[Akai-San]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow Each bottom drain needs a settling sump of it's own. Three feeds into a single vortex no matter how big it is, is a disaster waiting to happen. Why are you so high on bead filters? There is a place in this world for them but it's to retro fit an old pond that hasn't kept up with modern standards. Not a brand new one that can be designed properly. make sure you get a gauge and know exactly to the gallon what it is you pond actually holds, not just by math. Make sure all your electrical is on a ground fault interrupter. plan on a 24/7 trickle in of conditioned or treated water with overflow drain out. when you build your trickle tower make sure you have atleast a four foot drop thru media and if your smart you will pump air into the base of the tower and let it escape thru vent holes in the top under the drip tray.

Thanks Dick,
Sump advice well taken. I guess I keep looking at bead type filters for ease of maintenance (so I think). No cleaning of filter sponges or matting to muscle. Of course that is based on proven backwashing of bead filters which I understand are far and few. Although I do have room for traditional biological filter setups, I do not want to spend the time or hard labor at maintaining water quality. What are the most modern and proven methods of filtration?

TT is something I am undecided. Whether to hide away or display openly in the pond with some screening. Last night at midnight I walked around outside trying get a feel of the noises that will be taken place in the area. I have to say, my neighberhood is very quiet and now I'm thinking that NOISE FACTOR will become more and more important as I progess with all this equipment. I know the TT generates a lot of sound (notice I didn't say noise), I will definitely visit some of the local ponds in the area that incorporate TT so that I can get a understanding of sounds associated with owning a KOI pond. Thanks again.