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Thread: Embarking on my first Koi Pond
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30-09-2021, 08:38 PM #1
Embarking on my first Koi Pond
I am in the early stages of designing and then building my first koi pond and I am hoping I can gain some guidance and insight from you all as it progresses.
Always wanted a koi pond but never seemed to have the opportunity until now. My pond aspirations have been limited by the design of our new garden (and the wife) so the biggest footprint I can achieve is 3.5m x 2m. I am aiming to build a raised pond lined with fibreglass with an overall depth of 1.8-2.0m and viewing windows on two sides. Final water volume in the region of 11k-13k litres. All the work will be done by myself over the next 12 months
Looking forward to sharing this build with you and seeking your advice along the way
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30-09-2021, 09:13 PM #2
Sounds like a similar build to mine bud I’m almost at the end now just keeping pushing because it dose become taxing lol my advice for you is to fit a bottom drain you will regret it if you don’t look forward to pics
Look at them fish sucking down my Floaters -(John Wilson)
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02-10-2021, 11:53 AM #3
Sorry to jump on thread, but was at early stages too. Have materials to concrete base and block up the sides. Same principles as yours with it half sunk and half raised so I get 1.5m depth after my concrete base is in.
But wanted to query bottom drain or pump fed filters. Gravity fed bottom drain appears the way to go. But is there a massive difference between the 2 options.
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02-10-2021, 12:27 PM #4
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Mike Bass Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-10-2021, 11:20 AM #5
Always gravity, worst case scenario for a pumped system if there is a pipe failure or you forget to close a drain valve is an empty pond, nearly emptied my old pond 2 or 3 times over 14 years, luckily I always spotted it I time.
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03-10-2021, 12:51 PM #6
Yeah Gravity all the way.
I used to have a goldfish pond that was pump fed.
The usual set up If pump fed is the pump sits on a few bricks so worst case scenario as outlined above, there will be a foot or so of water left for the fish.
The down side to it is you get a horrendous amount of crud build up on the pond floor if pump fed. And I only had goldfish, it'll be even worse with koi in the pond.
So you end up having to constantly vac the bottom of the pond out if you don't have a bottom drain. And if you don't keep on top of it, the silt and crud at the bottom causes no end of problems with water chemistry, makes the water murky and provides an excellent habitat for parasites too.
So if you are planning a koi pond at the mo, I'd say you'd be mad to even consider a pump fed set up.
Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk13,000L fibreglassed raised pond with window
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03-10-2021, 01:44 PM #7
Been there and do it . The pump system works after a fashion but you will regret it . I did my pond is 2k gal was pump fed and I was never happy with it
100percent on every thing twns is saying
I've since ripped liner up and installed a proper gravity fed bottom.drain and the results are incredible .
. I've heard 100s say wish I've gone gravity but never hear l wish I went pump fed
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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dbs, Twhitenosugar Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-10-2021, 03:04 PM #8
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03-10-2021, 03:11 PM #9Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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Djstiles999 Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-10-2021, 03:37 PM #10
Embarking on my first Koi Pond
Only a suggestion but does seem to fit the bill. It is 3 years old in the most part
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by Rapleyr; 03-10-2021 at 04:02 PM.
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Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-10-2021, 05:12 PM #11
Thanks, but as it has turned out my wife has agreed for me to remove veggie plot and extend patio.
This means I can build a bigger pond and have loads of room for bottom drain, skimmer and gravity fed filter system.
Already ordered bottom drain, skimmer and return fittings so I can incorporate them into structure.
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03-10-2021, 05:16 PM #12Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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03-10-2021, 05:42 PM #13
How do you add photos?
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03-10-2021, 06:32 PM #14Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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03-10-2021, 07:33 PM #15
Getting deeper. Will raise 4 bricks above old patio. Extend patio and relay over the top of all.
