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Do
it right the first time.
"BOTTOM DRAIN" INTRODUCTION.
I started koi keeping early in 1985, back then there were no filtration products to buy for a large koi pond. So
I studied nature and learnt from her. Over the next few years I learnt some important things about building ponds, water
management, filtration and koi health. I will not go into too much detail here as most of the information you need can be found on this website.
When designing your pond.
Remember it must accommodate the growth of your
koi.
The filter must be capable to handle the extra load during summer.
The Plan...
To
construct a large koi pond.
Bottom drain it to settling tanks, pump the used water to the filter and let gravity do its
job through the medium holding aerobic bacteria, a void underneath accommodates large perforated pipes returning
cleaned water back to the pond via a waterfall.
*This is achieved by water displacement.*
The main point in constructing
a koi pond is to get the plumbing right the first time!.
After two months planning.
The layout of the proposed pond,
settling tanks and filter below.
The Hard Work...
Nine months in the construction. *All hand dug
and concreted myself.*
6 ton of sandstone, 7 ton of dirt and clay plus I needed a gofor for refreshments!
Note:
the reo spikes in the bottom slab to anchor the walls, pond floor thickness 20 cm at the shallow end and 25 cm at the deep
end of high tensile reinforced concrete.
Pond walls were constructed by using string line only and within 5 mm of being
level, all reinforced with 9.5 mm reo horizontally and vertically with high tensile concrete poured into the cavity of all
bricks. All corners are rounded to aid water flow, 10 mm render allover, 3 bottom drains, one overflow pipe. Pond sealed with
water based epoxy, 4 settling tanks to settle out solids, the large waterfall adds oxygen to the pond.
The hand cut sails
( 90% shade cloth ) are edged with seatbelt cloth on a home sewing machine with nylon thread, 550 eyelets in total around
their perimeter for the stainless steel wire lacing, and heavier stainless wire supports the sails between the steel poles.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
The Finished Job and KOI below.
The pond
is 6.8 mts X 5.2 mts, 80 cm deep at the waterfall and 1.5 mts deep at the other end, it holds 46.000 lts. Settling tanks
are 4.8 mts X average 1.2 mts deep, it holds approx 5,000 lts.
The filter is 3.2 mts X 2.9 mts, it holds 9,000
lts. In total the system is 60,000 lts.
I have two Onga 400 watt pumps delivering 16,000 lts per hour through 5 rotating arms to the filter, I also have another
pump for a venturi to circulate and oxygenate the pond when needed. ***Please Note***
If you are
going to build a koi pond you must bottom drain, have a settling tank or tanks and a filtration system that is more
than capable of doing the job. ** I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH** This latest project was physical demanding, but was by far my most rewarding.
The more intricate something is the more prone to breakdown.
“Simplify”
THESE BEAUTIFULL FISH CHANGED MY LIFE and YARD. THEY HAVE TAKEN
ME TO A WORLD OF WOUNDER AND BEAUTY IN MY OWN BACKYARD. AFTER A HARD DAYS WORK JUST TO RELAX AROUND THE POND WHILE FEEDING THEM AND LISTEN
TO THE WATERFALL TAKES ALL THE STRESS OF MODERN DAY LIVING AWAY.
H. Watson
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