I'm using it, it's doing the job, I might redesign it in the future as I think the sieve could catch more. I only clean it once a week, I could probably clean it more often for better performance. I've added 2 layers of sponge on top of the sieve to help it catch more debris. (a course layer and fine layer). My water quality is excellent, I have about 20 Koi in the pond.

Thank you so much, the Koi now have a large space to grow and be happy.

That's just what I used. I only plan on getting 5-7 years out of this pond, so i'm sure the wood will hold up.

@@zippydoesit7690 thanks sir

I'm not sure, I see the option for 6 lbs, but the 6 cubic feet is more. I couldn't find details of the actual weight of the 6 cubic feet option.

I ordered 6-cubic feet off of Amazon and put 2- cubic feet per barrel. K1 Bio Filter Media Amazon ASIN B09BG8GQBF

Thank you, let me know if you have any questions and I hope your build turns out well.

I'm only planning 5-8 years out of this build, so I think it will be ok.

They sell them for about $200, it's pretty cheap for that many fish and the fish are pretty good quality.

I'll probably post an update in the next few weeks, i've separated about 10 of my favorite baby Koi to my "keeper" tank. They now range from 2" to 4" in size, most being 3"-4".

So far so good, no leaks, I clean it out once a week, water quality is spot on. They are 3"

In terms of celsius, we have gotten down to -8, the pond is holding at 8. Koi are still eating and active.

@@zippydoesit7690 Bravo 👏 is holding the temperature nice your pond 😎👌

mcmaster.com

Awesome, thanks for the sub!

Ha ha, thanks Randy! It is what it is.

There is no pressure on these joints, it will be fine.

I run 2 11 watt UV lights inside my Sieve filter, so I believe that's what helped clear up the water.

I wanted to have the second one for additional current, but it didn't work, so I just have one return.

I feel for you buddy! I started the digging last summer and said NO way, waited for winter to pass and did the digging in the Spring. Stay safe in your weather conditions, watching the news right now of hurricane Idalia, it's a mess in FL! Last week, Hurricane Hilary fizzled out right where I'm at.

I bought the K1 from Amazon US.

I have a 2 inch pipe coming out of the Sieve, but then i increase it to a 3" pipe into the barrel filter. The 2 inch pipe connects easier to my pump. Make sure your sieve mesh covers fairly well and doesn't escape. I'm going to redo the Sieve mesh and have it overlap more as I'm seeing muck escape between the cracks down into the section where the pump is. You don't want the muck to hit your pump as it will just blend it up and send it into your barrels. You want the sieve to catch as much waste as it can before continuing to the barrel filter. Hope that helps!

Totally agree, it's fun to sit and watch them all. I have 2 other tanks I'm setting up to thin out the school as they grow. A 75 gallon keeper tank and a 60 gallon holding tank for the larger ones as I rehome them. I just want to make sure that 110 gallon tub doesn't become over crowded as they grow. So far I'm keeping the Ammonia and Nitrite at bay as the filter matures, it's a balancing act. I believe that filter should easily handle the bio load as it matures.

Yep, this was trial and error and honestly, I was just using left over parts to make this, so that's what I had on hand. The 3 returns seem to be working, I only get water out of the emergency overflow when I'm coming out of feeding mode, but then it settles out. The good thing is no water on the floor and its doing its job.

@@zippydoesit7690 sweeeeeeet that's awesome news buddy 💯🧁👍👍👍

Awesome thanks for the Sub, just do it, it totally changes your backyard and the window is a must, the Koi actually love coming to watch you and see what you are doing. Plus you can enjoy your fish way more and see them in more detail than from looking down through the water.

@@zippydoesit7690 now I just need forgiveness before permission

​@@byz513😂😂😂brilliant 💯👌🧁👍👍👍

Yes, you are 100% correct. Water has now cleared up running the UV.

@@zippydoesit7690 great news Zippy, you can see your lovely fish now, including Dick Fish was it? He's stunning 🥰

I've been flushing them once a week, but I can see how they would overflow if you neglected the maintenance. Thanks for the input!

I'd give the barrel system enough time to establish enough beneficial bacteria to support your bio load, you can speed up that process by using bacteria additives like a pond bomb. I don't know what your stock level is, so maybe a month? I probably clean my sieve and skimmer every 3 days and I flush barrels 1&2 once a week. Right now my maintenance is fairly low. It takes my trickle in about 2 days to fill the water level back up when I do a barrel flush. As for your green water, are you running a UV sterilizer? My green water cleared up after about 2 weeks of running my UV. My pond doesn't receive too much direct sunlight due to my roof. My neighbors pond is full of algae and has no shade. My pond has only been running for 2 months now, so algae may be yet to come for me.

Add a DIY gravel filter after a skimmer and your pond with stay clear.

The glass is 48x24 and the opening in the pond is 44x18. I would have gone taller than 18, but then I would have had to make a special cut in the lower railroad tie, not so easy to do. I'd say a 2" lip all the way around is plenty.

@@zippydoesit7690 thank you! U did a fabulous job