Filtering new ray pond
- Thread starter Tom
- Start date
Perhaps if the water sprayed over and came down the media and then slowly dripped from the bottom of the chamber.
A gentle current is ok. It can't be too strong for the Genus of ray that I keep.
A gentle current is ok. It can't be too strong for the Genus of ray that I keep.
If you don't want the water returning to the pond to cause ripples on the surface. Just have the stand pipe in the gutter return all the way down to 1/2" under the pond waters surface.
after seeing that pond in person... i went right home and told my boyfriend i need one just like that. i cant wait to start mine.
psimmert;3376010; said:
Well it's really quite easy, Pretty much, I took my inside dimensions (8'x4'x2') and I based it all off that. I started by Framing out the bottom. I cut 5/4x6 and framed my bottom so that I had room for a 4x8 sheet of ply and 3/4 (the thickness of my wood) all the way around, also leaving room for my outer bracing more 5/4. so I took my frame nailed glued and stapled my bottom of the pond (4x8). Next I ran reinforcement all around the side. (5/4x6) about 5 pieces on the long side and 3 on the short. (When you do this be sure to keep it square as you may run into a problem latter if you don't... I spacer my prove to be useful.)
I then cut my sides and slid them into place. Again glue, staples and nails were used for everything. In each corner I ran i thick heavy bead of liquid nails just to fill any gaps and to add to the security of the piece.
I then Welded two frames to fit around the out side of the pond. Again making a jig/spacer would prove very useful, other wise your welding this from right on the pond risking setting it on fire.... not good.
As i said I made two steal frames from 2x1/4 flat bar the bottom from rest as far down as It can and the top has a center brace running from one long side to the other right down the middle... One is enough but if you want more go for it.
After the basic build was done, I sanded everything on the inside... I filled all the staple wholes with bondo (spackel for wood) and sanded it all down so it was smooth and there are no rough edges to tear your very expensive liner.
now thats were I am at the moment but I do plan on finishing it... Inbetween the pieces of 5/4 im going to put insulation. I will drill wholes and tap them all around the steel braces on the out side, match those wholes on some 1/4 ply that im going to face the pond with that will be staind. I am also going to run a frame all around the top for again added reiforcment ( can never have to much) and it will also provide a lip.
I plan on screwing on the last layer of wood so that it can be removed if need be.
Thats about it
the rest is all cosmetic. Now the fun part.....filtration lolMy suggestions
1. provide a separate sump for mechanical/bio filtering before this planted filtering - purpose for plants are to remove of nitrate.
- for the bacteria cycle and easy cleaning and maintenance.
2. dividie your 8 ft plant filtering compartment into 2.
- 1st compartment about 2ft with japanese matt - trap bigger waste and easy maintenance
This is to reduce chokage at the other 6ft compartment where the filtering meduims' size will likely be very fine [wool/gravel/sand]. With plants and roots, maintenance at this compartment is likely not possible.
Regards
1. provide a separate sump for mechanical/bio filtering before this planted filtering - purpose for plants are to remove of nitrate.
- for the bacteria cycle and easy cleaning and maintenance.
2. dividie your 8 ft plant filtering compartment into 2.
- 1st compartment about 2ft with japanese matt - trap bigger waste and easy maintenance
This is to reduce chokage at the other 6ft compartment where the filtering meduims' size will likely be very fine [wool/gravel/sand]. With plants and roots, maintenance at this compartment is likely not possible.
Regards
