Sleeper Pond Build Overview - what I would do differently...

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[@martinharrex314]

Thanks for the walk round and going through your lessons learnt. Really good to see this build. It's looking really good. I have a sleeper pond 7k liters might extend to 10k liters, so this gave me some good ideas and things to consider.

[@KoiChronicles]

Well done Dan and thanks for sharing your journey. Thoroughly enjoyed it all Sir.👍🙏⛩️🈂️KC

[@Koi-addict33]

You should buy a load of garden chopped slate and build it up the sides mate it looks class and cheap to do

[@Christopher_Hampton]

Thank you for all the great videos! I am certainly jealous of your pond!

[@dannycurrie1]

Glad you've found them helpful. It's been alot of hard work and money getting to this point. Lots more to come. Hopefully get the garden looking nice again one day..

[@w.k.pitsallaboutthefish6460]

Great walk through video of your pond don't worry about the what ifs... Don't fix whst ain't broken lol... I have a sleeper pond and I too have things I should have done but didn't. Cheers Wayne

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Nice update and always good to look back and explain people who can learn from it. Hope you get everything sorted soon. I feel a pond is like a house, forever work in progress. What a customer services from Remora! Regarding the cladding, I would say to wait a bit as the sleepers are still new and moving (breathing - expanding, whatever the right word is). Wood on wood might be ok. Tiles on wood might crack the joints straight away. But then I am not a builder nor carpanter but I do a fair amount of wood work as DIY and it moves all the time for the first 2 years...

[@dannycurrie1]

Good point on the wood moving. I'll have a think on it. Not ready to do anything with it just yet. Yeah remora we're great about it to be fair, not many companies would send a new one out before collecting the old one. Got the new one installed now, just need it to go cold to check that's working as it should.

[@riche5901]

Thanks for sharing! 🙌 Some good lessons learnt there and will really help when I start my project. Water quality and fish look amazing despite the IBC and drum tweaks

[@dannycurrie1]

Glad you've found it helpful, good luck with your build 👍 make sure you plan everything and write it all down. Something I didn't do. Could have save myself alot of hard work and expensive lessons

[@roberthall9299]

That’s all part of the fun Modifying all the bits that don’t work as they should. Moving beds / showers Drums. It will all work out in the end mate. Well done.

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. Don't think a pond is ever truly finished. It will get there though. On the whole I'm really happy with how it's turned out

[@davekent9019]

A lot of hard work and time gone into your build Well done buddy👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. Digging it out in all that snow wasn't fun. Nearly at the end now hopefully, get a chance to properly enjoy it in the summer

[@mountainkoi9673]

Dan, you've done a great job and should be really proud. It's an easy mod to get your ibc working, you need the return to be higher, near to the top of the water level and a large inlet, a four inch pipe with loads of holes drilled in it or similar . The movement of the media with the air will stop any media settling against the outlet.

[@davecooke914]

We all learn from are mistakes glad got your heater sorted all hard work is dun you can seat bk enjoy 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Just ironing out so of the issues. Be worth it in the end. This whole project has been alot more hard work than I expected

[@markf5758]

Hi mate. Great update bud . Maybe with your moving bed instead of sucking it all from the bottom . Put a elbow on it and have it coming up with a cage on the end ( wrighty moving bed) and draw your water from the top rather than getting clogged at the bottom. Good luck figuring it all out 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks for watching. On the ibc it is pumped back to the pond not gravity return so it dose need to draw it from the bottom. Hopefully going to find a way to extend the outlet so its drawing over a wider surface area. It's an issue I really didn't think about

[@boostjunkieMike]

Nice setup 👌🏾 😎

[@RamseysDIYKoiPond]

Cracking update buddy, its looking good mate 👍👌🐟

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. It's been alot of hard work as I'm sure you know. Keep up the good work on your build. Your subscribers are shooting up now by the look of it 👍

[@asterixborden-koi6881]

