Simply Koi and More Koi

Hi all
I have been a member of KQ for a little while but I haven't posted a lot,I have been reading other people's posts and learning a lot.
I started my pond build last August but the winter weather got the better of me with the pond walls collapsing, But progress has been good this spring. The walls have had their first scratch coat and hopefully they will have their second coat of render this week.The pond is approx 4m x 3m about 3500 gallons.There should be a picture below if iv'e done it right?
My question is what amout of benching of the base would people recommend on a pond of this size? There will be one central air rated bottom drain fitted.

Thanks in advance Dave.

[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb235/dm ... CT0007.jpg[/img]

Fixed it for you Dave. You need to leave off the suffix on the end after .jpg (?t=1180376293)

Nice job there mate! Looking good!


Cheers

B.Scott

Thanks for sorting the pic's, I only just get by on computers.




Dave.

You need a teenager!

Hi,

The pond looks like its coming along nicely! The aireated bottom drain will help to draw the water towards the bottom drain-would think the steeper the benching the better though-im sure someone with a benched bottom will let you know!

Cheers Andy

IMO 9".......anything less,and you will have debris sitting on the bottom,but you will get different opinions

The thing I hate about aerated bottome drains is that they make the skimmer all but useless

B.Scott

Hi Dave
Looking at your block work it’s 100mm blocks are you going to brick up on the outside of your pond as you do need a 200mm thick wall
Will you be fibre glassing you pond or using G4 to waterproof

Pete
The pond is only raised out of the ground about a foot as i didn't want to go too high as when crossing the bridge i would be looking into next doors garden, The part that is raised will have some sort of face brick/stone, haven't decided yet.
The pond will be fiberglassed.


Regards Dave.

Hi,

When i started to plan for my pond i went for an aireated bottom drain-on the downside as B Scott said it effectively cuts the surface of the pond in half-im opting for two skimmers as i have over hanging trees and am worried it may cause problems if not-worth a thought!


Cheers Andy

Hi,

Justed realised that is a bridge on the pond-looks good id love to have had a bridge but unfortunately my pond is going to be much higher above ground! Should look really good when its done!

Cheers Andy

B.Scott
To the left of the pond I intend to have a small pond with plants in with a waterfall returning back to the main pond, Hopefully this will help push the water to the skimmer?
Andy
This is only a tempory bridge as it got a bit hairy walking across a scaffold plank, When the ponds done i will build a bridge from decking or somthing similar.


Thanks Dave.

Hi Dave and welcome to Koi Quest

Looks like a nice pond and after all the trouble last year i bet you will be pleased to have it all sorted out soon.

OK i think benching is one of those things where some say lots some say minimal or nothing i have an air dome and hardly any benching and my pond seems to be OK with not much debris on the bottom.I think we sometimes forget that not only do we have air mixing it all up but also the current of the flow back to the pond and also the momentum of the fish all help to push the waste down the bottom drain.

I also have a skimmer and wouldn't be without one as not only is it good at getting and leaves and "stuff" off the top its a great way to add extra filtration

Thanks for you reply Gazza
I was thinking of about 6" of benching, Do you think this is over kill?


Dave.

Hi Dave,

I would think 6" will do the job as i say i have hardly any on my pond and it works well so 6" should be fine