Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System: Shallow Pond: Page 2

Home


	MAIN INDEX	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
Shallow Pond

1 2 3 4 5 6

View All

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 13, 2007, 12:10 PM

Post #26 of 133 (4217 views)
Shortcut

Re: [thiamhwa] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Thiam,

I have prepared for draining procedure via my waterfall outlet to drain and also an additional pump to dry. Further to the grout layers, I apply a layer of diluted cement just like plastering works and then comes the tiles.

Best regards
Abangk

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 17, 2007, 11:49 AM

Post #27 of 133 (4180 views)
Shortcut

Re: [thiamhwa] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi

Now is the time to finalise the filtration system for my shallow pond. Below is the propose drawing, it is very unfortunate as I cannot make the bottom drain for easy cleaning as the size limited. Appreciate your comments...

There is another filter which would be incorporated with the waterfall box cum flower pot of 2' x 2' x 1.5' with Bioballs in it.
If in the case that these filters are insufficient, I have reserved a space for a single layer TT between the waterfall box to hut.

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on May 17, 2007, 12:09 PM)

Attachments:

Filterflow1.jpg (68.3 KB)

thiamhwa
Member / Moderator

May 17, 2007, 1:36 PM

Post #28 of 133 (4167 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Abangk,

Given the limited space in your filtration compartments, I will do the following:-

1) Allow 1'0" spacing for the Settlement compartment, Japanese Mats compartment, Pump
compartment and 2'0" spacing for the Bio-rings chamber.

2) Separating wall between the Settlement/Japanese Mats chambers and Bio-rings/Pump chambers
to be raised up higher to enable cleaner water to flow up and through to the next chamber only.

3) Better to have the Settlement Chamber empty without any media i.e. brushes so that you
can easily syphon out all the waste products manually which are collected at the floor base daily.
I think that is more effective than having the brushes as mechanical filter, in my opinion.

4) Try not to place Bio-rings over the pump chamber so that there are no restriction for water
flow and provide easy pump maintenance in future.

5) Allow a free bottom space in the Japanese Mats chamber for air stone as well. Japanese Mats
should be position along the water flow direction becos' the purpose of these Japanese Mats
are for growing good bacteria and not to trap waste products.

6) Place all bio-rings media into different net bags individually for easy cleaning in future.

Best Regards,
Thiam Hwa

(This post was edited by thiamhwa on May 17, 2007, 1:41 PM)

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 17, 2007, 3:40 PM

Post #29 of 133 (4144 views)
Shortcut

Re: [thiamhwa] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Thiam,

Ok below has been modified as per your advice.

Please welcome any further comments..

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on May 17, 2007, 4:02 PM)

Attachments:

Filterflow2.jpg (63.0 KB)

thiamhwa
Member / Moderator

May 17, 2007, 3:56 PM

Post #30 of 133 (4139 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Abangk,

Thank you for the very efficient drawing amendments. I hope the changes to the filtration system set-up
is for a better system. I am sure you will provide some air-stone into the Japanese Mats chamber too
for oxygen supply.

Regards,
Thiam Hwa

thiamhwa
Member / Moderator

May 18, 2007, 9:16 AM

Post #31 of 133 (4108 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Abangk,

jtlee has brought back an old posting by chong regarding ' Filter Mat Arrangement'. which you
you may want to read it. After reading the post, I think there is no harm having the filter brushes
in your first chamber becos' it is quite easy to remove for cleaning purposes.

Regards,
Thiam Hwa

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 18, 2007, 2:38 PM

Post #32 of 133 (4096 views)
Shortcut

Re: [thiamhwa] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

No problem... can be added easily. With reference to eddie's threat "Green to clear" the Skippy filter recomended the swirl water flow for the down-up, therefore I will add a small pump that can produce bubbles at the bottom of the bioballs compartment to enhance the distribution of the oxigen supply. Cool

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on May 18, 2007, 2:39 PM)

Attachments:

Filterflow2a.jpg (67.6 KB)

thiamhwa
Member / Moderator

May 18, 2007, 3:26 PM

Post #33 of 133 (4087 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you are pretty much finalise on the filtration system set-up drawing. If possible, have the width
of the filtration chambers extended to 3'0" width instead of the current proposed 2'0" wide. That will help,
in my opinion.

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 22, 2007, 9:44 AM

Post #34 of 133 (4052 views)
Shortcut

Re: [thiamhwa] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Happy day to all..

While my filtration construction in progress, I intend to build up another TT cum flower pot next to the existing waterfall box with Skippys filtration cum flower pot too.