Great video m8 All minor problems at the moment I’m sure you will get them sorted out soon The weather is warming up so just enjoy your pond for a while then fix the problems 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks for watching. I'm slowly working my way through them. My fish arnt bothered by the weather now, there loving life at 16 degrees. Despite the issues with the first 1, the heater is definitely the best money I've spent on the pond

[@abkoi]

Only thing I’d change is that metal chair next to the pond, get a nice comfy recliner 😂 Ponds are never finished mate and you’ve done brilliantly 👍🏼

[@dannycurrie1]

I hate them metal chairs 😂 thanks for watching. Lots more to come still. One day I'll get the rest of the garden looking nice too

[@JohnJVHoey]

Love the pond pal I’m currently rebuilding with sleepers.

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks :) good luck with your build 👍

[@ACKoi]

That was a touch with the ashp mate all looking good 👍👍👍

[@dannycurrie1]

But annoying the first one had issues but was good of them to sort it so quick. It's exactly the same size so didn't have to move any pipework wich is a real bonus

[@ACKoi]

@@dannycurrie1 nice 👍👍👍

[@Mikemkp]

Looking good buddy few tiny problems but you done good mate ,just put me bottom drain in today with the liner and sealed it wasn’t that bad mate 👍🏻

[@dannycurrie1]

Pleased with it overall. This everyone would do something different if they could. Glad your drains gone in alright. We'll worth doing and not a scary as some people think 👍

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Very nice buddy.. Minor mistakes on the grand scheme of things. I wouldn't be that tough on yourself.

[@dannycurrie1]

Overall I'm happy with how it's turned out. Minor things as you say but hopefully someone can learn from them

[@adrianberry7475]

Excellent video!

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks :)

[@carlostheeggman]

I’m thinking of doing the same thing 💡 (sleeper pond that is lol)

[@workingwithnature5322]

Looking good . Will say be better if all that pip. Work outside ur shed going to ur heater will look better in ur shed. What about moving it in when u move the ibc out

[@dannycurrie1]

If I get rid of the ibc I'll definitely be moving that pipework in the shed. It's a little bit of an eyesore I know

[@JamieLawrence88]

Nice one mate looking really good. Think there's always little things you'd do differently in hindsight Love that Beni Kiko

[@dannycurrie1]

Overall I'm really happy with how it's turning out. Good to share what I'd change, hopefully help a few other people out. And thanks, I love that kikokuryu, it's changed so much since I've had it

[@JamieLawrence88]

@@dannycurrie1 Yeah I can imagine it once you get the garden sorted it's going to look the nuts, wish I had a window. I actually just got myself a kikokuryu after seeing yours love how unique each one is

[@shaunleonard8146]

Top Video Dan.

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks :)

[@gwatsongw]

Nice setup Danny let's hope you get your teething problems sorted out soon 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. Hopefully get it all sorted. Looking forward to finally relaxing and enjoying the pond one day..

[@boxtriker]

Good to show the problems as well as the good stuff there will always be things we would do better a second time but she's running and all the niggles can be fixed in the years you now have enjoying the pond. The fix for that pump inlet in the moving bed is make it much larger so the surface area is much bigger on it you will always get some stick to it but not as bad as to cut the flow

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks for watching. Like you say, all part of the fun. I don't think a pond is ever finished. I'm going to have play round see if I can get the outlet for the ibc sorted without too much reconstruction, if not it may become a bit static bed full of grog instead

[@boxtriker]

They do some nice perforated stainless steel tube 3"" 4" inch or more on Ebay for making exhaust cans it makes a nice cage for a outlet

[@progressivepondkeeping]

Teething troubles are a pain mate but you will have it all sorted soon you've done an amazing job so far 👌

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. It's all part of the fun. Hopefully by summer I'll be able to sit back and enjoy it. It's given me plenty to do while I've been furloughed atleast

[@progressivepondkeeping]

@@dannycurrie1 yes mate that it 👌👍

[@wadskoi7601]

Hello mate nice pond and looks good 👍🏻 was just thinking on your moving bed. May be a sheet of mesh in the bottom 1” above the return and have just water in the bottom with your air stones under it and you k1 will move and be off the bottom completely

[@dannycurrie1]

That could be a good shout 👍 I'll look into it. Thanks

[@darrylc2712]

I had the same issue with my sleeper pond not being level after filling with water. My collar was 3 sleepers thick and I dug an hole on the side to the bottom sleeper where the water level was low. Then I used a toe jack to lift the sleepers up and pack with a paving slab underneath. Now all level within a cm.Ps toe jack was not cheap. Sold on ebay after 1 use.

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks. I'll look into it. At the moment it's not really an issue unless it settles any further. I'll keep a close eye on it

[@thomasheight4164]

Looking good mate all make me mistakes in life

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. Working through all the issues one by one. Will be all worth it in the end

[@johnclipperton3774]

Looks great. Agree about the window... I've done my 3 now using same method and it was quite easy. No leaks so far. Interested in the moving bed media problem as I'm planning similar. Wonder if attaching a long perforated pipe to the outlet (inside the ibc) would help?

[@dannycurrie1]

Think a long pipe is the answer. It's difficult for me to fit one where it is at the moment but I'll think of something. I imagine it did this on my old moving bed in my old pond and I just never noticed

[@barrykoikeepercooper8052]

Let's hope new ASHP works a lot better and drum problem is sorted soon mate get some pond chilling time done 🤞🤞

[@dannycurrie1]

Bloody hope so. Will keep you updated 👍

[@richd-koi6974]

Big shame you've got some regrets on your new build but it just shows how hard it is to build the perfect pond. Looks a cracking set up once u sort out a few teething issues like the drum n ibc. You could always return the drum if your not happy with it n join the nexus club 👍🐟

[@dannycurrie1]

Think no matter what you do you will have have some regrets. Overall I'm still very happy with it. I'm hoping I can get the drum running how I want eventually. It would be such a hassle to get it out and swapped for something else. Would have to take the filter shed down. I'll keep you updated

[@richd-koi6974]

@@dannycurrie1 yeah hopefully you'll get it sorted 👍

[@KoiRun50]

Time to sit back and enjoy the pond and good weather with the family . Type A jobs are done. It’s always going to be work in progress.

[@dannycurrie1]

Like you say, it's always a work in progress. Got alot left to do but all that hard work in the snow is nearly feeling worth it now :)

[@KoiRun50]

@@dannycurrie1 Definitely worth it. You've done a great job. Good to be young.

[@matthewnicholls2658]

My ibc is working great since the last video I sent you, and yep be surprised how much muck can are it through the drum screen

[@dannycurrie1]

I've been absolutely shocked at how much gets past the drum to be honest. Way more than I was expecting. That said my water quality is still very good so who knows

[@m1a9v6s4]

Hi nice job , other than your little bit of sinking have you had any problems not using a concrete base?

[@Tom_Prendiville]

Hey dan mate I'm guessing you bought the drum from absolute koi, if so give Darren a call tomorrow as in most cases he will be able to fix it over the phone. If you are thinking of swapping out the ibc look on the burtons website they have a few options that look pretty cool as a moving bed albeit a little pricey. If it was up to me I'd just add another tier to the shower and see how things are after this season. The remora heat pump upgrade is a winner in my opinion (assuming this one works). We have had two days of sunshine and im burnt to fcuk 🤣 I must be a secret ginger 🤣. Fish are all looking happy and healthy.