But good opportunity to set it into the patio design
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04-10-2021, 01:40 AM #16
Just been reading the comments ie pump and bottom drain etc. So thought I would leave my experience on pump fed as I do feel it gets a really bad rap but I really haven’t had many issues with mine like at all. So firstly my pond is only 1100gallons 1300 odd including filters. So not sure how it would cope being pump fed at double the size or more etc. Biggest fish is 40cm koi, total is twelve koi. And In summer I had them on a auto feeder three times a day. The issue with a broken hose draining ya pond dry is easily fixed with a float switch which is a easy job to do and cheap. And as for the crud forming up on the bottom I really don’t get this happen in mine. But I do hoover the bottom as a weekly chore but it is never that bad regardless and I do hear people with bottom drain doing hoovering weekly anyway. I do have two pumps either end of the pond and they are sloped towards which helps the crap to fall into them, both feeding separate diy filters and obviously two returns at each end.This year has been a great year with the pond with no issues and great growth (as all my fish was purchased small). Only thing is i treated once for flukes. And that’s it. So pump fed for me hasn’t been a nightmare or really made me regret doing it. I admit the pipework is harder to look neat or disguise etc. But I haven’t had any fish damage them self on pipework either. Like most of us on this forum I am involved with the pond on a weekly basis and I think that alone has made my year a success hobbie wise. I did know when building this pond that in a few years I would be moving and pump fed has been super handy for me especially now as when I move I can pop a pool up at the new house and use all my existing pumps pipework filters etc for the temp set up. So I would say don’t be put off my pump fed with a bit of attention you can make them look great and enjoy them but it all depends what you want from your pond. Il pop up a pic of my basic pump fed pond which il be very sad to leave when I finally move
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dbs Thanked / Liked this Post
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04-10-2021, 07:49 AM #17
Thanks and it is useful to have another perspective.
I think bottom drain will be the way I go because I can conceal everything under patio and to the side of my shed.
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13-10-2021, 10:33 AM #18
As a pond owner with both a pump and (to be soon) a gravity fed system - the gravity fed is less risky.
I have lost fish and almost lost the remaining fish on a number of occasions. If pump fed you MUST add a float switch that cuts the pump power if the water level drops.
I would looks at airlifts - these will reduce the cost of running a large pond but take some space and planning. It may end up more harmonious with low running costs given the energy prices increases predicted in future. A 20,000lph pump is 200W. A 15-18,000lph 110mm airlift is in the order is less than 50W. Even if this is a simple pipe sunk deep with a U bend and air injection at the bottom.
I would advise a 1m below ground, then concrete base 250mm, this will reduce the below ground depth but 1.5m is fine for a koi pond. Mine is 1.84m deep and the hole in the ground was a pain to dig out in a constrained area. 4-5 skip loads of soil.
If you want - my build log is here: https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-constru...ond-2-0-a.html Although I have tended to overthink things and detail a lot in there.. there's probably some ideas and thoughts you can harvest and include or adjust your plans accordingly.
If you're using a bricky for some of the work you will need to agree plans with accurate measurements etc.
1. A self-levelling laser level will be your friend - for everything, excavation, cement, blocks, filter pipework etc.
2. Two spirit levels - one long and one short - this allows you to use the level to get a level base, also to get a the blockwork true and straight.
3. Set points away from the excavation that you will use as the reference points.
4. Typically you want some space between the excavation and blockwork - 110mm or so between the edge of the concrete base and blockwork.
The warning point is a day time below 5degC as you're at risk for the concrete or mortar freezing at night (you could cover it and it would keep a few C above the ambient normally.14000l, my mutts: Chargoi (2010), Doitsu (2022), Tancho (2022), Kujaku (2022), Hi Utusri (2022)
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dbs Thanked / Liked this Post
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14-10-2021, 08:27 PM #19
Perfect. When I see my pond in my head it is not far off same size and shape.
So really useful reference point.
Not sure I am as efficient in terms of making a log. But will post pictures eventually.
Bonding exercise with 13yr old son too, so not a quick job lol.
And Winter is coming . Hopefully it stays warm enough until I finish the digging to get concrete down
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19-12-2021, 01:22 PM #20
*deleted* just realised I'd responded already
14000l, my mutts: Chargoi (2010), Doitsu (2022), Tancho (2022), Kujaku (2022), Hi Utusri (2022)
The Daily pond temp thread
Still at around 17C, know what you mean about getting the covers off though :D it will be really...