I was advised by JR, to start cycling the pond by putting the media and bringing dirty water dorm the QT filter every day and adding it in the filter every day. I will probably (don't laugh) pee in it too...I can not or don't know where to find ammonia here...
Since my pond is still waiting to dry, and it has been worked on...I decided to put the media in the filter, and the submersible pump in the last chamber. Block with the stand pipes the BD and skimmer holes and make the pump circulate the water from SC to last chamber while trying to gather some bacteria on the media without putting any fish.
What do U think about that? I need to speed up the cycling by all means.
Has anyone has better advise for faster cycling?
Here are some pictures of the filter chambers. The bakki is temporary there...just to see if the crates fit in the space and they are not put properly.
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Oct 26, 2012 by MISS MUZUNGU, on Flickr

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Untitled by MISS MUZUNGU, on Flickr
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Oct 26, 2012 by MISS MUZUNGU, on Flickr

HI there Neli ,


How is things going on with ur pond?

Regards

quinten wrote:

HI there Neli ,


How is things going on with ur pond?

Regards

Hi Q,
I am just doing little things and correcting the surprises my workers give me every day.

This the through, collecting the water from The bakki and discharging it trough the water fall.
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my izeki
I decided to cut the wall with a diamond blade and lower the pipes for the izeki so it is easier to put a cover on top.
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the float switch
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Looking very Good Neli.

Nardus

nardus wrote:

Looking very Good Neli.

Nardus

Thank You Nardus! Much appreciated.

Bought some plants to start landscaping.
Some are imported from SA.
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Bought one insect eating plant too.

JoesKoi wrote:

Neli

Here we have a saying a Boer Maak n Plan but you put it to shame with your plans hehe
sent you a PM

Yes Joe, He calls a Englishman. lol.

Neville wrote:

JoesKoi wrote:

Neli

Here we have a saying a Boer Maak n Plan but you put it to shame with your plans hehe
sent you a PM

Yes Joe, He calls a Englishman. lol.

Nev, explain this...I did not get it.

I have not filled the pond yet fully, but the water has been in for 4 days.
I put two fish inside to test the water..
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H there Neli ,

I cant wait to see when everything is finish.

How is the two kois doing that is in the new pond?


Regards

Quinten

quinten wrote:

H there Neli ,

I cant wait to see when everything is finish.

How is the two kois doing that is in the new pond?


Regards

Quinten

I cant even see them Q! They are so small and the pond is big...have to run arround and look for them.
Still have plenty to do, but will finish it all with the Koi inside.
It is too hot for them in the intex so I want to shift them slowly.

Jees I am watching this post like a hawk. Am soooo envious. Making my little venture that much more exciting...

Cant wait till I break ground and start :-) Seems like forever till its gonna happen :-(

Dbnguy wrote:

Jees I am watching this post like a hawk. Am soooo envious. Making my little venture that much more exciting...

Cant wait till I break ground and start :-) Seems like forever till its gonna happen :-(

Thank U!
Just be aware, it comes with lots of stress, worries...but again when it is done...it is a good feeling.
I wish just the best when U start...ask for lots of advise...every little bit helps in a big way.

Yesterday I filled the pond to the top. New problem: one of the skimmer openings is higher than the other by 4 cm...he he he!
So I am chiselling it and making it level with the other one.
Also still working on a solution how to put my air tubes in the pond...I am making some weights for them from concrete.
But I tested them and it looks like they are working well.
The opening for the bakki was a bit bent also so the crates did not fit so well.
Had it cut with the grinder and replastered.
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F()ck Nelli, this is like a bloddy swimming pool LOL...

Why do you need to get air in? Would the bottom drain etc not be sufficient for turning the water or is this just a personal preference?

Sorry I want to know this before I start with my build. Ive heard mixed reports about bubbles etc

Dbnguy wrote:

F()ck Nelli, this is like a bloddy swimming pool LOL...

Why do you need to get air in? Would the bottom drain etc not be sufficient for turning the water or is this just a personal preference?

Sorry I want to know this before I start with my build. Ive heard mixed reports about bubbles etc

Have You heard of aerated bottom drain? They are sold with an air membrane on top to produce air bubbles over the BD.
Every one is using them now, because they create current as the water raises, upwards, and help sweep the sediment towards the BD...it also aerates.
But even this is controversial. Some experts say it suspends the fines in the column and prevents them from being sucked by the BD, therefore creating dead water in the pond...in the long run.
There is nothing straight forward with Koi...
I will try and see...I can always shift my airtube to a dead spot in the pond...or put an air curtain.

There is a consideration behind everything I try to do...some time it does not always work as U expect it to...so U keep on twicking and modifying...It is part of the fun.

For example I did lots of research on what is the best and most effective depth for a return...and found no straight answer for it.
Commercial applications say best is a vertical return with lots of small jets...
americans...18" above floor, and surface returns...mid water return for winter..
P waddington say 7cm bellow surface...Japanese have them at water level..
It was so confusing that I put returns every where, each with a valve...so I can try for my self and decide which configuration works best...for short do series of tests.
One thing is for sure about returns...the velocity of the return is directly proportional to the velocity of the water movement within the pond...Even found a formula how to correlate them.
for short...U can have two returns discharging 100l/min, but one is discharging it through a 2" pipe and the other through 4" pipe...obviously the velocity will be higher in the 2 " pipe...and therefore will move the water in the pond better, and you will have better sweeping of sediment.
That is the reason I reduced my pipes returns at the end...to increase the velocity of the discharge.

Hi there Neli ,


How is ur new pond going on?
Have you moved some of ur big kois in to ur new pond?


Regards

quinten wrote:

Hi there Neli ,


How is ur new pond going on?
Have you moved some of ur big kois in to ur new pond?


Regards

Hi Q,
I put two small Koi inside but still lots to do. Trying to landscape the yard also. Scared to put the big ones yet.
Beautifying will come last.
Want to do the garden formal like the pond.
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The tubes I made are working well.
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My DIY skimmer
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Put this basket inside
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The air tube over the DIY BD.
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The pond is the ultimate of DIY. Well done! When are we going to see the Neli Filtration system, Neli skimmer, Neli Bottom drain, Neli air curtain, and the Neli Bakki on the shelves?

Admin wrote:

The pond is the ultimate of DIY. Well done! When are we going to see the Neli Filtration system, Neli skimmer, Neli Bottom drain, Neli air curtain, and the Neli Bakki on the shelves?

He he he! Admin! U can start ordering from now while stocks last!