[@dannycurrie1]

I've been on the phone several times to Darren. Got it running better now but not exactly perfect. I'm not blown away by the drum, if I'm honest I think it was a waste of money. Might change my mind as the pond matures but I'll keep you updated

[@anthonydimento9086]

Great job with your pond. Just a question. How did you lock together the sleepers? Is there long steel rods going the length of the pond inside the sleepers? Thanks

[@martincsreefandkoi]

Arggghhh teething nightmares mate stick at it i am sure you will get it sorted out

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. It's getting there now. I'm not overly impressed with the drum still. I think I could have achieved better filtration for a fraction of the price to be quite honest

[@russellgreaves9020]

Hi mate do you have to put ptfe on the ball valves

[@markanthony6778]

Great video, Is that spray bar in the right position on the drum? It looks like it's not spraying into the waste chute?

[@dannycurrie1]

The spray bar on the profi drum isnt adjustable. But I have checked from underneath and it is spraying the water down the chute. Will be going a video just on the drum soon

[@heli-man-]

If you get some wire mesh with slightly smaller holes than the K1 across the bottom of the tank approximately 50mm above the pump basket outlet and also extend that to go across the bottom of the tank like 4 capital T stacked laying along the bottom giving you eight outlets depending on how many will fit using 2" pipe the suction will not be concentrated in one place which should stop the K1 from being pulled down before you fix the mesh try it just in case you need to raise it anymore but i think that will do it. If you need i can give you a drawing via email your doing ok just write down all the things you would like to change because it will get on your nerves so when you do it again you will be ready.

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks mate. I think I get what your saying. I'll have a play round and I'm sure I'll sort something. Will keep you updated 👍

[@daveturner343]

With the slight movement in the hight of your sleepers would you not be able to lift them slightly with leaver bars and pack underneath them with concrete?

[@dannycurrie1]

It's a possiblity. It would involve draining the pond though. At the moment it's not causing an issue. My levels are still fine but if it dose get worse I'll have to look into it

[@jackhewett7784]

Just finished building my new one with sleepers how did u get the window in?

[@dannycurrie1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIOzi4iJm9ikb8k

[@nippinkoi8924]

U need more and longer outlets in side moving bed 👍👍

[@garryrobson3634]

Yes, I will second that. Try putting a 90 on it and have a full height vertical pipe full of holes. Like wrighty has on his. I run an ibc as a bio and it's fine, I have over 400 litres of k1 in mine. I have found they key to moving beds is having depth to allow the media to roll. 👍

[@dannycurrie1]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the outlet on the ibc isn't threaded on the inside so it makes it a little tricky. Will probably involve moving all my pipework. I'd originally hoped to pump into it and gravity return but when I didn't get enough flow through my return I swapped it to gravity fed and pump reutn so I lost alot of depth in the tank annoyingly

[@garryrobson3634]

@@dannycurrie1 could you try a bigger return pipe and go for pump fed again? Mind you, not sure how that would work with your heater 🤔 can you gravity flow through it?

[@dannycurrie1]

@@garryrobson3634 can't gravity flow through the heater and I don't really want to drain the pond to put more returns in. I'll probably move the inlet over and put a tank connector through then put a much large cage on it. Think that's the best way to go

[@Technologyadvisor1]

Hello How did you fit return pipes did you put holes in wood for return pipes and how did you fit them ?

[@dannycurrie1]

I didn't have a proper core drill to cut the hole so I actually went under the sleepers. I did do a video on it if you have a check back.

[@dannycurrie1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpqVh6luh7WHo9E

[@davidgladen4497]

Hi Danny. I am in the process of buidling a raised sleeper pond with a window and wanted to ask what sealant you would recommend using for the window based on your experiences etc. Thanks

[@dannycurrie1]

I used idealseal ms290. It's a great sealant and I'd definitely recommend it. The other ones I've used for other things were ha6 wich I didn't like as much. And ct1 wich is brilliant but double the price of ms290

[@davidgladen4497]

@@dannycurrie1 Thanks Danny. That's really useful info.

[@rouseco.2304]

Hi Danny, what. Size is your window 👍

[@countrykoipond]

Do you need a moving bed as well as a shower? How many gallons is the shower supposed to filter?

