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New Pond - Advices Needed

Anuar
Koi Lover

Mar 2, 2008, 12:34 AM

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New Pond - Advices Needed	Can't Post

I am a newbie amd posting my new pond pic which was completed 2 months ago - took one month to neutralize the concrete and another month to condition the water. Just put three kois, a kohaku, showa and shiro last week. The spec of the pond is as follows:

- 7500 litres including filter
- 8ft x 10.5ft x 4ft
- Surface skimmer
- 1 bottom drain
- Coral and jap mat as filter media

I would really appreciate your advices on the following

1. It has been raining heavily in the past one week. Under this circumstance, what am I supposed to do, i.e. change water? Any dangerous content in rain water? The walls are now covered with algae, but the water clarity is okay.
2. The japanese mats are suspended and the contractor had put a UV light underneath (without canister). Would the direct light kill the bacteria?
3. I think that the media volume is not enough as there are more space available in the chamber. Would it be okay if I mix the media in the chambers? For example, adding bio balls in the jap mat chamber? If yes, should I wait a few more months until the filter matures?
4. There are some space in the waterfall reservoir, could I also use this area to put the filter media?
5. I am thinking of building a covered pergola (without gutter) covering only half the pond coz I think it would be cool to see rain fall splashing into the pond. Is this advisable?
6. Due to work commitment, I can only feed the kois very early in the morning (before 7) and after 9 pm. Does late night feeding cause big belly on the kois? I am beginning to see signs. BTW, the kois are only general grade Japanese which I bought from SKPC.
7. I am thinking of adding an air pump. Is the pump water resistant?, the reason I asked is because I don't have a covered place for it. Where should I aerate in the pond? There are 3 water jet in the pond, would adding venturi be better than installing uni ring on the bottom drain. Also, where should I place the air stone in the filter? Below the media or on top.
8. What is the real purpose of coral in the filter?

Sorry, too many questions- the pond was built by a landscape contractor and due to limited time, I dare not tell him too much, worried that it may turn out to be total disaster. Saw a few ponds with crystal clear water at the nursery and I simply told him to do it his style. And I did not supervise the work at all.

Thank you for your time reading this post.

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Pond1.jpg (66.2 KB)

pond2.jpg (66.0 KB)

whystay
Koi Lover

Mar 2, 2008, 6:10 PM

Post #2 of 15 (1981 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Anuar,
nice pond.
My take on your questions which should not be taken as the last word.....
an open pond is ok. My own pond is only half shaded. Rain will fall in. There is a danger of bird droppings and other parasites getting into the water but so far, no issues. I think this is less of a problem when your pond is big because of the water volumn. But, rain water tends to be acidic and this will upset the Ph. I use alot of oyster shell to counteract. So far no problems.

You can mix almost any type of media together. Just add it now, that way the bacteria can start colonising it earlier. My impression is that you should put the new media "downstream" of the old one so the bacteria can flow from old to new. But a scientist may laugh at this! I dunno, just throw it in lah! The main thing is that water should flow through it and not be channelled through gaps in between the media. Can put at your water fall also. Anywhere where there is water flow.

Your half roof may collect dirt and droppings during the dry season so watch out when the first rain comes.

I feed my koi whenever I feel like it, sometimes after midnight. They not fat.

I know that Hiblow Brand air pumps are meant to be outdoors, dunno about other brands. Your contractor should have installed one. Conventional wisdom is you put a few air stones in your filter bays and some in your pond. Put air stones under media so it helps stir up the current and prevent channelling. But each pond is different so try and see. Venturi also can but my personal belief is air pumps are better. Got no evidence, just my own feeling.

Coarl is meant to prevent you ph from swinging wildly or even crashing. Crashing happens most often in fg tanks where the Gh or Kh or something is not high enough. So far, a few concrete ponds I know do not have coral or any other kind of shell but are ok and have been for years. Fibre tanks sure crash.

From your pictures, I would only make one modification: I would add a valve to the bottom drain pipe and the skimmer pipe so that I can control where the filter is getting the water from. So if I want to use only the skimmer, I can shut off the BD and vice versa. Or I can balance out the two intakes to suit me. That way, if I want to clear the foam on the surface, I shut off the BD for a while. If I want to clear the bottom of the pond, I shut off the skimmer. But usually, you balance out the two so that you get the best waste clearance.

