designing a pond

[fully]

ok seeing as my original post was lost i will start over...
the pond as it is now looks like this
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh141/fullyford/IMG_0731.jpg

what i want to do is make it alot bigger. lets go 15x8x4-5 deep..that about 3600-4500 gal. that should be plenty big.

for a pump i had talked with terri and cant remember but i think recommend the sequence 750 4200seq might have been the one higher than that not sure lost all my notes lol..

as far as filtration i think i will have 45 gal drums..
1 would be like a settling tank that is feed by a 4" retro bottom drain. then that would feed the pump..from there i would split the pumps out put and send water to 2 sets of 2 barrels (4) in total. then they would return water on to the water fall.

for the filter material. not sure what to use..thinking plastic pallet strapping in 2 barrels and some kind of spunge or furnace type material in the other two.

what you guys think..am i missing something. i know alot of you will say to do a real bottom drain but with the harsh saskatchewan winters that we get i don't want to chance have a line bust underground, or else i would do it i am really hoping to get this done this year, but it might just be a collect everything i need year lol...so that there will be no hold ups when it is time to do..
tell me your thoughts

[Jackie Ramo]

Thanks for taking the time to repost, I know this is a pita, but we all lost posts.

I don't think 2 drums would be enough filtration for a pond that size but it really depends on the fish load. Starting with a few small fish it would be fine and as the fish grew you could add more filtration. A skimmer for me is a necessity, Keeps the pond so much cleaner with so little effort on my part.

[fully]

there will be 5 barrels in total, one settling type tank and then 2 sets of 2 barrels

[philly]

Thanks for taking the time to repost, I know this is a pita, but we all lost posts.

I don't think 2 drums would be enough filtration for a pond that size but it really depends on the fish load. Starting with a few small fish it would be fine and as the fish grew you could add more filtration. A skimmer for me is a necessity, Keeps the pond so much cleaner with so little effort on my part.

Yes, I agree with Jackie a skimmer does help keep the pond much cleaned, don't know why mine haven't been installed up to this day yet did buy it about 8 years ago. :HAHA: :HAHA:

[Jackie Ramo]

5 barrels sounds good especially with a settling chamber. Sorry I misread the first post, tired from a day of travel.

When does the shovel hit the ground?

[philly]

5 barrels sounds good especially with a settling chamber. Sorry I misread the first post, tired from a day of travel.

When does the shovel hit the ground?

Whatever time you get there! :frisbee:

[Jackie Ramo]

Ha Ha Phil, he'd never get a pond waiting for me.

[philly]

But you can supervise to whole project from start to finish. :frisbee:

[Koidaddy]

Hi fully ~

I just have one thing to say:

Bottom Drain!

You really shouldn't shy away from a correctly installed bottom drain. You'll thank me for this advice when you become more familiar with the koi hobby. Your cold weather isn't a factor for worry when pipes are installed properly. You'll need to bleed the lines dry prior to winter and have a below ground gate valve installed for closing the main line, but that's an easy install!

Here is mine:
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSCN1951.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSCN1952.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSCN1953.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DSCN1955.jpg

[fully]

koidaddy, i will listen..how does this work, where does it close the valve at, just below the bd..how do you blow out a 4" line of water, must have a huge compressor?

[Koidaddy]

koidaddy, i will listen..how does this work, where does it close the valve at, just below the bd..how do you blow out a 4" line of water, must have a huge compressor?

My vale is about 3' underground attached to my 3" pipeline (most ponders use 4") to my bottom drain. All that I do when closing down my system in late fall is to do a massive water change (which is strongly suggested anyway for Winter) and allow it to drain down bellow the level of my knife valve - This way all water in your lines that are buried just below ground level will drain into the pond below the 3 foot level, once drained close knife valve and refill pond to ground level, making sure to dechlorinate water as you fill. Pond is now full of fresh water for the Winter and lines are empty. Hope you understand? BTW, the shaft in which I have my valve in was made with two 5 gallon buckets with the bottoms cut off - inserted one into the other and adjust for height to ground level... an inexpensive fix.

