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  1. #1

    First Koi Pond Filtration Advice

    Hi All,

    This is my first post and I'm looking for some guidance on cost effective filtration.
    While i would love to buy brand new Nexus220+ or a new drum filter and moving bed i can't get this past the boss. So looking for any guidance on the best value and performing second hand kit.
    Or if what I'm looking to do just is not possible.

    My situation:
    When we moved into our house 5 years ago we had a wildlife pond and the previous owner told us they had kept some koi in the pond.
    Last spring i emptied out the pond and brushed it out and refilled it.
    The pond measures 2.6mL x 1.3mW x 0.8mD
    i bought a rubbish all in one pond pump, UV and filter by blagdon and added some lilies and marginals in pots.
    I then added 5 goldfish.

    I then was rather ill informed regarding keeping koi and promptly sold 6 koi 2-3 inch in size.

    Since buying the koi i realised i needed better filtration so i bought a new Oase Biopress 10,000 and filter.
    Cant complain in relation to its performance while the fish are small.

    Realisation:
    I know now my pond is too small and I've got the bug. So moving on the koi and walking away is not an option.
    instead I'm planning on extending he pond to be 2.6mL x 2.6mW x 1.2mD.
    Meaning i go from 2500l to 8000l in volume which feels more sensible for the koi. I may even go down to 1.3/1.4m in depth although i know this will mean bigger filtration.

    Any Advice?:

    So can anyone recommend what filter i should be looking for, i don't mind cleaning filters weekly but i don't want it to be required daily and if i am to go away for 2 weeks ideally it should be able to cope for that period at most or have really simple maintenance i can rope a friend into helping with.
    My plan is to add 1 or 2 bottom drains and I'm undecided on a skimmer due to cost.

    Ideally i will use a gravity fed set up. that can be housed next to the pond in a covered extension of the blockwork walls.
    So does anyone have any advice on 8,000l filter systems and pumps?

    I've considered an Eazypod or even 2 Eazypods with one to each bottom drain. (seem possible to get for £200 used)
    I also see a lot of kocney koi fibreglass filters with vortex - are these a pain?
    Seen a few nexus 220 although they look pretty battered and old to suit my budget - Worried they can be too worn or damaged and not work correctly?
    I'm looking spend £500-750 on pumps and filters separate to the rest of the build.

    I will be posting my planned build as a drawing on the pond build page when finished as i think the advice shared her is great and want to have as much guidance from experienced keepers as possible.



  2. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    I had a multibay bay as I got it cheap . Then swopped out for a nexus 200 used . Set me back 300 but wife thinks I got it for 50 quid lol . . There is bargain filters out there and a used nexus is brilliant no wet hands ect I have 9000lt or 2k gal so similar to yours and my nexus 200 is running a OVER STOCKED pond brilliantly

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    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  4. #3
    Thanks Jonathan, so is there anything to look out for if i shop around for a used Nexus 200? i see there are nexus 220 being the latest but i guess it all similar and is a good palce to start?
    I think a white lie may be in order too.....regarding cost.

    Also what pump do you use? Evolution aqua 10,000 variable?

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  6. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mason View Post
    Thanks Jonathan, so is there anything to look out for if i shop around for a used Nexus 200? i see there are nexus 220 being the latest but i guess it all similar and is a good palce to start?
    I think a white lie may be in order too.....regarding cost.

    Also what pump do you use? Evolution aqua 10,000 variable?
    If your still in planning please please please look at adding a airlift return it'll save you a small fortune in running costs . . If you must go pump go for a pond xpert 20,000 I believe it is for cheap running but would definitely go 20,000 if pumping

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  8. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Any of the nexus will do 200,220,300,320 all the same ish . And the only things I can think of to go wrong at a massive hole in the side or the air ring blocked if air ring is just drop some air stones in instead job done

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  10. #6
    Thanks Jonathan i will certainly look into that.

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  12. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mason View Post
    Thanks Jonathan i will certainly look into that.
    If you haven't seen a nexus in person they are big ol lumps of filters mind so make sure you have lots of room for filter bay/shed . 4inch balls again are massive things to

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  14. #8
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hi there Mason,
    Johnathan gave you some good advice and it is a good time to buy as a lot are closing down their ponds or going drum filter.

    The nexus is a very good start and can be picked up on Ebay reasonably priced.
    As Johnathan said they are a big lump,remember when I went to pick up a 300 nexus many years ago i was very surprised at the size of it and it only just went into a small van.
    Would steer away from multibays glod in their time but nexus a lot better.

    What to look for in a nexus, they should have the easy section in the middle and all the necessary valves,not much can go wrong with them unless they leak.
    The air ring is crap I used air stones much better.

