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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
help me fill in this 5 chambers filter

 





 


koinewbie888
Koi Lover

Oct 12, 2008, 11:57 PM

Post #1 of 13 (737 views)
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help me fill in this 5 chambers filter Can't Post
I'm very new to koi, and just built a simple pond with filtering chamber given by friend. He helped me purchased a pump and put some medias into the chambers.

1. media used in normal aquarium to get rid of visible waste
2. same as first chamber
3. carbon, looks like normal one
4. coral and shells
5. empty

I need your advice on what should i put in each chamber for better result. currently i try to replace 1/5 of water every 2,3 weeks. Thanks.


(This post was edited by koinewbie888 on Oct 13, 2008, 12:02 AM)
Attachments: filter.gif (11.8 KB)


Abangk
Koi Lover


Oct 13, 2008, 4:24 PM

Post #2 of 13 (690 views)
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Re: [koinewbie888] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi koinewbie888

May I suggest...



1. Why the water come from the top? is this chambers not the same bottom level with your pond?.
2. It is good if the water flow into the 1st chamber from bottom to act as a settlement chamber.

3. If the structure cannot be changed then let the 1st chamber empty for direct water inlet.
4. Cover the top part of the 2nd chamber with brushes to block the floating debris going into 3rd chamber.
5. Make a free gap of about 4" at the bottom of chambers 3 & 4 and put air bubbles from an air pump to increase oxygen to develop good bacteria.
6. Fill up the 3rd chamber with Japanese Mat (cut the mat to size 4" above the floor)
7. Fill up the 4th chamber 4" above the floor with kitchen scrub pads. This is the chamber for growing good bacteria (pads sold in market 5 pcs per pack, green scrub pads)
8. Hang some corals in a net in chamber 5 for PH control and place the water pump in this chamber to pump clean treated water back into the pond.

This is a "Skippy System" that you may need to clean the pads once in a half year.. Cool
Not a pro recomendation but just a suggestion from my successful experience...

Best regards
Abangk


shiro nutz
Koi Lover

Oct 13, 2008, 10:15 PM

Post #3 of 13 (666 views)
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Re: [koinewbie888] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
hi there, im a newbie too... my previous 3ftby1ftby1.5ft four chamber overflow filter consist of: 1st chamber: japanese mats, sponge 2nd chamber:lava rocks,bio rings 3rd chamber: bacteria hse/japanese mats, last chamber: coral chips. tis system wrk well for me. only nid to clean up every 3mths. nw im using 3ftby1.5ftby3ft 3 chamber overflow fibre filter box fed by 2 5000litres per hr pump nw waiting for results. set up more or less e same. wats ur pond size, concrete or fgt. Nuts bout SHIROS


koinewbie888
Koi Lover

Oct 13, 2008, 11:10 PM

Post #4 of 13 (658 views)
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Re: [Abangk] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks Abangk, ya piping done already, I can't really do much changes.I got charcoal in one of the chamber, any idea what is that for?

1. if first chamber is to be left empty, i can put brush in also, i'm prepare to wash that frequently, is that ok?
2. how can i achieve the free gap? coz whatever i put, it will just sink to bottom, what should i use as a support for that? and what is the reason for doing so?
3. since we just japanese mat, why do we need scrub pads? both for bacteria growing? how about bioball or biochips(the white color ceramic?)? So i just put a lot of them till fill up the chamber and leave the 4" gap?
4. can you show me how japanese mat look like?

actually the pump bring water to the in flow and water just forced out from the out flow, nothing i can change unless i want to redo the piping, which i try not to do as just started breeding.

my filter's top is actually slightly above water level, ie, it is sitting on a support now.

sorry about all the novice questions :P


(This post was edited by koinewbie888 on Oct 13, 2008, 11:13 PM)


Abangk
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 8:53 AM

Post #5 of 13 (630 views)
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Re: [shiro nutz] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Happy day shiro nutz..

1st chamber: japanese mats, sponge
2nd chamber:lava rocks,bio rings
3rd chamber: bacteria hse/japanese mats,
last chamber: coral chips. tis system wrk well for me.

Well your arrangement above looks ok, japanese mats work as well as lava rocks & bio rings, bio ring is more suitable for TT. It could be better if you place air bubbles under the chambers 2 &3 to enhance the oxygen for the good bacteria. My pond size is stated in this forum "Shallow Pond".

Best regards
Abangk


Abangk
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 9:28 AM

Post #6 of 13 (625 views)
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Re: [koinewbie888] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Happy day too koinewbie888..

1. if first chamber is to be left empty, i can put brush in also, i'm prepare to wash that frequently, is that ok?
** Yes you can but it may not serve any purpose as the inlet water comes in from a tube. Brushes used as a blocker for things like leaves etc.

