Main
Pond: This is the "new" in ground formal pond
with raised sides. Total water volume is about 5000 gallons, including
filtration, with
approximately 3500 gallons of swim space. It is 5' deep with a step
in case the dogs go for an accidental swim. Note: This is an important
consideration when building a pond, especially a deep one. Often times
a pet can fall in and with straight sides they can not get out.
Filtration: up-flow
gravel rock ( Del Rio River 3/4" & 3/8" on
top) as the mechanical & white matting for the bio. There are 2
chambers; each one is 4'x5'x4'. Under the rocks and matting is an air
manifold used for cleaning. Once every six (alternating the chambers
to maintain some good bacteria) a cell is cleaned using a 2 amp blower
for 3 minutes. The air bubbles loosen the debris by blowing it to the
top where it is drained out the side. On a weekly basis they pull the
standpipe in the pre-filter and hose off the brushes. During this process
they also drain some water to do approx. a 20% water change each week.
The water is pumped from the main filter to the waterfall and jets
that go to the pond.
Pre-filter: The water is gravity fed into the settling tank
(500 gal), which is under the wood decking. It then passes through
the brush chamber (100 gal). The settling tank is equipped with an
overflow pipe that goes into a third chamber for draining. The water
is pumped from the pre-filter to the main filter.
Pump: 1/4
H Aqua Flow pump, with a ball valve and a pipe that returns to the
pond. This is used to adjust the flow
rate of the water
going through the filter. Remember---too fast and the good "Bio" can't
do its job properly.
Smaller Pond AKA Gold Fish pond:
This is an owner-built, above ground, formal liner pond with an encased
cider block side (filled with rebar and concrete) The side are finished
with Coronado tile fascia.
Filtration: 110 gal up flow barrel filter filled with PVC ribbon,
white filter matting, 3 inch high-density foam and then rigid blue
Japanese matting.
Aeration: comes
from the column rock waterfall & 2-bullnose
tile spillways.
