New Pond Build. ? Drain? Skimmer ? yes no maybe???

Somethingfishyinc.net · May 28, 2012

Okay getting ready to do a 3000 gallon inground koi pond with a above ground window pond (405gal) with live plants etc (part of filtering) plus a rain catcher as a moded filter system then UV on the return?

Pond will be around 4 foot deep. been reading a lot on line & herd of different opinions etc.. regarding having a drain which is a bit more work plus cost etc... Skimmer box same thing?

Whats your opinion or works for you?

thanks
Dave

Stavfish · May 30, 2012

Hey!! Sounds like it will be a good setup! I have a 15k outdoor pond. I went with bottom drains and a skimmer box. The bottom drains are really necessary for me as the pond is 9 feet deep. I have it plumbed so that changing the water is the same as back washing a pool; turn filter to backwash and let the water out. Nice and easy. Also don't forget an auto refill especially if you're in a warm climate. I'm in AZ so it's a must with the evaporation. The skimmer is great too in that it collects thE surfacE debris before it has a chance to sink. I really would recommend both the drains and thE skimmer. It's more woRk and more $$$ but will make life easier down the road. Also an aerator/ diffuser for the floor would do great for adding more oxygen and pushing up the co2 from the bottom. That's all. Waterfall and heater/chiller also depending on climate you live in and type of fish you intend on keeping. Best of luck with the setup!!

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Somethingfishyinc.net · May 30, 2012

thanks Stavfish. Yeah way it looks & herd I will have to put in a drain & skimmer box. Ugh.

me Dave

Moneypit · May 30, 2012

I would put in the bottom drains and a settling chember at least, then you can upgrade the filtration from there. Koi get large and produce large amounts of waste, you need to figure out how to remove it from the pond. You can use simple filter pads but they require alot of time and effort to keep clean. My pond is self cleaning I just dump a settling chamber once a week, no need to ever get in the pond and clean it out. Here is a link to a site that has a lot of info on Koi pond building.

http://www.koiphen.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?66-Pond-Construction-and-Filtration

Somethingfishyinc.net · Jun 17, 2012

Sweet pond! Well mine is underway. Its dug & patio dug & prepped. Pond is about 17.5x8x4' at deepest area of 11x7 area wuth a rhino drain that will be plumbed into a larger skimmer then into a large bio filter then into the above ground window pond tgen two returns with one having a 40watt uv.
Current situation is the edge around the pond not being 100% solid & concern of pavers at edge eventually sliding into pond? So thinking is putting a 2" thick by 12" cement edge to secure oavers, liner etc. Was advused it to be thicker with wire. Anyone have any more ideas??
Thanks

Moneypit · Jun 18, 2012

I would go with a thicker collar around the pond, go at least 4"x12" with rebar. I would also make sure you can seperate the bottom dain piping from the skimmer in the future. I tried doing it that way on one of my ponds and it did not work well, most of the flow came through the skimmer and not enough through the bottom drain and after a while I had junk settle in the bottom drain piping and plug it up. How are you filtering out the fish crap? You don't want it to go into your bio filter.

Somethingfishyinc.net · Jun 18, 2012

thanks moneypit for the info.
the edge thing sucks & was not expected in the plans

More work more money. want to make it right as much as possible to start.
as far as the drain. I will have it plumbed into a two pipe going into the back of skimmer box with a T so I can drain it or if needed to snake it if ever gets clogged?

me Dave