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Thread: First Time Koi Pond
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06-03-2020, 10:25 AM #1
First Time Koi Pond
Hi, I have roughly a 10ft L x 6ft W x 5ft D pond currently being built in my garden, which I intend to have stocked with Koi. I have purchased a Auto Clean PFC-50000 Pressurised Pond Filter Kit With AquaECO 12000 Low Wattage Pond Pump. Have I gone too big with my filtration equipment, specifically my pump size?
It's my first time running a koi pond so i'd like the gear i've ordered to be correct.
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06-03-2020, 11:12 AM #2
Hi Dave,
Welcome to the world of Koi and this Forum.
Opinions will vary on almost everything in this hobby, however I am happy to share mine as follows:
Your pond will be around 2,250 UK gallons (perhaps slightly less depending upon what parts you have measured (inner, outer, water level etc...)
The filter you advise states it is capable of handling a colossal 50,000 litres (approx 10,000 UK gallon)
Based on the above it should cope easily... BUT AND ITS A BIG ONE...
Filters are like car MPG claims - ALWAYS OVERSTATED.
I started off with a 1,500 gallon pond and a hose lock bio-force pressure filter and it failed miserably when stocking and feeding levels increased. It was soon replaced.
From a pump perspective, this really depends on distance, head height required, how many bends to navigate and contact time required on the media. The media in the filleted you mention wants contact time so if you proceeded I would suspect the pump will be OK. Usually it is better to opt for a vario pump which give you greater control of flow rates.
Personally if not to late to fit a bottom drain I would definitely do that.
Additionally, I would avoid pressure filters as there are better options depending upon set up, budget, space and how much maintenance you are prepared to do.
Feel free to call me if you want to discuss.
Thanks
Gary
Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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06-03-2020, 11:15 AM #3
You probably have about 1,800 gallons of water so 8,000 litres or so. You’d probably want a pump that was capable of more volume which you could adjust. If you assume normally want to circulate all the water once an hour, you’ll have loss due to pumping water up (head loss) and then friction due to constrictions, bends and just normal friction. I’d go fir a variable pump of 15,000 litres an hour do you can adjust it as you want. I also think they are far more efficient on electricity when they run at the lower rates rather than a smaller pump running flat out to produce same water movement.
as an aside you may want to reconsider your filter choice before it’s delivered, if it was me I’d go for a second hand nexus 200/210/220 or bigger with a sieve or even a drum combo if budget allows. That pressure filter will be a pain to clean, especially in the cold and wet
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06-03-2020, 11:23 AM #4Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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06-03-2020, 11:28 AM #5
Great minds eh! I just took a bit of water out
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06-03-2020, 11:41 AM #6
Thanks fella's.
The kit arrived this morning, I was surprised by the size of the filter and panicked
I'm happy so hear it will work as planned
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06-03-2020, 11:44 AM #7Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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06-03-2020, 11:54 AM #8
You’re welcome mate, however I’m not sure anyone is endorsing the choice mate (sorry). Most people on here are likely to suggest alternatives to what you currently have. I’m with Fred, if you can send it back under your statutory rights I would be inclined to and get some ideas / options from some of the keepers on here.
It can be a minefield and opinions will always vary, however very few experienced keepers will advocate a pressure filter mate.
Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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06-03-2020, 12:01 PM #9
Now I am panicking. I’ve paid Ł580 for the kit. What kit should I be looking at. I won’t be having a bottom drain
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06-03-2020, 12:01 PM #10
If it feels like people are getting at you about the filter chosen we arnt most of us have been there and got the t shirt and are speaking from bitter experience better to spend a little bit extra now than 3 months down the line when you cant send the pressure one back and lose money on it . I had one couldn't do the job then a black box filter couldn't cope now got a multibay which works but is labour intensive for cleaning and now am looking to get a nexus 220 . But the money I have wasted in the time I could have got a drum almost . Please dont make the same mistake. Go nexus if money if tight if money no object go drum
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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06-03-2020, 12:03 PM #11Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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06-03-2020, 12:04 PM #12
A pressure filter is no good for a koi pond, send it back whilst you can. It’s a good idea to ask for advice prior to making purchases, you’ll find it will save you a lot of money. All the best with the pond.
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06-03-2020, 12:16 PM #13
Thanks for the info, i'll get it returned.
Looking on internet would the Nexus Easy Pod Complete be better?
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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06-03-2020, 12:18 PM #14Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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06-03-2020, 03:53 PM #15
Depending on your budget I would go drum and bio chamber. As stated a bottom drain really is essential.
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06-03-2020, 04:31 PM #16
Where abouts are you located? It might be there's a local member who can walk you through it.
I was in the same position as you around 3 years ago and was advised to go the nexus route too (I was looking at a large multi-bay). I ended up going with a Nexus 220, they are far from perfect and if you get the bug you might want to add a drop in drum in the future but its a solid starting point. If you can pick up a secondhand unit you won't really lose any money on it if you decide to sell up in the future. There's the nexus 200, 210 and 220 (plus the 300 series for larger ponds). Each model has been upgraded based on the last but you can buy an upgrade kit to make the internals of a 200 the same as a 220.
My Nexus 220 which has served well for the last 2 years but I'm dropping in a Draco drum later this year as it does struggle to catch the finer particles in the water but as a starting point I couldn't fault it (just be prepared to clean it every 2-3 days in the summer).
There's a Nexus 200 going for Ł350 on ebay now with the lid (extra option) and k1 media, you can get an upgrade for around Ł225 (new) if you wanted it, so for Ł575 you'll have a much better filter that won't lose a great deal of money if you decide to sell up as your fed up with the hobbie or you really get the bug. You'll need an air pump for the k1 media but there are some cheap options out there.
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06-03-2020, 04:36 PM #17
Hi Dave, I work it out you have 1850 gals not incl filters.
As above mate dont rate the pressure filters, nexus are great 300 or 310 would go great on your set up and second hand is good if you shop around.
Drums are the way forward nowadays but it depends on your budget.
I started off with home made filters/ nightmare to clean,then got a 300 nexus, what a rolls great bit of kit.
Then got a drum,wow best thing I have ever done for my pond.
So,i would ask what your funds are?
If tight go for second hand nexus 3 series,or if flush you can get a drum for 1k or above,but then you need a bio chamber.
This is a very expensive hobby Dave but do it right first time and it will pay well,dont forget we have all been there so ask away any questions and we can help you.John
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06-03-2020, 04:40 PM #18
If you say whereabouts you are you’ll probably find a member who is happy to show you their pond and talk you through things. That will make things a lot clearer than reading everything here, it can get confusing and everyone has different ideas and preferences, oh and we all use trade names and jargon which will make no sense to you yet
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06-03-2020, 04:45 PM #19Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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06-03-2020, 04:50 PM #20
I live in Widnes, Cheshire. Appreciate all the feedback
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...