[@dannycurrie1]

The shower would probably cope I guess. I've no idea how much 50kg of ceramic media is supposed to handle. Seems a shame to waste all the mature k1. I'm thinking I might make a smaller moving bed withing the ibc instead of replacing it all. Or possibly fill it with static alfagrog in plant baskets or something 🤔

[@countrykoipond]

@@dannycurrie1 I have no idea what a 50kg shower can handle but i would like to know if you find out. I would ditch the ibc and find a smaller container if you still want to use the plastic floaty stuff.

[@KoiRun50]

Interesting. Contrary to popular belief you don't need much aeration at all for the nitrogen cycle. 2ppm DO max. So you can bag those K1 in a net and will work just fine. You will get stratification and won't get slough-offs of fines. You will need a filter-to-waste port open when taking out media for a clean so fines don't end up in the pond.

[@dannycurrie1]

still trying to work out what to do, I'll let you know when I've decided For now it's bagged and static in the ibc, it's not affecting my water parameters at the moment. I imagine the shower dose more for the bio than the moving bed really but who knows

[@Fensome2006]

Could there be a seal loose on the drum

[@dannycurrie1]

This was my first thought but it's definitely sealed fine. The dirt is coming through the screen on the clean. The issue seems to be the amount of dirt accumulating before it triggers a clean. However getting it to trigger more often seems to be my main issue. The profi drum don't seem to have much leway on the water levels to adjust the float switch.

[@deantaylor8545]

Hello, I'm building a pond in the near future and like your pond and videos. In hindsight would you have gone for a manufactured moving bed and a brick built pond instead of sleeper and ibc?

[@dannycurrie1]

100% would have gone for a manufacturered moving bed. Or possibly a combi drum. I probably had the same issue on my old pond and just never found out. I do like the sleepers but if I ever have to rebuild it will be blocks. I'm hoping the sleepers will last longer than I plan to live in the house for 🤞

[@deantaylor8545]

@@dannycurrie1 Have you always had a drum filter? Any experience with a nexus? I used to keep marines successfully originally with filter socks and changed to a clarisea very similar to the drum and experienced superior water quality. Obviously increased cost.

[@deantaylor8545]

@@dannycurrie1 Any suggestions for a quality drum and moving bed?

[@dannycurrie1]

@@deantaylor8545 I used to have an eazy pod before the drum and so far to be honest I prefered the pod. The drum seems to be quite difficult to get it running efficiently, along with alot of moving parts to go wrong. I may change my mind down the line but right now I'd swap it for a nexus if it didn't mean ripping the shed and pipework all out to get it in.

[@dannycurrie1]

Also the drum isnt quite as perfect as people would have you believe. I put some filter floss in the top of my shower and I was shocked what's getting through it. It's alot more than I expected, and more than my easy pod let though

[@karlpayne4567]

Hi Dan, what material is your liner?

[@dannycurrie1]

It's EPDM rubber 1mm thick 👍

[@robertnicholls9409]

With your ASHP have you seen A Koi Enthusiast videos Kev's got a remora I'm sure he had similar problems and it was to do with his end settings or something like that.

[@dannycurrie1]

Yeah I've seen his videos. I been on the phone to the guys at remora checking all the settings. With a few tweaks it was working better but still not right so they offered to swap it. It's not e cheap bit of kit and I'd expect it to work as it should straight out the box really. Fingers crossed this new one will

[@robertnicholls9409]

@@dannycurrie1 they're supposed to be plug and play straight out the box aren't they, are they collecting the first one once you've disconnected it, that's good customer service, not a lot of companies would send you another out. Rob.

[@dannycurrie1]

@@robertnicholls9409 they are supposed to be. Yes there collecting the old one. Like you says it's very good of them to send out the new one before collecting the old one. Meant I didn't have to leave my fish without a heater (not that it's been on the last 2 days)

[@chriswebb6845]

Whats happening to the old ASHP?

[@dannycurrie1]

There collecting it once I've got it disconnected. Very good of them to send me the new one before collecting the old one. It was working just not quite how it should