What is the rule with Air?

[new2koi]

When picking out a Air pump what do you want to look for? Air rates? etc. ?

To start off, I want it to produce air for two bottom drains and the moving bed in a 1800 gal pond. I dont know if depth is a concern but their going to be about 5 ft deep.
$$$ in an issue. Any thoughts on this subject?

[Bob Winkler]

Not sure how 5' gets to only 1800 gallons? Dimensions? type of rolling bed and bottom drains? There are many adequate options available from places liek Aquatic eco systems, or the many dealers that frequent the boards.

[new2koi]

Oh sorry, let me cleaify. The pond is 9x6x(4 that slopes to 5)4.5average. What im wondering is what size air pump should I get? liter/min?? I dont know too much about air yet. The bottom drains are going to be plumbed with 1/2 air lines and have the 9 in disc diffusers. I also want air going through a homemade filter( like the nexus ).

[Steve Nguyen]

check out this old thread and look for Ray Jordan's entry. DIY Pond Aerator...

for your pond size, I would think 40L air pump is good enough.

Steve

[aquitori]

Where do you live new2koi?

What also comes to play is where you live the climate or region temp?

How much sun your pond gets?

How big is your "BIO" that needs air?

Fish load in pond?

If you can answer these questions I am sure JR or RJ can jump in....

[mitten]

Can't see a need for two four inch drains. My 40l Medo air pumps overwhelm my 9" diffusers at 56" of depth.

[new2koi]

Why not 2 drains??? I thought more would be better, less work for me. Aquitori brought up some good questions. I live in Northern Idaho. Cold climate were lakes freeze. I dont know what I do to winterize pond yet. Do I turn off pumps and blow out lines? keep everything running as long as I can?
This Thread not ment for this but got any thoughts on that issue?
I was also thinking of makeing a portable gazebo to always shade pond cause of algae problem. going to have two 11w UV but water up here I heard was prime for growing algae and have seen it in my 100 goldfish. The Bio that needs air is a 55 gal barrel that looks like the nexus.

To some up :
Live: N. Idaho ( oh ya, your sorry.... me too )
Climate: Cold winters
Sun: Always shaded ( should the pond get direct sun? )
Bio: 55 gal
Fish load: Not too many but enough...... give a good number

[new2koi]

Oh ya, in bio barrel do I want course or fine bubble? can I just put a diffuser in bottom? Can too much air disturb the bacteria?

What do the experts say on that?

[Eugeneg]

This Thread not ment for this but got any thoughts on that issue?
I was also thinking of makeing a portable gazebo to always shade pond cause of algae problem. going to have two 11w UV but water up here I heard was prime for growing algae and have seen it in my 100 goldfish. The Bio that needs air is a 55 gal barrel that looks like the nexus.

To some up :
Live: N. Idaho ( oh ya, your sorry.... me too )
Climate: Cold winters
Sun: Always shaded ( should the pond get direct sun? )
Bio: 55 gal
Fish load: Not too many but enough...... give a good number[/quote]

If you build a permament gazebo for shade you then can wrap some 6mm poly around for the winter as if you do not cover the rate of winter survival diminishes I would take my time and plan things out if there is a koi club near you join it read some books . I might add that a 45gal drum is nothing like a nexus in any way .
Regards
Eugene

[mitten]

NIKK, do a search for that New2, right here on the forum. Northern Idaho Koi Keepers is a friendly group of enthusiastic, knowledgable folk.

There is a lot to learn. Read the book Koi Kichi by Peter Waddington (not Koi2Kichi) Make plans. Assemble your filters and test them out. Learn about a solar cover greenhouse style. Algae is your friend, dont fight it.