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Thread: Newbie who needs some advice...
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04-01-2019, 03:27 AM #1
Newbie who needs some advice...
Hello everyone and I thank you all in advance for excusing my ignorance to some of these issues. We moved into a rental home with a large 15,000 Gallon Koi Pond in the backyard...we have approximately 13 big beautiful Koi and since we have been here (about 2 years) they have produced around 10 baby koi. When we moved in the pond was gross...no filter at all and a sump pump that was powerful but very old (no idea the HP) and it moved the water which ran from the submerged pump to an upper "trough" sort of thing with a PVC pipe and water spilled over like a small waterfall. After having the pond professionally cleaned (fish removed, power washed the liner, removed all debris etc) we watched endless youtube videos and made our own bio filter with 55 gallon drums which have lava rock and different media in them. The pump gave out finally and we went and purchased another one which was 1HP and sump pump but not necessarily for pond use...more like for a basement or something. I should also mention that the pump runs 24/7. That pump lasted not even a year and just gave out again. Not sure why. My question to you all is what is the most economical, appropriate pump for us to buy and how many HP or how many GPH should we be moving for a 15K Gallon pond? ANY advice or help is super appreciated! Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
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04-01-2019, 10:42 AM #2
Hi, are you definate about the size?
That's a massive pond, and in a rental property?
Ideally the turnover is between 1 to 2 hours.
But take into account losses due to flow restriction in pipes bend, height if the water is lifted etc.
Bigger the pipes less loss.
Do as many measurements as possible and double check the volume, it's easy to get it wrong unless is a rectangle.
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04-01-2019, 10:46 AM #3
welcome to the site,sounds like a big pond at 15000g thats almost 70,000 liters,ideally you want turnover between 1 and 3 hours so your looking at a 20-30,000lph pump,if your drums can handle that flow,the one you got that didnt last is probably due to them not being built for continuous use,just sort of quick bursts,get some photos up and people will be able to advise better,all the best,andi
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04-01-2019, 11:20 AM #4
wow, you sure its not 15,000 litres ?
got any pictures?
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04-01-2019, 11:25 AM #5
thats what i thought thats big in a rental of all places,andi
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04-01-2019, 02:44 PM #6
It is square Yes I am sure of the size...we have over an acre in Eugene, Oregon in the US. Here is a short clip of the pond after we had it cleaned.
https://youtu.be/GyA2_gHdcTA
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04-01-2019, 04:50 PM #7
thats pretty but its not 15k gallons
im guessing its about 3.5 m square, not including the shallow end, if you give us precise measurements we could give you a definite volume.
so going on my estimate if its 1 m deep its 12k litres, if its 1.5m deep its18 k litres, or for 2m deep, would be 24 k litres...…...24 k litres is 5,300 gallons.
Hth
David
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04-01-2019, 06:14 PM #8
The US gallon is smaller than how we understand a gallon.
But 15k us gallons still equals nearly 57000 litres.
Best to talk in litres as that's more universal.
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07-01-2019, 03:06 AM #9
Erm, I think we've established the exact opposite, you actually don't know the pond volume. Looking at all those shallow ledges and shelves in the video no way is that 5 foot deep throughout. The reason members are making a big deal out of this issue is two-fold:
1. We can't recommend a pump until turnover rate is decided, which is related to the pond volume. I would usually recommend buying a pump that can turn the pond volume over in 1 hour (after head losses and resistance through pipes it will end up being closer to the 2 hour mark). 15,000 gallons per hour is a very specialised and expensive bit of kit, whereas 5000 gallons per hour opens up many more reasonable pumps as option. I am assuming your filters are pump fed and you have no bottom drains, so you need a solids handling pump in a cage that sits on the pond floor. You might find running 2 pumps one from each end helps with flow.
2. if you ever came to need to add a treatment to the pond you will kill all your fish if you think it is 3 times the size that it actually is.2016 new 6000 gallon pond
https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construc...ghlight=feline
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09-01-2019, 03:40 PM #10
I found a pump and I know what I have....thanks anyway!
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09-01-2019, 06:26 PM #11
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11-01-2019, 01:42 AM #12
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...