North Wales Koi Club Forum

Hi guys,

I'm new to ponds and Koi. I currently have a less than impressive natural pond in my garden that I'm going to dig out to 4Mx3MX1M.
This should give me a pond with 12,000L if I'm correct.

From what I've gathered I need a pump to pump the water to the filter. I assume by the term "bottom drain" peolpe mean the pump?

I was looking for some help with filter and pump choice. I was looking at the Green Genie, but was told that they aren't very good and difficult to clean. I was the told that the Hozelock Ecoclear Bioforce 12000 would be very good. Does anyone have any views on these or the GG? If the last 2 filters don't rate highly, can anyone recommend a good filter for not mega bucks?

I'm currently watching the Hozelock Bioforce 12000 on ebay with a Titan 8000 pump. I've read on the website that you should aim to filter the whole pump in 1hr, so would 1.5hrs be enough to filter the whole pump?

I've then seen filters (Oase Pontec 15000L) that on the face of it look more than big enough to cope with my pond, but then read that if you are going to keep Koi then it can only cope with 7500L?

There may be a lot of questions over the next few weeks if thats ok, oh and if anyone enjoys digging the shovels will be in the garden during the day

Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum,
this is the place if you want answers to the pond building scenario.
Do not be afraid to ask, this is where we all started.
What you need before you do anything is to see some proper Koi ponds and how they work, are you in the North Wales area?
By seeing working Koi ponds it will save you time and money in the long run, believe me I've been there
First answer the bottom drain is not the pump.
Proper Koi ponds do not have the pump in the Pond

Dave.

Hi dave,

Cheers for the reply, I live up in Old Colwyn.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Give me a ring.
Perhaps you would like to come around, and have a chat about filters, bottom drains, pumps and how they all fit together. If you are going to make a successful pond this is the time to get it right! before any thing is purchased. All the filters that you have mentioned are not really suitable for a easily maintained Koi pond.
Ideal time to do it, now that you are digging.
New ponds are great!!!

Dave

Hi Paul,
Welcome.
Glad to hear you're planning a New Pond.
As Dave says, a Bottom drain is a MUST. It makes the initial Pond build a little bit more technically challenging at first, but the result is a pond that will be fit for Koi and will present you with far better quality water and far fewer health issues later on. You'll also save money !!!

The club will have a Cyprio Gravity fed Filter system complete with Pump coming up for sale in the next few weeks, so hold on !!!
This will do 2-3000 gallons OK.

I strongly advise you to come and see a couple of NWKS member's ponds. It will make things like Bottom drasins, Filters, pumps etc seem clearer for you.
All the best
Martin