" koiforum.uk - The home of Extreme Koi "
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23-06-2019, 08:20 AM #1Senior Member
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Alburglar's DIY fry setup and grow on pond and filter.
Hello Everyone,
I've been a member for a while, lurking around looking at pond builds. I've had fish tropical and marine forever but this is my first Koi.
I started off with some fry from a mixed pond that a friend was thinning out. I setup this system initially with my old loft water tanks and got given another couple and a free old hozelock ecomax 2200 UV filter. I had fish in two tubs a reed bed and one big planted tub.
Last edited by Alburglar; 08-07-2019 at 12:32 PM.
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23-06-2019, 08:34 AM #2Senior Member
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The fish grew on well and all four were goldfish/koi hybrids. I later added a shubunkin that outgrew my mums half barrell and a lemon sarasa comet that my daughter insisted on in the pet shop!
But it was then time to dig a hole for my £30 ebay pond and to add 4 small Koi to grow on.
This pond will eventually be the vegetation filter for the big pond build.
Last edited by Alburglar; 08-07-2019 at 12:33 PM.
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23-06-2019, 08:43 AM #3Senior Member
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I got the Koi from Koi-r-us in Hythe. He has a very nice set up and it's near me. Not a great photo tho.
But in all the 'excitement' 3 of the 4 goldfish/hybrids jumped out over night. So I need to sort out some sleepers round the pond and a cover.Last edited by Alburglar; 08-07-2019 at 12:34 PM.
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23-06-2019, 08:53 AM #4Senior Member
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The filter then started to trip the power out. So i took that apart, cleaned it all up and replaced the ballast and put a new bulb in.
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23-06-2019, 09:00 AM #5Senior Member
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and now I've started to put two of the old 110 litre tanks to good use. These and the pond will be the filtration for the big pond.
I've used a raised floor with mushroom crates and onion sacks filled with white pumice for anaerobic bacteria. Theres 25litre of media in there and could take that again easily when the big pond is up and running.
Last edited by Alburglar; 28-06-2019 at 09:10 PM.
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23-06-2019, 09:02 AM #6Senior Member
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The first tub is empty at the moment but it will have 50 - 100litre of K1 media with an air source bubbling through it for aerobic bactera.
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23-06-2019, 09:07 AM #7Senior Member
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Most of the fittings are from my old monster fish tank days and have saved a lot of money but the drain tap for the big tubs is dripping so I need to sort that. Probably will go for individual drains.
Its a work in progress and I also have a DIY surface skimmer in the pipeline.
... And of course when I know it all works and is practical and maintenance friendly then I will start to make it look prettier.
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23-06-2019, 09:28 AM #8Senior Member
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In case you're wondering it's 650 litres in the pond, 100 litres in each filter tub and I suppose 25 litres ish in the hozelock so nearly 900 litres (200 gallons). With approximately 1000 gallons going here, cut into the bank with a window in it, so I can see it from my sofa! Just got to do the Mrs a Kitchen first. Happy wife, Happy Life!
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23-06-2019, 09:32 AM #9Senior Member
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... So it will never be the biggest system in the world, but I live on a hill with restricted access and only hand tools available.
if I stock 4 or 6 Koi at the most will that do? I can upgrade UV, add another surface skimmer etc as the system grows.
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23-06-2019, 05:57 PM #10Senior Member
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23-06-2019, 06:08 PM #11Senior Member
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Well I'm very impressed. The water has gone crystal clear overnight with only 1/4 of the media in. Thats just benefit of its mechanical properties too. The bacteria obviously hasn't had a chance to kick in yet.
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23-06-2019, 06:14 PM #12Senior Member
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Wow that's a lot of posts and a lot of history in one go! Looking good be sure to keep us updated.
Sent from my BBF100-1 using TapatalkBuilt not bought!
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23-06-2019, 07:32 PM #13Senior Member
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... I was excited about the new filter. #FishGeek
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23-06-2019, 07:34 PM #14Senior Member
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Nothing wrong with that lol looking good mate.
Originally Posted by Alburglar
Sent from my BBF100-1 using TapatalkBuilt not bought!
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27-06-2019, 06:24 PM #15Senior Member
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My latest acquisition. Hailea v60 air pump and an adjustable ball valve to replace my leaky filter drain. £20. Bargain. Pump just needs the 10mm threaded fitting, so I need to hunt round for something.
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28-06-2019, 06:19 AM #16Senior Member
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Nice one mate. Great. as Dave said. Keep the photos coming.
And the information. I like it when people like yourself make there own filter systems
Fred
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28-06-2019, 08:15 PM #17Senior Member
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Pond cover is nearly there now.
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28-06-2019, 09:06 PM #18Senior Member
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I've had to fork out for a proper CAD design drawing too, because I was struggling to figure out how many sleepers I was going to need. Here it is:
Last edited by Alburglar; 29-06-2019 at 04:09 PM.
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28-06-2019, 09:21 PM #19Senior Member
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I thought this ticked a few boxes for the DIY surface skimmer project too, so I've actually bought something new for once!
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02-07-2019, 10:01 PM #20Senior Member
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The pond cover is nearly ready for paint. I'm waiting for the new plant pots to turn up though, to make sure. They should fill all the gaps.
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