Keep those questions coming... Lots of help here!
KD
:grin:

[fully]

so what about the rest of the pipe, from the valve to the bd, that would still be filled with water...won't that freeze..how deep is your pond

[Koidaddy]

so what about the rest of the pipe, from the valve to the bd, that would still be filled with water...won't that freeze..how deep is your pond


My pond is only 4 feet deep, and trust me, we've had some killer winters... No trouble to date - You'll be fine.

The rest of the pipe to your bottom drain will have water in it, but no need to worry, as water will not freeze solid at that depth. Many Canadians throughout the country have ponds with bottom drains which contain water during the winter months and have no trouble whatsoever at that depth. There is also 4" flexible piping that you can buy if you seem unsure, it would "give" if frozen. - See pic. If you want you can have the knife valve even deeper, you can purchase extension handles for the valves that making access from ground level easy.

KD
:grin:

Picture:Clarke Koi pond installation, Toronto, Ontario
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/Koidaddy/DrainCUS.jpg

[Marg]

My vale is about 3' underground attached to my 3" pipeline (most ponders use 4") to my bottom drain. All that I do when closing down my system in late fall is to do a massive water change (which is strongly suggested anyway for Winter) and allow it to drain down bellow the level of my knife valve - This way all water in your lines that are buried just below ground level will drain into the pond below the 3 foot level, once drained close knife valve and refill pond to ground level, making sure to dechlorinate water as you fill. Pond is now full of fresh water for the Winter and lines are empty. Hope you understand? BTW, the shaft in which I have my valve in was made with two 5 gallon buckets with the bottoms cut off - inserted one into the other and adjust for height to ground level... an inexpensive fix.

Keep those questions coming... Lots of help here!
KD
:grin:

We have installed a valve and wanted to protect/cover it with something. You have solved half of my problem. Now...what did you use for the lid?

Thanks, Marg

[Koidaddy]

We have installed a valve and wanted to protect/cover it with something. You have solved half of my problem. Now...what did you use for the lid?

Thanks, Marg

Marg, I used a nicer lid I had kicking around, but you can buy these buckets with lids similar to the ones you see on 5 gallon plastic paint bucket... should do the trick. You can always spray paint the lid to conceal.

KD
:grin:

[Marg]

Great idea!
Marg

[philly]

Marg, that KD seems to have a little knowledge of what he's talking about. :grin:

[Marg]

:frisbee::frisbee::frisbee:
JK
Marg

[Koidaddy]

Maybe you should hire him :frisbee::frisbee::frisbee:
JK
Marg

Mr. Philly could never afford my rate!:phfft:

[philly]

Mr. Philly could never afford my rate!:phfft:

That's correct I can't afford to hire someone who's going to stand around all day and do nothing. :HAHA: :HAHA:

[Jackie Ramo]

I don't do nothing I supervise!!!!

[Koidaddy]

That's correct I can't afford to hire someone who's going to stand around all day and do nothing. :HAHA: :HAHA:

Your humor should be the star attraction on the Gong Show!!:yup:



..... yawn!

[philly]

Your humor should be the star attraction on the Gong Show!!:yup:

..... yawn!

Sorry buddy if you can give it but can't take it. :grin:

[philly]

I don't do nothing I supervise!!!!

That's what you think Princess come over to my place and you will surely get your hands dirty. :wink:

[Koidaddy]

That's what you think Princess come over to my place and you will surely get your hands dirty. :wink:


... What, and get those trademark orange fingernails dirty!:lol:

[philly]

She did get them dirty today working around the pond. :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, and I got a sore back and taught the pups new swear words. Thanks for stopping by Phil, you are a good guy!!:yup:

[philly]

Yes, and I got a sore back and taught the pups new swear words. Thanks for stopping by Phil, you are a good guy!!:yup:

No problem Jackie anytime you need some help just call. Remind KD I'm a good guy. :frisbee: :HAHA: :HAHA:

[Koidaddy]

lalala

[philly]

lalala

WHERE were you when she needed HELP ? :frisbee: