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Filtration
hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used
to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
"John" wrote in message ... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John Add aquazyme, and cut back on the fish food. |
Filtration
Air made the difference on my water.Grubbers link venturi is cheap,
uses otherwise wasted energy of the pump output, and is nonmaintaince. On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 19:43:06 GMT, "John" wrote: hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
I can't tell you what will work but my experience might help you. I
started with green water and ended with clear. I have a 1300 gallon pond, 2 koi, 2 dozen shibunken, half dozen lillies and iris. Before last year it was all green soup below 4 inches. I tried adding plants (they looked anemic) and adding potash and potasium and iron (no change) and growing more lillies for shade (no change). My filter, at first, was lava rock (it plugged quickly with green muck) and then I tried an in pond filter (it just failed to do much). I've never had a problem with ammonia, nitrates, etc. Last year I added one of those big feed tanks and added 25,000 drinking straws. Not quite a month later my pond turned clear. I can see shadows on the bottom (3 feet). At the end of last year I looked and many of the straws were plugged and possibly the water was just going around the others. Also there was a thick layer of muck on the bottom of the filter (but not on the pond). I've read that rotting algae creates an algicide and I assume that my filter formed a place to catch algae, let it rot, and run the water past it. Before this season I cut up the straws into little pieces so they were easy to work with in the filter. I noticed a week or so ago that there was a big hole in my pile of straw bits so it might be that the water is still going around the bulk of my filter. I still have clear water. I also fertilized the iris (I've always fertilized the lillies). Since the iris are in pea gravel I assume fertilizer got into the water. So, the iris are going crazy and the hyacinth are going crazy and the lillies are even doing better. Now my only problem is that all of the roots from the plants are making a nice place for string algae to collect. I got some bottled bacteria and increased the water circulation and now I'm waiting to see what happens. So far it seems better than before but it could be that the fertilizer level is dropping. I'll try fertilizing the iris again as a test. So, I'm not sure I need anything more than a big settling tank and filter media that has lots of large gaps. Big enough not to plug but small enough to catch algae that can rot. The type of filter media with the tiny holes would never work in my pond. Matt John wrote: hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 16:45:02 GMT, MattR wrote:
snip I've read that rotting algae creates an algicide Matt, I don't mean to be attacking your creditability, but please, let's not start a myth. I would like to see the article this "can't possibly be true" information came from. Perhaps you misquoted Norm's Green Water article regarding string algae versus's suspended algae in regards to natural algaecide? Gardening common sense says the only thing dead/rotting algae releases is all the nutrients it ate as live algae. Getting it out of the pond, so it releases those things before the bio-filter, giving the filter bacteria time to break those down so it is less available for more algae to start up. Not to mention, while it is rotting it is a good source of hydrogen sulfide, that when left in the pond can be toxic to your fish when disturbed. ~ jan See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website |
Filtration
1) I quote from Norm Meck: "When algae dies and is subjected to aerobic
bacterial decomposition by heterotroph bacteria, a by-product of this process is a substance, released into the water, that is toxic to the living algae." (http://www.koiclubsandiego.org/GRENH2O.html). That would be an algicide. I'm not misquoting and, based on his tests, I don't think it's a myth. 2) Nothing else explains why my pond is now clear. I did the usual plants shade potash potasium advice for two years that pours from this newsgroup and it did nothing. I put in a big stock tank and three weeks later my pond cleared up. 3) Barley decomposes into something other than the nutrients it grew on so why can't algae? 4) I'm just trying to help someone by describing my experience, so back off. ~ jan JJsPond.us wrote: On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 16:45:02 GMT, MattR wrote: snip I've read that rotting algae creates an algicide Matt, I don't mean to be attacking your creditability, but please, let's not start a myth. I would like to see the article this "can't possibly be true" information came from. Perhaps you misquoted Norm's Green Water article regarding string algae versus's suspended algae in regards to natural algaecide? Gardening common sense says the only thing dead/rotting algae releases is all the nutrients it ate as live algae. Getting it out of the pond, so it releases those things before the bio-filter, giving the filter bacteria time to break those down so it is less available for more algae to start up. Not to mention, while it is rotting it is a good source of hydrogen sulfide, that when left in the pond can be toxic to your fish when disturbed. ~ jan See my ponds and filter design: http://users.owt.com/jjspond/ ~Keep 'em Wet!~ Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a To e-mail see website |
Filtration
On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 17:59:10 GMT, MattR wrote:
