I am in the process of finishing up with my new pond bottom drain. I have
used approximately 30' of 3" ABS pipe from the center of my pond to a
gravity fed vortex tank. I am using a TETRA bottom drain which I have
enclosed in concrete (2' x 2' x 2').

At a recent water garden show someone told me that I should not have used
ABS/PVC pipe because bacteria will form inside the pipes causing them to
clog up. Is this true?

Mine hasn't clogged up in 9 years. Bacteria may very well form, but it
would be aerobic and a thin film, plus the speed the water flows thru is
faster than what goes thru the ABS from our toilets.... Well toilets due
clog, but not because of bacteria....

Also that person stated that flexible pipe should be used instead of the
solid pipe. I used ABS as opposed to PVC beacause a plumber friend of mine
stated that ABS will withstand the cold weather here in NE. Any comments.

PVC is used for a pipe under pressure. I have all 3 types of pipe, flex in
the pond to ABS to filter and PVC to flex from the pump. Only problem we've
had is a pin hole leak in the flex pipe. Have no clue how it got there, son
used goop and problem solved.

One final question: I am using stone dust underneath and around the pipes
leading from the bottom drain to mthe vortex. Anyone ever experience using
stone dust to fill the bottom of your pond? That is what they use to do
inground pools here in NE.

In the pond or under the liner? I assume this stone dust is a type of clay?

Another thought: what are the chances of the bottom drain
breacking/splitting at the junction between the concrete and stonedust?
Rich Holub in Massachusetts

Last thought confused me. ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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