| The project design began in 2000 when I realised that my fish population was exceeding our original 1500 gallon ornamental pond's capacity, and when the koi bug really began to bite - so a new pond was required. A contractor was eventually selected who provided a competitive fixed quote to an agreed written spec. Construction started in March 2001 when fish were removed from the existing 1500 gallon pond and held in a 750 gallon storage container using the old 50 gallon bio filter. Regular monitoring of the water and weekly 5% changes kept water quality within acceptable limits and resulted in no fish losses during the 5 months of construction. |
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The new pond is 18x16 feet and is 5 feet at it's deepest. Including filters it contains 5500 gallons. Construction is concrete , block and render with a green fibreglass finish( the wife was right it looks better than black ).
I have built a cane fence at (14 inches) which so far has deterred herons -we have a colony within a mile of the house.
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Water circulation is through 2 independent aquamax pumps returning water via 2 x 30 watt UVs to the far end of the pond at a depth of 6 inches. The filters can also be run through a bypass off either pump, and water returned at 3 foot depth, which I intend using for slower winter circulation. |
| On the far face of the pond is an adjoining section for plants of about 2 feet depth, separated from the main pond by a weir made with large (8inch) pebbles. A water return flows into this section to use the plants as additional filter media and to ensure the water does not stagnate. |
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A surface skimmer working off a timer, powered by an aquamax, delivers water to the waterfall and the low level winter return. This set up has allowed me to control the filter flow rates, waterfall and total pond circulation and provided some redundancy in the event of pump failure. I calculate that pond circulation is 3000 gallons / hour. |
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A close up of the waterfall which has been made up with local stone. |
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Filtration has been designed with significant over capacity of about 100%, and consists of 2 vortexes, and 4 bio units connected in 2 banks of 3, feeding from 3 bottom drains. Media is Japanese matting.
Water make up is via filter and ball cock system. 2 air compressors supply air independently to the bio filters and to a single bottom drain, which works off the waterfall timer. |
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To date the fish have taken well to their new surroundings, my chagoi, ogon and 2 sankes are clearly enjoying their new found freedom. Part of the deal with my patient wife, who has seen her beloved garden wrecked, was to retain our orfe and gold fish. These will no doubt fade away in time and beginning either in the Autumn or next year, as water conditions stabilise, I will begin increasing the Koi stock. |
| There have been lots of learning points about the project, for example. If at all possible do the work yourself once you have an understanding of your design and building criteria, unfortunately I couldn't, so always supervise the contractor closely. Be prepared for major problems and to stand your ground -3 water sources were found which required professional help to deal with. Always pay for completed work - never in advance, and retain at least 10% of the contract at the end for remedial work. Find at least 2 trust worthy equipment suppliers and test their advice and costs against other opinion. Always check on reputations and then check again, before committing expenditure.
Thanks for all the advice from the site - the society sounds very friendly and I am only sorry that I live too far away to join and meet you all.
Mike - UK. |
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Click on any image to see a larger image. |
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Pond details |
Gallonage
Dimensions
Construction
Shape
Bottom drains
Filter feed
Year completed |
5,500 in total.
18ft x 16ft x 5ft deep.
Concrete block, render, & fibreglass.
Rectangular.
3 x 4"drain. (One with air diffuser)
Bottom drains to vortex.
2001
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Filter details |
Type
Media in all 4 bays
Settlement chambers
Aeration |
Twin fibreglass units in parallel.
Japanese matting.
2 x vortex chamber.
2 x Hi.Blow 40 air pump. |
Pump details |
Type, make, etc
Water circulation
Location
Water return |
Aquamax 10000 & Aquamax 15000.
3,000 gals/hr.
Chamber after filters.
6" below water level & Waterfall. |
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Ultra violet lamp - 2 x 30 watts.
Power skimmer powered by Aquamax 10000 |
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