• Amused
  • Angry
  • Annoyed
  • Awesome
  • Bemused
  • Cocky
  • Cool
  • Crazy
  • Crying
  • Depressed
  • Down
  • Drunk
  • Embarrased
  • Enraged
  • Friendly
  • Geeky
  • Godly
  • Happy
  • Hateful
  • Hungry
  • Innocent
  • Meh
  • Piratey
  • Poorly
  • Sad
  • Secret
  • Shy
  • Sneaky
  • Tired
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Results 1 to 20 of 23

    Thread: Bottom drain and skimmer?

    1. #1
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56

      Bottom drain and skimmer?

      I am looking for some advice for my small koi pond redo. We are taking it from 1,000 to about 2,500 gallons and this time around would like to add a bottom drain. There are so many different ways I have read to do this that I am looking for some suggestions. .

      I currently have a biological filter with an internal pump but would prefer to have less equipment inside the pond.

      Ideally I'm looking To install a bottom drain, skimmed and external pump tied to my existing biological filer. Can anyone give me some direction on what equipment to buy? Bonus points if you can find it on amazon.

      Thank you all in advance!.

      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    2. #2
      MCAsan is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Oct 2015
      Location
      Atlanta
      Posts
      1,489
      Join the either the Piedmont Koi Club or ZNA Carolina club to get local hands on advice around building in local soil conditions, trusted local contractors, info on how to plan and build a proper koi pond with bottom drain, skimmers, and filtration. http://www.charlottekoiclub.com Attend the ZNA Carolina koi show in April and you should be able to purchase from show vendors. https://www.facebook.com/events/173830129885045/


      Excellent bottom drain is the Rhino models made by the same company that builds Aquadyne bead filters. As for skimmer, the selection of it should match how you plan to build the pond. After you going for all in-ground design or semi-raised design? I suggest you consider semi-raised with 24" above grade. That keeps out runoff from the yard and much wind blown debris out of the pond. It helps keep out small 2 legged and 4 legged animals. Also it gives you a nice seating area all around the pond.

    3. #3
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      Dream Ponds makes two nice bottom drains, one with air and one with out. Don't be afraid to cut a hole for them in the liner, people do this all the time.
      There are several choices for skimmers, mostly depending on how much surface debris you will be collecting, and how your pond will be constructed.
      Pump choice depends on application. It would be nice to get some more detailed info on your pond.

    4. #4
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      Thank you for the info. I am clearly new to this as I had no idea there were local clubs.

      I am doing a semi raised design- 24-30" below ground (slopes) and 16" above ground. Above ground will be 2" concrete ledge with 2 rows of cinder blocks/rebar/mortar. I plan to have one bottom drain and one skimmer, both going into a strainer basket, then pump, then my current biofilter which is the 4000 gallon TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter, then UV filer and back into the pond via a 36" wide waterfall. We have no trees and very little debris going into the pond but am looking at the skimmer for increased circulation as there always seems to be things stuck floating in the corners of our existing pond.

      The items I have in my Amazon shopping cart are as follows (please feel free to tell me if they are complete junk):

      Aquascape 43020 Signature Series 200 Pond Skimmer Filter by Aquascape
      Koi Toilet I Aerated Bottom Drain - 4 Inch by DreamPond
      Sequence Strainer Basket - 3" 500 ci
      Sequence 4200SEQ12 External Pump by SEQUENCE PUMP
      Patriot Sheer Elegance SE36P LED Lighted Spillway - 36" Spillway, Amethyst Purple by Patriot

      Feedback please!

    5. #5
      icu2's Avatar
      icu2 is offline Administrator ~ WWKC President
      ~ WWKC Treasurer
      is sorry otters exist
       
      Feeling:
      Annoyed
       
      Join Date
      Feb 2007
      Location
      Poulsbo, WA
      Posts
      32,942
      Welcome Ollieman and thanks for joining Koiphen!

