Thread: New Natural look koi pond build

Originally Posted by Twhitenosugar

Yep slide valves fail surprisingly quickly.

I got a new one (valterra) installed on a sieve filter and that let water through even when it was only a year old.

Ball valves all the way.

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Thanks for the tip guys. I will steer clear


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Managed to do get the concrete bond beam down at the weekend and start some digging, trying to plan out the filter area. The more and more I research the more I’m thinking I need to go long and stretch to a drum and build a proper blockwork small filter house I can hide under decking. Can’t get my head round how big. I think it will be the case of purchasing the bits and then working out the space.

Another issue is earth. It’s not looking good as was hoping to build a retaining wall around the gravel area and hide it under decking. My original plan was 3ft perimeter down to 4-5ft middle. Would 2ft down to 3-4 be too shallow? I know going deep 4-5ft helps the koi keep warm but isn’t the bottom drain going to be pulling and moving any warmer water as it’s at the lowest point?







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Cheers guys I’m going to keep on digging. The good knews it all seems clay and is so soft. I might aim for a 2.5 perimeter just as a safety precaution incase anyone went in then tail off down to 5ft center. Struggling to work out the calculations on gallons, I suppose I won’t really know until I fill with a meter attached. Any ideas if they are accurate?

I think I’m 100% sold on a drum what ever it takes. I have seen a few second hand but just worry that even with half the costs your still talking over a grand and no guarantee it isn’t knackered. Are there any good sites for second hand parts more trustworthy? I’m liking the look of Burtons and the idea of a guarantee and someone on the other end of the line. Could you recommend any other brands to look into? Maybe going the single cheapest drum then building my own bio chamber.


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Depth of 2.5 perimeter met and halfway through dig. I’m thinking of reducing perimeter to 3ft and going for a 6ft low point at this rate. Aiming for 3-4000 gallons hopefully.


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Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper

Looks like you're making good progress there. At least you have a couple of helpers there

Both intrigued with the worms! And realising they can both pick a fish each. Oldest wants a Chagoi… I need to keep digging


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Bit of progress, started to drop the middle and just run out of steam and where to put the earth! Im at 2.5 - 2 perimeter, had to raise some to get a nice slope. Middle sitting at 3.5ft. I’m going to take the advice and block up an extra foot or so and backfill. Basically the whole back Garden passed the office I will raise to hide the earth and deck over. Bringing in some big boulders to define the pond edges.

Just about to order the bottom drain. Thinking of the 4” spindrifter kit from Cotswold koi. Just confused still with metric and imperial and plumbing in general, would prefer to get everything ready to go at this point. Lower back pain and a glass of red tonight




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Coming a long nicely. I would second a drum, the quality of water and reduced maintainable time has been a massive bonus for me personally.

I still clean my drum weekly with my vacuum to ensure any debris or sludge in waste chute is gone but it’s a 10 minute job

Looking forward to seeing this one complete


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Originally Posted by Dom G20

Coming a long nicely. I would second a drum, the quality of water and reduced maintainable time has been a massive bonus for me personally.

I still clean my drum weekly with my vacuum to ensure any debris or sludge in waste chute is gone but it’s a 10 minute job

Looking forward to seeing this one complete


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Cheers bud, I think I’m going invest up front and go for the drum. Keeping my eyes on a second hand but might just go for a new burtons after watching lots of vids. I mean a weekly clean is nothing, it was the daily maintenance for me and then being away with work, relying on the Mrs, holidays etc.

Out of interest how much is the pond costing you a month? I hear water usage is the big cost now everyone is on a meter.


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Originally Posted by davethefish1

Making good progress there mate
frim will be jealous of the nice brown soil your digging out

what are the dimensions?
it's hard to estimate pond volume with a sloped curved pond.
i thought i had dug a 7000 litre pond with my previous build, but when i filled it with a meter it was barely over 4000 litres...

some thing i'd strongly reccomend doing when you fill with a natural looking pond, so you can dose medication correctly

Many thanks! Yes it was a lovely like butter dig up until a few days ago. I think the masses of rain before I started make perfect conditions and now the clay has hardened like kiln fired pottery, just so much effort which is why I’m deciding to stop and build up.

Great advice RE meter as I know it’s crucial to know your volume. I will take the advice and make sure I meter the fill.

Currently the pond is 15ft long x 10ft. Perimeter going to be roughly 3ft and low point 4.5ish. Hoping for near 3000 gallons


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Originally Posted by Frimley Koi keeper

Yes that looks an easier dig than mine!

Another way to get the correct volume is the salt method.

Salt method sounds interesting, how does that work?


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