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| Hi folks!
It's been a long time since I've posted. Some of you may remember me from back in the day :) I currently have a 1500 or so gallon pond and waterfall w/ biofalls filtration. About 50 fish.....10 of which are very large Koi (12"+). We were planning to move into our new home this Spring and I was pretty relaxed about getting the new pond done and moving the fish. All we have at the new place is the rough hole dug so far. Then suddenly I got word that we have to be out in 2 weeks! We have a buyer for our house before even putting it on the market which is great, but they sold their place and need to get in here asap. So that really screws up my relaxing pond building, LOL. Anyhoo, I want a little better of a filtration system for the new pond. I am interested in a retro bottom drain because I prefer not to cut a hole in the bottom for fear of leaks. I'd be totally worried about it all the time. Also because the bottom of the pond isn't flat.....there will actually be a large hump in the middle so there will be two deep areas. Anyone here have a particular retro bottom drain that you love? My new pond size isn't complete yet so I don't know the gallons yet, but it will be much larger than my current pond. Approx. 3-4 feet deep and roughly 15' or 20' x 25' or so. There will be a long stream/waterfall and I planned to re-use my biofalls filter along with possibly setting up a bog like area in the stream. Does this sound like it would be sufficient filtration?
It's been so long since I've built ponds and I'm just scrambled due to the fact that I have to move out so quick.
Also, I was planning to drain my pond down very low and catch and put my fish in big bags for the 5 mile trip to my new house. Does this sound like a good plan? Don't have bags yet so if you have a suggestion, I'm all ears. I still didn't order pond liner for the new one yet either. Ugh! Haven't even had time to research it yet. I know I will go with at least 45 mil Firestone liner. Any tips on who would be best to buy from? Sorry for so many questions. Hope you aren't as confused as I am. :) Happy Spring!
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Welcome back mamabird: I have an Aqua Art Retro drain in the bottom of my pond. My pond is 5 years old and it's been doing an excellent job. However the bottom of my pond is flat because it needs to rest on a flat surface. I did cut a hole in the liner and installed a bulkhead so the water drains out the side to my settlement pond, then it's pumped into the skippy filter before it goes to the waterfall. I attached the link so you don't have to go searching for it. Hope it helps, and good luck with your new pond and your move. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Aqua Art Retro Pond Drain
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| I also remember you mammabird. I usually don't use the forum much in the winter but come back on in the spring just to catch up on what's new etc. I have a retrofit bd as well mine is some modifications on the Tetra through the liner drain (which froze) but I used the cap from it for my drain. I am replacing that this year with the Aqua Art Drain as it sits flatter than mine. Not sure if I understand your "hump" but you usually put the bd in the deepest part of the pond. Avid koi-keepers like to do TPR's--but that also means cutting a hole in the liner. With your pond dimensions you might want two bottom drains one for each deep section. That would mean two bulk heads (I did pipe boot connections) through the liner on the side of the pond wall nearest your settling chamber. My drain has a 4" line reduced to 3" just before it enters the sc followed by a 3" knife valve (there much cheaper!). I take my drain out for winter because of my climate. Water inside pipes in my climate not a good idea. My settling chamber is a liner chamber (kinda like a pond beside the pond)350 gals-my pond is 2500 gals. They say sc should hold at least 10% of your pond volume. I really like this system as use sc for water changes. I have 3-4 ft square matala mats in my chamber which is also my mechanical filitration. Good luck with your new pond and move. Patti |
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- Posted by pashta_2006 Z4 ADK NY (pashta@aol.com) on Sat, Apr 3, 10 at 17:18
| Mamabird, I don't have any great advice for you but want to wish you well on moving your fish. What a major undertaking. I moved my pond and fish (2 adults and about 40 babies) 50 feet and it was quite a production, so I can't imagine what you will be going through. However I like the ideas you have and look forward to seeing the pictures when you are done. I've never had a bottom drain so can't comment on that. I have no better suggestions than yours of putting the fish in a BIG bag except that I would then put the bag in a big plastic bin just in case the fins poked a hold in the bag. Driving down the road with a leaking bag, car full of water and gasping fish isn't my picture of a happy Sunday drive!!! Good Luck! |
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