This forum deals with ponds which have been built mainly for koi similar to those featured on the KOI Cymru website. Even if you have not built your pond yet then your views are welcome. This is a chance to discuss your ideas and views with other koi-keepers. Please mention the country,and state or county,as in different parts of the World we have different methods and climate. If you are responding to a message already posted then please use the response button on the bottom of the message, and it will then appear as a subsiduary of that message and so easier for others to find.
A good site for health is KOIVET by Dr Erich L Johnson and it can be found at www.koivet.com
This Forum must not be used for commercial advertising.
blanket weed
by mark
can anybody please tell me wether the electronic blanket weed controlers really work . is it possible to connect them to a pond with solid plumbing and will it still work.
Posted on Feb 28, 2008, 9:03 PM from IP address 86.151.214.135
i have had one running on my pond for 3 years and to be honest i dont think it realy works , asfar as im awear it dosnt matter if its solid pipe or flexi , iv been told to use cloverleaf blanket gone which is an additive.
hope this helps rgds dave
Posted on Mar 20, 2008, 5:46 AM from IP address 195.99.190.172
After reading some of the posts on this site I had to make a comment.
It appears that you are advised to get a "professional" to fibreglass your pond.
Anyone can do this, and if you look to the right places,quite cheaply.
There also appears to be a myth about toxicity of gels and resins. Resins and gels when cured produce no toxins.The only problem you can get is osmosis which occurs with water and sunlight.
Posted on Dec 16, 2007, 9:10 PM from IP address 86.21.47.146
I had a pond fibreglassed in the UK about five years ago, after using P1, which was absolutely useless, I watched the bloke do it and as you sugest it didn't look like brain surgery. Now in France and need to build a pond this spring any ideas where I can get the materials in the UK to complete the fibreglassing
Posted on Feb 2, 2008, 4:36 PM from IP address 193.250.173.189
I have just bought a Hergerbruick bottom drain with an air diffuser, I am puzzled about the gap between the bottom sump area and the top plate with the air diaphram,this gap is at present 40 mm with the centre air feed pie sat into its collar.
This gap would allow small fish to enter into the bottom drain and underground pipe work, i can only cut about 10 mm off the centre tube and i dont think i should have to do that to a brand new drain.also when installed is the centre tube glued into place as the fit might allow air to escape inside the drain pushing debris out. I have looked on the internet for the manufacturer to gain this info but could not find them there, i had no instruction supplied with the darin and dont want to fit than till i am sure how its installed.
Can any one advise please
Dai
Posted on Sep 22, 2007, 8:23 PM from IP address 195.93.21.70
most bottom drains are to be cut to the hight you want and shold only be push fitted as if anything go`s wrong with the air outlet you would have to change the whole thing.
hope this helps
Posted on Mar 7, 2008, 11:04 PM from IP address 87.102.1.52
There is a company in east anglia that supply most items for fibreglassing,there are based in Newmarket Suffolk they are called fibrexpress@btinternet.com hope this is of use,mc.
Posted on Feb 26, 2008, 3:49 PM from IP address 88.108.105.0
Can you help me please my koi are flashing and a few are jumping ,I would like to treat the water but most treatments are not very good at low temperatures if there is a treatment that works at low temperatures advise on which to use would be very grateful.
MANY THANKS ALFIE
Posted on Jan 21, 2008, 5:52 PM from IP address 80.195.197.34
hi there , if the water is unheated and you haven't put any other medication in the pond , i would recommend salt at the rate of 1kg per 100gals, the flashing might be caused by raised nitrite or changes in the ph , check them both , but don't panic salt is a great tonic and if all your readings are fine things will settle down . p.s the kids put a yellow plastic duck in my pond and the fish went mental for days after .. good luck stephen walker
Posted on Jan 22, 2008, 7:03 PM from IP address 86.160.203.49
Before you put anything in your pond you need to know why your koi are flashing by doing a mucus scrape, especially when you say your readings are fine!
And whatever you do - do not put salt in your pond. Its a bitch to get rid of and a lot of treatments will not work in salted ponds!
Posted on Jan 30, 2008, 5:24 PM from IP address 79.64.73.52
I'd like to convert my swimming pool to a koi pond. Can this be done?? What do I need to do? It's quite a big pool and I will be constructing decking on one side with rock features on the other. I don't know the exact size but guessing it's about 10mx4m and deep side approx 2m. Plse help!!