1) I quote from Norm Meck: "When algae dies and is subjected to aerobic bacterial decomposition by heterotroph bacteria, a by-product of this process is a substance, released into the water, that is toxic to the living algae." (http://www.koiclubsandiego.org/GRENH2O.html). That would be an algicide. I'm not misquoting and, based on his tests, I don't think it's a myth. Okay, thanks for the refresher, I guess it was I who mis-remembered, as I thought (from reading his article quite awhile ago) it was the string algae while alive, that it possibly gave off a hormone or inhibitor. My master gardener training doesn't allow me to call it an icide. 2) Nothing else explains why my pond is now clear. I did the usual plants shade potash potasium advice for two years that pours from this newsgroup and it did nothing. I put in a big stock tank and three weeks later my pond cleared up. Yeah, but, just putting in a bigger filter makes a big difference, I don't know that 3 weeks of algae rot would give off enough by-product to do the trick. 3) Barley decomposes into something other than the nutrients it grew on so why can't algae? 4) I'm just trying to help someone by describing my experience, so back off. Like I said, I wasn't trying to attack you, and I'm sorry if you felt so. Geeze, why are people so touchy anymore, that we can't have a civil conversation? I was even hoping to defuse anything by mentioning I wasn't questioning your credibility. Please tell me, what did I say or how did I say it, that rose the hair on your neck, so I can correct it in the future? I'm here to learn and/or teach when applicable, not make enemies. ~ jan ~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~ |
Filtration
My master gardener training doesn't allow me to call it an icide. I figure if something can kill it, something's an it-icide. This is just much nicer than man made whatever because it's a negative feedback mechanism. Algae increases, algae rot increases, algicide increases, algae decreases. Balance. Yeah, but, just putting in a bigger filter makes a big difference, I don't know that 3 weeks of algae rot would give off enough by-product to do the trick. It might have been 4 weeks, but after 2 years of pea soup it was a big surprise. It corresponds with what people see in the spring. Anyway, I'll try and be more polite here, but I still disagree. Before I had this filter my hyacinth did nothing and the water was green. If I was lucky I could keep the WH green, but they never grew. This year with the filter, I added a bunch of fertilizer tablets to my iris plants (that sit in pea gravel) and the hyacinth are doubling in size every few weeks and the water is clear. To me it seems like there's a lot more fertilizer in the water than before. But the water is still clear. So I disagree with the idea that algae is solely proportional to nutrients in the water. Obviously the filter is doing something and it is bigger but I don't think it's removing nutrients from the water. Otherwise the hyacinth wouldn't be growing. My main point is that the big tub is THE difference in my pond. Not how much I feed the fish, or the number of plants or fish, or the sunlight, or the fertilizer. It's just a big fat settling tank with a blanket over it keeping it dark. There are a bunch of straw bits in there but I'm not sure that's doing much. Like I said, I wasn't trying to attack you, and I'm sorry if you felt so. Geeze, why are people so touchy anymore, that we can't have a civil conversation? I was even hoping to defuse anything by mentioning I wasn't questioning your credibility. Please tell me, what did I say or how did I say it, that rose the hair on your neck, so I can correct it in the future? I'm here to learn and/or teach when applicable, not make enemies. ~ jan Since you asked: First, I brought the whole algicide thing up a year ago, referenced the same web page of Meck, talked about my experience, and the response, to put it nicely, was cool. So I stopped reading this newsgroup until about a week ago, waited for the first "my water is green" post, and tried again. You see, I tried most of the ideas that come up in this newsgroup and nothing worked but this new idea from Meck worked great and I wanted to get it out so people like John might benefit from it. Second, you sound sincere now, but "Matt, I don't mean to be attacking your creditability, but please, let's not start a myth" comes across a bit shy of "Matt, I don't want to call you a jerk, but, hey, you're a jerk." And yes, I snapped back and I appologize but it would have been less confrontational to just ask me to reference what I had read, read it yourself, and then disagreed with it. I don't mind if you disagree with Meck's ideas. I'd like a discussion of them in this newsgroup because I think it would help people, and besides, Meck never replies to emails. Anyway, I figured I was back where I was last year and that was frustrating. But you've proven me wrong and that's great. Thanks. |
Filtration
Second, you sound sincere now, but "Matt, I don't mean to be attacking
your creditability, but please, let's not start a myth" comes across a bit shy of "Matt, I don't want to call you a jerk, but, hey, you're a jerk." I'm really sorry it came across that way. If you'd mentioned the article I would have gone back to read it again, rather than questioning you. One of those times that when one points to one reason why, when there really are many, it made me go, "Whoa, wait a minute.... " I don't mind if you disagree with Meck's ideas. Actually, I send more people to that website than any other, so I rarely disagree with Norm. I guess the rotting algae part (when Norm talks more about an enzyme given off by the bacteria consuming the algae) hit me wrong. Meck never replies to emails. In his defense, he's very busy with the KHA program, that generates a lot of tests to grade, advice (read, hints) to give, plus questions off the KHA Bulletin Board to answer. After training all us KHAs he (and the 8 or more other experts involved in the program) sorta expect us KHAs to start answering the questions, within our clubs and cyberspace I assume. ;o) Anyway, I figured I was back where I was last year and that was frustrating. But you've proven me wrong and that's great. Thanks. Proven you wrong??? You lost me. I think the best advice you can give to other is what we all so often hear and read: "One can never have enough filtration." Even the experts aren't totally sure, or agree of what all happens in the filter. They do have their educated theories, that are probably pretty close to right. Please don't let a Mars Venus misinterpretation stop you from teaching others of how your experience helped you. Again my apologies, ~ jan ~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~ |
