Bottom drains

[Koine]

I kind of understand how they work but not for sure, Is this basically it:
[img]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii37/kan ... bdrain.jpg[/img]

[Gazza]

Yep thats basically it you have the bottom drain going into the mechanical stage of the filter so it stops all the waste,poo,etc and this gets there by gravity as we all know water always finds it own level and then you pump it from your filter back to the pond.

[Koine]

So, if the filter was below the ponds water level it would still work?

[Gazza]

Hi Koine,

Unfortunately not as water will always find its own level if the filter was lower than the pond the filter would overflow as the water will try to be the same level as in the pond.

You need to set a gravity system up so the water level in the pond when finished is below the filter by a little so that when you turn off your pump the water will then level out and not overflow out of your filter. If the water was to overflow out of the filter then you would also have filter media (the stuff in the filters that bacteria stick on) could also overflow especially if its K1

[Koine]

Thanks, I guess I could build a stand for the filter so the level is slightly above the ponds.

[Gazza]

Is this something you are going to start soon and what type f filter do you have

Are you having a skimmer as once these are set into the wall you will then have to make sure you work out where the water will be in the pond as you will not fill the pond up to the top so the filter is normally below the top edge of the pond by a few inches but just above the water line.

[Koine]

Pond construction will start in around a month. I dont have a filter yet, I was going to go with a Nexus Eazy pod but was told they are not good for the main source of filtration and I dont fell like spending 800 on a filter. I dont think I will add a skimmer, if I decide to add one I will probably add an Oase or something.

[vippymini]

believe me no filter has to cost £800.00 there are many DIY filters on this forum made by members that cost a fraction of that and probably out-perform a nexus in both mechanical and biological filtration. take your time and do some more looking around, and ask as many questions as you need...
dont just throw money at the pond, its hard-earned and doesnt always get the best results.

[kayoss]

Hi Guys

How many times have you looked at the filters at Cuttlebrook Gazza?

You can have the filter below the level of the pond providing you have a standpipe connected to the bottom drain - the level of the T in the standpipe determines the water level in the pond (check the set up in the Nisai house).

As the pond fills up, water will fill the standpipe and overflow into the filter. Once the filter is full stop filling!

Water is pumped from the filter into the pond (as though you were still filling the pond) which causes more water to flow back into the filter.

It works but - you need a drain valve to flush the crud from the bottom drain and you need a pump capable of coping with the head (you're effectively pumping water up hill from the filter into the pond)

Hope the diagram helps with the explanation.

[img]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d95/kayos ... owpond.jpg[/img]

Koine, as Vippimini says, take your time and have a good look round at all the options (especially the DIY filtration). You'll get the pond you want, that works well - and you'll save a fortune!

Cheers

[Gazza]

Hi Bob,

To be honest i have never looked at them that closely so i would never of known ( must look next time ) but was just trying to give a general insight of a basic pond design

[kayoss]

Hi Gazza

Must admit I'd never have realised if it hadn't been pointed out to me! Even then I couldn't understand it properly until I actually saw it.

But I think it's a good example to highlight the amount of info available on the board and why it's worth taking your time to consider all the options

Cheers

[B.Scott]

I would add just one little detail to the diagram... It would be essential to have an overflow to waste in the filter to prevent over-filling or heavy rainfall from flooding the filter. Nice idea though. I never noticed then either!

B.Scott