| Hi Gary. I went threw a simalar decission with my pond. In the end I had to make the same choice as you are faced with. Almost eveyone agrees it is preferable to settle out solid waste, especially feeces before it can reach the impeller of your pump. In this way disolved organics, and the problems they create may be kept very low. Like you I was faced with having no pond if I had to settle first .For me it was a zonning issue......But, I talked with several successful koi people who were very supportive. One is a well known and respected koi pond builder, another a well known koi judge. Both of whom advised me that you can have a proper pond without settling. The arrangement for my pond system as recomended by both of these fellows is as follows. The 6000 gallon pond is filtered by two seperate parralell loops. Two 3" bottom drains feed two 3500 gph pumps, then each pump feeds a 4.4 bead filter. Then each feeds its own 5 cubic ft bio reactor of moving k1 media, and then back to the pond via gravity. I have had very good resluts. There is also a u.v. in line( that I dont need to turn on anymore) and heater unit from keiren koi in line. A third 4000 gph pump draws water from my skimmer and goes directly to my waterfall. I usually turn that off in winter. You could also add a trical tower or bakki shower if you need too. I have very good water quality. I keep up with water changes, feed good quality food, and dont over crowd. So far so good!
Best of luck
John stevens |