You sound like you were a good customer, you got a professional to do the job and you left him alone to do it. Kudos to you and your pond did work out well. I know of people who build a pond and then have to keep modifying it because something is not right. Congrats!

Anuar
Koi Lover

Mar 3, 2008, 12:03 AM

Post #3 of 15 (1964 views)
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Re: [whystay] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you. Am not getting much help from the contractor as he hates koi simply because they eat too much. The only reason that I got him to do it is the price he quated which is about half of what a professional koi builder would charge. He even offered me to take whatever I want from his pond. I was expecting the worst but then he seemed to know a bit about pond - I guess from old school - he installed a japanese imported pump and even put the original jap mat - that gave me a bit of confidence.

Have just comissioned the same guy to do up my pergola - never thought about the bird dropping going into the pond. Anyway just hope it would be okay. I dont intend to cover up the whole pond as it is at my backyard - will look like kitchen extension if I cover all the way to the wall.

I could control the inflow from the bottom drain through a pull pipe, however I can't control the skimmer. Next that I will do is to get an air pump once the pergola is completed. Do you know how much electricity an air pump consumes?

Anyway, am holding temptation to get more koi, thought it would be best if I just wait for another 6 months - hopefully by the time the filter will mature. To other newbies, you will agree with me that this is an expensive hobby... Mad

Regards.

whystay
Koi Lover

Mar 3, 2008, 9:07 AM

Post #4 of 15 (1950 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi blow 40 (40 litres per minute) uses 40 watts.

Anuar
Koi Lover

Mar 4, 2008, 10:17 PM

Post #5 of 15 (1901 views)
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Re: [whystay] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the info, do you know where to find one in KL? I have heard comments that Hiblow is quite pricey.

whystay
Koi Lover

Mar 5, 2008, 9:17 AM

Post #6 of 15 (1883 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dunno about KL but in sg its about $240.

sur3wyn
Koi Lover

Jul 2, 2008, 7:54 PM

Post #7 of 15 (942 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nice pond!
Mine just going to start digging. and surprisingly, the size of my pond is 90% similar to yours Tongue

Im more of a newbie than you coz seems like you know what you're talking about. Mind to share the total cost of your pond since our sizes will be similar?

Do you think the pond is too small, too shallow, any regrets? because i've been reading all over the net and some say that 4' deep is just right, some say 4' too shallow. Just would like your opinion as my project just start digging oni Wink

RamilDy
Koi Lover

Jul 2, 2008, 8:02 PM

Post #8 of 15 (937 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

whooo very nice pond I notice you only got two kois? with the falls and the filter why bother to get an air pump anyway?
not unless you will add up more kois with your current popuplation no need to put an air pump.

you should check the wattage consumption the bigger the more electric bill.

since your contructor will not help you further a movable tent will help a lot during rainy season. I just noticed during heavy rains kois body and fins got red.

(This post was edited by RamilDy on Jul 2, 2008, 8:18 PM)

vince68
Koi Lover

Jul 2, 2008, 10:53 PM

Post #9 of 15 (921 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

annuar, nice pond almost similar to that of mine....maybe its time to start a small pond team Sly

coz most of the hardcore hobbyist have 20 tonnes and above...ours less than 10 tonnes....

anyway, some input since we share common set up with waterfall etc....but pls dont take mine as fool proof as am also rather new at this but after 1 year, never had much problems....

basic set up, 1st chamber, jap brushes, second Jap Matt plus corals last pump area (used to place bioballs but took out). I have 2 pumps, one for waterfall the other to circulate the pond (pls use valve to control if u have oversize pump) so taht the turnover of the water thru the filters is ideal. Yah, UV at last chamber...

Notice your UV is with the matt? if yes, pls take it out asap and place in last chamber otherwise your good bac will never grow as it will be killed by the UV.

I got a Hiblow hp 80 for both filter chambers and main pond plus 1 back up.

lastly, am not a shareholder of any farm or shop but my personal opinion after visiting so many in the past 18 mths, i get all my stuff from Jeff, Arowana Aquarium (jalan puchong/off old klang road). To me, he is a honest guy and very helpful and his prices thus far is the best around including the fishes. There some sales now, u should drop by as he is clearing his kois before the new shipment arrive on 10th July.....

