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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter

 





 


jase_31
New User

Jul 12, 2007, 5:55 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1054 views)
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Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter Can't Post
Hi,

I have a pond which will not clear during the day. The water is not green, but has a high amount of suspended particles. At night the water clears (possible as the fish as less active), but becomes murky during the day.

The pond is approx 900-1000 gallons (uk), depth between 2-3 foot, and not planted. The pond is quite heavily stocked with Koi and other fish, and is not in the shade.

There is currently a submersible pump (rated to 2460 lph at 1m), through 24w UVC, and a gravity box filter (i.e brush, sponge, bio media) returning via a waterfall (4in wide). I cannot remember the model or specs, but IIRC this was rated for a 1500-2000 gallon pond (slightly overated for the pump)

The water pumped to the filter shows a high degree of suspended matter. The water from the filter is cleaner (but still shows some small suspended matter).

I have measured the flow from the pump and found that it only pumping about 590lph to 1m. Naturally the rated flow will be lower than the quoted specs due to pipe friction (1in hose - 8m), but this seems is excessive, and a rate of around 2000lph would be expected (rated at 1500lph at 2m) As a result it looks like the pump will need to be replaced.

Various website give differing advice. If a pump flow of 2460lph sufficient for this pond and stocking level. Some websites quote a flow rate of up to 5500lph for a pond in sunlight, stocked with koi.

My thoughts are replaced the pump with the next modem (amphibious P8000) which was rated at 5500ltr at 1.5m. Will this be sufficient to clear the pond with the current gravity filter? If couple the new pump with a pressurized filter (Heissner Easyclean 12000 UVC) I can then pass the filtered water into the existing gravity box for secondary filtration. The entire contents of the pond will then pass through the filters just over once per hour.

Are these numbers about right?


koiguyoz
Member


Jul 12, 2007, 6:14 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1052 views)
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Re: [jase_31] Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Jase,

What is your cleaning procedure like with regards to the biological media in your filter? (that is, how and when do you wash the media, and with what water do you use to clean them with?)

Rgds,
koiguyoz


jase_31
New User

Jul 12, 2007, 6:59 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1049 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter [In reply to] Can't Post
The bio media is swilled off in a bucket of pond water every couple of months.


larz1
Koi Kichi


Jul 13, 2007, 6:24 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1036 views)
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Re: [jase_31] Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter [In reply to] Can't Post
It sounds to me like the pump is very overrated and under-performing (I'd be bitching out the pump people pretty severely if I were you), and the filter is obviously not doing a very good job of taking out solid wastes. You might want to consider a vortex settlement chamber loaded with K3 or something similar to help knock out solids before hitting your biofilter. It makes a big difference.


jase_31
New User

Jul 14, 2007, 12:08 AM

Post #5 of 6 (996 views)
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Re: [larz1] Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter [In reply to] Can't Post
The pump is some years old, and is no longer performing. Hence the reasons why we are having problems on a mature pond.

What sort of flow rate should I be looking to to acheive for a replacement pump?


neojava3
Koi Lover


Jul 14, 2007, 3:38 AM

Post #6 of 6 (990 views)
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Re: [jase_31] Pond not clear. Review Pump/Filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Sounds like you have several problems going on in your pond but without pics it is difficult to give the best advice possible. Here are the things that I see as problems:
1) You pump does not provide a sufficient flow rate (as others have said). Your pond has approximately 3500-3800 liters of water (based on your figure of 900-1000gal). A flow rate of 600 lph is way too low. A 5500 lph pump will give you a water turn over every 40 min which is good.
2) Your pond is overstocked. For a pond of 1000gal, you should probably have no more than 4-6 good sized koi, probably less. This is taxing your filters.
3) Your filter is insufficient for your pond needs. Don't know what to tell you on this one but as someone mentioned, a settlement tank might help. What are you pH, nitrite levels? I would guess that your bio-filter needs are not being met either.
4) Your UV filter is working (no green water) but without it you'd have a very green pond. Not a problem, just an observation.
5) I'm guessing you don't have a bottom drain since you're using a submersible pump. No bottom drain means more waste build up on the bottom of your pond and with active koi, more stirring of the muck so more suspended particles. You may be able to DIY a bottom drain using your submersible pump. Wouldn't actually be a bottom drain but it could help your dirty water problem and be a fun project. Other option is to manually clean the pond (scrub the bottom) once a month. Not fun!

good luck to you

 
 
 



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