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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Building a new pond with sleepers and glass - looking for inspiration and ideas

    Afternoon All

    I inherited a pond roughly 14 years ago which has kept me busy over the years, and am finally wanting to change it from a semi-natural pond and build a dedicated koi pond.

    I am thinking of a footprint of around 22' x 8' and maybe 5' deep (1/2 in the ground and 1/2 out), this footprint is smaller than the pond I have already so most of the digging is done already.

    With it 1/2 out of the ground I will need to change from pump fed to gravity and either upgrade my nexus or supplement it, if that is even possible.

    I will be after quite a bit of advise as I have not moved my fish before, other than when I first moved in and made the pond deeper and re-lined it after a year or so. hoping I will be able to continue my nexus and existing water to ensure all the fish can go back in it, well, when I say all the fish I have a few common carp too that I want to remove other than a couple of the biggest ones.

    I will do most of the build myself but getting the odd guy in to help on certain bits, and plan to keep it all up to date on here as to progress..



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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Hi mate - loads of great advice available on here so ask away

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Thank you Gaz, sorry I did not see your reply before... Well I certainly have plenty to ask

    I have been doing lots of browsing and changing my mind already, I 'may' change to concrete block and clad the outside to make sure it is stable so browsing examples of both, Sleeper and Block ponds.

    Also as to whether to line the pond with Celotex before glassing, I see there are lots of opinions on that , not sure I dare ask on here.
    Last edited by dbs; 20-07-2020 at 09:06 AM.

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  7. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Well, my wife has found a bargain 12' (7199 L) swimming pool (Aldi) for the fishes temporary home whilst the works are carried out, so that's one thing off the Buy List

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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Hi mate

    Personally I would block, cellotex and glass, however I know many on here have alternative structures (sleepers etc...) which also work well.

    Cheers

    Gaz

    Quote Originally Posted by dbs View Post
    Thank you Gaz, sorry I did not see your reply before... Well I certainly have plenty to ask

    I have been doing lots of browsing and changing my mind already, I 'may' change to concrete block and clad the outside to make sure it is stable so browsing examples of both, Sleeper and Block ponds.

    Also as to whether to line the pond with Celotex before glassing, I see there are lots of opinions on that , not sure I dare ask on here.
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  11. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Always a good sign for the future if the wife is involved mate - good move

    Cheers

    Gaz

    Quote Originally Posted by dbs View Post
    Well, my wife has found a bargain 12' (7199 L) swimming pool (Aldi) for the fishes temporary home whilst the works are carried out, so that's one thing off the Buy List
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  13. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Tending to agree with you at the moment, I have just got a reasonable price for the Blocks, sand and cement for the main shell, I have labour lined up who will put the bottom drains in and the bottom slab (A work friend who has done many a swimming pool over the years) I also have a couple of helpers lined up for the odd day on weekends giving it a push on blockwork/labouring.

    BUT there is a twist, now I am likely doing block, the shape may change so I do not have a simple rectangle... or not, as I have marked on the floor the proposed footprint and it falls too much in line with my home office/cabin

    .
    Quote Originally Posted by Gazkoi View Post
    Hi mate

    Personally I would block, cellotex and glass, however I know many on here have alternative structures (sleepers etc...) which also work well.

    Cheers

    Gaz

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  15. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Oh god yes, I have been thinking of it for a while as we inherited the old pond, she too loves the fish (and my daughter) it wasn't until last weekend when the wife says out of nowhere 'I hate that pond you need to build a better/modern one', I was on the internet scanning for stuff within 10 minutes

    We were going to move 3 or 4 years ago so stopped thinking of doing any major changes to the property... Work has been manic since we decided to stay put.
    Quote Originally Posted by Gazkoi View Post
    Always a good sign for the future if the wife is involved mate - good move

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Last edited by dbs; 20-07-2020 at 01:00 PM.

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  17. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    Strike whilst the irons hot
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  19. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Hell YES
    Quote Originally Posted by Gazkoi View Post
    Strike whilst the irons hot

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  21. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Well my idea has now changed having bee through the forums for a couple of weeks, I have decided to go Blockwork, fibreglass and clad external.

    I am not certain when I will do this in earnest yet, but currently I am thinking most likely September if I can get everything worked out by then.

    The next month I will be finalising my kit, what will be kept, what will be replaced, sketching plans and working out projected costings.

    I also intend on purchasing items as and when I finalise my choices.... spreading out the financial pain some would say

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  23. #12
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai algarth's Avatar
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    I would always advise a bottom drain and gravity feed your Nexus

    With your measurements 22 x 8 x 5 feet you will have about 25,000 liters.
    Here is my half in half out pond 6000 gallons with filter systems

    007.jpg005.jpg

    Which Nexus have you got?

    Gary T
    Last edited by algarth; 25-07-2020 at 04:52 PM.

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  25. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Well this arrived yesterday, spotted by my wife I grabbed one quick as was a good chunk cheaper than the one I had pencilled in



    Well I guess this means I best start soon
    Attached Images Attached Images

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  27. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by algarth View Post
    I would always advise a bottom drain and gravity feed your Nexus

    With your measurements 22 x 8 x 5 feet you will have about 25,000 liters.
    Here is my half in half out pond 6000 gallons with filter systems

    007.jpg005.jpg
    Ooooo that is VERY nice, like that a lot !!

    How effective is the roof ??

    Which Nexus have you got?

    Gary T
    Well unfortunately I only have a 200 upgraded to a 220, so this will either be going or get put onto my skimmer or something, not certain yet...

    One thing I am most certain of is getting a DracoDrum and Bio combi for the main filtering.

    And having asked about on here I am going to install 2 bottom drains, though so far I have not narrowed down what skimmer or bottom drains to get yet, they are next on my list to research
    Last edited by dbs; 25-07-2020 at 05:24 PM.

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  29. #15
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai algarth's Avatar
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    the roof only keeps the rain and herons away from the pond....Your 220 would be fine gravity fed if you added a beadfilter after it My filter system is bottom drain and skimmer into sieve then 2 pumps feeding 2 bead filters 2 uv's and back to pond via 2 returns
    012.jpg009.jpg

    Quote Originally Posted by dbs View Post
    Ooooo that is VERY nice, like that a lot !!

    How effective is the roof ??



    Well unfortunately I only have a 200 upgraded to a 220, so this will either be going or get put onto my skimmer or something, not certain yet...

    One thing I am most certain of is getting a DracoDrum and Bio combi for the main filtering.

    And having asked about on here I am going to install 2 bottom drains, though so far I have not narrowed down what skimmer or bottom drains to get yet, they are next on my list to research
    Last edited by algarth; 25-07-2020 at 06:53 PM.

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  31. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Mature Champion dbs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by algarth View Post
    the roof only keeps the rain and herons away from the pond....
    That is what I would want one for, keep Herons from seeing it, not certain if I will go that route yet but looks ideal... I live on the cost not far from the broads, and tried all sorts of deterrents to stop herons, gave up in the end and fully netted

    Your 220 would be fine gravity fed if you added a beadfilter after it My filter system is bottom drain and skimmer into sieve then 2 pumps feeding 2 bead filters 2 uv's and back to pond via 2 returns
    012.jpg009.jpg
    Would it, hmmmm so beads and a sieve (is that the EA one ??), I did look into beads and wasn't quite sure with the cost of them, but then somehow have set my brain on a drum, I do always look back before big purchases so with thanks will look into for final comparisons

    How effective are the beads for finest particles ??
    Last edited by dbs; 25-07-2020 at 07:22 PM.

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  33. #17
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai algarth's Avatar
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    Well thats all i use before going through the uv's back to the pond and i dont have any fines
    Quote Originally Posted by dbs View Post
    That is what I would want one for, keep Herons from seeing it, not certain if I will go that route yet but looks ideal... I live on the cost not far from the broads, and tried all sorts of deterrents to stop herons, gave up in the end and fully netted

    Would it, hmmmm so beads and a skimmer, I did look into beads and wasn't quite sure with the cost of them, but then somehow have set my brain on a drum, I do always look back before big purchases so with thanks will look into for final comparisons

    How effective are the beads for finest particles ??

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  35. #18
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai algarth's Avatar
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    You could pick up a second hand UB60 in mint condition for about Ł300-400 if you look around and it would double at least your bio capacity
    Do you have micro K1 in your easy?
    Last edited by algarth; 25-07-2020 at 07:30 PM.

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  37. #19
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Frimley Koi keeper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by algarth View Post
    Another one that doesn't shut his waterproof socket lids LOL

    They are only IP66 rated when the lids are shut OK.

    It's not possible to see from that photo but is that a standard socket just to the right of the waterproof socket? If so you're a very naughty boy

    Nice work apart from the sockets though BTW

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  39. #20
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai algarth's Avatar
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    Drums are great but there is nothing can go wrong with a nexus and bead unless your pump packs in

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