In reply to Post #105
Does anyone use a pressurised filter on thier pond? I want to hide a filter under a hatch in my deck and this seems like the best option. Pond is 8x4x4 any advice would be appreciated
Does anyone use a pressurised filter on thier pond? I want to hide a filter under a hatch in my deck and this seems like the best option. Pond is 8x4x4 any advice would be appreciated
In reply to Post #106
My pond is now coming up to 2.5 years old. Can't remember the size but it is just under 5000L of water (which is not huge) and now has a mixture of fish in it (2x Carp, 2x Ghosts, 5 or 6 Gold fish, 1x Tench ,1x Sturgeon and a small Grass carp although he is on the 'missing list' at the moment). I started out with a large pressurised filter with built in UV light under my decking with a hatch for cleaning etc. I cleaned it every 1-2 weeks depending on the time of year as per the instructions.
First 12 months all was good, but last year I struggled to keep the water quality under control (I tested weekly) and then lost the Barbel and a Tench
I added a large 4 stage filter box with gravity return last summer and the water is crystal clear plus the weekly water tests are now good. I have kept the pressurised filter for now as that provides the UV light
My pump packed up in November/December and was a couple of months out of warranty so every 6 months I seem to spend money on it but with each step it gets better (the new pump has a 5 year warranty) so don't mind that too much
My pond is now coming up to 2.5 years old. Can't remember the size but it is just under 5000L of water (which is not huge) and now has a mixture of fish in it (2x Carp, 2x Ghosts, 5 or 6 Gold fish, 1x Tench ,1x Sturgeon and a small Grass carp although he is on the 'missing list' at the moment). I started out with a large pressurised filter with built in UV light under my decking with a hatch for cleaning etc. I cleaned it every 1-2 weeks depending on the time of year as per the instructions.
First 12 months all was good, but last year I struggled to keep the water quality under control (I tested weekly) and then lost the Barbel and a Tench
I added a large 4 stage filter box with gravity return last summer and the water is crystal clear plus the weekly water tests are now good. I have kept the pressurised filter for now as that provides the UV light
My pump packed up in November/December and was a couple of months out of warranty so every 6 months I seem to spend money on it but with each step it gets better (the new pump has a 5 year warranty) so don't mind that too much
In reply to Post #108
Could i sink a filter box and then run a return pump to deal with the level difference?
Could i sink a filter box and then run a return pump to deal with the level difference?
In reply to Post #109
There's only 3 cost effective safe ways to build an in/out of the ground (1m max)
Timber sleepers laid flat
7n blocks laid flat
Hollow blocks filled with concrete
I speak from experience having built one in hollows which was like a bomb shelter and my latest which was built in trench blocks and that has failed and needs an expensive rebuild.
Don't bother rendering the inside, insulate with Celotex or polyurethane and fibreglass, it should last forever.
There's only 3 cost effective safe ways to build an in/out of the ground (1m max)
Timber sleepers laid flat
7n blocks laid flat
Hollow blocks filled with concrete
I speak from experience having built one in hollows which was like a bomb shelter and my latest which was built in trench blocks and that has failed and needs an expensive rebuild.
Don't bother rendering the inside, insulate with Celotex or polyurethane and fibreglass, it should last forever.
In reply to Post #106
Have a look at the Oase Filtoclear. Very good filters if maintained properly. That said they are not designed for ponds that are heavily loaded with fish, particularly carp/koi.
Don't know how I missed this thread. I worked for a company that specialised in ponds until a few weeks ago.
Have a look at the Oase Filtoclear. Very good filters if maintained properly. That said they are not designed for ponds that are heavily loaded with fish, particularly carp/koi.
Don't know how I missed this thread. I worked for a company that specialised in ponds until a few weeks ago.
For filtration I'd forget pressure or box filters - both useless for a koi or large pond. A nexus/easy filter, large multibay or drum and moving bed if money allows are the way to go.
