you you all for advice as I believe this is one of...
I am looking into replacing the dream pond air diffuser with a Matala air diffuser but wondering if a 12" will give me more air with less pressure or it's unnecessary to get a 12". I will be using a Meldo 80 lpm at 6.5' depth for each diffuser. Tom
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I currently use a sequence 7800prn pump for my pond and was wondering if there was another brand that is comparable and provide a little more flow than this pump. I'm looking to purchase a back-pump just in case this one goes out. I'm running the sequence thru a MC-50 and thru an EVO-55 to 2...
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