Koi Are Dying!!! Please Help!!

[kntry]

Now that you have the fish stabilized, hopefully, lets talk about how to fix your big pond.

You said yesterday that you pulled the liner out. Did you pull it all the way out? Did you have bottom drains and a skimmer?

[kelliewindham]

[quote=kntry;81506]Now that you have the fish stabilized, hopefully, lets talk about how to fix your big pond.

You said yesterday that you pulled the liner out. Did you pull it all the way out? Did you have bottom drains and a skimmer?[

I did pull it all the way out so I could completely start over and try to keep the water from getting so green and also so I could make it larger (imagine that ). I have ordered several more floating water plants to provide some shade-already had some but not enough- as well as some larger plants to provide shade from the sides of the pond. I am going to try building a trickle tower and larger bio filter today.. any suggestions on my plans would be appreciated!

[kntry]

Before up make it larger, let’s discuss this. You’ll have to have that much more biofiltration and mechanical filtration, larger pumps, etc. $$$$$$

If you pulled the liner out that fast, I’m assuming you didn’t have bottom drains. If you don’t do anything else, you must put bottom drains and a skimmer to keep the pond floor and water surface clean.

You can DIY both of them for next to nothing or you can buy them.

The filters that you have now are not going to work for a pond the size you already have dug. The pond is going to turn green while it’s cycling. It takes 4-6 weeks for the bio bugs to grow. Until then, the algae is going to out grow the bacteria in your bio. The trick is during this time, stock the pond very lightly and provide a lot of oxygen.

You can build your own microscreen settling chamber and moving bed using 55 gallon drums. You’ll need K1 or it’s equivalent for the moving bed. You’ll need an in line pump and an air pump.

What shape is the hole you have dug? Does it have straight sides or sloping sides? Do you have shelves built into it?

[kelliewindham]

Quote: Originally Posted by kntry Before up make it larger, let’s discuss this. You’ll have to have that much more biofiltration and mechanical filtration, larger pumps, etc. $$$$$$ If you pulled the liner out that fast, I’m assuming you didn’t have bottom drains. If you don’t do anything else, you must put bottom drains and a skimmer to keep the pond floor and water surface clean. You can DIY both of them for next to nothing or you can buy them. The filters that you have now are not going to work for a pond the size you already have dug. The pond is going to turn green while it’s cycling. It takes 4-6 weeks for the bio bugs to grow. Until then, the algae is going to out grow the bacteria in your bio. The trick is during this time, stock the pond very lightly and provide a lot of oxygen. You can build your own microscreen settling chamber and moving bed using 55 gallon drums. You’ll need K1 or it’s equivalent for the moving bed. You’ll need an in line pump and an air pump. What shape is the hole you have dug? Does it have straight sides or sloping sides? Do you have shelves built into it?

I do not have bottom drains--how do i incorporate that with a plastic liner? I drained quickly using my water pumps, just laid the tubing outside the pond. I ordered an air pump onlinelast night that is supposed to be for large ponds. And I already have more than one large submersible water pump. The hole is somewhat kidney shaped without a sharp curve. 16 x 6 x 4. I have a shelf on one end that is appr. 12-15" deep for my plants appr 2 1/2' long x 1 ' wide. the pond has straigh sides. I bought lave rock, a 55 gal drum, and wire mesh yesterday. What else do I need besides pvc? Also anyone who can offer detailed directions would be wonderful.