Filtration
In article , MattR
writes: 2) Nothing else explains why my pond is now clear. I did the usual plants shade potash potasium advice for two years that pours from this newsgroup and it did nothing. I put in a big stock tank and three weeks later my pond cleared up. and your pond matured naturally. usually when it clears on it's own it stays that way for quite sometime. plust the 300 gal stock tank didn't hurt. I had the same problem with my pond, it was twice the size of the pumps I had and not until I put in the correct size pump and time did it clear on its own. your case it was the filter. Karen Zone 5 Ashland, OH http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html My Art Studio at http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K....M.Studios.html for email remove the extra extention |
Filtration
Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that
all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message ... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep
it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message ... Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message ... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Grubbers link venturi is cheap,
Do you have the link??? Mike |
Filtration
How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie
filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message ... Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message . .. hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6.
I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message ... Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message . .. hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would
give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message ... Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message m... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Hi Dale,
I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message ... Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message m... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper
that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10 X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner suffice? I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf has grown above the water! VF starting? :-)) Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them. W. Dale Nedra wrote: Hi Dale, I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message . .. Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message . com... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build
it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10 X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner suffice? I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf has grown above the water! VF starting? :-)) Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them. W. Dale Nedra wrote: Hi Dale, I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message . .. Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message . com... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Dale, Guess I forgot to mention that you do line the VF. :)
Nedra "Nedra" wrote in message ink.net... LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10 X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner suffice? I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf has grown above the water! VF starting? :-)) Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them. W. Dale Nedra wrote: Hi Dale, I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message . .. Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message . com... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Ok, I think I am ready to do this, this week.
I think the pink stuff(to keep the VF from freezing) you are referring to is insulation . Unfortunately here in the climes of Colorado Springs, we usually 'shut down' our ponds in late November (earlier if you live on the mountain - Pikes Peak - somewhere), draining the filters, removing the pumps and sludge and all, and then we stare out our windows or walk around the almost completely frozen ponds wondering how the fish are doing and just waiting for April! Pitiful huh? LOL. Just one of the many cycles of life. As I re-read your reply, do you think it is possible to keep a pond in colder climates running all winter long???? The 'wisdom' of this areas pond-ers has been to cover the pond (if you have a cover) and shut down water falls and such. So, I would have to drain my VF and start it up again in the spring. Just wondering. 2 days, huh? :-))))) Well, that would be most impressive. I would settle for 7. :-)) Anyway, Happy Wednesday. I will let you know how it all turns out. W. Dale Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10 X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner suffice? I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf has grown above the water! VF starting? :-)) Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them. W. Dale Nedra wrote: Hi Dale, I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message . .. Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message r.com... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Filtration
Insulation!! That's it! Thanks ...
I don't drain my veggie filter. There are way too many frogs that winter over. I do hook up an air stone, though. Also, I have two air stones going year round in the main pond. I would so like to have a cover built for my pond... yet another promise I made myself that looks like it is going to be broken. For a really neat cover set up, check out RichToyBox's post. He has a link to his pond that shows the cover he built for his pond. I too turn off the waterfall in November, December timeframe. I don't lift the pumps or do anything else... just shut off the power. In March, all goes back online - just flip the switch on... talk about a lazy ponder .... that's me! Nedra ~ south of St. Louis Backyard Pond: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 Lotus Garden: http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I think I am ready to do this, this week. I think the pink stuff(to keep the VF from freezing) you are referring to is insulation . Unfortunately here in the climes of Colorado Springs, we usually 'shut down' our ponds in late November (earlier if you live on the mountain - Pikes Peak - somewhere), draining the filters, removing the pumps and sludge and all, and then we stare out our windows or walk around the almost completely frozen ponds wondering how the fish are doing and just waiting for April! Pitiful huh? LOL. Just one of the many cycles of life. As I re-read your reply, do you think it is possible to keep a pond in colder climates running all winter long???? The 'wisdom' of this areas pond-ers has been to cover the pond (if you have a cover) and shut down water falls and such. So, I would have to drain my VF and start it up again in the spring. Just wondering. 2 days, huh? :-))))) Well, that would be most impressive. I would settle for 7. :-)) Anyway, Happy Wednesday. I will let you know how it all turns out. W. Dale Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10 X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner suffice? I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf has grown above the water! VF starting? :-)) Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them. W. Dale Nedra wrote: Hi Dale, I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems to work better in that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line the VF with that pink colored styrofoam stuff. My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on the bottom of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near the bottom of the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate. If you need more info just let me know. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve the desired flow. A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" = 362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient? Thanks for your suggestions and comments. W. Dale Nedra wrote: The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x 6. I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it will clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper too! Good Luck. Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "news.pcisys.net" wrote in message ... How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I can clear up my water. Thanks! Nedra wrote: I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond to keep it clear. My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything' growing in my koi pond .... - not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to be one in every crowd ;-) Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message . .. Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different suggestions that all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations. Here is our status: Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants growing like mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes. Just plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect loads of much each year and get drained once a year. Jim "John" wrote in message r.com... hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods. i used to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter material and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the filtered water went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have about 10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is filled with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use filter material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material almost everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my filters, but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in order to not be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being clean. The filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick up any muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated thanx! John |
Happy Saturday, Nedra!
Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! Reassure me ok? LOL :) Anyway, I hope to have it finished sometimes this next week. Will keep you posted. Happy weekend, all! news.pcisys.net wrote: Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 |
Lots of people build a veggie filter that big!! How come you went with the
24' length? With a 2 foot width, I think that 20 feet would give you plenty of length. But then again, alot of folks do like a really large veggie filter. I do hope that some others chime in here.... I also hope that those with Charley nipping at their heels - or have already had the effects of Charley are A-OK! Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "W. Dale" wrote in message ... Happy Saturday, Nedra! Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! Reassure me ok? LOL :) Anyway, I hope to have it finished sometimes this next week. Will keep you posted. Happy weekend, all! news.pcisys.net wrote: Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 |
how are the sides attached to the bottom?
http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/2000/details.htm I worried about pressure of water sideways pushing sides out. so bolted a wood cleat to the sides and then screwed it down into the bottom, and on the top after the liner was installed put strip on top to prevent top of sides bowing out. when you start putting plants in you will be amazed how they fill in the box and hang over (if you are putting in a variety of plants, not just WH or WL). It really will look like a raised garden. Ingrid "W. Dale" wrote: Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
How come the 24' length?
Cause I'm lazy and didn't want to cut the extra off the 2X4's and the plywood and all :-)))))) And then I had to take 3 inches off the interior width and that promptly reduced my surface area by almost 8 cu. ft.!!! So, it is ALMOST 24' long, and is 21" wide, and 18" to 20" deep. This morning I am out water proofing the box. It is ready to level, put in the liner, and work on the plumbing. :-))) And guess what else? I was on the cordless chatting away and walking past my bio/mechanicals (that I have put mint and arrowhead into) and there staring at me, sunning itself was a very cool looking FROG! I finally have FROGS! I ran inside, got the camera and took a couple of photos. Will share when I get them developed. I then dove beneath the filter media, so, I presume it is living in the filter. Very cool. :-))))) Ok, back outside to finish up the filter. :-)) Have a wonderful Sunday, Nedra. Nedra wrote: Lots of people build a veggie filter that big!! How come you went with the 24' length? With a 2 foot width, I think that 20 feet would give you plenty of length. But then again, alot of folks do like a really large veggie filter. I do hope that some others chime in here.... I also hope that those with Charley nipping at their heels - or have already had the effects of Charley are A-OK! Nedra http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "W. Dale" wrote in message ... Happy Saturday, Nedra! Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! Reassure me ok? LOL :) Anyway, I hope to have it finished sometimes this next week. Will keep you posted. Happy weekend, all! news.pcisys.net wrote: Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 |
Hi Ingrid, Please post the link to your veggie filter and the entire pond.
Dale, you should get some good ideas from Ingrid. Nedra wrote in message ... how are the sides attached to the bottom? http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/2000/details.htm I worried about pressure of water sideways pushing sides out. so bolted a wood cleat to the sides and then screwed it down into the bottom, and on the top after the liner was installed put strip on top to prevent top of sides bowing out. when you start putting plants in you will be amazed how they fill in the box and hang over (if you are putting in a variety of plants, not just WH or WL). It really will look like a raised garden. Ingrid "W. Dale" wrote: Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
FYI ~ there is a description of Ingrid's plant filter at the bottom of the
algae primer. Click a the link below my sig. Also lists bv's website which has plant filter stuff on it. hope that helps! kathy :-) algae primer http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html |
Thanks Kathy!
Nedra "Ka30P" wrote in message ... FYI ~ there is a description of Ingrid's plant filter at the bottom of the algae primer. Click a the link below my sig. Also lists bv's website which has plant filter stuff on it. hope that helps! kathy :-) algae primer http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html |
construction
http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/2000/p2000.htm filter details. http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/2000/details.htm changes 200-2003 http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/changes/changes.htm spring to summer 2003 http://puregold.aquaria.net/mypond/2003/8-2003B.htm Ingrid ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List http://puregold.aquaria.net/ www.drsolo.com Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the endorsements or recommendations I make. |
Hi Nedra!!
Well, today, I filled my new veggie filter. Just in time for the weather to start cooling off! LOL :-) . Oh well, at least now, I know what I need to do to tweak it. holds 540 gallons, 24' X 2' X 1.5'. It looks SO very cool. I am going to add some vegetation anyway just to see what happens. Maybe I will get lucky and have some clear water for the last few weeks of the season here in Colorado Springs. I tapped into one of the Silent Giant 4300 pumps to feed the VF. I have a ball valve in the line to control the flow and I have not notice any decrease in flow at the water fall. I will add some Ironite as my WH are in terrible shape and I hear when they are yellow like this, they probably need iron. I will add some of the "pot ash" I still have to the VF to help my starving and dying WH. I will take some pictures and find a way to post them to a site. Thanks for your suggestions, encouragement, and help. Have a wonderful Thursday. W. Dale wrote: Happy Saturday, Nedra! Started building my VG today. Amazing!!, how the best laid plans always seem to need 'tweaking' as you go along! Long and narrow seems REALLY long and big now that I have the sides attached to one 8 foot bottom sections and the other 16 foot section laid out. I decided to use 2X4's and plywood instead of landscaping timbers. This seems to be a cheaper way to go for the size of this little puppy: 23.45' X 1.92' and at depth of 18". I really hope I got this thing right because it looks so big!! Reassure me ok? LOL :) Anyway, I hope to have it finished sometimes this next week. Will keep you posted. Happy weekend, all! news.pcisys.net wrote: Nedra wrote: LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build it next to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your attic to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only need this if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to the bottom. And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept. Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2 days... from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed. Good Luck, Dale.... Nedra in Missouri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 |
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