Posted on Jan 14, 2008, 4:13 PM from IP address 196.207.40.213
Bit dissapointed you haven't had a response from anyone else yet as I am far from expert!
If you have browsed the extensive information on the rest of the site you will have some idea of what is required. The pool you have is quite large and in order to process the waste substantial filtering will be required. The major task will be to establish satisfactory bottom drains in an existing structure, though I guess there will be atleast one outlet for emptying the pool as it is.
Is it possible to post photos (at Flikr or similar) and provide a link so we can see?
Jim
Posted on Jan 18, 2008, 3:19 PM from IP address 86.137.74.135
As I was hitting the respond button I saw the link for photobucket.com - guess that's the place to put pictures if you don't have an existing a/c somewhere....
Posted on Jan 18, 2008, 3:21 PM from IP address 86.137.74.135
Could you please advise how best to repair a hole in my fibreglassed pond. The hole is only small and has occured as a result of removing a sharp edge and sanding through gel coat. There are also areas which have lifted from the pond base (this is not connected to the above problem) will this cause problems at a later date ?
Posted on Jan 13, 2008, 10:52 AM from IP address 78.149.111.45
Can someone please help? I have a koi pond (7000 litres) which has recently developed a leak (building work nearby may have disturbed the concrete base or side).
The pond is about 80 cm deep.
If I remove the koi, empty the pond, what should I do next? Assuming I can locate the leak, what materials should I use to seal it? If I can't locate it, I guess I will have to coat the whole surface. Any recommendations?
Many thanks, Nigel
Posted on Dec 30, 2007, 6:05 PM from IP address 86.135.92.71
Once you find the leak I think you will need to remove a reasonable amount of concrete around the leak then patch it up. It's not easy unfortunately to get new concrete to adhere well to old concrete and it may well never really be satisfactory. I would be inclined to put a liner in the pond if you can or better still have the whole pond re-glassed though at this time of the year it's not terribly practicle. A cheap liner would be your best option for now until the weather warms up and you can tackle the job properly.
Others may have some experience in this matter and can offer some better ideas.
Posted on Dec 31, 2007, 4:26 PM from IP address 213.120.101.21
Is it less stressful for the fish to do move them around during winter - or to wait for spring/summer? (The pond half empties, then level stablises, so I can wait for a while if necessary).
What does "re-glassing" involve?
All the best, Nigel
Posted on Jan 11, 2008, 1:09 PM from IP address 193.131.187.141
Having cleared my water, I now realise that my largest koi to date, a Hi Shusui about 3 - 4lbs, has COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED FROM MY POND! Last seen about 2 weeks ago. I think it must have been stolen - surely too big for predatory birds (we have no ospreys here) and, if it had been taken by a cat I think I would have seen some evidence of this (slime around the pond edge etc.).
Has anyone else here had this happen to them? This is really upsetting me because I wanted to introduce a Chagoi into my pond next week - and I'm now concerned that I'll just be putting it in for someone to take.
My pond isn't visible from the house. I thought of maybe attaching some trip wires to a couple of rape alarms along the paths at night. Has anyone got any advice at all for this sort of thing?
Phil
Posted on Jul 6, 2006, 11:32 AM from IP address 81.137.224.192
How big in terms of length would that be? Heron can take pretty big fish. Any otter or mink near you? Could it be hiding, could it have died or been sick and been taken by a cat or fox? Any human footprints about that you cant explain?
He was about 18". The reason I'm certain it's not a heron is that it couldn't stand in the water at the pond (apparently they release pheromones from their legs and feet to attract fish) as the sides are sheer. The pond is completely above ground just over 4'. I'm too far away from the river for otters and, to my knowledge, there's been no mink problems.
I have had some water problems over the last couple of weeks, see-sawing PH, could this cause him to jump out? If so, why aren't any of the others doing the same? It's a possibility that, if this happened, a fox or even a dog or cat could have dragged him away, but I'm assuming I'd see some evidence of this if that was the case - slime, drag marks etc.
Posted on Jul 7, 2006, 3:36 PM from IP address 81.137.224.192
The herons just stood around my pond and never in the water ... I've had similar sizes taken ... the darned herons drop them when they realise they're too big to swallow. I've had some dropped on my property and some in neighbouring properties.
We put a sort of 'trip-wire' around the pond now which has prevented any further casualties.
Hope you don't lose any more, for whatever reason ...
Sue
Posted on Jul 7, 2006, 4:25 PM from IP address 195.93.21.70
Then maybe it was a heron! I must be honest, I'm more relieved to think it's a heron because I'm just about to start adding some new fish.