2. how can i achieve the free gap? coz whatever i put, it will just sink to bottom, what should i use as a support for that? and what is the reason for doing so?
** U may use the hard plastic netting and placed on top of bricks. This works as a 2nd settlement area for the pass thru debris and also to let the air bubble spread out to provide oxygen to the pads for the bacteria to grow.
(Good bacteria is very important and must be sufficient to consume the ammonia & nitrate that form algae).

3. since we just Japanese mat, why do we need scrub pads? both for bacteria growing? how about bioball or biochips(the white color ceramic?)? So i just put a lot of them till fill up the chamber and leave the 4" gap?
** Yes both are good for bacteria house, Jap mats allow water to pass thru easily while pads is the cheapest material. Pads can be used in upwards water flow only, as its a loose small pieces pads it will never block the water flow that came from the bottom even though its very dirty.

4. can you show me how japanese mat look like?
** Its a piece of hard sponge sold in size about 3' x 4' and price around RM150 / pc.

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on Oct 14, 2008, 9:48 AM)


shiro nutz
Koi Lover

Oct 14, 2008, 9:48 AM

Post #7 of 13 (620 views)
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Re: [Abangk] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
morning bro. thanx for e input. will do so tonite


Abangk
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 11:02 AM

Post #8 of 13 (609 views)
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Re: [koinewbie888] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi koinewbie888..

My opinion on your filtration setup below:

1. media used in normal aquarium to get rid of visible waste
2. same as first chamber
3. carbon, looks like normal one
4. coral and shells
5. empty

Most of the above are meant for Aquarium only and NOT for pond!!.. Why?..

1. Never filter visible waste or debris with fine fibre used for aquarium. With the power water flow by the pump it will get clogged in hours and you will become a pond servant.
2. "Filtration" term used for Pond is actually not a filter!.. the most suitable term is "Water Treatment"... Why?.. The debris or waste in pond is to be cumulated via settlement and not filtration. That is why the bottom piping is the best method to suck those cumulated settled down debris out to the dry chamber and drained off easily.
4. Carbon usually meant for eliminating bad odors, may not need for pond.
5. Coral or shells is to stablise the water PH (Correct me if I am wrong).

So never think of filtering the waste or debris from your pond by filter materials. Its only by settlement!!..
The rest.. Jap mats/bio balls/pads etc are required for good bacteria housing to consume the ammonia and nitrate to make the water crystal clear and algae free.. (UV light is to kill algae but not to stop forming algae).

Please correct me if I am wrong...

Oh ya.. one more thing.. pumping water into the filtration chambers is not recommended as you may face problem with clogging pump that placed in the pond.

The best is to pump treated clean water out from the last chamber and lets the water flow accordingly into the 1st chamber and settled down the debris in this settlement chamber effectively.

Best regards
Abangk

(This post was edited by Abangk on Oct 14, 2008, 11:30 AM)


ikankoiku
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 1:30 PM

Post #9 of 13 (592 views)
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Re: [Abangk] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi guys,

Just a small point to share. I was told not to use the coral coz it acts like a sponge. Once it can't absorb anymore, it will release everything. It will affect the kois as well. Coral too is easily affected by acidic water condition. If you still want to use it, get oyster shells. Got to know abt this 2 days ago. Pls double cx on this.

Regards


Abangk
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 2:18 PM

Post #10 of 13 (590 views)
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Re: [ikankoiku] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi ikankoiku..

I think you are correct on this, its only good for 3-6 months then better change with new one as its cheap. Wink

Best regards
Abangk


shiro nutz
Koi Lover

Oct 14, 2008, 9:37 PM

Post #11 of 13 (555 views)
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Re: [ikankoiku] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
tats new. hd bd experience with oyster shells before. bought 1 pack & rinse for 10mins & pt in my last chamber as instructed by e shop owner. its already night wen i gt i done. e nxt morning while at wrk i received a phonecall frm hm. guess wat? most of my kois r floating(dead)Mad .only 1 survive. even though at tat point of time my kois r local kois($3 per koi) which i gt frm e local pet shop, im devastated. raised em frm 10" to 40". nw upgraded to japs, dun want history to repeat itself.


Epal63
Koi Lover

Oct 14, 2008, 9:45 PM

Post #12 of 13 (552 views)
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Re: [ikankoiku] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi,

Could you please share where you read that coral acts like a sponge? From my readings, corals are used to maintain PH level in the pond.


ikankoiku
Koi Lover


Oct 14, 2008, 10:00 PM

Post #13 of 13 (546 views)
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Re: [Epal63] help me fill in this 5 chambers filter [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Epal63,

I and a member of this forum have gone to 4 koi dealers(including Sentul and Atari) to finalize on my pond building. Most people will tell you that it will have side effect on the kois but one of them has explained to us in detail. In fact they did removed it from their own filters. It is ok when it is new but asidic will detoriate corals very fast. Since one water to the other are different, it will be difficult to tell how long it will last before the side effect comes in. As for oyster shell, it is still ok to us.

Regards

 
 
 



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