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Newly constructed pond

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Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 3:27 AM

Post #1 of 33 (4577 views)
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Newly constructed pond	Can't Post

Hi all,
After a few weekends and the help of 2 day laborers I kinda completed my koi pond, the water have been running for a week, no fish at this time yet. I'm totally new to koi and pond so be kind with your comments. I would welcome any constructive suggestions. the hole that I dig up is 12' x 11' x 4' including the filter area, so my pond size around 10' x 8' about 3' of water deep. I used a total of 500 6" blocks and 600 of 90 pounds bags concrete mix and mortar mix, 1000 pounds of rock for the waterfall.

<br>

(This post was edited by Koinewbie on Jul 11, 2006, 4:10 AM)

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 3:31 AM

Post #2 of 33 (4575 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

the walls and filter area, I have a bottom to the settlement chambers, then a second chamber to the 3500gph pump, a 25watts uv light, and 2 50 gallons barrels filters use as biofilters out to waterfall.

I applied some mortar over the blockwall, then pasted 10 gallons of the poly waterstop compound, then I painted with black pond sealer. So I hope there is no leaks, but you never know, so far after a week the water level look pretty stable, except some vaporized and waterfall flash.

(This post was edited by Koinewbie on Jul 11, 2006, 3:48 AM)

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 3:36 AM

Post #3 of 33 (4572 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

my waterfall looking ok for a first timer.

a deck to cover my filters chambers <br>

pump and uv light

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 3:39 AM

Post #4 of 33 (4571 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would say the pond is never finished, there will be lots of adjustments, modifications and decoration, but I'm happy that hard part is done and I would love to add koi in a few weeks.

(This post was edited by Koinewbie on Jul 11, 2006, 3:41 AM)

rbl7
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 4:13 AM

Post #5 of 33 (4564 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nice work

How deep is it ?

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 4:15 AM

Post #6 of 33 (4563 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

it's 3.5' from top to bottom, about 3 feet of water deep.

smithy
Koi Lover

Jul 11, 2006, 5:21 AM

Post #7 of 33 (4558 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looks good mate. I like the hinged doors to ur filter areas.

larz1
Koi Kichi

Jul 11, 2006, 7:18 PM

Post #8 of 33 (4492 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

You might be a newbie, but you did your homework Wink

. Good plan, nice layout, nicely concealed filters, and an impressive waterfall Cool

. When do you plan to add your first Koi??? Adding one at first will help the biofilter get off to a good start without risking an overload and then one at a time over a period of several weeks. (One at a time will also make it easier to practice a little self-discipline about overstocking Blush

) Not that anyone around here needs any self-control! Tongue

Koi38
Senior Member

Jul 11, 2006, 7:26 PM

Post #9 of 33 (4489 views)
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Re: [larz1] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

self-control!

What is it? Tongue

Koinewbie,

Buy your self some cheapy fish(2) to test the water for you and let them be for 48 hrs at least. Feed few pellets per day to help your biofilter to start like Larry said. This will also avoid ammonia spike.

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

smithy
Koi Lover

Jul 12, 2006, 2:44 AM

Post #10 of 33 (4452 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

what material is the water fall rocks made from? does anyone know if these could house bacteria similar to a TT or bio filter?

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 12, 2006, 3:27 AM

Post #11 of 33 (4449 views)
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Re: [smithy] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for all your responds, I actually did read a lot from this useful forum, it took almost a year to research and plan.

Lars1 and Koi38: Thanks for your feedbacks, I will follow your advice, a friend of mine would give me some test pilots to start the biofilter.

Smithy: the got the rocks from a building materials dealer, the rocks actually said for waterfall, so I think it is the right type of rock to use. It's very rigid, I tried to break the bigger piece with a sledge hammer but it took a while.

Regards,

Don

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 12, 2006, 3:32 AM

Post #12 of 33 (4448 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

The deck and the fence serve 2 purposes, first it conceals my filter area, also I have a small child hope it keeps him from jump into the water, he's only 7 months old now but he will learn to walk very soon. My son seem to enjoy the waterfall right now...

smithy
Koi Lover

Jul 12, 2006, 3:46 AM

Post #13 of 33 (4447 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yea the rock is perfect for a waterfall mate. Was just wondering whether it would allow bacteria to grown on it similar to like bacteria in lava rock in TT's. Sure one of the regulars will be able to let me know. yea mate its well thought out and a good result Wink

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 14, 2006, 12:50 AM

Post #14 of 33 (4393 views)
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Re: [smithy] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I introduced 5 gold fish (around 5" each) into my pond and after 2 days they look happy and very active, so hope that my water parameters are alright, I checked the Ph level and it's 7.4, the water still very clear so sight of green water yet after 2 weeks, may be the 25w uv light does it job.

s_clan
Koi Addict

Jul 14, 2006, 12:33 PM

Post #15 of 33 (4352 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Koinewbie...

