New pond idea

[bigred]

Here's my start of the plans. I may be moving to AZ so I would have to build a new pond before I can move my Koi. I want to know what everyone thinks and what do you think I should change.

Thanks for the help in advance, Steve

[CarolinaGirl]

I don't think 2 bottom drains will be enough for a pond that length. Also, one skimmer will not be enough. In the section to the right of the bridge....the top right corner...that is a dead spot. I can already see the leaves piling up there. With an irregular shape, multiple skimmers are really important. What are your filtration plans? Are the drains aerated?

[Russell Peters]

I agree with Carolina Girl. You really ought to think of this design as two seperate ponds connected by a passage way. Each should have two bottom drains and a skimmer and several TPR's. Two seperate filter systems.

[RookieKoiGuy]

That shape is very difficult to get proper circulation for sure.


Tom

[dcny]

Try something like this to enable better circulation.

The thin blue lines represent TPR (tangential pond return) circulation. The thick lines represent bottom drain airdome circulation.

If you could just move that first bottom outcropping a little bit further from the waterfall, you can see that it helps balance out the circulation a bit. The area under and arounf the bridge will be an issue. If you can shorten that area, even if it's by 3' or 4', that would help.

For a pond that's 5' 6", you should have TPRs are two different depths. 2' and 4' depths would probably work out well.

-Dan

[CarolinaGirl]

I like that plan much better Dan. There are still a couple of deep corners that may be a problem. I've circled them. Just rounding these off a bit would help a lot.

[schildkoi]

35 x 15 x 6' equals a water volume of 23190 US gallons. Now, take away roughly 1/4 due to the irregular shape and its down to 17,400. Take away another 1,000 to 2,000 for bowling the bottom and or differences between 5 and 6 foot depths and your are roughly at 15,000 US gallons. Utilizing 4" gravity feed bottom drains with each at about the 3500 gph flow rate (pumps sized accordingly) it takes 3 of these systems to hit or come close to the 1 hour turn over rate (desireable). Two systems "could actually work at the 1.5 hour turn over rate but if you decide to stick with 2, please put in a Midlevel pick up (between the drains, near the bridge) for future use, plumber to the filter area (sized large enough for a 3rd filter system). TPRs nd GPRs shgould be placed to direct flow towards the skimmer with the midlevel stacked below that skimmer. The waterfall bypass can bu used as well to help with the directional flow. 1, good skimmer can work and I would not use more than 2 on the same suction/delivery system since the draw is lessend with all additions and become less than optimal.

Just my thoughts.

Steve

[bigred]

Lots of stuff I haven't thought about. That's why I posted this. Thanks and keep them coming. I haven't figured out the filtration part yet.

[dcny]

how much room do you have?

[bigred]

I don't know. This is if I move. Which depends on if I get a job were we want to go in AZ.