Pond Water Test & Fitting Pond Heater

[@DP488]

Absolutely love your videos, Bud. Been watching this build from the beginning and its certainly my favourite build! Keep up the good work. I'm not at all jealous lol

[@Wrighty]

Hi, Thank you, very much appreciated. I must admit it's been hard work, but getting there now. Thanks again, Terry.

[@johnhope9873]

That's brill thankyou I'm new to this koi game it's really addictive in showing my fiance your vids and she is on board. I'm building a bigger pond next year and have got a pond heater and large filter. Keep the vids coming please.

[@Wrighty]

Hi John, Do keep an eye on that nitrite mate, if it's really high it can kill your fish. You will find that a bigger pond is easier to keep. I'm hoping to have a new video out later on tonight or first thing in the morning. If your subscribed you will get a notification from KZbin. Thanks, Terry.

[@harrychung433]

Those fishies certainly know where you have been hiding their goodies in that basket. Like seeing the new guys getting along with the older ones, so well. Consider starting a aquaponic vegetable garden, to handle that Nitrate problem and get some fresh vegies at the same time.

[@Wrighty]

Hi Harry, I was amazed how quick they were into the basket and clouded the pond. I put the basket back in the nice clear pond, went to the shed for no more that 3 or 4 minutes came back and my pond looked like a mud pit lol. I couldn't see the koi, just clouds of dirt coming up from where I'd put the basket. They were having a great party in that basket lol. Will defernatly look into the aquaponics next year. Mind you the bacteria I've just put in the pond is supposed to stay in the pond and live off the nitrates. Will be interesting how it works out. Terry.

[@Zeamus634]

Does it have to go after the pump, could it not go after the filter so you're pushing cleaner water through it?

[@Wrighty]

Hi Yes, the water has to be pumped through the heater. As I'm using a pump fed system with gravity return, the heater has to be after the pump. If my filters were gravity fed, with a pumped return, I could then pump clean water through the ASHP. Thanks, Terry.

[@AMGINE1000]

Afternoon Terry, super pipe work pond looks amazing as always, ready for the winter months, im sort of thinking what could you do next ?? Takecare Kev

[@Wrighty]

Hi Kev, Hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks mate. I know lol, I just can't stop myself lol. you know me ;) Terry.

[@FrugalLife]

The new heater setup looks great Not sure if it will help you but i don't put any soil in with my lilies.. I use large cobbles in the baskets to hold the lilies down. They don't see to mind and grow plenty of roots

[@Wrighty]

Thank you. Thats a good idea. They did have some fun though lol. Thanks, Terry.

[@AudioheavenDenmark]

I have the same problem with nitrate and my nexus. seems like K1 takes forever to get up and running when I use my Japan matts instead. the nitrate goes away in just days... so far now I will use Japan matts on the skimmer... think I will replace my nexus next year with a bio chip chamber

[@Wrighty]

Hi Kenneth, My system works on the same principle as the nexus. It's very good at breeding the aerobic bacteria, but doesn't produce much anaerobic bacteria and that's the problem with the nitrate. I'm going to see how the new bacteria I put in my pond in the video goes and will let you know. Thanks, Terry.

[@kb968]

Hi Wrighty, great video as always. I love seeing all the systems you run but I tend to loose track of what everything does and why it's needed. If you ever had time for a comprehensive break-down of the whole water cycle I think it would make for a great video/tutorial.

[@Wrighty]

Hi kb, Thank you. Very much appreaciated. I will work on that idea of a breakdown of the cycle. Thanks again, Terry.

[@readmore7180]

I plant Lillie's in black plastic containers with lids, cut a big enough hole to poke the leaves through and a few small holes around to allow water in. stops the little buggers churning it up. just curious, but why do you use a heater ?

[@Wrighty]

I use the heater to keep the pond above 12c Koi don't like the cold and 3 months of real low temperatures doesn't do them any good. Its too long for them. I give them 1 month without heat so they do get a winter. Terry.

[@readmore7180]

Wrighty oh ok thanks, was just wondering is all as I don't have a heater in mine and have never had a problem, in the winter of 2011 I could walk across the shallow end of my pond because of the ice (a bit extreme I know, if I had a heater then I probably would have used it haha),but all my koi wake up fine come spring. carp don't mind a bit of cold by what I've seen, also I may have been lucky .

[@Wrighty]

Yes carp can stand really cold conditions. But for my koi they only get 1 month and spring starts a bit earlier for them. Thanks, Terry.

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

Great one Wrighty, keep em coming. Let us know how the temps go and the leccy price.

[@Wrighty]

Thanks mate. Will do. Must admit it's a bit scary but will monitor it well. Thanks, Terry.

[@jaaasgoed]

Any idea of the running costs of that heater? It's 3kW I think? Where I live, that would cost about €0.75 an hour to run.

[@Wrighty]

Hi, I am going to give it a test run to find out more about the cost, but I only want it to stop the water from dropping below 10c and I've got some insolating to do first. Terry.

[@electoplater]

have you heard of ball blankets

[@zoltantakacs9840]

great! what kind the heater you using?

[@Wrighty]

Hi mate, it's a 3kw pond heater. very expensive to run. Terry.

[@matt281075]

That was a really good video I like the way you did a test on the pond I think I will get a better yet kit. I've just moved house and had to do another pond which is the wrong time of year and was a bit rushed and I have new pond syndrome the temp is about 12c and I've had to add winter bacteria that works down to 2c. Also you say in other videos about blanket weed have you tried go green? it works fantastic. thanks great video.

