This pond
was started in 1991 and was completed in Summer 1993 due to
interruptions which included an extension to the house and
inclement weather. |
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The pond is rectangular
in shape with about 18" above ground level. It was constructed from 6" blocks
built on a concrete base which slopes to two bottom drains.
This was then rendered with Fibromix and painted with black
G4. The filters are constructed in the same way and run along
the length of the pond. They are covered with wood and so can
be used as a patio area. |
Each filter
can be emptied independently via a bottom drain. The filter
matting is arranged vertically using corrugated sheets for
spacing and is aerated via the Hiblow.
The water is returned to the pond via two pumps:-
1). The ITT returns via the UV and venturi and also draws water from the skimmer.
2). The grundfos return can be varied as follows
a. Direct to the pond.
b. To the pond via a planted water course.
c. To bay 1 when the filters need to be isolated during
pond treatment.
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In this first year Vaughan
encountered a problem with blanket weed in the Vortex.
He did not know whether it was his home made Vortex design
or the fact that the algae is light, but the vortex didn't
seem to remove the blanket weed that entered. After some
discussion with other members a piece of matting was suspended
at the top of the vortex and a matting sock was placed
over the vortex exit. This now prevents the blanket weed
from entering bay 1, but it does mean I have to clean the
matting twice a week to remove the blanket weed which tends
to block the matting and restrict the flow. I want to remove
the blanket weed without having to use chemicals, and each
summer I grow watercress in the water course to try to
reduce the nitrate level. |
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Most of the pipework is
Terrain with the bottom drains encased in concrete. The bottom
drains are home made, but seem to do the job well, probably
because the base of the pond is benched quite steeply. It is
intended to add a heating system for use in the summer/autumn
months only, as seen on one of our coach trips to the Middllesex
Section in 1993 and the results were impressive. |
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Pond
details |
Gallonage
Dimensions
Construction
Shape
Bottom drains
Filter feed
Year completed
Time to complete |
4,200.
16ft x9.75ft x 5ft deep.
Concrete block, rendered, & G4.
Rectangular with rounded corners.
1 x 4" to vortex, 1 x 4" to waste.
Bottom or mid-water.
Summer 1993
2 years. |
Filter
details |
Gallonage
Type
Media Bay 1
Media Bay 2
Media Bay 3
Settlement chamber
Aeration |
1,000.
3 bay built with concrete blocks.
Flocor on top of a sheet of matting.
Matting.
Matting.
Vortex chamber.
Hi-blow 40. |
Pump details |
Type, make, etc
.
Pumping capacity
Location
Water return |
1 x ITT Marlow Argonaut 1/3 hp.
1 Grundfoss 15/60 for winter use.
3,500 gals/hr.
Chamber after filters.
Venturi & water course. |
Other equipment |
Ultra violet lamp 1 x 30 watts.
Power skimmer |
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| UPDATE 2004. This
pond is still fully operational after 10 years, but Vaughan is
due to make big changes this year including possibly using Bakki
Showers. We hope to cover this. |
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