Below is the propose TT for your comment... Cool

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on May 22, 2007, 9:45 AM)

Attachments:

TT.jpg (73.0 KB)

mr_ji177
Koi Lover

May 24, 2007, 1:54 AM

Post #35 of 133 (4012 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi to all...i seen in the diagram that u placed air stones under the bioball & jap mat. I know this will encourage bio growth. But i wonder what if there is no air supplied to it. Will the bio filter still works? Cos when water flow from settlement chamber to jap mat..it alreadi carry oxygen. I am curious what are the effect & how much damage there is, if no air suppying to the bio ball & jap mat. Thanks

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 24, 2007, 5:54 PM

Post #36 of 133 (3992 views)
Shortcut

Re: [mr_ji177] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I could say that the air supply via air stones are optional, it is sufficient with the continuous water flow but with that enhancement it should be more effective to grow more good bacteria I guess.... Cool

Best regards
Abangk

mr_ji177
Koi Lover

May 25, 2007, 1:37 AM

Post #37 of 133 (3974 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah i agree with that theory that it may enhance good bio growth, but by how much is the question i wondering. cos i also considering should i put airstones beneath those bio balls. Anyway thanks

eddie244
Koi Lover

May 26, 2007, 12:19 PM

Post #38 of 133 (3945 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

hello, AbangK.

well, im no filter master but that "up-down-up-down type" chamber filtration is out-of-date. why? too much maintenance, you'll put too much maintenance on your filter than enjoying your fishes.

look at Bakki shower. notice no up-down-up-down or chamber. just one way which is down & 1 filter media using BH, the way i see it, ppl keeping high quality & $$ koi would benefit using this setup. and the skippy filter (i use this Cool

) you get crystal clear healthy water, i guarantee.. you want a kid pond n green pond is not a kid pond. a clear pond is a welcome for all ages.

looking at your pond, i calculated you have about 8494 litres. using the skippy rule, you need about 300-litres filter volume. im looking at the waterfall, is there a hole in the waterfall. you can convert this to be a skippy filter. im just guessing the waterfall hole from the pics you got. say its 30inch x 30inch x 30inch = 442-litres. Sly

perfect...

with a skippy just put a pump at the end. place a long pipe going into the skippy/waterfall. (i would recommend getting at least 18,000ltr/hr pump, can you get a resun pump?) using the pump, you'll get about 2x turn over rate.

ps. dont use air stone. if it clogs, you'll damage your air pump. instead, go direct flow, no air stone. air is oxygen. in the filter there is bad and good bacteria. more good bacteria = healthy fish, water looks alive. more bad bacteria = unhealthy fish, smelly water. good bacteria lives in oxygen rich enviroment, aerobic bacteria. bad bacteria lives in low oxygen enviroment, anaerobic bacteria. ppl think hey, i got good/fast flow over my filter, hence fast flow equal more oxygen. right? wrong. truth, im using the AbangK filter setup as an example. bacteria lives in any of those media, brush, jap mat, bio rings. all living things (bacteria included) gives off waste(carbon dioxide), in water there is about 8mg/l of oxygen in good water. here goes, bacteria in the brush use o2, then o2 from brush become 7mg/l, then bacteria in jap mat use this 7mg/l o2 water, then maybe out of jap mat o2 equal 4mg/l (which is low) then this 4mg/l water enters the bioball. low o2 water = bad bacteria ready to reproduce in this low o2 enviroment. hope you know where im going... (those readings are just my thought, and there is no evident from me of the true results, but if you ignore the readings/o2 values you'll see that o2 decreases after each media)

AbangK, attach i have edit "thiamhwa " drawing. hope you ok, i have edited/use your diagram.

=====================================
For Pics here--> http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/highresvid/

For videos here--> www.youtube.com/highresvid
=====================================

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 27, 2007, 9:28 AM

Post #39 of 133 (3913 views)
Shortcut

Re: [eddie244] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi eddie, Thanks a lot for the great proposal... I have no problem to go for that as it has been there and I will do it accordingly as recommended. I will begin with skippy first on my waterfall box, then only adding up the accessories in my filter chambers if necessary. Do you have any idea how much is the bioball / piece? just to compare the price.

I have just tested filling the water into my pond, I will keep the water for 3 days and re-clean the pond then replace the water for the 2nd time where I intend to begin growing the becteria. If necessary I will drain it again for 1/2 pond and refill back accordingly before I put in my "Test" koi.

