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    Thread: Our pond construction

    1. #1
      spearwarrior is offline Member
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      Our pond construction

      I have long thought of getting a koi pond but have only recently started researching it. I plan on having the pond constructed the same time my pool is done. I would like to do the plumbing and electrical my self. which leads to my question:
      Given the design(see pic) what do you recommend? I know that there is tons of information on this site and I am making my way through it but if you were building this pond what would you do?
      Would it be feasible to hide the sand and gravel filtersunder a waterfal?

      pics of the design(the brick wall will be moved out ~4'):
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    2. #2
      freakinrikan is offline Senior Member
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      if you can find out your total gallons, that would help the masters of filtration a bit to get you where you need to be.
      yes you can hide the chambers in many ways including in a waterfall, just have to be a little crafty. im sure someone that knows their stuff will chime in at any min. but looks good. do you have pics of the site?

    3. #3
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      Welcome to Koiphen. 1st thing I would do is not have the center rocks in the two ponds. just something for the fish to scratch them selves on. Then go with probably four bottom drains, one in each of the two smaller sections, and two in the longer one..
      Before i go any farther, do you have space for a filter pit where gravity flow filtration can go? or does it all need to be above ground?
      And yes, Sand/Gravel filters can be hidden just about any where.

    4. #4
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      according to this site:http://www.oceanmagic.net/calculating_pool_capacity.htm my pond capacty would be 15,262.5

      there is room for a pit it would require yet another trip to buiding & safety for another permit and it would have to be very well hidden in order to please my wife but at this point do-able
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    5. #5
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      Obstacles in the pond are no good in the long run. You should consider not having the bridge over the pond. It will become very difficult to catch the koi when necessary. Although a positive is you'll create shade for the fish.
      Jorge

    6. #6
      freakinrikan is offline Senior Member
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      I would suggest if possible of course. to have removable bridges and make a slot on each section where the ponds meet to where a screen can be put in place to coral the fish into one pond to catch them.
      Remember the planning stage is when you can add all the things you would want even if you dont use them they can make your life easier in the long run.

    7. #7
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      I was thinking about how it would be a pain trying to catch the fish with out being able to add screens of some sort. i'm looking into what the flitration needs of a pond this size will be as that should tell me what size filtration pit i need right? Thinking i'll make the pond bit smaller just enough to add the pit unless anyone thinks its a bad idea. As they say speak now....

      everyone has an opinion so please share....don't make me beg TIA

      gerald

    8. #8
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      Quote Originally Posted by spearwarrior View Post
      I was thinking about how it would be a pain trying to catch the fish with out being able to add screens of some sort. i'm looking into what the flitration needs of a pond this size will be as that should tell me what size filtration pit i need right? Thinking i'll make the pond bit smaller just enough to add the pit unless anyone thinks its a bad idea. As they say speak now....

      everyone has an opinion so please share....don't make me beg TIA

      gerald
      Hi, Now is a GREAT time to figure the entire system. How much water? How much filtration?

      Here's a general rule for filter pit size; About 1/3 the size of the pond! Yikes! Yep. I had to scale the pond and pit to fit my yard. Also, I had to factor in the amount of filters/gallons the pit could hold and had to scale to pond accordingly. My pond is 3,400g at 12X8X5, so my pit is 1,077g and 6X6X4.

      So to have a filter pit 1/3 the size of your pond, a nice bunker about 14'L x 8'W x 5'D would be perfect. Sound crazy? Start drawing a filtration system for 15,000 gallons of water and you'll see how much room it's going to take. With sieves instead of the settling chambers you can decrease the footprint alot. Settling chambers for 12,000gph would be nearly 1,200 gallons!

      What I'm saying is, you're on the right track. Don't dig yet! What's your budget? Do-it-yourself? Going to dig with a shovel? Liner? Gunnite? Poly? 55 gallon barrels are free, sieves are $700-$1,000.


      looking forward to seeing this project progress,
      good luck,
      steve

    9. #9
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      Quote Originally Posted by Pond,James_Pond View Post
      Hi, Now is a GREAT time to figure the entire system. How much water? How much filtration?

      Here's a general rule for filter pit size; About 1/3 the size of the pond! Yikes! Yep. I had to scale the pond and pit to fit my yard. Also, I had to factor in the amount of filters/gallons the pit could hold and had to scale to pond accordingly. My pond is 3,400g at 12X8X5, so my pit is 1,077g and 6X6X4.

