Koi Pond Filtration History 101

[The Pond Digger]

I would like to start a thread here on the HISTORY of different types of KOI POND filtration & pre-filtration. More importantly, I would love to know FACTUAL timelines on the different types of koi pond filtration & pre-filter technology.

I saw Sieve Technology approximately two or three years ago for the first time. The speed limit of the first sieve I came across was roughly 3000 gallons per hour if I'm not mistaken and believe the technology came out of Europe. Today that speed limit has doubled and am curious to know what is on the horizon for this technology. Personally, I am very fond of this technology! Who was responsible for bringing this technology to the koi pond world and from where. I imagine they have been using sieve technology in waste water treatment plants for many years.

I can't remember exactly when I was exposed to an aerated bottom drain for the first time. What year was the aerated bottom drain first BETA tested and how long did it take to become main stream or is it even main stream yet? Is this the first V.P.R. (Vertical Pond Return) technology? Who brought it to the table?

I heard Steve Childers brought he T.P.R. technology to the table, mostly from him, but that is what I heard. I love T.P.R. technology and believe it to be an important element in any pond's construction. I have seen very unique and custom fittings and ideas from Kent Wallace regarding this technology.

I firmly believe that the advancements in koi pond filtration technology over the past decade have made a huge improvement in the care and maintenance of high end koi ponds, thus GROWING THE HOBBY!

I would like to start with Gravity fed bottom drains into settlement tanks, aerated bottom drains, T.P.R.'s, G.P.R.'s, V.P.R.'s and Seive Technology, not necessarily in that order but hope this thread will DIG DEEP into the historical timelines of ALL koi pond filtration.

I have no doubt that most of this technology has originated from a very serious DO-IT-YOURSELF hobbyist however I believe MORE IMPORTANTLY for this exercise - When was the technology recognized on a larger scale and manufactured for DIY installers and not DIY builders? BIG DIFFERENCE!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe there are different levels of DIY koi pond builders. There are those that want to build whatever technology out of drums and cement vaults and so forth & possibly even improve on the technology, while there are those DIYer's that want the technology to be pre manufactured and just DIY install the manufactured technology on their pond, right? I believe that it takes a very special mind to re-invent the wheel of any technology and the DIYer of manufactured technology is of a much greater percentage.

Now for the facts as we know them. Please fill in the blanks.

Sieve Technology -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Aerated Bottom Drain Technology -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Gravity Fed Bottom Drains into settlement chambers -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

TPR's, VPR's & GPR's -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Settlement tanks -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Shower Filter Technology -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Bead Filter Technology -
Who started the technology and when?
Where did the technology begin and originate from?
When was this technology first used?
When did or will the technology become manufactured technology for the mainstream koi pond hobby?

Please feel free to list other types of filtration & pre-filtration that are not mentioned in this post. My goal here is to get my arms around all of the changes in technology, and their timelines, over the last decade that have advanced the HIGH END koi pond hobby not only in what I am reading in published books but in an open forum as well.

Any links and or recommended readings on the History of Said topic would be greatly appreciated. I hope this becomes an interesting & valuable thread to all. Have fun with it and thank you in advance for your participation.

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

The Pond Digger Grow Out Stats

[KoiCop]

Hello Eric . . .

Starting the history of koi pond filtration and pre-filtration with the seven elements you've selected would be like writing the history of the human race and starting with the 1900's.

The history of koi pond filtration starts with NO filtration at all -- and traces all manner of technological upgrades, innovations and deadends right up to the present day.

To see what I'm talking about, check out this thread:

Filtration: From the Beginning
JR 11 Aug 2007
http://koishack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11956

I think you'll find the answers to many of your questions there -- and the context within which to understand and appreciate them.

Best wishes,

[The Pond Digger]

Thank you Don. I will check out the link you posted, as I anticipated.

Let me clarify, my MAIN FOCUS are the manufactured technological advances in last decade that have improved &/or grown the koi keeping hobby. Yes, I did mention bead filtration at the bottom of my original post.

I understand bead filtration has been around for DECADES, yet new bead filters continue to pop up. Have there been any major improvements and or developments in bead filtration technology over the last decade, other than better pre-filtration before sending water to the bead filter?

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[The Pond Digger]

I will continue to clarify my question(s). What, if any of the Seven Elements listed above, other than Bead Filtration Technology have been manufactured mainstream products in the koi pond industry for more than a decade.

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[schildkoi]

Hmmmmmm, Digger, although I guess I should be flattered, let's discuss what you said a little:

I heard Steve Childers brought he T.P.R. technology to the table, mostly from him, but that is what I heard. I love T.P.R. technology and believe it to be an important element in any pond's construction.

First off, I don't think we have ever met, let alone you hearing anything "mostly from him (me)." Second, I never, at anytime said that I introduced TPR technology. If you are going to quote or imply something about another, please get your facts straight (it helps to actually ask the person you are attempting to quote).

As for the historical timeline for this, here ya go:

Tpr Flow Rate - KoiShack

the idea of TPRs was introduced by a threesome over a few adult beverages. Those individuals were JR, Nigel Caddock, and Sean Hunter around 1995-6ish) as Nigel was designing the "NI" pond. Sean was/is one of the premier pond contractors in the western world and they were analysing currents and flows for this new style of pond, creating a cyclonic current in a somewhat large, round pond with 4, centered diffuser drains. This styl;e was ultimately incorporated into Peter Waddington's pond as well. Tom Lansing followed up with the basic design but instead elongated his design with 3 diffusers in line spaced somewhat equally spaced. Tom's pond was only 9 ft wide and the currents from the diffusers was strong enough to move the solids to the drains and skimmers appropriately. In 1999 I took Tom's design and modified it some with it being wider (11') but with the same drain spacing and what I found was that with this increased distance the currents from the diffusers and the perimeter currents from the TPRs was not enough to move the solids from the area between the drains (surface and floor) in the manner desired. I pondered this for some time and even visted Tom, Nigel and Peter repeatedly (for a variety of reasons). This allowed me to study the designs and outcomes and formulate the issues involved. Based upon those studies, I incorporated "GPRs" in a planned manner into the first pond of it's type (2002-03), Dan Charnes and Gene Smith's in Dallas. Since that time, this style of design has become increasingly popular

Steve

[The Pond Digger]

Steve you should be flattered! Nothing but respect intended. In many of the posts on the forums here, there are underlying politics that many, including myself, don't begin to, or want, to understand.

Many posts in forums deliver wonderfully informative opinions and experiences yet are left wide open to interpretation. I certainly may have misinterpreted one of your posts on the introduction of TPR's to the hobby. I didn't quote you for the simple reason I was unsure of the facts.

Most everyone I have met in the industry has wonderful things to say about you and your contributions to the hobby of keeping koi.

I am looking for historical timeline facts. I have done so much reading of late on the topic of koi pond filtration, some dated, some published, some opinionated, tons not published, some theory, some B.S., & some genius.

Thank you very much for the TPR link.

Respectfully,

The Pond Digger

[The Pond Digger]

Here is what we have, so far as I can tell. TPR's technology was theorized by JR, Nigel Caddock and Sean Hunter and then implemented & BETA tested in 1995-1996 by both Sean & Nigel. By 1999, TPR technology was being used by at least Steve Childers and in 2002 to 2003, Steve Childers introduces Gap Return Technology to the Tangential Pond Return Technology. I knew Steve was responsible for at least on of these returns!

On the topic of TPR and GPR technology. Is this technology, in 2008, considered mainstream yet? Should it be and at what point do you think it might be?

For the record would it be safe to say, "I can plug these dates into the format of questions listed above?"

The Pond Digger