Watergarden/koi pond

[rcmike]

Hello everyone. We have a small koi pond that I threw together a few years ago. It was nice when it was new but I didn't construct it like I should and used a cheap PVC liner that has since split. I did it in a small corner of a retaining wall and the house and part of it is under the steps to the deck. I am planning on building a bigger one out in the yard and this time I want to do it right.

Does anyone here have a pond and could give me some construction tips? Does anyone know where you can get a good pond liner locally that isn't too expensive? I have been looking at EPDM liners online but they are pretty expensive and the shipping is high for a good size. I have read a bunch on the subject but want some "real world" experience.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[crumbletop]

I could be wrong about this, but for some reason I think Demos10 knows about pool construction and could probably point you in the right direction. You might try sending him a PM.

 

[H@rry]

8Ball99 in the "Alabama Gang" has a big Koi pond in his yard with a bridge across it. He did it all himself. He a DIY guy about most of the stuff he's got. Give him a PM.

Here ya go:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1216840

 

[SRT80]

Do you remember Jason from stonesriveraquatics? Last time I checked stonesriveraquatics.com, it looks like he is in the pond business now. Last time I checked craigslist, a guy had a 300 gal rubbermaid stock tank for $100. I thought would make a neat pond burried in the ground or stones stacked around it. It was like 6ft diameter.

Steve

 

[rcmike]

Thanks guys.

Steve, I didn't know he was doing pond stuff now. I may have to see what he has. I am thinking of a pretty big pond, maybe 10 X 15 or so. Not sure on the size yet but like aquariums bigger is usually better.

 

[reewik]

Hey Mike,

look at ponds 123 or take a trip to Green and Hagstrom. They probably have the best deals for local pond. Having ben to your house, where are you gonna build it? Is it going to be in the same spot? Can you have it 2 foot deep or more? The reason I ask critters. The pond should be at the very least 2 foot deep in a part of the pond to keep the critters out. Mine is 3 foot deep and that assures me the herons and the raccoons will stay out!

I am in the market for a new filter soon myself. Get ready to dump some cash on the pond upgrade for sure. Contact me for more info if you like!

How are the wife and kids?

 

[rcmike]

I have been to Green and Hagstrom. I bought most of my plants there when I started out. They had cool stuff. I haven't heard of ponds 123 but will check them out too. I am not putting it in the same spot. I am thinking of off of the back right corner of the house. The other spot was really a bad idea with the way I did it. The sides are way to steep and I had problems with rocks sliding in and damaging the liner. I am planning on 3 feet although I haven't had any critter problems with the old one (besides our dogs wanting to play in it). I'll try and put up some more details of my plans later.

Everyone is doing well. The kids are growing like weeds. I looked at your website and saw that you were at the airshow. Wish I had known I would have looked for you.

Michael

 

[rcmike]

I have a hole half dug and am thinking of doing a smaller pond connected to it with a stream. Looking at filter costs I am seriously contemplating a DIY filter of some sort. Does anyone know where I can get one of those plastic 55 gal. drums pretty cheap? I have found lots of diy ideas on www.koiphen.com.

 

[NeveSSL]

I think Siffy may have a good source of 55g plastic drums, but he's down a little bit south of us.

Brandon

 

[rcmike]

Well guys, I have been working on the pond for a while and it is taking much longer (and much more money ) than anticipated. I do have the pond functioning now, just need to finish the little building over the filteration and do some landscaping around it. The pond is approx. 20 X 10 X 3.5. I finally got around to taking pictures.

This is a full pond shot.

Here are some of the plants. Lotus, lillies, cattails, etc.

The only flower that was blooming was a botswana wonder aka water mimosa or water sensitive plant. The lilies were already closed

Some of the koi.

And the part most of you are probably interested in... The filteration! Two 55 gal. barrals. One has a VMS, basically a big prefilter that rotates and all the stuff is blown off by a Korallia pump that keeps it spinning. One is a moving bed full of kaldness media. I also have an 80W UV to keep the floating algae down. All of this is powered by a 5500 GPH pump. Not shown is the skimmer also powered by a 5500 GPH pump.

It has been a lot of hard work and physical labor but it has been worth it.

 

[fallinapart]

WOW, very nice, and it does look like a lot of hard work, but well done. looks great and I'm sure after it's finished you will update the pics.

Norman

 

[NeveSSL]

WOW indeed!

Thats awesome, Mike!

When are we having a meeting at your place?

And thanks for taking the pics.

BTW, you have a skimmer on this? That has got to be some serious power to get freshwater to foam up!

Brandon

 

[rcmike]

Thanks guys. Not that kind of skimmer, a surface skimmer. You can make protien skimmers for them and they work pretty well. I have seen several DIY ones. Most of them are much simpler than the ones for reef tanks. I can't wait until I get it looking better and not like a dirt pile around it. Maybe then we'll talk about a meeting.

 

[fishdoc11]

Looks great Michael

 

[acrodave]

koi are so kool i had a pond when i lived in fl. then the birds got them and then went to goldfish..but the goldfish turned into breading monsters... this a koi on the back of my leg

[/IMG]

 

[acrodave]

that pond is sweet

 

[Mikeyjer]

Wow, that's an awesome looking pond Mike!!!!