Maybe I could try one of them PIR-controlled 'spitters', does anyone have any experience of them?
Posted on Jul 7, 2006, 4:48 PM from IP address 81.137.224.192
after reading about these and other stolen koi and then having a close call myself, and seeing pondwatch uk was no longer active I decided to make a website just for stolen koi, I hope no one ever has to use it, but here is the link just in case, you can see for the situation for yourself
The Hydra 3000 gravity fed for ponds upto 5,000 gallons i have just brought this filter and i am hopeing some one can tell if it is a good 1 or not is any kio person running 1 or simler
Posted on Dec 3, 2007, 1:50 PM from IP address 81.159.5.96
hi , i have a koi pond (3000 gallons)with a nexus 300, also an airdome and air stones, the nexus has a airtech 40, the spindrifter bottom drain has a medo 45, i have turned off the airpump to the bottom drain but the nexus airpump will stay on,i,ve done this so the water isn,t chilled over winter at the bottom for the koi but will the water be aerated enough for my 2 sturgeon? any help appreciated , cheers, danny.
Posted on Nov 17, 2007, 7:55 PM from IP address 82.2.60.191
They should be fine during the winter. It's only generally with high pressure in the summer that they can have problems. Mine has survived 3 winters now with all aeration turned off and with no ill-effects!
Sue
Posted on Nov 21, 2007, 7:01 PM from IP address 195.93.21.70
i would like to ask if its ok to build a pond with a liner but having the concrete ring 2 foot down so you can use block to build up 3 ft but dig down a further 2 foot in the middle with sloping walls from the ring. hope this makes sense, and hope you can help
cheers, Mut
Posted on Sep 28, 2007, 8:28 PM from IP address 86.136.122.10
hi mutley...
did ya build ya pond the way you described .....
i have just finished the exact same thing ....
i used concrete blocks laid on their side so i have a 9 inch thick wall on a
2ftSQ footing ......the size is 8'x 5' by 5'6"deep and is 3foot out of the ground ..
i asked a builder befor i started and and he said i should'nt have any probs so i went ahead.....
over the next couple of weeks i'll put the lining cloth and polystyrene insulation boards in, then the rubber liner and capping stones or new sleepers around the top.
hope this helps....AL......
Posted on Nov 20, 2007, 12:02 PM from IP address 195.93.21.70
Can anyone tell me where I might be able to view an ozone generator working in the North of England. A dealership preferably, but would visit a hobbyist if appropriate.
Regards - John
Posted on Nov 19, 2007, 6:44 PM from IP address 78.149.76.138
can anybody advise me if the use of clay in powder form as a water treatment will lead to residue being left in uv and heater , any help will be most apprieciated S Walker
Posted on Nov 11, 2007, 8:27 PM from IP address 86.139.116.220
I have used clay in powder form many times in the past and have never had problems with residues in any components.
Mix the powder with water in a bucket before pouring it slowly into the pond at various different points.
Posted on Nov 16, 2007, 6:59 AM from IP address 86.146.57.43
THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE ERIC IT HAS PUT MY MIND AT REST , BUY THE WAY A VERY LARGE CHARGOI HAS JUST SCRAPED IT'S HEAD ON A LOW RETURN PIPE ,IT'S ONLY A SMALL SCRAPE JUST LIKE A GRAZE , I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WILL LEAVE A MARK WHEN HEALED ?
Posted on Nov 16, 2007, 7:14 PM from IP address 86.133.185.254
I am currently still in Japan, but have just heard news that a client has just had a handful of his Koi stolen from his pond in the Newcastle area yesterday. These Koi are pictured on our latest 'News' section. http://www.yumekoi.com/index.php?fuseaction=news.showNewsItem&id=140
Please copy this news to any forums that you can think of, and spread the word. These two Koi were purchased in October 2006 as Nisai, but in the picture on the site, they measure 67 and 65cm respectively as Sansai. If you hear any news relating to them, please contact us with the greatest of urgency.
Hi this is my first post so be gental with me please!Iam going to construct myself a koi pond which should finish up about 3500 gal with an average depth of 5ft (2ft in ground 3ft raised).Iam thinking of using a concrete collar then 18x9x4 blocks laid flat for the raised part then gently slope inwards to my required depth,then just use underlay and a good quality liner.I will also be fitting 2x 4 inch gravity fed bottom drains which i will incase in concrete!.Iam new to ponds although iam confident in keeping fish, welfare etc and the construction side of things doesnt phase me at all, but its nice to hear from someone who KNOWS what there doing!!!!
