If a change is as good as a rest, then we've certainly had more than our fair share of R & R on this project so far. It's not that we're indecisive, it's simply a matter of adapting our plan to suit the conditions and environment that we experience along the way. It would be great if we could plan the pond build and its filtration system set-up right down to the finest detail, but the simple fact is we don't have the knowledge and know how to be able to do this. Plus we don't know exactly what's around the corner so how can you plan for these unforeseen eventualities?
An example of this being our original plan for the filter house. Originally our plan was to build this at the back of the pond with the dimensions being 4 metres in length by 2.5 metres in width. This would fit nicely within the confines of the back fence to the rear, our son's garden to the right, the angled fence to the left of the area and the position of the pond. We envisaged the new filter house housing the filter system for the main pond as well as a small quarantine system which is an integral part of the new build considering our recent experience. So where's the problem you may ask?
The problem lies with our latest "bargain" purchase from Ebay of a preformed plastic tank, the type you see at many Koi dealers housing their latest "living jewels". It really was a bargain and was promptly delivered by the seller the day after for a very reasonable fee. The tank itself measures 6' x 4' x 3' and will hold in the region of 500 gallons. A little more than we first imagined and anticipated for our new quarantine system, nevertheless it really was a bargain not to be missed. The problem now is ...... factoring this into the filter house equation.
Having mocked up the new filter house using the original 4m x 2.5m dimensions it was blatantly obvious that there was no way we could fit this tank along with two vortexes and a Nexus 200, along with all the appropriate pipework and other equipment, plus a filter system for the quarantine tank! After pondering a while (sorry for the pun) over a cup of coffee, it was decided that we'd simply have to make the filter house bigger by extending the build right up to the angled fence to the left of the area. We'd have to angle this wall to match the run of the fence, but it would provide us with enough additional space to house all the filter equipment along with the quarantine set-up yet still provide us with enough space to manage the area without being cramped (we hope)!
27 February 2011
12 February 2011
It's My Prerogative
No we're not talking about an 80's song by Bobby Brown, we're talking about changing our pond design yet again!
Last weekend we finally had a break in the weather where it wasn't snowing, it wasn't raining (too much anyway) or that is wasn't too cold so that your fingers stuck to the metal tape measure. The idea for the excursion into the garden and to the old pond was to start taking the appropriate measurements for calculating amounts of concrete for the new pond base, numbers of blocks required for the walls, etc. It was during this process that the divine inspiration occurred ..........
To cut a long story and many thoughts short, we've decided to go with a rectangular built pond with the header pond built on the left of the main pond. The main pond will be 3 metres wide by 4.5 metres long with a depth (hopefully) of 1.5 metres. This would give us a volume of 4,455 gallons. The header tank would be 0.9 metres wide by 1.2 metres long with a depth of 0.6 metres, therefore giving a header pond volume of 142.6 gallons. Therefore the pond volume, excluding filter and vortex units would be 4,597.6 gallons maximum. I say maximum because i'm still not convinced we'll be able to attain sufficient depth to incorporate the hardcore base and concrete to leave us with enough depth for the water without having to build above ground higher. Which is what we want to avoid.
Not only is it easier to calculate the volume of water a lot easier, it also means the other calculations such as for the concrete base, concrete block, etc considerably easier. Not to mention getting quotes for fibreglassing. Yes that's another decision made (or changed). We've definitely decided to have fibreglass the new pond! So we're now in the process of phoning around and getting quotes to see what outlay we're looking at.
Last weekend we finally had a break in the weather where it wasn't snowing, it wasn't raining (too much anyway) or that is wasn't too cold so that your fingers stuck to the metal tape measure. The idea for the excursion into the garden and to the old pond was to start taking the appropriate measurements for calculating amounts of concrete for the new pond base, numbers of blocks required for the walls, etc. It was during this process that the divine inspiration occurred ..........
To cut a long story and many thoughts short, we've decided to go with a rectangular built pond with the header pond built on the left of the main pond. The main pond will be 3 metres wide by 4.5 metres long with a depth (hopefully) of 1.5 metres. This would give us a volume of 4,455 gallons. The header tank would be 0.9 metres wide by 1.2 metres long with a depth of 0.6 metres, therefore giving a header pond volume of 142.6 gallons. Therefore the pond volume, excluding filter and vortex units would be 4,597.6 gallons maximum. I say maximum because i'm still not convinced we'll be able to attain sufficient depth to incorporate the hardcore base and concrete to leave us with enough depth for the water without having to build above ground higher. Which is what we want to avoid.
Not only is it easier to calculate the volume of water a lot easier, it also means the other calculations such as for the concrete base, concrete block, etc considerably easier. Not to mention getting quotes for fibreglassing. Yes that's another decision made (or changed). We've definitely decided to have fibreglass the new pond! So we're now in the process of phoning around and getting quotes to see what outlay we're looking at.
3 February 2011
Evolution - Dazzle's Theory
When we're talking evolution here, we're not talking about Darwin's theory of evolution ..... we're talking about Dazzle's theory of evolution for his new filter system!
Following my last blog post regarding the potential filter system i was contemplating, i was contacted by a member of the EYKS, who during the conversation offered further insight into the pro's and con's of the set up i'd previously detailed plus first refusal on a piece of equipment they had surplus to requirement. As usual, the insight was invaluable and after much more deliberation (who said building ponds and designing filter systems was easy), the next version or patch of the pond build. Which now means we're on v3.1.3.
v3.1.3
Deliberation is given as to whether to put the Nexus 200 after the two vortexes which would hopefully result in less maintenance required for this unit. However part of the beauty of the Nexus range is the ease of cleaning as opposed to the sometimes perceived "chore" of cleaning a mass of brushes or jap matting. Therefore in my opinion, it makes sense to utilise an easy clean option earlier on in the process instead of at the end.
As to whether to put the pump before the UV or after?
No need for answers on a post card, simply click the red "comments" text at the bottom of this post and type your reply away. The more replies the better!
Following my last blog post regarding the potential filter system i was contemplating, i was contacted by a member of the EYKS, who during the conversation offered further insight into the pro's and con's of the set up i'd previously detailed plus first refusal on a piece of equipment they had surplus to requirement. As usual, the insight was invaluable and after much more deliberation (who said building ponds and designing filter systems was easy), the next version or patch of the pond build. Which now means we're on v3.1.3.
v3.1.3
- Aerated bottom drain through 4 inch pipe to vortex.
- From vortex to EA Nexus 200.
- From EA Nexus 200 to second vortex (possible filled with jap matting or K1).
- From second vortex to :-
- either pump then UV or
- UV then pump
- Back to pond via tangible return at ground level
Deliberation is given as to whether to put the Nexus 200 after the two vortexes which would hopefully result in less maintenance required for this unit. However part of the beauty of the Nexus range is the ease of cleaning as opposed to the sometimes perceived "chore" of cleaning a mass of brushes or jap matting. Therefore in my opinion, it makes sense to utilise an easy clean option earlier on in the process instead of at the end.
As to whether to put the pump before the UV or after?
No need for answers on a post card, simply click the red "comments" text at the bottom of this post and type your reply away. The more replies the better!
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