Hi Guys,

Here are pictures of a design I made in Google Sketchup. (Thanks Wayne for the tip)

Please give me your comment of water returns, bottom drain positions and a skimmer box position. Or if you think it is totally useless, tell me as well.

Pond dimensions on 3 X 2 X 2. The edge around the centre water fall is supposed to be a 45 degree angle but I couldn't get that right in Sketchup.

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Thanks,
Cameron

I don't get it. Where is the bottom drains and what is the box in the middle of the pond with the two standpipes? Filtration? Where is the skimmer?

I think the center box is a water feature that overflows back into the main pond.

Cameron, you will gain about 1000l in water volume by having the water feature on the side of the pond and not in the middle. Your pond volume without the waterfeature in in the middle will be 12000l.

L X B X D X 1000

Your water fall feature is also in the exact spot where the bottom drain is suppose to go. Having the feature there will complicate the water flow and the removal of waste from the pond .

some ideas.

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Hi Ernst,

That is a beautiful pond.

Have any pics of the filtration under the wooden cover there?

Quote :

Have any pics of the filtration under the wooden cover there?

The scary part of this filtration is in the Gerage, age restricted.

Very spectacular Ernst, home of the WC jumbo's. I am going to inject some growth steroids in mine for next year.

That's just the settlement chamber and skimmer. I've got some construction pics. The chamber is 2m deep and holds around 2000l. I have a EASY type pre-filter in there. If i have to do it again I would go for a fibre glass vortex on each bottom drain followed by a a vortex with EASY for each line. That would cover mechanical pre-filtration.

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Bobby wrote:

Quote :

Have any pics of the filtration under the wooden cover there?

The scary part of this filtration is in the Gerage, age restricted.

Very spectacular Ernst, home of the WC jumbo's. I am going to inject some growth steroids in mine for next year.

I have to take an updated photo of the filtration....it has 'evolved' over time.

Just wanted to know what you have in this system. Do the water enter from the bottom and exit above?

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I thought of adding something similar that would end up with pipes to the bottom of my sedimentation chamber

Regards
Albie

Hi Albie
The Gerage of Ernst look like an engineering works consisting of filters and pipes systems along the wall that return to the pond via the gerage wall, I am sure he will post pictures soon, its very impressive.

An air rated bottom drain that will assist with floor cleaning and a skimmer to draw and clean surface area is in my view a must have in the modern Koi pond. The sloping of the floor towards the bottom drain will also assist in keeping the floor clean. Thus the bottom drain to be the deepest point in the floor. There are many options how to deal with the bottom drain flow in accordance with your setup limitations. The air dome will provide the much needed oxygen that can newer really be enough in the summer for good growth and general Koi health, its is also kind to the stocking levels.

camO wrote:

The edge around the centre water fall is supposed to be a 45 degree angle but I couldn't get that right in Sketchup.

I agree with Wayne, your center piece will severely affect your water flow and is also on the spot of the bottom drain which should be in the center of your pond. I would move your feature to a side wall and use it as part of your return water.
You should apply your mind on the type of filter system you want to install and consider the positioning as part of your design.

Herewith my new pond that I hope to complete before year end

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The wife has left for 2 days (don't worry she is coming back!) but she took the camera with her! I've got this old pic which will give you an idea but as i said...it's changed again... Just as a matter of intrest, the pond is about 35 000l and I pump around 65 000l/h. I also have 500l/min of air going through besides all the shower filters and waterfall. I've also upgraded the veggie filter to a Jap matting unit with a wooded deck over it.

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It is very impressive Ernst

Very impressive. What have you changed and why?

I've taken the trickle tower out as it started clogging up and it become a breeding place for bad bacteria and I've replaced it with a stainless 2 tier bakki shower with 10 000 bio balls in it. I also added a Specks .45kw spa pump with a multicyclone filter feeding off 4 mid water points and returns via 4 mid and deepwater jets. It also feeds my protien skimmer which needs a high pressure pump feed. I also took out the standard EASY and replaced it with a 1m version that only needs to be cleaned once a week and not every 2 or 3 days. So far all changes has been positive on a water quality side as well as a fish health side.

Take a look at the report on the Western Cape show on this forum. We have our own little section now.