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  1. #1

    Building a new semi raised sleeper pond/new member

    Hi all
    I have read lots of information on this site, thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge as I've learned a huge amount. I have just joined and would like to say hello and thank you.

    Currently I have a 4200l in-ground pond stocked with 2 small koi, 2 Orfe and 6 Shubunkins. I built it around 15 months ago and has matured nicely. I've always kept on top of the maintenance and water changes and other than very early on, water tests are always spot on, despite the fact I am running a pressure filter (I know now that this isnt suitable long term).

    I am moving house in the next few weeks and job number one is to build a semi raised sleeper pond approximately 10-11000l, 3ft below ground, 2ft above. I have purchased a Lotus Vortec 18000l multibay filter which I plan to gravity feed. It also came with a free 72w UV. It is currently set up for pump fed but will be chopping the inlet to 4 inch and capping the 2 inch outlets to fit a tank connector on the bottom of the filter for the external pump.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    I was thinking of doing pump fed because it works for me currently and also because it will be much quicker and easier to install, but based on my reading a bottom drain is the only way to go.

    I plan to house the filter in a shed that I will be building adjacent to the pond.

    I will be installing a concrete collar for the sleepers.

    Installing a 4inch bottom drain concreted in and pipework bedded with gravel. I am planning to use solvent weld soil pipe. I know the general consensus is pressure pipe however I feel the soil pipework will be suitable. However I'll be the first to say I was wrong if s*** hits the fan

    Fitting underlay and liner.

    Can't think of anything else. Haha. Sorry for going on.

    One question I have regarding pipework, can I install the bottom drain and pipe underground but have the vertical pipework go up between the liner and the pond wall and out a gap in the sleepers as opposed to digging it into the pond wall and out under the sleepers? Hope this makes sense?

    Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. Look forward to touching base with you guys and learning more.

    Ah, also, I plan my filter layout to be 1.Vortex, 2. Brushes with the gaps filled with net bags of static K1, 3. Jap matting, 4. Fluid k1.

    Current pond and multibay photos attached


    Attached Images Attached Images

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  3. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Hello and welcome, A concrete collar is a good idea for the base of the sleepers would reinforce with rebar as well.

    Can you not route the upright under the collar and sleepers to come out vertical the outside of the sleepers think that is how most do it.
    John

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  5. #3
    Thanks for the reply John.

    Yes I can do that to be honest. Was thinking of ease more than anything but for the sake of doing it right I'll probably put it into the soil part of the wall and under the collar as you've said.

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  7. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Would think that is best but would definitely use rebar in the collar as some have had the collar cracking.
    John

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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Would think that is best but would definitely use rebar in the collar as some have had the collar cracking.
    Rs2000 is a good thread to follow and also had a corner crack

    Sent from my F5121 using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  11. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ajm View Post
    Rs2000 is a good thread to follow and also had a corner crack

    Sent from my F5121 using Tapatalk
    Thanks AJ.

    Worth putting rebar in the concrete collar as extra security, horizontally and vertically, especially the corners, and especially if you're on a slope and one end of the collar is deeper than the other.

    Also bottom drain is well worth the effort. Took me 2 weeks to make a tunnel for my bottom drain run. It was hell, but in hindsight worth every minute.

    Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

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  13. #7
    Thanks both for the information. I think I'll take your advice ��

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