      So to have a filter pit 1/3 the size of your pond, a nice bunker about 14'L x 8'W x 5'D would be perfect. Sound crazy? Start drawing a filtration system for 15,000 gallons of water and you'll see how much room it's going to take. With sieves instead of the settling chambers you can decrease the footprint alot. Settling chambers for 12,000gph would be nearly 1,200 gallons!

      What I'm saying is, you're on the right track. Don't dig yet! What's your budget? Do-it-yourself? Going to dig with a shovel? Liner? Gunnite? Poly? 55 gallon barrels are free, sieves are $700-$1,000.


      looking forward to seeing this project progress,
      good luck,
      steve
      no budget, I will do most of it myself, will have the excavation and Gunnite done by my pool contractors, I'll do the plumbing, electrical, and rebar. I have not been able to find free barrels in southern California. This build will take some time but it makes sense to have the pond dug same time as the pool which will be happening in about two weeks. so i need to get the dimension sooner than later.

      Sieves you say? more research...

    10. #10
      Pond James_Pond's Avatar
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      Sieves is the bee's knees.

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    11. #11
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      Sieves are the way to go, love mine.

    12. #12
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      And you can make that filter pit practically invisible.
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      --Steve



      Koiphen 2021 Koi Person of the Year!

    13. #13
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      Don't know where you are in southern California....but check on craigslist and at big car wash businesses for the 55 gallon barrels.
      Susie


    14. #14
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      After some research and advice from my local koi pond retailer here is where I stand. Pond is estimated to be about 24,000 gallons. I am thinking of going with 4 nexus 310, 4 cetus sieves, and a trikle tower, 4 bottom drains. My current water bill for watering the front yard only was few dollars shy of $500, as such i'd like to stay away from having to backflush sand and gravel filters. I am trying to find a way to pump pond waste water into holding tanks that can then be used for irragation, that way the fresh water that would have been used for irragation can be pumped into the pond which i think is a win win situation. I'd also thinking about catching rain water. Any help, coments, critiques are welcomed.

      p.s. I am waiting on one more excavation bid and hope to start within the next 2-3 weeks. I'd like to get the main plumbing done in such a way that i can buy a nexus 310 and sieves in pairs as money permits. im also looking in to building a small pond about 7'x4'x4 to start the hands on learning process.

    15. #15
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      What city are you located ? I just finished my 12,000 gallons gunite pond here in Corona, Ca. I hope you don't use the same pool contractor I used, they were bad.

    16. #16
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      Quote Originally Posted by spearwarrior View Post
      ...I am trying to find a way to pump pond waste water into holding tanks that can then be used for irragation, that way the fresh water that would have been used for irragation can be pumped into the pond which i think is a win win situation. I'd also thinking about catching rain water. Any help, coments, critiques are welcomed...
      Are you trying to implement the rainwater harvest system to irrigation or just watering w/the garden hose? Although the skeletal structure is similar, the pumps/booster pumps & filtration level varies based on sprinkler irrigation or standard garden hose?

      Structure involves:
      • Excavation
      • Downspout basin
      • Sand base & backfill
      • Underlayment
      • EPDM liner
      • Underlayment
      • Matrix/Ecoblox (for structural void) -- approx. 32gal per box
      • Pump vault
      • Pump (high pressure and/or booster) + hydrotronic controller
      • Overflow & infiltration

      The main reservoir basin can be used as a disappearing water feature (i.e. pondless) or covered & backfilled (turf/lawn) or actually support permeable pavers (i.e. patio, etc.).
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    17. #17
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      Get a 1000 gallon poly septic tank and bury that to hold your waste pond water for irrigation. Then pump irrigation water out of that.

    18. #18
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      getting two 1000 gallon septic tanks along with sand& gravel filters would be cheaper than the nexus would it result in better water quality? How often does the sand & gravel need to be replaced?

    19. #19
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      Quote Originally Posted by spearwarrior View Post
      getting two 1000 gallon septic tanks along with sand& gravel filters would be cheaper than the nexus would it result in better water quality? How often does the sand & gravel need to be replaced?
      Never.

    20. #20
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      Awesome project this will be one to watch
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