1) Is there a proper amount of slope I need to the BD?(ie; 1" for every 5', that type of answer)
MCA: Depends....will the air domes be own 24/7? If so the floor can be flat. Our pond floor is flat and the currents from the air domes move everything to the drains. IMHO unless you pour marbles into the pond, the slope will simply not make that much difference. To make a huge difference...run those air domes.
I will be using/making a DIY
Skippy Bio Filter. A
skimmer for surface filtering. Any suggestions on a great DIY surface skimmer? I want to include some kind of DIY Mechanical filter too.
MCA: If you are going DIY use two different filter types. The first is submerged. For submerged the first choice is a fluid bed with second choice being Jmatting. The second type of filter is wet/dry. Examples are trickle towers or bakki-type showers. The choice between a TT and shower are mostly about how many gph you want/need to process.
2)Any suggestions for a DIY Mechanical filter based on your experiences? - The pond will be a Traditional Koi only pond.
- With approximately 2' to 2' 6" above ground and 1' 6" to 2' 6" below ground.
- I will be using a preliner as well as a 45 mil.EPDM made by Firestone
MCA: mechanical stage...static K1 or vortex microscreen (static K1 would be much easier). BTW...the pond design is a bit shallow ain't it? Do 2' up with a wall and at least 4' down.
3)What dictates what filter can or should use gravity to be fed?
MCA: gravity fed uses less power (to return water from final filter stage). Pump first would have the pump's impeller breaking up the debris that you are trying to
gently capture and dump. The logistics and the owner's ability to dig usually make a big impact to do pump or gravity fed. Go gravity fed if at all possible.
Since I will be making the filters I need your opinions!!!
I bet sombody is going to point out that I have probably forgotten something being a Newbie.
MCA: what is the aeration plan? The largest consumer of dissolved oxygen (DO) is the filter bacteria followed by the koi. To provide them with a good environment you want the DO level to be as high as possible. A good rule of thumb is to pump 40L or air for each 1200 US gallons. The air can go into the pond (remember air domes) and/or into the filters (remember fluid beds). Any extra aeration from waterfalls, TTs or showers is just gravy.
Once I have decided what filters I will use I will then begin to plan the plumbing.
What else do I need to have in my filtration system to have my Koi thrive?
MCA: before doing any equipment purchasing do a couple of things. First join a local AKCA and/or ZNA koi club. Visit local ponds and see what you like and don't like. Look at the books on the attached list. Read at least the 1st, 3rd, and 4th books. You can get them from Amazon or maybe borrow them from a local club library or club member. Start your planing. Ask local members for comments/suggestions. Ask us crazies on the BBSs. Replan. Ask everyone again. Replan. Check about any local permits you may need (espeically out in CA). Replan. Begin to purchase equipment and make any/all DIY items. When everything is as ready as possible...dig that earth.
A koi pond is an expensive undertaking. Building it right the first time...is cheapest.
Regardless of what you do, we all wish you every success in the divine madness of koi keeping.
Poll: Which Koi Books Have You Read? - KoiShack