For your filter to mature, it takes about 3 to 6 weeks, i dont think u need 6 mths otherwise u may loose interest in your hobby....

just a point to note as being a newbie before, if u have the spare cash, best to get quality koi once and for all, otehrwise u ended up like me, first spending around RM100 to RM200 per piece and if i remmeber, i bought about 20 pieces, then slowly culll it or give away and upgrate to that about RM300, RM400, RM500, RM700....now RMX,XXX.....so, think carefully before u start buying as our pond can only take maybe 10 large koi (60 cm above) eventually....

all the best...

Anuar
Koi Lover

Jul 7, 2008, 8:47 PM

Post #10 of 15 (735 views)
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Re: [sur3wyn] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Following are my regrets, especially to those newbies (hopefully you will learn something...)

- I only built built a pergola half way, thought it would be cool to see rain water splashing down..., but big mistake, the pergola collects rain water (plus all the rubbish on the roof), it has caused a bit of fluctuation in ph
- Buying new fish without proper qt - I have lost quite a few already... this is the biggest regret as I have lost quite a number already
- Leaving all the filter arrangement to the contractor,... apparently the jap mats were placed horizontally (5 pieces...) don't think they are working as I still could not manage to bring down the nitrite, but still below 0.1%. Till today, I have not fixed them properly...

Other than the above, still enjoying the hobby till today. I paid RM20K for the pond - including the cengal deck, spotlights, filter media, tsurumi pump and UV light.

Cheers

Anuar
Koi Lover

Jul 7, 2008, 8:51 PM

Post #11 of 15 (733 views)
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Re: [RamilDy] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

Movable tent will fly given that we get monsoon rain here in KL... I should have covered the whole pond with a covered pergola...

You are right, the kois get pinkish during rainy season...

I thought the air pump is meant for the bacteria... anyway, I have added more kois, about 10 already...

Anuar
Koi Lover

Jul 7, 2008, 9:00 PM

Post #12 of 15 (730 views)
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Re: [vince68] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think anything more than 10 tonne will cause my house to cave in... I just live in a terraced house and used up all my backyard. Yes, noticed the forumers here are too "pro", I prefer to hang out at koiphen.

Yes, i have reshuffled the media and the UV is now sitting underneath the coral at the last chamber.

I wish I had the confidence of investing in more quality fish but I have experienced too many death in the past 4 months - also managed to salvage a few. Do you actually quarantined your new investments? Only one of my first acquisition is still alive eventhough she has been sick for a couple of times. And yes, bought some cheap ones from Jeff too.

Is it just me or do you think it is harder to grow shiros in sub 10 tonnes pond? Have lost 2 medium quality, all due to sickness...

Cheers

vince68
Koi Lover

Jul 7, 2008, 10:20 PM

Post #13 of 15 (721 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

annuar, 10 tonnes is fine, dont have to upgrade as mine is about there too and u can comfortably have 10 large koi above 60 cm, of course when u start u can have double since i believe mostly smallish and over time, u will start to cull hence finally, u will have more or less 10 large koi.

on your problem with the pergola, suggest i get gutters and divert the rain water elsewhere out of the pond. Mine is totally not covered and had not had any problems with rain since. Hence, only suspicion is those debric from the roof which is swept away by the rain into your pond.

as for quarantine, yes, its mandatory. Certain shops including Jeff will do that for u if required.

As for shiro, i dont see why a 10 tonne pond cannot grow shiro, even the pro, i read, grow their show quality koi in 10 tonne pond.

I dont think this forum is for pro as there are many beginners here including me where we sought pros for help...dont feel shy to ask as i believe those pro will help....at times u need to remind or shout for attention...no offend.

RamilDy
Koi Lover

Jul 7, 2008, 10:34 PM

Post #14 of 15 (717 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

you can always use movable tent with lock so it will not fly or use made to order tent custome fit.

sur3wyn
Koi Lover

Jul 9, 2008, 11:36 AM

Post #15 of 15 (624 views)
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Re: [Anuar] New Pond - Advices Needed [In reply to]	Can't Post

noted. thanks!
much appreciated
Cool

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