My questions are does building this pond in this way seem ok? Also i want to use my 2 bottom drains (4 inch gravity fed) straight to a home made settlement chamber(either block work or plastic bin type)is the theory bigger the better for this type of chamber?from this- straight to another chamber (thinking of putting brushes in this)again home made block work etc and then a submersible pump from this chamber through to a kockney koi mega max filter & 30w uv out of this to a home made trickle tower (hopefully like Alans from this site!)then gravity back to pond via waterfalls with the abilty to divert some or all to a mid water feed as and when needed.
Wow sorry for going on but i suppose i just need reasurrence on wether this seems feasable?
Any suggestions on media which bays etc most appreciated my pond will be low stocked koi only iam working on the theory if i have a settlment chamber then another chamber with some other media in then by the time the water enters my mega black box it should then cope better with the waste etc.
One final question please iam hoping to construct a home made trickle filter from a water butt like (Alans)i understand the the basic set up ie water pumped into bucket in the top with holes in -strainer inside this water out the bottom of butt back to pond but can some one please tell me do i put the air line in the bottom of the butt?then pile on the media?how far up the barrel do you fill with media?and on Alans design hes got holes drilled about a quarter of the way down the butt what size do these need to be and will i not loose water from these?
Thanks for any help recieved, iam most gratefull and this site has given me alot of enjoyment and knowlede already many thanks to you all.
Regards steve
P.s the reason i want my filters set up like this is ive been given all the bottom drains and pipe work and the mega black box so it seems a waste not to try and incorporate it into my system!
P.p.s All settlement chambers/bays and filter box will have the abilty to flush straight to main drainage(i will put valves on my bottom drains to purge etc!!
Posted on Oct 8, 2007, 11:17 AM from IP address 195.93.21.70
I cannot advise you on the build but regarding the trickle filter, you need a media that won't pack down such as Flocor. Leave a gap of about 8" below the bottom edge of the strainer so that the water falls onto the flocor. For air, put an airstone at the bottom of the butt so that it flows up through the media.
Holes in side of butt. These were put in to ensure that air gets out of the butt. To be honest you don't really need them if you drill large overflow holes in the side of the strainer a couple of inches above the normal water level. These holes will let air out anyway.
Posted on Nov 7, 2007, 2:35 PM from IP address 213.120.101.21
Hi,
This Spring we had a 3mm dia x 1.5m deep semi-sunken pond built. Being a complete beginner, I was grateful to be able to find so much useful information on this website.
The pond is fibreglassed and has a gravity fed Pondsieve, pump (capable of turnover about once per hour), Bubblebead filter and 55W TMC UV sterilizer. The pond location is relatively open, with some south shade from the house and no plants. Pond is fairly lightly stocked with 14 small koi, average length about 250mm. They are in great shape and have grown considerably this summer.
My problem is algae on the sides and bottom of the pond, leading to enough greening of the water that you can barely see the bottom.
Can anyone offer advice/experience on the best way over this problem please? Should I plant lilies or floating plants (water lettuce?) to absorb the excess nitrates and sunlight or is there a way to rid the pond of the green water and still be able to see the koi?
Any responses would be gratefully received.
Regards,
John Mills, Surrey.
Posted on Oct 14, 2007, 9:53 PM from IP address 82.69.28.26
Sorry this post has been missed. It happens sometimes!
You can use Cloverleaf Blanket answer to solve your problem. It makes the water go very milky for a week or so but it works well.
Posted on Nov 7, 2007, 2:23 PM from IP address 213.120.101.21
Hi,
I was just wondering whether anyone had tried making a solar heating panel for heating their pond?
I have a couple of large panes of double glazing and some kingspan insulation sheets and thought that I might be able to fashion some sort of a heater out of them!
Anyone else tried anytihng like this before?!
Cheers
Charlie
Posted on Oct 30, 2007, 8:47 PM from IP address 81.158.189.115
I think the idea has been played with but I gather it doesn't really work very well in the UK due to the lack of sun, particularly this year. There is also the problem of losing heat at night when it gets cold. You have to shut off the system at night as the panels can actualy lose a lot of heat in cold conditions. It's all a bit complicated for very little if any real gain.
Posted on Nov 7, 2007, 2:20 PM from IP address 213.120.101.21
