positively...a koi pond

[schildkoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by luke frisbee My oh my...someone needs to take a vacation...you naughty boy! Listen, stick to the freakin topic. All of you....No "it's a system Preaching"... No it can't be made by anyone but a koi snob...and definitely No to the safety issue... no Zoning...this thread is about the bare minimum to keep koi healthy... So Ladies (and Gentlemen) what would that be?

Sorry Luke. In that case, dig a hole, put a liner in it and let Nature take it's course.

You want to know how to keep koi healthy atr a bare minimum? Geez, for how long? 20 - 30 years? Well that requires a system design approach including a structure at a bare minimum. Even you realized a structure was necessary. Everyone wants to see "miminums" but has yet to realize that there really aren't any "single" minimums. Faster turnover rates can be used to partially compensate for volume but then would require more cleaning maintenance and water changes. The parts of the design are interdependent.

Someone asked about additons within my design The skimmer system (gravity fed) can easily be fit with an additional Nexus as an example. I also mention a stubbed out mid-level for further filter expansion. The initial design is a 2 pump system. Is that necessary? For me it most certainly is. Redundancy is everything. Nothing worse than losing a pump and not being able to get it fixed or replaced in a day or 2 to 3. Redundant system are a safeguard along with daily functionality.

I belive that same person asked about airation? Simple, diffuser drain and with a Nexus or other airated moving bed filter or shower, there is plenty of air and really no "need" for a waterfall in that regard.

Steve

[mstrseed]

Quote: Originally Posted by luke frisbee No to the safety issue... no Zoning...this thread is about the bare minimum to keep koi healthy...

Luke part of bare minimums is to do you home work and contact the city or read what the applicable laws are. Hobbyist don't need to be shut down in the middle of a project or worse.......................................

[JasPR]

ya know I realize the boys ( Luke and Mickey) were trying to do a good thing here with a kumbya kinda koi pond, but Steve C is right and I feel his frustration.

You can't use the term minimum without qualifications. And each exception requires a move away from 'minimum'. If you are trying to ask what pond will allow me to keep koi, any koi, for an extended period, I still have to ask 'what period'?
Koi can be kept alive in pretty basic conditions. If your goal is the 'ultimate minimum' then to me that means stocking six or eight two year old male fish. They won't require all that much, maybe 2000- 3000 gallons and three feet depth? They can last for maybe years in a water feature like that. Not flourishing mind you, but survive OK. That to me is a minimum koi pond with minimum koi and minimum expectations. But now there is the issue of location- Florida, Southern California, Arizona- yes. New Jersey, New England, Chicago- not without some luck and no bad winters.

JR

[luke frisbee]

Quote: Originally Posted by mstrseed Luke part of bare minimums is to do you home work and contact the city or read what the applicable laws are. Hobbyist don't need to be shut down in the middle of a project or worse.......................................

Ok Once again..
the thread is about the minimum needed to keep koi healthy.

Not about whether a dumbazz can't work with whatever their codes are for where they live.

not a one of you has said you have to have a QT..so?

[KoiCop]

Steve . . .

While I'm a firm believer that safety is ensured by redundancy, duplication and overlap, and I love your design, this design process is to develop the minimum entry level koi pond. So while a dual pump/dual filter concept is both superior and safer, I don't believe it's absolutely necessary for an entry level pond.

I'm thinking more glider and less fighter plane here.

Bill . . .

Couldn't agree more. Understanding one's permit requirements is essential before one designs a pond that statutorily can't be built.

[The Pond Digger]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR " I am not convinced the 6 foot depth is a mandatory requirement for a Traditional American Koi Pond." What is a Traditional American koi pond? JR

Traditional American Koi Pond is a term I picked up here on Bito. I suppose that is what I am here to figure out.

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[KoiCop]

Luke . . .

Good point re: QT.

You and Mickey can add it and zoning/permits to the 'microscope, net, meds, koi bowl' part of the recommendations -- then we can get back to designing the pond.

[The Pond Digger]

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi From Digger: Answer: No, dry stacking block is not a structurally acceptable method. The problem with most "pond" contractors is that they cut corners where they should not. The shell and its direct plumbing are the single biggest design concern(s). This is the one area that cannot be modified or corrected without a huge additional expense. Notice hoe I advised Mickey he could always change filters and such later (upgrade) if the shell and plumbing is done correctly to begin with.

Interlocking blocks have great structural integrity. I have seen 60' tall retaining walls on freeways using this material. With an expected life span well beyond 20 to 30 years.

In the many backyards I have been in consulting homeowners I have seen plenty of nice looking dry stack retaining walls that were installed by thrifty homeowners. Very rarely have I seen a DIY homeowner tackle a block wall with rebar and such.

There is not doubt the system you outlined above is superior with well thought out upgrade possibilities. Most new pond owners are simply no convinced they will even be in the same home for that long so frankly look to save dollars on the front end. Sad but true.

I am looking for multiple possibilities.

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[The Pond Digger]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR So if Digger would answer my question I will be better able to understand where he is coming from. JR

What is your specific question?

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[The Pond Digger]

Quote: Originally Posted by KDSD !@#$%^&*( this must have timed out and lost my whole post@#$%^& Will start another post as not to stray from the intended thread purpose Teach me to do this in word first

Hey Mark,

I understand you were at the IA show in San Diego a few weeks ago. I didn't realize you were running a booth until after I was gone, otherwise I would of stopped by to say hello.

Peace,

The Pond Digger