Another rebuild (and posting to Koiphen after 13 years. SMH)

[outerbanker]

Hello all,
We have a pond that was updated in 2009 from a water garden to a pond that could host our shubunkin, ryukin & comets.

This time we want to create a more formal look and create an environment suitable as a new koi-only home.

Current status: Existing pond (kidney shaped 11'L x 6'W x 2.75'D max) has a non-functioning BD, inadequate filtration, and a plant shelf that makes fish easy targets for predators. We have an Intex in our garage (again) with koi that replaced the goldfish variants listed above in current setup. Demolition has started with marker stakes in approximate locations of new pond corners.

Plan is to replace with an 8'L x 8'D x 5'D koi home with BD w/ air, gravity fed Cetus sieve, S/G, 57W U/V, 2 TPR's, Skimmer, Bakki tower, & Ph Ph. (Overkill for a 2400 Gal. pond with 9 koi, 14 to 22 In.?)

Photos show existing pond in early 2010, demo progress, and koi in Intex.

Side note: We have a wonderful odor in the garage, as the koi decided to spawn the night of their arrival.

[cindy]

Welcome back. Will be watching and I know that smell well. My Wakins winter
In the basement

[outerbanker]

Cindy,
TY, ma'am. Will try not to do another disappearing act. Did 2 start-up businesses in 2 years and lost touch with me. Slowing down for some "me time" now.

[cindy]

It’s a little harder on my phone but Koiphen is the best

[stephen]

Cindy,
TY, ma'am. Will try not to do another disappearing act. Did 2 start-up businesses in 2 years and lost touch with me. Slowing down for some "me time" now.

Welcome Back

[Noahsnana]

Look forward to watching the build

[gray cat]

Welcome back.

[outerbanker]

Demolition is complete and finally started backfill on old pond and excavation for our new one. Rented a mini from Home Depot; what a back saver!

[outerbanker]

Temporary home filtration is now a submersible in center of pool with air stone suspended just above it. The pump goes to a DIY 300 micron screen sieve/shower that flows over a bed of lava rock. The sieve gravity feeds into a Birdman fluid bed loaded with 4 cubic feet of K1. The fluid bed gravity feeds into a waterfall weir that has another cut-to-fit 300 micron screen ahead of 2 layers of filter mats, as well as a return that sets up a rotational current.

[outerbanker]

[outerbanker]

What a mess. Have a sump pump in there trying to get most of the rain water out.

[Eirahill]

Looking awesome. waiting for the final master piece

[Noahsnana]

Of course it rained... that is a setback but hope it dries out quickly. What are your temps there? We are 70's here

[outerbanker]

Of course it rained... that is a setback but hope it dries out quickly. What are your temps there? We are 70's here

We are having a very mild spring. Reminds me of 30-40 years ago, when we actually had 4 seasons here in coastal Virginia. High today is 73 degrees.

[Noahsnana]

Yes loving the weather this year... Cool mornings high 78 degrees here today

[outerbanker]

After days of rain it finally dried out enough to make some progress.
The pond dig is in front of the house. The pond will have a small filter pit behind it for a gravity fed Cetus sieve that I've had for years and never used. The rest of our filtration will be in a new garden shed/filter house. The form for the new shed's slab can be seen with the PVC plumbing stubs. The shed photo is along the lines of what I intend to build: 12'x8' under roof, with half enclosed and half open.

[outerbanker]

As of this morning the bottom drain is in and its concrete collar is poured and curing. The 3/4 in. airline is run from the drain to the filter house. I've started gluing the 3" runs to the filter house and the 2" returns to the pond.

[Noahsnana]

Will you be blocking it or pour?

[cindy]

I can’t see pics but I’m at the dentist

[outerbanker]

Will you be blocking it or pour?

It is kinda' going to be a hybrid. It's a Firestone liner build. The small pit where the Cetus will be behind the pond will have a slab poured, and dry stacked block that will be filled with concrete. It will have a partial wall in common with the pond.

I am going to backfill and compact outside of the plywood around the pond area until I get within a few inches of the top. Then I'm going to pour a footer just under ground grade that concrete filled dry stack will rest on to finish the walls.

I took photos of side view and top view drawings that I hope will help show what I'm up to.