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on May 27, 2007, 10:09 AM)

Attachments:

filter_wtr.JPG (71.4 KB)

waterfall.JPG (86.3 KB)

eddie244
Koi Lover

May 27, 2007, 10:43 AM

Post #40 of 133 (3898 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

i dont use bioballs, instead i use those green kitchen scrubbing pads. i brought them from giant supermarket, it cost me about $rm0.80/5 piece. i use them as recommended and its alot more cheaper Cool

i spend around rm30 to fill my whole trash bin which is about 40-litres. in your case maybe spending about rm300 for a start. then topping it up after the filter has run. Do you know how to build the DIY skippy filter? there are important stuff & piping works to consider before building it. pls do read http://www.skippysstuff.com/ before anything else. but, if you have question after that feel free to ask. Wink

you got a pH meter or pH water strip? test a new pond not just for leak, also to remove alkaline release by the cement. (you can actually feel the water if its alkaline, it feels like your hands got slippery soap feeling) then you can place a very powerfull powerhead or the pump you gonna use for the filter & circulation. 1 thing i use to bring the alkaline to neutral is using plain old vinegar. add it until you got a ph of 7, if you over shoot it dont worry you can just add more water.. dont put test koi, if that koi dies, it'll leave the bacteria/parasite etc.

here's what i done to quickly mature a filter. after testing for leaks, emptying then filling it up again & the water no long detects alkaline (without any aid from vinegar) you know the cement stops/slows down the lime leaching process. then
with just the circulation pump running. place plant fertilizer in the pond, place lots. dont worry, this is just to encourage algae growth. in about 3-4 days time, the water will turn green. then with this green water, you switch on your skippy filter. you'll expect it to clear up in 3 days or less. dont forget to place a few more fertilizer a bit less than you initially started during the filter start process. the pond should stay clear during this stage. remember to test your water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. once the reading falls to zero. then its safe to add your fishes..

my pond before... i added fishes before the water clears up but ammo, nitri & nitra is 0-0-0.

then you get this.. pond: 1200-litres. filter: 40-litres. Pump: 6000 ltrs/hr. turn-over about 3x. 5-shunbunkins, 5-comets, 7-kois, 1 pleco, and guppies.

not intent to keep show fish but just to see my family smile and enjoy the fishes swimming happily

=====================================
For Pics here--> http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/highresvid/

For videos here--> www.youtube.com/highresvid
=====================================

WSC888
Koi Lover

May 27, 2007, 6:35 PM

Post #41 of 133 (3898 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got my Bio-ball for RM0.16 per piece recently and the more you buy the cheaper it is.

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 28, 2007, 9:33 AM

Post #42 of 133 (3880 views)
Shortcut

Re: [eddie244] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi eddie,

We have the same situation where my family wish that they can put in their favorite fishes in the pond. Question, will the other type of tropical fishes affect the growth of the koi if we put it in the same pond? Wink

I have designed both of my filter chambers according to skippy's way as recommended by you earlier.

The extracted paragraphs below are confusing me especially on the statement on the bio media:
"On top of the grate lay in the filter media. The amount of media is determined by the size of the tank. It should be piled loosely, but still come up to at least the lip of the over flow. The best filter media we have found is simply cut up commercial floor scrubber pads. This fibrous material provides a generous surface area to trap debris, algae etc. and creates a wonderful habitat for the beneficial bacteria to live and flourish. Nothing else is as good and the material will last for years. We have tried all the other things and have found them all to fail.

o Lava rocks because they clog quickly and are good for about � of a season even if you clean them, (which by the way kills off the bacteria colony).
o Brushes do not hold or trap nearly as much.
o Bio-balls are a joke along with furnace filters, foam rubber, carpet padding, sponges etc. Since the bio-filter is so important we recommend you use the best."

Any comment...

Best regards
Abangk

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 28, 2007, 9:36 AM

Post #43 of 133 (3877 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WSC888] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi WSC888,

That is pretty cheap.. where you got it from...

Best regards
Abangk

WSC888
Koi Lover

May 28, 2007, 11:12 AM

Post #44 of 133 (3869 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bought it from one of two aquarium shops in Puchong, Opposite Puchong Tesco across LDP, this shop is at the back roll. There are two aquarium shops, one is selling more expensive at RM0.25 per piece.