In reply to Post #112
yeah nexus easy pod a good uv filter and a good air pump should do most ponds,,,Other option is multi chamber unit uv
filter first going to a vortex then filter brushes then jap matting and biological filter that's how i made mine over 8 yrs ago and always got good healthy clear water........Having clear water in a pond doesn't mean you have got healthy water like some people think....
yeah nexus easy pod a good uv filter and a good air pump should do most ponds,,,Other option is multi chamber unit uv
filter first going to a vortex then filter brushes then jap matting and biological filter that's how i made mine over 8 yrs ago and always got good healthy clear water........Having clear water in a pond doesn't mean you have got healthy water like some people think....
In reply to Post #112
Excellent advise. If you're on a bit of a budget then go for a second hand easy pod or nexus 200. There's no point in buying a new one as there's nothing to go wrong on them. You will probably be able to pick one up of eBay if you're lucky.
Excellent advise. If you're on a bit of a budget then go for a second hand easy pod or nexus 200. There's no point in buying a new one as there's nothing to go wrong on them. You will probably be able to pick one up of eBay if you're lucky.
In reply to Post #114
Looking to add a glass screen to my pond. 8x4x3.5 is the size of the pond and the screen would be 500x500 supported both sides and at the base. Any help on thickness needed or suppliers would be great
Looking to add a glass screen to my pond. 8x4x3.5 is the size of the pond and the screen would be 500x500 supported both sides and at the base. Any help on thickness needed or suppliers would be great
In reply to Post #115
https://www.tuffxglass.co.uk/
These people are top notch and supply loads of pond windows
Mine is 1075x630 21.5mm toughened/laminated/polished edges. Cost, £144 delivered.
https://www.tuffxglass.co.uk/
These people are top notch and supply loads of pond windows
Mine is 1075x630 21.5mm toughened/laminated/polished edges. Cost, £144 delivered.
In reply to Post #117
Cheers lads, spot on
Cheers lads, spot on
I am just in the process of starting our pond its going be 8m by 4m by 1m, all at ground level and below. The digger is arriving tuesday and skips are on standby 
its going to have a beach area at one end for wildife and a marginal shelf all around the others.
i have run cable for pump and UV and electrician connecting the plugs and extender on Friday.
Koi's are not an option due to cost and time, etc.. i am just thinking of some ghosties, mirror, common carp and some goldfish for colour. Any ideas for bottom feeders to tidy some detritus up?
Just been told by neighbour a heron cleared out his small pond at weekend so will now put some line around the edges on poles and a plastic heron, any other ideas?
Any advice gratefully received.
its going to have a beach area at one end for wildife and a marginal shelf all around the others. i have run cable for pump and UV and electrician connecting the plugs and extender on Friday.
Koi's are not an option due to cost and time, etc.. i am just thinking of some ghosties, mirror, common carp and some goldfish for colour. Any ideas for bottom feeders to tidy some detritus up?
Just been told by neighbour a heron cleared out his small pond at weekend so will now put some line around the edges on poles and a plastic heron, any other ideas?
Any advice gratefully received.
In reply to Post #119
Go a little deeper than that if you have a digger. Also you could put a couple of koi in, they can be bought small very cheaply and it's nice to watch them grow on. Also be careful of stocking too many goldfish. They can breed like wildfire
Go a little deeper than that if you have a digger. Also you could put a couple of koi in, they can be bought small very cheaply and it's nice to watch them grow on. Also be careful of stocking too many goldfish. They can breed like wildfire
In reply to Post #121
Thanks for the replies will discuss with Mrs about going deeper 😀 ohh err. My mates doing the digger so will discuss it with him as well 😀
Will think about some very small koi as opposed to goldfish for the colour splash 😀
Thanks for the replies will discuss with Mrs about going deeper 😀 ohh err. My mates doing the digger so will discuss it with him as well 😀
Will think about some very small koi as opposed to goldfish for the colour splash 😀
In reply to Post #122
I'd personally stay away from goldfish in a pond that size as the population will be hard to control once they start breeding.
Are you putting in a bottom drain? If so that'll take care of any bottom debris. You'll need a good filter system for that size pond stocked with carp.
I'd personally stay away from goldfish in a pond that size as the population will be hard to control once they start breeding.
Are you putting in a bottom drain? If so that'll take care of any bottom debris. You'll need a good filter system for that size pond stocked with carp.