    As Johnathan said an airlift are easy to make and very cheap to run,i have just made one on my pond and everything is now running on 40watts with a new air pump.
    Where are you Mason can keep a look out for you?
    John

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    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai rolo's Avatar
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    Mason
    i Came across this guy last week wakefield koi he's just starting up he has every type of nexus and easy pod all refurbished ie valves etc also has pumps bacci showers. his telephone is 07584 669408 very knowledgeable and helpful also has every thing new at very good prices. face book up and running website in progress.

    keith

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  18. #10
    Thanks Jonathan, i have seen some at some local shops and yeah they are pretty hefty, think il have to run some 4" across from the pond to a space near the fence and house it in there.

    Looking at airlift return and 100% sold on setting up the pond to run this way. Can easily get to 1.6/1.7m.
    My only question is 4" pipe is easy enough to come by and building that part is easy.
    What do you use for the outer chamber it sits within?

    I've seen a few videos and the one below seemed to explain the concept best:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVZ4oklBFw

    Many thanks,

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  20. #11
    Thanks I've requested to join his group on Facebook

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  22. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Hi there Mason,
    Johnathan gave you some good advice and it is a good time to buy as a lot are closing down their ponds or going drum filter.

    The nexus is a very good start and can be picked up on Ebay reasonably priced.
    As Johnathan said they are a big lump,remember when I went to pick up a 300 nexus many years ago i was very surprised at the size of it and it only just went into a small van.
    Would steer away from multibays glod in their time but nexus a lot better.

    What to look for in a nexus, they should have the easy section in the middle and all the necessary valves,not much can go wrong with them unless they leak.
    The air ring is crap I used air stones much better.

    As Johnathan said an airlift are easy to make and very cheap to run,i have just made one on my pond and everything is now running on 40watts with a new air pump.
    Where are you Mason can keep a look out for you?

    Hi John, what did you use for the outer chamber on your airlift im keen to make one and use this as will keep running costs down significantly.

    Many Thanks,

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  24. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mason View Post
    Thanks Jonathan, i have seen some at some local shops and yeah they are pretty hefty, think il have to run some 4" across from the pond to a space near the fence and house it in there.

    Looking at airlift return and 100% sold on setting up the pond to run this way. Can easily get to 1.6/1.7m.
    My only question is 4" pipe is easy enough to come by and building that part is easy.
    What do you use for the outer chamber it sits within?

    I've seen a few videos and the one below seemed to explain the concept best:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOVZ4oklBFw

    Many thanks,
    The most simple way is a u bend . I will be doing this in the very near future. And john1 has just done this . I'll see if I can find his thread on it .

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  26. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app John's link !!

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  28. #15
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    As you can see I used a u bend and so easy to do compared messing about with an outer chamber.

    I cant take any credit for it as it was the lads on here that told me about it and I had most of the pipework just needed to buy a few more bends from Ebay.

    We can talk you through it when you get near there.
    John

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  30. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Twhitenosugar's Avatar
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    Hi Mason

    Could you add a bit more depth, down to 1.6 - 1.7m deep? Once you stock your pond and the fish start growing, you'll be wishing your pond was bigger. So going deeper will add volume without taking up more of the garden. Should help future proof it a bit more.

    Sounds like you'll only need one Bottom drain for that sized pond.

    I'd suggest an aerated bottom drain. You don't necessarily need it on all the time, but it helps sweep the crud on the pond floor towards the bottom drain. For example, I currently have mine come on for 30mins a day just to keep the bottom clear, but in summer I have it come on twice a day for aeration purposes. Also handy to have if you need to add treatments to the pond, or if it's thundery weather.

    In terms of Skimmer, I would definitely add one if you can, even if it means delaying the rebuild to save up. I say this because even if the pond is not near trees etc you'll still get a large amount of dust, pollen, bugs etc land on the pond. It's best to include one in the build rather than build the pond and then regret not fitting one.

    In terms of air lifts, I also run one on my pond and it is sooo good. Uses barely any electric (compared to a standard pond pump), it can't really block, less likely to breakdown, adds more air to the pond, and is super cheap to make.

    I went the whole air chamber round the pipe route, so can advise how I built mine. But to be honest the u bend method that John and AJM said about with an air stone is probably a simpler and equally effective set up so I'd say go for that.

    Providing it's deep enough and there aren't too many restrictions on flow, a 4" airlift on your pond will provide all the flow you need for your pond. Mine is so effective, I have to dial my air back (by diverting more air to my bio filter) as it was draining my filters down. Mad!

    Keep us posted how you get on with the build.

    Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
    13,000L fibreglassed raised pond with window

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