New growing-on pond

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:28 pm

Hi all,

A few pictures of the pipework/filtration and stacking box temporary filter.

The 2" bottom drain pipework can be seen entering the Vortex on the right. The outlet is via the valve pointing downwards, this outlet was added lower down than the original outlet. There is now a slotted central outlet pipe in the Vortex which will have an static K1 chamber fitted over it. Previously the Aquamax 5500 sucked air as it drew down the level in the vortex. On the left is the waste valve.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3424.JPG[/img]

You can see here that the Vortex is mounted on a platform with the pump on the floor below. This pumps up through the 60,000 btu Heat Exchanger (HX) to the showers. Blue pipe is the auto top-up, installed directly in the pond is one of those small float valves. The two white pipes (one covered in insulation) are the boiler flow and returns to the HX. On the left under the Vortex can be seen the overflow, which is then connected to the waste pipe below the waste valve.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3425.JPG[/img]

Temporary stacking box shower filter, with temporary inlet pipework. Flow is greater than shown here, as I've enlarged the spray bar holes and added more of them.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3427.JPG[/img]

View from just outside the shed door. You can see I've added a poly carb front wall extension, to try and keep the Koi 'in' the pond.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3426.JPG[/img]

Perhaps you can see in the pictures that I have a complete Poly Carb roof on this part of the shed. This allows light and heat into the shed. The pond temperature just a few minutes ago was 24 degrees and I haven't turned the boiler on yet!!!!! Just shows that the insulation I added into the build and the natural heat from daylight, really hold the heat in - free heat.

A shower tray mould will be built this weekend and then I'll churn out a few shower trays. These will be stacked 3 high and be roughly 2 feet long. I will then be able to remove the stacking boxes and put the BHM into the trays.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:32 pm

thats looking good Bob but i thought you was going to tidy up the back walls and perhaps give them a bit of paint........what have you been doing as i am sure that was on the list

jason-m · Post by **jason-m** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:33 pm

Looks nice and Tidy Bob....

What no painting.....

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:36 pm

What colour would you like - LOL

I've been slacking again havent I, I'll give myself a good talking to ........

kayoss · Post by **kayoss** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:41 pm

Bet his missus would settle for the garden being that tidy!

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:48 pm

LOL how about a nice Lemon,Ive been going to paint mine for about 18 months now

So then Bob are the fish in yet

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:49 pm

Bob,

I staill havent cut the grass, last cut was in early August 2-months ago. It's getting a little long now (understatement!), but it's due an attack this weekend.

stuart t · Post by **stuart t** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:53 pm

Here Bob that Heat exchanger doesn't appear to have been plumbed in according the the manufacturers instructions as it's horizontal not vertical. I take it the only problem with doing it this way is that if you wanted to drop the thermometer in the socket on the top it would easily drop/pull out? Or is there any further potential problem ie. airpockets. I only ask as if I could fit one as you have it would reduce bends.

regards

Stuart

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:13 am

Stuart,

I've always fitted them in this way, as just as you've said it reduces 2 bends. I have 2 x 170,000 btu HX's on my main pond fitted in this way and they have run well for many years now. I've never suffered with air pockets and have never fitted a thermometer into the HX, prefer them in the pond.

andyb · Post by **andyb** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:02 am

Hi Stuart

Hi Bob

Whilst the heat exchanger will perform better in the vertical, at the speed which the pond water is pumped through the unit, the benefit is marginal.

Much better to reduced the amount of bends etc.

Regarding air, as most heating system are sealed, once installation air has been removed, there should be no further air problems ( air lock )

To be on the safe side you can always fit an automatic air-vent at highest part of the flow and return pipework

Regards

Andy

Now better go a finish that heating system I am installing this week

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:24 pm

Added 5 Koi to the tank this week

Daisy's grow and show, originally was 20cm on May 7th, now 32cm. Sumi starting to come through now from the back and there is a 'grey' area on the side of the face.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3435.JPG[/img]

My Grow and show, originally was 20cm on May 7th, now 33.5cm
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3440.JPG[/img]

Sanke bred by Kamihata fish farm, was 30cm on July 11th, now 34cm
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3434.JPG[/img]

Small Gin Rin Benigoi purchased from Cuttlebrook 3-weeks ago was 8cm, now 11cm
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3432.JPG[/img]

Small Hariwake purchased from Cuttlebrook 3-weks agao as well. Been kept in a little dark tank and has lost some colour, perhaps it will come back, time will tell. It had a double Tancho on the head and was quite attractive.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3428.JPG[/img]

Autumn harvest at Cuttlebrook, I wonder what I'll find to buy there. If I dont see anything that I want to grow on, I'll put this Beni Kumonryu in with the others. Bred by Fujio Oomo it was 19cm on 24th March, it's now 37cm.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... CN3444.JPG[/img][/img]

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:32 pm

That Beni has a very nice equal pattern Bob and looks very clean

If you don't see anything you want to grow on at the farm......did you forget all those cracking fish we see the other day

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:35 pm

I know Gazza, but I dont think they are 'grow on' Koi are they. A bit too big me thinks ....

But the Tosai Goshiki and Hariwake, they are different. I'll probably spend some time staring at them all day - he he he

2tacks · Post by **2tacks** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:31 pm

looking good
LIKE the beni

andyb · Post by **andyb** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:00 am

Hi Bob

Where did you get your small vortex from ?

As I could do with a couple myself

Regards

Andy