A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction

Pump chamber

Whether you are using a fibreglass filter unit, or building your own concrete block filters you will require a space where you can fit your pumps, UV, air blower, and any other electrical appliances that you will be using. In many cases you will have plenty of space for this so it pays to have it much larger than you require as later you may decide to fit something extra such as a sand filter or some type of heating system. The pumps require to be well below the water level so that they will remain full of water when they are stopped as most of them are not self priming. For that reason the base of the pump chamber is usually the same level as the base for the filters, although this does not apply if you are using very large round filters.

[Pump chamber 1] In this photo the pump chamber is under construction, and the pipework is being built into the wall. In the centre of the photo the blockwork has been cut out to allow the 2" pipework from the filter bay to the pump to be fitted.

[Pump chamber 2]

 This photo is the same filter bay looking in the same direction, but now everything is in place.
On the left you can see the round strainer in the last filter bay. This is fitted to prevent gravel, leaves etc, being drawn into the pump strainer. You can then see the straight pipe with ball valve in the centre line of the pump chamber, and below the wooden support it is just possible to see the swimming pool pump.
This chamber was designed large enough to have the sand filter fitted.

[Pump chamber 3]

In this photo and the one below we see two different pump chambers, but again we have plenty of space for any additional items that be added at a later date. In the photo the pumps are supported on bricks, but steel brackets were fitted later. It is advisable to have the pumps above the pump chamber floor as then if the chamber is flooded for any reason then the electrics will not be damaged.

Note. Central heating pumps are shown here but these should no longer be used.

[Pump chamber 4]

This chamber has a swimming pool pump which is used for the skimmer, and the other two central heating pumps are for the filter system.
If the floor of the chamber is at ground level then it is easy to fit a drain, but if it is below ground level you can put in a sump when building the floor, and then a submersible pump with level switch can be installed.
In the case of free standing filter chambers as with the Nexus 300 in this case, then you do not need a separate pump room as it can all be incorporated in one space as shown here.

On the next page is how to build the Drains box.

This page updated January 2004
This website started with a booklet which I made up originally for the help of those members of the BKKS - South Wales Section who were intending to start building a koi pond, and as the website has expanded more information and articles from other people have been included. This is for general guidance only, and we do not take any responsibility for problems that might occur by following these ideas. It is important that you check out everything in your area, and check on local laws and rules that may apply.

Home - Pond descriptions - Pond heating - Pond construction - Koi health - Projects - Products - South Wales section - Letters - Links - Guest-book - Statistics - New - Forum

Website Copyright © 1999-2006 Eric W Poingdestre