Tag Archives: plumbing

How not to install a bottom drain

Posted on June 13, 2012 by esearing

I ran across this image and just had to rant about it. This is so wrong this pond professional should be banned from building anything. You will notice the image shows a bottom drain running to a skimmer via 2″ … Continue reading →

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Gravity flow vs Pump Fed

Posted on June 2, 2012 by esearing

New pond builders rarely learn the significant differences in water gardens vs “ideal” koi ponds. We tend to borrow ideas from aquarium technology, water gardens, water treatment, industrial processes, and even the ideas tried and tested for a long period … Continue reading →

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Pebbles in the pipeline

Posted on March 1, 2012 by esearing

I have the old pebbles from the former bog on the ground around my pump to help keep my feet from getting muddy and to facilitate drainage. Yesterday I noticed that my pond’s jets were not outputting any water, so … Continue reading →

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Pond heating in winter

Posted on December 12, 2011 by esearing

I saw someone was offering a ThermaKoi pond heater for $700 on craigslist the otherday and it got me to researching more about pond heaters and other options. According to Peter Waddington at KoiKichi.com today’s Koi are not four season … Continue reading →

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My pond diagram – updated

Posted on November 20, 2011 by esearing

Here is the latest diagram of my pond with new pipe layouts and UV added. Also updated valve locations and dimensions. The 3 way valve near the skimmer is usually open to both the skimmer and bottom drain in normal … Continue reading →

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Inline solar water heater

Posted on November 10, 2011 by esearing

For colder climates it is likely necessary to heat your pond to keep the water temp above 34* which is where fish begin to die. I came across this pool Solar Heater and thought it may even work for a … Continue reading →

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Pond UV – Jebao CW-55

Posted on October 29, 2011 by esearing

I finally got around to purchasing a UV sterilizer despite the fact that the cooler weather has been effective in fighting algae. I had the opportunity recently to purchase a 120 watt UV sterilizer at near half price of $700, … Continue reading →

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Pond leaks – Unusual fix

Posted on October 6, 2011 by esearing

I had been losing up to 1 inch of water every day during the summer. I tried fixing all the usual problems of liner folds, ground water, splash out, and pipe leaks. Then I did two things differently and the … Continue reading →

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Many filters for a pond

Posted on July 27, 2011 by esearing

Thinking continuously how to filter my pond with the goal of improving water quality I started to really look at what I have. I know I need at least 3 filters, mechanical, biological, and chemical in a closed circulating system. … Continue reading →

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Cost of water changes vs chemical additives

Posted on July 12, 2011 by esearing

Bingo, the lights are on and somebody is home!!!! I just came to major realization while chatting with my friend Chuck Jones of Wet Pets (KOI Farm in Dahlonega GA). Water changes are the only method for removing harmful bacterias … Continue reading →

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