Archive for the ‘Large Pond Pumps’ Category

I’m also thinking about using a very large tuscany plant pot for a water feature. Need find a reasonable priced solar water pump somewhere. Thanks. . . .

I need to know what size protein skimmer I will need for a 1000 gallon tank with a heavy bio-load. The tank has 39 sq. ft. of surface area. I plot on having about 100 fish, maybe more (mostly small, slender bodied fish). I am looking at getting 2 of these ‘myreefcreations’ protein skimmers http://www. myreefcreations. com/product_i… Their rating is 5,000 gallons. I don’t want the larger 8,000 gallon rated skimmer (too tall). I will be using two pumps rated at 5200gph.
Is this much skimming overkill for a tank? I plot on using the Berlin style filtration, so I will have about 700-900 pounds of live rock in the tank. I do not plot on having any other type of filtering except a UV sterilizer, a small canister filter (to place before the UV sterilizer), perhaps a medium sump, and a large pond air pump (to oxygenate the water for so many fish).
Can I remove all the fish poo and gunk with this setup? Or will I need more, or less?

I’m also thinking about using a very large tuscany plant pot for a water feature. Need find a reasonable priced solar water pump somewhere. Thanks. . . .

Are you one of the thousands of people trying to find out how to clear up a cloudy pond or aquarium? Have you done everything the experts say and you still have a cloudy pond. There are many different reasons a pond will become cloudy or green. Weather is number one. Different temperatures, rainfall and too much sun will contribute to a nasty pond. Also inadequate filtration and overfeeding will cause problems, as well as ineffective chemicals. Below are some of the truths I have learned in regards to maintaining a Koi pond or aquarium. Are all filters made equal? – Sand filters are hard to clean and do not trap all particles in the sand, allowing some to re-enter the pond. Also the sand filter should be run 24 hours per day for best filtration and must be backwashed on a daily basis. – The Bio filter is very similar to the sand filter except that is it even harder to clean. – Submersible pumps are hard to maintain, as you must climb into the water to perform maintenance on them and they tend to raise the water temperature. – Cartridge filters are the best filters to use. They filter out 99% of the debris, are very simple to clean and last a very long time. You can use cartridge filters in aquariums as well. What are the chemicals the experts recommend? Algaecides are recommended to remove algae therefore clearing up a green pond. What they don’t tell you is that algaecides are a poison not only to your fish but also to the environment. Algaecides contain copper sulfate which can build up in the organs of fish and other wildlife. The City of Naples, Florida has banned copper sulfate because it heavily contaminates Naples Bay, and the European Union has regarded forbidding its use as it is “not compatible with sustainable ecosystems. ” Beneficial Bacteria Pros & Cons Pros – Breaks down organic matter thus removing the food source from the algae – Natural – Safe for fish Cons – If you already have an algae problem, it must be addressed prior to using beneficial bacteria in order to achieve the desired results. – Slow to take effect. It can take up to 6 weeks for a colony to grow large enough to consume enough of the organic matter to clear up your pond. – If you water flow is too quick or slow, PH levels too high or low or the water temperature is below 50 degrees the effectiveness of the beneficial bacteria will be reduced. – Lack of aeration decreases the benefits of beneficial bacteria. – If beneficial bacteria is not live it will not work. There is no way to tell if the product you are purchasing really contains live bacteria. Check the expiration date. I am sure you are asking yourself; well what can I do that is simple and effective for clearing up a cloudy or green pond. The answer is simple if you follow 3 simple steps. First – Don’t over feed your fish. This is a huge mistake that most people make. Fish are kind of like dogs, they always look hungry. Second – Use cartridge filters and a filtration system larger than recommended for your size pond. When it comes to Koi ponds, Larger is better. Finally – In order to clear up a cloudy pond you will need to use a water clarifier that works. You can find out more about a proven water clarifier at http://www. squidoo. com/clearupcloudypond. This is the missing link in maintaining a clear pond or aquarium.

First of all: know what you want. If you need some thoughts, visit the library or your local book store and browse through landscape books, garden and pond magazines. You can also search the web and read and study as much as possible.

Layout is the most vital phase of the entire project. I have heard many complaints from disappointed clients after they had a chance to get used to their new addition to the landscape. “I only wish we had made it larger . . . made it deeper . . . added an island . . . made it longer and constructed a bridge . . . built it closer to the house . . . installed a larger water pump for the waterfall … or . . . built the waterfall higher or wider. ”

Most of these wishes could have been granted for a reasonable cost before or during construction. But waiting until afterward means incurring a major expense that may be cost prohibitive. If your choice is to omit the item or feature because of its cost, then make structural preparations to allow for adding it on later. You can plot and design the landscape to allow for simple additions to the koi pond later just by the strategic placement of trees, sprinklers, drain lines, and much more.

When you choose exactly where you want to place the koi pond, take your time laying it out. A garden hose is well loved for this job because it can easily be went around until the desired shape is achieved. Once that is accomplished, you can use construction paint and spray the ground in the outline of the hose. If there is any doubt about where to locate the koi pond, give it a couple of days and question for outside opinions. Then walk around the yard while you observe the proposed spot from various angles, especially views from inside your house, from the room where you spend most of your time.

Remember to take into consideration everything around it. How close is the nearest tree? Will its roots pose a problem later? Is there going to be sufficient sun throughout the day? Some water plants require more sun exposure than others, such as lilies. Make sure you know where the main power, water and sewer lines are routed to the house. It is not so excellent to find out after the fact that the gas or water line runs right through the center, 36 inches below the surface of a 48 inch deep koi pond.

Do not land-lock a section of your yard that may later need drains, sprinklers or heavy construction material. Place in advance or remove such items and install necessary drains and sprinklers. If it is not convenient to run the sprinklers at this time, run 4 inch drainpipe sleeves under the stream or section of pond to enable running low voltage wire and sprinkler lines later.

When it comes to the koi pond depth, if you plot to have it more than 18″ deep, you will need to check with the local building codes to determine if a 6 foot perimeter fence is required. You may also need door alarms and self-closing gates at the side of the house. If the koi pond site is not level, do not worry about it; you will have all the excavated dirt from the pond to level out uneven terrain and get creative with terracing for an upper koi pond and waterfall or a sloped part of the yard for a stream or creek.

A pond can be placed on the side of a hill by constructing a retaining wall to hold back parts of the hill. Drive a stake in the ground until the top of it represents the water surface of the koi pond. Continue with additional stakes in the shape of the proposed pond using a level as you go. Keep in mind how deep the koi pond should be and start to remove the dirt. As you do so, note the condition of the soil and determine if you will need only shovels and a pick, or if you will have to rent a jackhammer. Also, if the soil is sandy and unstable, you may need to shore up the sides with plywood forms and supports prior to pouring concrete.

Most often the soil from a pond excavation can be used to make berms in the landscape plus mounding for a waterfall. If the koi pond is large the excavated dirt can be used to terrace a level back yard, facilitating a second, elevated koi pond. If there is no access to the back yard for a bobcat or excavator, additional soil will need to be removed by wheelbarrow and can be dumped into a rented trash bin or dumpster.

The most vital stage of the water feature project is plotting, not layout and excavation. If you have not plotted and predesigned your waterfall and koi pond by now, file this article away until you do.

It has been a pleasure sharing with you. Until next time. Pleased Koi, Peace & Joy.