What did I get myself into!

[Sensei B]

nice thread! thanks for the write up/process!

[gmessler]

For the last 7 years or so this was my filtration system.
The problem I had with it was that on a regular basis I'd get frogs, toads, and small fish make their way through the skimmer/bottom drains.
The issue with this was that they would get sucked into either the Shower pump basket, or the Skimmer pump basket, or the Moving bed filter.
If I wasn't there to catch it right away they'd get ripped apart by the water / media.
I would always know when it happened because in the morning the pond would look like someone poured Mr. Bubble into the pond.
Then I'd check the baskets and would find a ground up fish or frog. it wasn't so easy with the moving bed filter to find.
I was also cleaning out the pump baskets every 2-3 days and the string algae buildup in the moving bed in the spring was a pain.

In the Spring last year I found someone selling a couple of Sieves that looked similar to the Aquaforte 3. They were made by EA.
Since they were nearly identical in size to the Aquaforte's I figured their capability at approximately 11000 gallons each.
I figured that would solve my problems.

I'll do another drawing with what my plans were for last years system and explain further.

[gmessler]

This was what I began installing last year.
Once I got the two sieves in place and hooked up only 1 6100 gph pump, it drained them both almost instantly.
I modified the sieves to be able to lower them 4" in hopes of getting more flow.
Unfortunately after the modification I was still only able to get limited flow out of using 2 pumps.
So I never was able to hook up the bead filter and I had to choke down both the falls and the shower.

This is what drove the DIY zakki build.

[Ndlax59]

This was what I began installing last year.
Once I got the two sieves in place and hooked up only 1 6100 gph pump, it drained them both almost instantly.
I modified the sieves to be able to lower them 4" in hopes of getting more flow.
Unfortunately after the modification I was still only able to get limited flow out of using 2 pumps.
So I never was able to hook up the bead filter and I had to choke down both the falls and the shower.

This is what drove the DIY zakki build.

Love your build. Do you have a pic of your filter setup now. Also why the redesign? Also why did you add the 4” return and also why have a 4” bd and a 3”?
Sorry for the questions. Planning my new build and just accumulating info. Thanks again!!! Amazing over 10 years old and still helping people with builds.

[gmessler]

Hello Ndlax59,

I'm currently in process of a filtration redo. I'm just about done rebuilding my greenhouse so aside from a pump feeding my waterfall everything is Currently disconnected.
The second to last redesign was a result of frogs and small fish getting into my filtration. The last one was because the gravity flow sieves ( to prevent frogs and fish ) weren't providing enough flow for the pumps. The pond is approx 8-9000 gal and I had been running 19,700 GPH (rated value not flow including head) worth of pumps.
I added the 4" return so that I had a way back to the pond from the shower. I wish now that I had put in another 3 or so returns aside from the 3 TPRs that are near the bottom as well as a mid level intake.
As for the BD's, the 4" is on the large end of the pond and the 3" is on the small end. The sizes were based on the area they clear. In hindsight I should have made them both 4". Not for the clearing area but for added flow to the filter pit.
With the pre sieve filtration I was only running a 57W UV and my water was always crystal clear and never had any ammonia in my tests. if it weren't for frogs and small fish getting into the filters I would have never changed it. it worked great

Good luck with your build. You're in the right spot here on Koiphen. Lot of Great people and builds. Best thing you can do is exactly what you're doing. Research, read, ask questions.

I'll post a pic of the new greenhouse soon.

[cindy]

That is an amazing pond and backyard. Good job

[hacnp]

Just read this whole thing, beautiful yard and fantastic pond!