Wow....a nice filter hideaway....and good use of such small space Wink

With regards, Jarvis

I LOVE THE COLOUR ORANGE
----------------------------------------------------------
1 Kohaku (male)
1 Doitsu Kohaku (female)
1 Taisho Sanke (male)
1 Asagi
1 Kujaku
1 Sakura Ogon
1 Tancho Sanke
1 Karasugoi
1 Ki Matsuba
----------------------------------------------------------

larz1
Koi Kichi

Jul 14, 2006, 8:16 PM

Post #16 of 33 (4335 views)
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Re: [smithy] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you want your waterfall to perform biofiltration get "feather rock". It is lightweight and semiporous so almost as much water passes through it as falls over the surface. Doc Conrad pictured one made that way several years back and the porous interior provides a home for biobacteria that is self-sheltered from sunlight. What you'll wind up with is a small scale TT/BS type of waterfall.

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Jul 15, 2006, 10:14 PM

Post #17 of 33 (4279 views)
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Re: [larz1] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks S_clan for the nice words. One question for the regulars, is it normal to loose 1/2" of water in 2 days? I have a running waterfall and it's pretty warm here during day. But losing half an inch in 2 days is concern me, do you think I have a leak in my pond?

larz1
Koi Kichi

Jul 15, 2006, 10:26 PM

Post #18 of 33 (4277 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

A leak is possible and with this type of pond construction it could be difficult to find. You might try shutting down the pump for 1 or 2 days just to compare water loss.
IMHO much of it is likely due to evaporation. Waterfalls are great elements for looks and aeration, but the mist they produce does add evaporative water loss. I know in the case of our pond losing 1/2" in 2 days would be great. We have a waterfall and a long stream so evaporation is excessive.

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Aug 2, 2006, 3:36 AM

Post #19 of 33 (4072 views)
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Re: [larz1] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I installed 2 out of water lights to brighten up my pond at night

Just added 2 new koi yesturday and they're about 12-14 inch, the smaller is Kohaku not sure the other one

Also add a 6 inches butterfly

Anyone know how to get rid of the access bubbles in the pond, not sure if my waterfall produces too much bubbles or it's the water condition. I use a swimming pool net to scoop out the bubbles but hey keep coming back.

(This post was edited by Koinewbie on Aug 2, 2006, 3:46 AM)

smithy
Koi Lover

Aug 2, 2006, 5:56 AM

Post #20 of 33 (4062 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Koi38 told me about this. Credits to him lol.
The bubbles you are talking about are DOC dissolved organic compounds. Perfectly harmless but unsightly One way to remove them is a protein extractor. Chek out koi 38's protein extractor in DIY section

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Aug 2, 2006, 6:22 AM

Post #21 of 33 (4061 views)
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Re: [smithy] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great, thanks Smithy, I'll check out Koi38's post.

Koinewbie
Koi Lover

Aug 2, 2006, 8:26 AM

Post #22 of 33 (4051 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think my pond start having after I added fish, 2 weeks before any fish intruduce into the pond the surface was clear, right now the water is clear except some algie on the wall. I can't wait to get rid of the DOC

Koi38
Senior Member

Aug 2, 2006, 8:50 AM

Post #23 of 33 (4048 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Koinewbie,

Carpet algae on the walls and floor is okay as long as they're around 10mm long and greenish in color. This is another food source for our koi. Yes Smithy is right excessive bubbles is caused by DOC. A protein skimmer should fix it Smile

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

qt4eva
Koi Lover

Aug 12, 2006, 8:34 AM

Post #24 of 33 (3557 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey koinewbie, i really like your pond. Am planning to build one for myself too. I was just wondering. How much does it cost you to buy all of those material(just for the pond structure, not filter media). Thank

s_clan
Koi Addict

Aug 12, 2006, 12:12 PM

Post #25 of 33 (3546 views)
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Re: [Koinewbie] Newly constructed pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Koinewbie....

Those 2 new koi....the smaller one is the kohaku and the bigger one beside it should be a Sanke.... Smile

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