      First thing I'd do is move all your items out of your cart and put them in your "shopping list" and not buy
      a thing until you have a whole plan in place. All the components need to work together and the flow and filter
      designs need to work as a single system. Not saying you won't eventually buy the items you have listed, but
      have everything laid out before buying single pieces.

      Enjoy the forum!
      --Steve



      Koiphen 2021 Koi Person of the Year!

    6. #6
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      And if coming to Koiphen for help it would be nice to give Koiphen venders who are trying to help you a chance to help you with your purchases.
      Last edited by birdman; 03-20-2018 at 07:50 AM.

    7. #7
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      24" above ground is a better height. Better for sitting on, 16" is more of just a tripping hazard.
      I don't feel your Tetra filter will be good enough for your pond.

      How many gallons is it going to be?

    8. #8
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      I have everything in my "saved for later" area. Do you have any feedback on the specific items listed or do you see anything I'm forgetting?

    9. #9
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      Im not opposed to that at all! I just have about $1200 in Amazon gift cards I was hoping to use for some of the larger equipment pieces.

    10. #10
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      Birdman- I originally thought about 2500 but it looks like it will be closer to 2100 gallons so just a small pond in comparison to most on here.
      There is actually going to be a 2 tiered low freestanding deck built around it with hinged access panels for the equipment and benches around it for seating so I think the height will be ok the way it's laid out.

      This is just going to be a small pond so I don't want to go overboard but I want to do it the right way this time around!

      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    11. #11
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      Quote Originally Posted by Ollieman View Post
      Im not opposed to that at all! I just have about $1200 in Amazon gift cards I was hoping to use for some of the larger equipment pieces.
      Got ya.

    12. #12
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      If your doing a block wall this skimmer is designed to fit in the space of one block.
      Attached Images Attached Images   

    13. #13
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      Birdman- Do you know if there is a way to convert to a 3" outlet?

    14. #14
      kevin32 is offline Inactivated
      is chillin
       
      Feeling:
      Friendly
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2014
      Location
      Brentwood, ca up north
      Posts
      8,029
      Quote Originally Posted by Ollieman View Post
      Birdman- Do you know if there is a way to convert to a 3" outlet?
      You can convert it to a 3 or 4 inch outlet

    15. #15
      Ollieman is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2018
      Location
      Raleigh NC
      Posts
      56
      Guess it's a good thing I have a friend/plumber doing this portion of things! Thank you

    16. #16
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      Quote Originally Posted by Ollieman View Post
      Birdman- Do you know if there is a way to convert to a 3" outlet?
      Yes, I do it all the time, 3" or 4" with elec. conduit adapters.
      Attached Images Attached Images  

    17. #17
      MCAsan is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Oct 2015
      Location
      Atlanta
      Posts
      1,489
      You can also get pool skimmers in dark gray and black. You don't have to have white one sitting in a black wall.

    18. #18
      birdman's Avatar
      birdman is offline DIY Savant
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Palm Springs, CA.
      Posts
      21,812
      Quote Originally Posted by MCAsan View Post
      You can also get pool skimmers in dark gray and black. You don't have to have white one sitting in a black wall.
      Also you can paint it with Krylon Fusion paint.

    19. #19
      OCkoiFan's Avatar
      OCkoiFan is offline Supporting Member
      is Mitchiesan-ninja’s
      feather rock
       
      Feeling:
      Amused
       
      Join Date
      Apr 2014
      Location
      Orange County, CA
      Posts
      5,306
      Quote Originally Posted by birdman View Post
      If your doing a block wall this skimmer is designed to fit in the space of one block.
      Is this skimmer work with pond liner too sir?
      And how do your adapt it to 4” pvc?
      M.Nguyen


    20. #20
      ricshaw is offline Senior Member
      is who misses his Koi.
       
      Feeling:
      Bemused
       
      Join Date
      Jan 2016
      Location
      Southern California
      Posts
      2,085
      Quote Originally Posted by Ollieman View Post
      Birdman- Do you know if there is a way to convert to a 3" outlet?
      I just converted one to a 3" outlet using Harbor Freight Hole Saw Kit and 3" electrical conduit adapters.


      member

      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •