17. The Ultimate Koi Pond
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Most people who cultivate an interest in water gardening at some time decide to add fish to the pond. Many keepers are delighted with their pond fish, especiallyKoi. Koi are large enough and tame enough fish that people collect them and consider them special pets. Any pond with adequate filtration can house these beautiful fish, but a pond designed from the beginning to showcase Koi is one in which plants take second stage. With some of these elegant pets fetching lofty sums of money, few keepers want a pond that sacrifices water quality or impede the viewing of these magnificent specimens. A little planning ahead for facilities and equipment to house these special fish pays huge rewards in years to come. Find out now how to create the ‘Ultimate Koi Pond’. |
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| Important points to consider for the Ultimate Koi Pond: |
• These fish grow rapidly, easily reaching 24+” at maturity, and add an increasing burden on filtration systems as they age.
• Water clarity is important for viewing these beauties.
• Water depth is important - deeper ponds with adequate hiding places work best for the protection of valuable fish. |
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Recommended equipment for the Ultimate Koi Pond: |
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1. Pond Beast for biological, chemical and mechanical filtration. Trickle filters provide the most efficient and reliable form of aeration and biological filtration. You must have a trickle filter to keep a Koi pond properly.
2. Tarpon 50 with 15 gallons Bio Flow Filter Media (AL4648) should be used for added mechanical filtration and ease of cleaning. This system configured with the patented Bio Flow media provides both mechanical
and biological filtration. We have found this system provides far better filter life and time between cleaning than “Bubble Bead” type filters. It
is a great substitute for this “Bubble Bead” type of filtration. A simple valve turn flushes wastes and polluted water from your pond.
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3. To ensure perfect clarity, an Emperor Aquatics 40watt UV Sterilizer should be installed to eliminate the unicellular algae that, in large numbers, frequently cause the water to take on a green appearance. This also helps control other forms of algae.
4. Pumps selection is crucial for these systems. The best pumps are reliable, have high flow rates, and are economical to use. Your pets’ lives depend on the oxygen and biological filtration your pumps provide.
All large external pumps should be run with 1-1/2” rigid or flexible pvc pipe. Spa hose is a great alternative to rigid pvc pipe and is easilly glued into standard fittings. 1” Spa Hose and 1-1/2” Spa Hose.
Pump Choices
• Dolphin Amp Master 4700 4680gph, 3.1amp and the Aqua Sea Priming Pot with Basket. This is great external pump with great flow characteristics combined with the low energy consumption. It will pay for itself again and again.
•Dolphin Aqua Sea 6300 6300gph, 9.4amp and Aqua Sea Priming Pot with Basket
This is another great external pump with great flow characteristics. It is a a high rpm pump, and pushes water to a higher head pressure. This is important for elevations higher than 6 feet in elevation to avoid significantly reducing flow rates. In addition, if a Tarpon or bubble bead filter is used, the filter has to be backwashed less often. The sacrifice is electrical cunsumption. This pump draws less electricity and pushes more water than large, submersible sump-type pumps that are often incorrectly used in koi ponds.
• Pondmaster 36 Pump 3600gph - not to be confused with sump pumps or other submersible pumps. These pumps pay for themselves in energy savings. These pumps have only 3 parts and can be repaired by the customer. This is a great choice for smaller ponds or systems that do not incorporate the Tarpon or bubble bead filters - choose one of the Dolphin pumps for these systems.
5. Intake Screen Pond Filter. This handy, easy to clean prefilter as acts as both a filter and as an intake screen to catch debris that would otherwise be drawn into and possibly damage the pump. These units are designed to prevent the pump from clogging over a long period of time and should be used on the inlet side of all pumps.
6. Danner 950 Mag Drive pump to serve as a back up should the larger pump fail.
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This system provides superior mechanical, biological and algae killing filtration for a heavily loaded pond up to 7000 gallons. The dual filtration system adds a huge biological capacity and maintains crystal clear water. An additional 40 watt UV sterilizer can be added but is rarely needed. Twin pumps serve as a fail safe in the event of a pump failure. You are now on your way to the ultimate koi pond.
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Installation
The diagrams below illustrate the recommended installation of the
equipment described above. Drawings are not to scale. |
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| Filter and UV Installation and Hook Up |
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Both the filter and the sterilizer can be hidden below ground - just leave access to inlets and outlets for cleaning and maintenance. Serviceable parts that remainvisible can be hidden with mulch and stonework. Both the filter and UV require winter care and must be drained before the onset of sub-freezing temperatures.
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| Pond Beast/Mini Beast and Intake Filter Installation |
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| Cross-section showing the relation of the Upper Pond to the Lower Pond |
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The outlet from the Tarpon filter fills the upper pond by way of a waterfall or hidden1-1/2" pipe. The upper pond functions as a natural filter and gravity drains to the lower pond. This pool should be planted with bog species like water iris and water mint and fast growing plants like water lettuce and water hyacinth, when available. These reduce phosphate and nitrate levels, thus increasing water quality.
Rocking the walls of the pond to hide the liner is acceptable but rocking or graveling the bottom of the pond should be avoided. Rocks and gravel trap waste, prevent cleaning, and create pockets of pathogenic bacteria which eventually lead to fish death. Placing a few large, smooth river rocks at key points on the bottom can help hide the liner without trapping wastes and causing cleaning problems. Rock work can also be supported by a ledge, as shown below, to help hide the liner.
Keep shallow water plants on plant shelves and keep soil covered with large gravel. Lilies should also be protected with large gravel. |
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| External Pump Installation |
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The illustration below shows an external pump and protective housing. The housing can be an irrigation box or any self-made container large enough to accommodate the pump and still leave room for periodic maintenance. The housing must be equipped with a drain to avoid standing water from storms. Cover the pump and housing with a lid that allows heat to escape.
Connect 1-1/2" spa hose to the Intake Filter with a 1-1/2" male adapter. Three 90° elbow fittings complete the loop out of the pond, across the ground and into the housing to the pump.
Many large external pumps are available for use with priming pots which make starting the pump easier. Priming pots should be enclosed in the housing also, A. |
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| Top View of the Ultimate Koi Pond Operated with 1 Pump |
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The diagram below outlines the equipment and plumbing schematic for powering the system with a single pump. Depending on the size of pump, either internal or external, the Tarpon filter is optional. If a submersible pump is used, such as the Pondmaster 18-36 with an Intake Filter, do not use the Tarpon filter. If a submersible pump is desired for use with the Tarpon Filter, use the Waterfall Pump WFP5300 and no Intake Filter. The diagram shows both an external and submersible pump for reference.*
In this installation an additional T and valve are required in the line to the Pond Beast/Mini Beast and the line to the filter should be reduced to 1”. The Pond Beast/Mini Beast can drain to either the upper or lower pond depending on location. A valve may be necessary to cause a little back pressure at the waterfall.
The upper pond acts as a natural plant filter and should be well stocked with water hyacinth, water lettuce, iris and pennywort to reduce phosphate and nitrate increasing water quality. |
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| Top View of the Ultimate Koi Pond with 2 Filters and 2 Pumps |
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The diagram below outlines the equipment and plumbing schematic for 2 filters and 2 pumps. The pressurized Tarpon filter feeds the upper pond which acts as a natural plant filter. This area should be well stocked with water hyacinth, water lettuce, iris and pennywort to reduce phosphate and nitrate increasing water quality. The Pond Beast/Mini Beast can drain to either the upper or lower pond depending on where it's installed. |
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| Installation to Bypass or Remove the UV Sterilizer |
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The diagram below illustrates plumbing and installation of a UV sterilizer with valves for bypassing the filtration system. It is necessary to bypass and remove the UV for bulb replacement, adding nitrifying bacteria, regular maintenance and removal from the system in freezing temperatures. In normal operation with the UV on, only Valve 1 is closed, forcing
water through the UV to the filter.
• To bypass the UV:
open Valve 1 and close Valves 2 & 3.
• To remove the UV:
Unions are included with some brands and can be purchased separately. Unions should be installed on the inlet and outlet of the UV before Valves 1 & 2. To remove the unit, open Valve 1, close Valves 2 & 3 and unscrew the unions at the inlet and out and remove the unit. In very cold climates, when pumps are turned off, remember to drain plumbing lines and external filters to prevent damage. |
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