On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:58:18 -0400, "Chris" wrote:
First time posting here. I am in the process of working on a larger rubber
lined pond (about 210,000 gallons).
Wow.
Later I plan on creating a stream into
it that will run about 70' and drop a total of maybe 8' over that span.
This you should plan sooner rather than later, it can be your source of
filtration. Make it wide with small shallow pools to hold filtering plants.
and have a 3" pipe off of that supplying a temporary setup to a 1.5 hp
pump (recycled from a pool).
Where is this pipe sucking from, bottom drain perhaps? My concern would be
not getting enough flow thru a 3" pipe, nor enough out of a 1.5" pipe back
to the pond.
have access to some cheep 55 gal barrels but am having a hard time finding
any link through Google for plans for a decent one.
www.jjspond.us Click on *My Filter* *Demo Pond Filter* and *Lily Pond* all
have various info on 55 gallon barrel filter and how we ran the bottom
drain & skimmer pipe connection (Lily Pond).
Some questions that I have on the bio filters :
1. A good link to a website with plans. I am looking for an enclosed system
that will be pumped through and not the water fall type that I keep running
into.
Might start with reading about pond construction and filtration at
www.acka.org. Click on the menu, click on Koi Health Advisors and various
articles will come up.
2. I have read in a couple of places that for a bio-filter to be effective
it needs water running over it 24/7. I would like to avoid this due to $.
Any truth to this?
Good bacteria is aerobic, without constant flow it doesn't multiply, and
therefore you'll never establish bio-filtration in the filter.
3. If I do run a bio filter (or a sand filter for that matter), should I
send the return water up to the stream, or return it to the pond?
Stream, imo.
4. Obviously I would plumb the bio filter so that it can be on or off.
Anyone see an issue with this? Or should I set up a cycle that flushes it
out for a set period each day? As I would like the pond to sustain itself.
I'm not sure what you mean by sustain itself? In a man made closed system
there is always going to be needed maintenance. The bigger the pond, the
proper filtration the less often the maintenance. Keep in the mind the life
cycle of a lake is to fill in and become a swamp.
Some questions I have on a sand filter :
1. Should I even think about it for temporay use? One reason I was
thinking of making one was for cleaning of the bottom as I have no bottom
drain (opening doors on that one).
What is your plan for getting the muck off the bottom?
2. I was thinking of using a submersable fountain as a type of bottom
drain. Get some of the sediment from the bottom mixed with the water and
then let it get to the filters.
3. Again any links to a website that has decent plans for a sand filter?
Also any comments on pump sizes. I am wondering if 1.5hp is too much for
the skimmer and I might be able to drop down to a smaller pump and use the
1.5hp to pump up the hill.
And last but not least. The concrete slab where the pumps will be sitting
will be about 1.5' higher then the water level. Am I to assume that
back-flow valves will solve my problems once I get the pumps primed, or
should I be looking at self priming pumps?
Any comments would be appreciated. I have thick skin so if I am doing
something wrong have at it.
Chris
Chris, to be honest, if money is at all a concern, I'd scale down the size
and go for easy to maintain infrastructure. Look into Vortex filters, look
into pond pumps, not swimming pool pumps. They cost more, but are usually
more efficient power-usage-wise. Bottom drains....
But, I'm wondering, this sounds like a done deal? Pond already in? ~ jan
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See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us
~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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