Hey gang!
So, the wifey and I are going to be building a house within the next year to year and a half, and that means I get to build my first real pond. I'm looking at something with approximate internal dimensions of 12' x 6' with a depth of 65", for an approximate 2,900 US gallons (these overall dimensions are obviously still very fluid; I would like to go bigger depending on how much space we finally end up with as well as cost). Based on a lot of what I've seen here, I think I'm going to go for a partially below-grade formal pond. It's still a while out, but I figured I would start collecting information since we have an extremity limited number of pond builders (e.g. 1) in this area that have more experience with liners, so I may be forced to go with a pool company with potentially no pond building experience.
So, that being said, here's a few questions I was hoping to clear up:
1) My understanding is that "Xypex" is mixed into the dry concrete before mixing, and that there is also a Xypex coat put on as well after it has set. Regarding Xypex use on concrete, what effect does - if any - does this have in leeching? Would using other sealants such as Pond Armor (which, if YouTube is to be believed, is a godsend in the DIY plywood aquarium world) be overkill in this situation, and does Pond Armor itself (with/without Xypex) negate the leeching issue? Could you/should you even use Pond Armor with Xypex mix?
2) I'm planning on incorporating a Bakki shower. I obviously have no experience with them, but trusting in the community here, it seems like they're probably the best method of biofiltration available with the added bonus of giving that beautiful running water sound. My question regarding them is are they sufficient as a sole source of biofiltration in other's experience (I know this is a loaded question seeing as it's probably heavily dependent on stocking and feeding, but personal experience is always helpful)? I'm also throwing together a 55-gallon MB for my current holding tank, so I was thinking this could be incorporated into the filtration design since it would provide a source of pre-cycled media.
3) Regarding skimmers, I don't plan on having large debris near the pond (I don't want any trees nearby), but I understand their importance for removal of surface DOCs. How are these typically set up with the bottom drain filtration (i.e. do they have their own filtration running in parallel to the BD, or do they flow into the same filtration system on separate pipes)? I'm not planning on digging a massive filter pit, but would 1-2 feet below water level for inlet into the RDF be sufficient for it to be considered "gravity fed" and maintain adequate flow rates?
As it is, my plan for filtration was to have something akin to the following assuming a flat, non-slanted bottom with rounded corners.
As always, I look forward to learning from you all :].