The oval/kidney
shaped pond was constructed in 1989. A reinforced 20" x 9" collar
was cast and the pond then dug out using a JCB excavator. The
surrounding wall was built up from concrete blocks laid flat
to a height of 18" above ground level and clad with blue pennant
stone. Old carpets were laid against the soil before the butyl
liner was laid out and cut around the two home made bottom
drains.
The original
concrete block built filters containing 4 chambers of settlement,
coke, gravel,and Canterbury spar were higher than pond level
so it had to be pumped in and gravity fed back to the pond.
These filters have now been discarded in favour of new gravity
fed filters with pump return to the pond. These filters contain
light, all plastic media and were constructed during the sprring
of 1993.
The old filters are to to be re-modelled and used as a quarantine
system and will be totally under cover.
The new filters are
fed from the bottom drains leading to twin 36" x 60" polypropylene vortex chambers
in parallel. The filter chambers are constructed of 4" concrete
blocks, rendered and sealed with Brushcrete. All filter external
walls are insulated with 1" thick polystyrene sheets and are
covered with plastic corrugated roofing sheets.
Chambers 1 & 2 contain Flocor 18" deep, and chamber 3 contains 12" of
spun polyester fibre matting.
The final
dry chamber contains the pumps, sand filter, UV's and the Hi-blow
40 air pump. A power skimmer is the most recent and worthwhile
addition, keeping dust and debris off the main water surface,
the main pump being utilised to partially draw water from the
skimmer before being returned via the sand filter and 2" pipework
to two points, one venturi and a waterfall, giving a clockwise
circulation of water around the pond. Dave's one regret is
that more bottom drains were not fitted originally. Because
of this fact the pond requires 20 minutes a day spent with
a vacuum unit.
During the winter months the main pump, sand filter, 2 x 30 watt UV lamps, and
the Hi-blow are turned off. A Grundfoss 15/60 central heating pump then circulates
mid water through the filters and a seperate UV of 15 watts is used. This system
also has its own return line with venturi.
Gallonage
Dimensions
Construction
Shape
Bottom drains
Filter feed
Year completed
Time to complete
9,000 total.
30ft x14ft x 5ft deep.
Excavation, concrete collar & liner.
Oval/kidney.
Two x 4".
Two bottom drains.
1989.
8 months
Filter
details
Gallonage
Type
Media Bay 1
Media Bay 2
Media Bay 3
Settlement chamber
Aeration
2,100.
3 bay concrete block.
Flocor.
Flocor.
Matting.
Twin vortex 36" diam x 60" deep.
Hi-blow 40 in transfer ports.
Pump details
Type, make, etc
Pumping capacity
Location
Water return
Astral 0.6hp swimming pool pump.
3,600 gals/hr.
Chamber after filters.
1 venturi + waterfall.
Other equipment
Ultra violet lamp 2 x 30 watts.
Power skimmer.
30" sand pressure filter.
UPDATE 2004. This
pond is still fully operational after 15 years, but no details
are available.
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.
