Is this ok,this is my idea
Is this ok,this is my idea
I can only comment on things I've used so no help. I'm sure the ones that can will need many more details.... Gallons, pump size, filtration type, etc.
Just a general set up of the way things should be, bottom drain and skimmer to settle chamber, my pump would pull from settle chamber, and out to my waterfall box and filters, filters would Flo back to pond through tpr valve.? bottom drain,skimmer and settle chamber are below water level, pump, water fall, and filters are above water level. 5000 gallon pond, 2 45gal drum filters k1media, tpr mid pond level.pump is a superflo vs
Last edited by Robertv; 03-12-2018 at 04:35 PM.
A Skimmer should NEVER go to a settling tank. BDs collect heavier than water sinking solids that will settle out in the bottom of a settling tank. A skimmer skims off lighter than water FLOATING waste and if put into a settling tank will only lesson the effectiveness of the settling tank.
In this case run the BD to the settling tank, remember for a 4" BD you want a min of 3000 gph to prevent waste settling out in the piping.
AND
For a settling tank to be effective with enough dwell time to settle out the heavier than water waste it should be 10% of the flow or 300 gallons.
Run th skimmer line to a tee with the outlet of the settling tank then to the suction per filter of your pump.
Some more questions... what are the pond dimensions?
Honestly this doesn't look like enough filtration for 5000 gallon koi pond. Do you plan on having koi?
The skimmer collects floating debris and sending it to the SC imo isn't really efficient and can make the
SC less effective by adding unnecessary flow. If using a single pump and the skimmer is using a basket
and/or other filtration, I'd be planning it something like this:
The pump can be below pond level too. The SC should be just a few inches above the highest pond level to prevent overflowing
on pump shutdown. This crude drawing shows the moving bed filters with K1 before the pump but if they're put above pond level
they can be pump fed and gravity returned via a tpr or waterfall.
Welcome to Koiphen and good luck with the build! I hope you'll share once it's underway.
Thanks for the tips, very helpful, ya my filters and pump will have to be above ground in my area. So my drawing is ok except for skimmer plumbing? Tpr return will work being fed by the filters,how would you add a uv In my setup, (where)?
What are the pond floor dimensions? Each 4" aerated BD is effective for about a 12' diameter flowing +2500 gph.
Gravity fed tpr's work great if they're fed from an adequate height above pond level for the fittings used, the length back to the pond,
and diameter of the return pipe. And tpr's are normally placed closer to the floor of the pond. 6" to 18", depending on who you ask.
I'd put the UV between the pump and the gravity return filters.
Could you do another drawing with about ground filters and pump and uv placement. Thank, need a visual
Remember pumps like to push water rather than pull it so keeping it closer to the SC is better.
If the pump will be above water level it'll need a check valve between it and the SC, and I'm sure there are more
details that I've left out but here's basically how I'd approach it:
I drew it before I remembered you wanted your pump above pond level but it'd basically be the same.
The UV could go on either return.
Are you set on a SC for your pond? For a little more investment a sieve is a wonderful upgrade.
I took out my SC and replaced it with a AquaForte Ultra III sieve and it was one of the best (read MUCH lower maintenance)
that I ever did.
Thanks for your help, one more thing, 2" flex pvc good for plumbing.
Last edited by Robertv; 03-13-2018 at 04:51 PM.
Sure, 2" flex is usually fine but it depends on how much you're flowing and if by pressure or gravity. Pipes flowing via gravity sometimes
need a larger diameter, or if running two or more filters in a series, a larger pipe size is beneficial to prevent excessive draw down.
3" or 4" will cause less head. But when carrying debris like a BD you sometimes need a smaller diameter to prevent it from settling
in the pipe. Longer story longer, it depends.