Ultimate Koi pond renovation

[royjacobs]

Looking good Darren

[JohanMaree]

Do not install a pool type sand filter in your system, unless you want to waste your money.
The only filter system that works is a biological filter of which capacity is not less than 1/6 of that of the pool.
I went further and incorporated an aquaponic system. Suddenly the pool water is clean and algae free during summer.
And we have veggies too

[NewLandy]

Please send pics

Darren

[Rymerdr]

On this build I'm trying to avoid pool sand filters as the maintenance is excessive. Also going for DC pumps rather than pool pumps for electricity savings.

[Rymerdr]

Due to the wet weather in Johannesburg I've been spending most of the time pumping water. Initially some water was coming from the bottom of the hole, after over 60mm of rain in a few days the south wall is seeping ground water and causing small collapse. (To put pics in perspective that is a 6m long scaffolding plank going into the hole.)

I filled the bottom with some building stone to get a firm base for the concrete but I need a new plan to solve the water seepage issue.

Please feel free to give advice as this is not my field of expertise.

I plan on digging a French drain or perforated pipe, down towards the stream that runs about 30m to the north side of the pond. Perhaps even bury a submersible tank, so this runoff can be used in the garden and to top up pool and pond.
I could run all my filter drains into this tank.

The only issue it would require digging an 8ft trench about 25m long.

The ground water is significant. I pump about 2500l per day, out the hole.

[StefanSvr]

I'm looking for 40mm or 50mm safety netting, so far I could only find 80mm. Anyone know of a place in pta/jhb/Centurion that can help me?

[JohanMaree]

You referring to weldmesh?

[Rymerdr]

Pond update... We've dig the trench for the French drain, all the way down to the river. I had to cut a hole in my boundary wall and weld a steel door, so I now have direct access to the servitude (river). I will cover the perforated 110mm pipe in building stone tomorrow. And soon hopefully start setting up the reinforcement for the concrete.

I feel sorry for the fish in my holding tank, but they will soon have an amazing home.

[Kortgat]

Looking good. I appreciate the work that goes into what you are doing there. It will be worth it!

[Rymerdr]

Thanks Kortgat.

Update...
The French drain is working wonders, the excavation remained dry despite 20mm of rain the last few days. I've added a sump pump to the underground tank at the end of the French drain. I attempted making a self starting syphon but our tank is below the level of the river so I had gravity issues .

The sump pump can be pumped into the river or into one of my borehole tanks, so this water can be used in the pond or garden.

I started on the plumbing today, decided on 2 bottom drains (with air diffusers) as I'd hate to have regrets later, and I'm so over budget it makes no difference.

Any ideas on pond returns. I was thinking of 2 (if the waterfall is at 12’o clock) at 9 and 3 o' clock, with a skimmer at 6'o clock?

[Kortgat]

As many returns as you will have dc pumps and with minimal pipe lengths and head to reduce flow losses. Your pond is nice and round so you also want to get a circular flow direction going, that will help settle things nicely to the bottom drains.

[shfish]

With apologies to Rymerdr, can I pose a question here during this break from the OP.
I have a 4000 lt pond with goldfish. The water is circulated with a cheapie pump. I'm having a helluva problem with algae, pond looks like pea soup. My pond is partly in the ground and about 400mm above. I need to get a UV pump/light arrangement but I don't want to have ugly pipes going over the copings to a pump NEXT to the pond. My question :- Is it possible to get a submersible UV pump where the entire gadget is out of view underwater? If so, any idea where I can get this in Cape Town or on line?
Thanks in anticipation.
Fish

[Kortgat]

With apologies to Rymerdr, can I pose a question here during this break from the OP.
I have a 4000 lt pond with goldfish. The water is circulated with a cheapie pump. I'm having a helluva problem with algae, pond looks like pea soup. My pond is partly in the ground and about 400mm above. I need to get a UV pump/light arrangement but I don't want to have ugly pipes going over the copings to a pump NEXT to the pond. My question :- Is it possible to get a submersible UV pump where the entire gadget is out of view underwater? If so, any idea where I can get this in Cape Town or on line?
Thanks in anticipation.
Fish

Not that I know of no. You do get submersible UV lights in a quartz sleeve, but direct exposure would not be good to your fish.

[JohanMaree]

UV is not enough.

You need a biofilter system too

[clivemd]

With apologies to Rymerdr, can I pose a question here during this break from the OP.
I have a 4000 lt pond with goldfish. The water is circulated with a cheapie pump. I'm having a helluva problem with algae, pond looks like pea soup. My pond is partly in the ground and about 400mm above. I need to get a UV pump/light arrangement but I don't want to have ugly pipes going over the copings to a pump NEXT to the pond. My question :- Is it possible to get a submersible UV pump where the entire gadget is out of view underwater? If so, any idea where I can get this in Cape Town or on line?
Thanks in anticipation.
Fish

can’t help you about pumps and UV set up but my pond is crustal clear with my UV filter and then into foam filter

[shfish]

Thanks All. So if I understand correctly, I have no option but for an "out of pond" set up if I want UV, pump and filter?

[Kortgat]

Thanks All. So if I understand correctly, I have no option but for an "out of pond" set up if I want UV, pump and filter?

Yes, from what I have seen. You can always hide the plumbing with some plants or pieces of driftwood.

[Rymerdr]

No problem Fish, I've been too busy with my day job so the pond project is being neglected.

Ive only ever seen out if pond UV filters they work very well but the globes need to be replaced yearly. Is your pond in direct sunlight? perhaps look at using water lilies to provide some shade.

[shfish]

No problem Fish, I've been too busy with my day job so the pond project is being neglected.

Ive only ever seen out if pond UV filters they work very well but the globes need to be replaced yearly. Is your pond in direct sunlight? perhaps look at using water lilies to provide some shade.

Thanks Darren. You're right, my pond does get a lot of sunlight and I'm trying to cover the surface with lilies etc. as fast as possible. But the lilies just aren't growing fast enough! I guess I'll have to follow the advice of Kortgat and cover the piping with driftwood or the likes.

[Rymerdr]

After a long holiday break and lots of we t weather , I finally got back to the pond project this last weekend.

BTW the French drain I built under the pond is really working wonderfully.

I liked the pond with plastic. Poured the foundation for the walls and laid the steel reinforcement. Built the wall with cinder blocks, filling with concrete as we went.
I will complete the wall this week, and hopefully pour the base this weekend.