My pond build thread

[enrgizerbunny]

Purchased a UV clarifier/pump combination and some fountain plumbing for it. Going to do a water bell on the shallow end and hopefully clear up the murky water with a 950 gph flow rate and I believe a 13W bulb. The pump is designed to be a pond pump and feed a waterfall or filter, so I expect good performance.

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[Autumnsky]

That sounds like a probable solution to the murky problem! You are making me want to dig a pond again, lol. It could be spring too.

I am missing my Koi I think. (no time to do a pond now though)

You will just need to post plenty of pics for me!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

That sounds like a probable solution to the murky problem! You are making me want to dig a pond again, lol. It could be spring too.

I am missing my Koi I think. (no time to do a pond now though)

You will just need to post plenty of pics for me!

You could always do above ground with a rubber liner. It would just cost more and be a rectangle....

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[Fresh2o]

I know you've already got the UV unit, but you might also consider trying barley or barley extract. I used the latter one season and it has been clear ever since. Does nothing for string/hair algae but the single cell type is under control.


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[enrgizerbunny]

Lost one of my male goldfish. I'm concerned there's a contagious disease, one more loss and it's medication time.

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[Autumnsky]

Oh no! Sorry to hear about losing your male. Food issues sometimes - too much food in the gut or not enough food. I hope it was nothing contagious.

As for me, I have my 125G preformed pond still and my trash can filter (lol) as well. But for just the reason of your fish loss, those are the things I don't have enough time for taking care and maintenance this season - a lack of personal time. Next year I think.

Our local petsmart just had the barley extract on clearance, not all stores have the same things on sale but you might at least check for a deal if you have one nearby.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Added a 950gph UV clarifier/pump combo.it has a bag on it and a fountain kit that I had to extend by about 18 inches. It's restricted though, so I'll pull it out and drill out the part that bottlenecks in the line down to 1/2" instead of 3/4" eventually.

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[enrgizerbunny]

Adjusted the bell to fit the pond and turned the valve open full blast

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[Autumnsky]

Adjusted the bell to fit the pond and turned the valve open full blast

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Now that looks like you have the flow of things,

Much better!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Well, I've made adjustments as things have clogged this summer, and the filter is currently shot. My goldfish spawned and I have at least 7-8 fingerlings!

I'm going to build a new filter with a 55 gallon barrel. Likely pressurized again, but with a significantly better sealing mechanism, access, and filter media.

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[Autumnsky]

Never a dull moment huh? But to get babies?!!?!!!!!? Wow!

Good luck with the new filter I am very interested to know all about it when you build it!!!

 

[Delapool]

Wow - congrats! I did wonder how the filter would go out of interest. Have you been happy so far?

 

[enrgizerbunny]

The main issue had been forming a seal with the plastic snap ring against a 2700gph pump, and the snap ring has been losing. A metal ring or screw on lid is required. I purchased the latter. Also, at 15 gallons, my filter does not contain nearly enough media to clear up the water. Hopefully the 55 with gravel and such will be sufficient.

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[Delapool]

Sounds a great solution, hope it works out for you.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Never a dull moment huh? But to get babies?!!?!!!!!? Wow!

Good luck with the new filter I am very interested to know all about it when you build it!!!

Yeah, I thought I had seen a fingerling last week, but then it was confirmed when I was feeding two days ago, and then a bunch of them came up.

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[Fresh2o]

The main issue had been forming a seal with the plastic snap ring against a 2700gph pump, and the snap ring has been losing. A metal ring or screw on lid is required. I purchased the latter. Also, at 15 gallons, my filter does not contain nearly enough media to clear up the water. Hopefully the 55 with gravel and such will be sufficient.

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You should look into an open container or series of containers and let gravity drain the water back to the pond, provided there is enough "drop" to accomplish this. If you do multiple containers, the first one could be filled with pot scrubbers and act as a mechanical filter. Add a bulkhead fitting to the bottom for drainage and it will be easy to clean.
The downside with this approach is the space it takes up and the task of blending it into the landscape.


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[enrgizerbunny]

You should look into an open container or series of containers and let gravity drain the water back to the pond, provided there is enough "drop" to accomplish this. If you do multiple containers, the first one could be filled with pot scrubbers and act as a mechanical filter. Add a bulkhead fitting to the bottom for drainage and it will be easy to clean.
The downside with this approach is the space it takes up and the task of blending it into the landscape.


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I'm actually planning to use a 55 gallon drum(picture) with a screw on lid that can be pressurized and doing a top to bottom flow filter instead of an up flow with 6 matala sponges for mechanical and about 1000 bio balls in a couple mesh bags for bio filtration.

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[enrgizerbunny]

Pictures of my baby gold fish!

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[Autumnsky]

The babies are big!!!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

The little specks are the babies, lol. The 5 big ones are parents..

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