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 28, 2007, 11:37 AM

Post #45 of 133 (3860 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WSC888] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Walaweh... near my office lah... will go during lunch for look see.. look see.. Cool

Best regards
Abangk

eddie244
Koi Lover

May 29, 2007, 2:11 AM

Post #46 of 133 (3841 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

what other fish do you want to keep? some tropical fish are territorial. i kept pleco (sucker fish) and guppies. No problem. my friend kept giant white kaloi, sabah kaloi, talapia & koi. no problem. oscar also no problem, unless your fish is smaller than the oscar, it wont make the fish its meal. Wink

i think the pic below will answer..

i use the plastic grating for flooring.

then just place them all in, dont worry when its all fill. give it a shake so it packed. My reply to "On top of the grate lay in the filter media. The amount of media is determined by the size of the tank. It should be piled loosely,

but still come up to at least the lip of the over flow. (have you watch the "Green to clear" video? watch it at 2:22, that will explain "but still come up to at least the lip of the over flow."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSfl8EWqRvc

i didnt try lave rocks, brushes, bio-balls. they dont recommend it so why should it want to try. Luckily, using the scrubbing pads is all the bio media i need... Sly

any new progress of your pond?? pics?
=====================================
For Pics here--> http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u122/highresvid/

For videos here--> www.youtube.com/highresvid
=====================================

Abangk
Koi Lover

May 29, 2007, 10:19 AM

Post #47 of 133 (3830 views)
Shortcut

Re: [eddie244] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Eddie..

You are a great shopper lah... I was hunting around looking for the plastic grating for flooring something like that but still cannot get any yet. Pirate

I bought a roll of thick plastic netting for the garden, but its a bit soft, where you get it from hah...

What fish to keep... for me sure koi and I like those uncommon creatures such as "labi-labi" under water turtle, stingray (but too expensive) etc, the rest is up to my family for them to enjoy the pond together. It would be the "Above Water Aquarium" he..he...

The major problem at place is the existence of owl that stealing the fish in the night.. Mad

How to overcome this?...

Technique of the skippy.. yes I got it and have seen your video.. its great..

I have basically done the pond and the last one is the "Resak" wood plank for the filtration chambers' cover . Will post the picture soon.. Cool

Best regards
Abangk

Abangk
Koi Lover

Jun 4, 2007, 9:49 AM

Post #48 of 133 (3721 views)
Shortcut

Re: [eddie244] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

My shallow pond update.. Cool

Ok.. this is the final pond (w/o deco yet) and it has been on final water for 3 days already. Filtration is on 2 Skippys system at this moment.

The PH good at 7.5 and yesterday bought some 6" kois from Xian Leng Aquatic Shah Alam for testing the ammonia, nitrite soon. Added brushes, Jap Mat and 10kg corals as to fill up the existing compartments. Also added in 10kg salt and Otto Me-310 PSB Bacteria as recommended by the shop.

I will keep the above running for a week and re-check the water parameters. If everything good, then I will stick to it and save money on bioballs TT.

Welcome any comment and advice..

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on Jun 4, 2007, 10:21 AM)

Attachments:

pond_final3.JPG (80.9 KB)

pond_final2.JPG (91.8 KB)

qt4eva
Koi Lover

Jun 4, 2007, 9:00 PM

Post #49 of 133 (3694 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Abangk] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Abangk, I really like your pond.. it look really catchy... anyway, I got my leaking problem taking care of, also finish the filter system... starting to add water in right now... hopefully that filter system can do the job otherwise I need to make myself a skippy filter..anyway, can you post a few more picture of your pond once you get your koi in? Thanks

(This post was edited by qt4eva on Jun 4, 2007, 9:01 PM)

Abangk
Koi Lover

Jun 5, 2007, 9:55 AM

Post #50 of 133 (3659 views)
Shortcut

Re: [qt4eva] Shallow Pond [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks qt4eva..
I really got problem with the existence of OWL Mad

... All my kois are hiding under the waterfall box and very scared to come out. Fortunately I got this hiding place, else they could have been eaten already.

Dear Sifu..
Pertaining to my pond water, now its already 4 days and the water is still clean and clear. I am expecting for the "New Pond Water Syndrome" where the water will turns cloudy and green with algae. How long normally this process will take place?..

Best regards
Abangk

1 2 3 4 5 6

View All

Search for (options)

Back to Koi.com.my Main Page

Disclaimer Privacy Statement
Copyright 2001~ 2002 Hileytech Sdn Bhd , All Rights Reserved.
No part of the forum postings can be copied without prior permission from Hileytech Sdn Bhd and the Author of the Posting.
For comments and Suggestion, Please contact the Webmaster at koi@hileytech.com