[@Wrighty]

Hi Matthew, Thank you. I haven't tried go green, I always use cloverleaf. That works really well. As you say not the best time of year to be setting up, but you should be ok. put some salt in the pond, that will help. all the best with the new pond mate. thanks again, Terry.

[@matt281075]

Thanks I'll try the salt.

[@Wrighty]

Make sure it's sea salt or salt with no added chemicals. It will help improve the slime coat on the fish. Terry.

[@matt281075]

I did use some a few years back but I felt the plants didn't do as well??

[@Wrighty]

It can slow the plants down a bit. Here's a good video on pond salt kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvFomRprJZnj68 hope this helps.

[@johnhope9873]

Hi my nitrite is very high I've put a couple of tablets in. Does it work?

[@Wrighty]

Hi John, As you will know nitrite is really bad for your fish, about on a par with ammonia. I would do a good water change for a start, at least 25% if it's really high. I've never had to use nitrite tablets so I don't really know mate. Also add some liquid bacteria to the filter and pond as that will help. Keep a close eye on it mate. Terry.

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

Have u ever used daipina or wat ever it's called hope u know what I mean.any tips plz

[@Wrighty]

Sorry Tommy, I don't know what you mean. Whats it for?

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

Wrighty it's live feed great for koi and u can have ure own supply and it keeps the wild side of it was well cud be just used as a treat.water flea I think

[@Wrighty]

Ah! I'm with you now. No I've not used it. My fish get a lot of treats. I give them prawns, sweetcorn, orange, lettuce, shrimp, loads of different things. They are spoilt I'm afraid. Terry.

[@johnhope9873]

Thankyou I will. Buying an eazypod automatic filter. One question I'm planning to build my new pond out of railway sleepers and part underground. What would you suggest to insulate it as the heater will cost me a fortune

[@Wrighty]

Hi John, I've not insulated a pond before. I did insulate my holding tank and I used polystyrene. They also use that if the walls are rendered. Can't help much, sorry, Terry.

[@johnhope9873]

Wrighty hi thankyou I've done research with people who have insulated a sleeper pond. I'm going to put 4 inch of sand on the base strong thick piece of wood then foil insulate the top then celotex insulation board 50mm for the sides then bitumen paint the lot. Then underlay and rubber liner. Sound good? Watched your lasted vid love the pipe work bit beyond me lol ps tested the water this morning the nitrite has come down slightly I've done a 20% water change hope it helps. Koi seem to be moving around a bit more now 😁

[@johnhope9873]

Wrighty hi after putting the tablet in and doing more water changes it has one right down but my nitrate is still high I've bought some plants. Hopefully that will help :-)

[@johnhope9873]

Another question. Pond liner is a rubber one essential as the price difference is huge ?

[@Wrighty]

Hi John, No, the pond liner doesn't have to be rubber. I've used PVC liners for years without any problems. This is the first time I've had a rubber liner in a pond. I must say rubber is easier to work with, but PVC liners have improved a lot over the years and are a lot cheaper. The best advice I can give is with any liner, take time when filling your pond for the first time to get the best fit and folds. It does pay in the long run. Terry.

[@benjaminmitchell9290]

Hi mate do you still run this heater

[@Wrighty]

Hi Benjamin, No I don't run this heater any more. It was quite expensive to run as it was 3kw, about £1.50 a day and more if it came really cold. Thanks, Terry.

[@Mythril1976]

Have you worked out how much per day it'll cost to heat your pond yet using that 3KW heater ? Good idea to insulate it but make sure gases can escape.

[@Wrighty]

I don't have to work it out, the wife will soon let me know lol. That's right, I'd never fully cover a pond. Thanks, Terry.

[@gazzathefish]

Place the test paper on a surface and then place the test tube on the test paper, view the colour from above

[@Wrighty]

Thanks mate, will give it a try. Terry.

[@michaeljohnson-eh5xh]

My tap water is 50ppm nitrate

[@Wrighty]

Hi Michael, that seems hi mate, I've not checked mine, I will have a look. Thanks mate, Terry.

[@michaeljohnson-eh5xh]

Wrighty hello yes it is high but I’ve allowed some harmless algae to coat the sides of my pond so once it’s in the pond it comes down to a more acceptable level but I may consider what you have done

[@SMGAR-cl6pg]

Have you guys looked into anoxic filtration? You should look up Kevin Novak and MankySanke for explanation of it....takes care of ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate! I’ll be building one for my pond

[@Wrighty]

Hi Mate, Yes I did look at MankySanke's website a while back. It does sound good but my problem is where to put it. I don't want to loose any pond volume and I only have a small garden. Terry.

[@magzire]

Those fish have it good, heated pond for winter and they go ahead and muck the water, spoiled :)

[@Wrighty]

I know mate. They just don't appreciate me lol. Thanks, Terry.

[@donaldasayers]

The meal filings are probably silver.

[@Mythril1976]

This is what I do when I'm planting Lilies in my pond. They've been in there all year and grown well. Lots of flowers too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZq7kpynn9eXnsk

[@Wrighty]

Good idea. I do put pondliner around the inside of the basket, otherwise they suck the soil through the basket. The bigger stones do keep them from getting at the soil but I do find the odd one or two stones in the pond so I just net them and put them back. The stones are bigger than the gap on my bottom drain so can't get in there. Thanks, Terry.

[@MrMac5150]

Feeding once a day is enough.

[@magzire]

I disagree there, best not to give them one big meal but rather a couple of small ones. Also depends on temperature

[@Wrighty]

I would sooner give them two smaller meals rather than one big one. This time of year there on wheatgerm as long as the pond temprature is above 12 deg. Terry.

[@michaeljohnson-eh5xh]

I feed my koi at least 8 times a day