UV Filter, Moving Bed Waterfall Filters, Ponds Gone Wrong - Ask T.P.D. Show #5

[@twone64]

I am embarking on pond #2...built my last one in CA over 10 years ago, now in the Dallas TX area. I truly want to thank you for all you do for us amateurs! It may take some time to go through your vast array of info, but it is all clearly labeled to find and is worth the time. You have answered so many of my questions! Thank you!

[@ThePondDigger]

Great to hear you are putting in a pond where ever you go! I'm here for you when you need me! Thank you for supporting our channel!

[@debbietoomey9465]

I currently have three ponds in my yard. I have had a total of seven ponds in my life with preformed ones that started it.I now have pond liners with waterfalls and the deep part is at least 4 ft. I have several Koi in them. I have a filter set-up I created myself by taking bits and pieces of info from everything I have learned in research and by my own mess-ups. I am 50 yrs old and a female that lives alone in Oregon.I love your video's and the information has helped me. Thankyou.

[@magzire]

you can have a static bed with k1 media for mechanical (air to clean) then feed it to the moving bed. definitely my next project for next summer

[@TheMisterDillon]

I'm on my 3rd pond! 1st one was like 3 gallon hole with a trash bag liner when I was like 13 years old. 2nd one was a 55 gallon preformed one when I was 15 years old. And my 3rd one was a 2,000 gallon koi pond that I built last summer when I was 17 years old.

[@ThePondDigger]

Dillon Stevenson Dillon you're only 17!!!! You will certainly have countless ponds by the time your my age! Interestingly I believe all PondAholics did the trash bag pond at one point in their life... My wife tells me a story about how her first pond was a trash bag in the ground! Life is good!

[@carolyn611]

I'm on my 4th pond, and I'm still learning all the time. Enjoy the series!!!!

[@ThePondDigger]

Carolyn Gray PondAholic!

[@Kuzuri1832]

I am on my 2nd pond (both above ground). My first was in an apartment (with a small backyard), it was a DIY disaster, edged with 2x4's and the walls were 1/2" plywood, all held together with 3-4" screws. One bad monsoon season here in Arizona later, the side wall cracked open leaving my liner bulging out. My second/current pond I built in my first house (rental). Learning from my previous example I wanted something strong, but because it was a rental I wanted something I could disassemble when I moved into my own house. I built the frame with pressure treated 4x4's (horizontally) with rebar vertically running through the 4x4's, and lag bolts holding the sides together. I have since moved into my own house and the moving of the pond was great, 3 years later still holding up very well. Just last winter, I added an active bog filter (thanks to your videos "Patio Pond with Bog Filter" @ kzbin.info/aero/PLqM5Qn1K_DPyzlvnJ9s5O00jSY899TacZ) Works extremely well, the plants look amazing and no algae in site! If I move into a house with a bigger backyard, I would love to build my 3rd pond, this time being an in ground. Thanks for the videos!

[@ThePondDigger]

***** Thanks for sharing your story and it's great to hear our videos inspired you to make improvements.

[@davidkougl]

I'm on my second pond. my first was a experiment 900 gallons. the pond I am on now and built is roughly 5500 gallons. All dug with a shovel. Blood, Sweat and no Tears. Love your show.

[@lancegates9159]

Hey Eric I'm on my first pond, my wife always wanted a pond with a waterfall so did it myself after watching all your videos 4 years ago. Thanks to you I was able to avoid the many problems of the "do it your self-fer". Thanks for doing the videos and keeping guys like me in good with the wife. Also i would like you to re-visit the ponds gone wrong sites so we can see how your reconstructed pond is holding up after all these years, and what you might do different now (if anything) that you didn't know then. Thanks and keep the videos coming

[@dskoi7358]

I had a small (85 gal preformed) "pond" many years ago at a previous house. Now that I have retired from the Navy, I put in my first pond...(500 gal)... and made mistakes. I have a phase two design, modifying the existing pond, in the works and have my koi in a 1000 gal pool in my garage. Once I have phase 2 completed, I have some designs on phase three -- which will be a major expansion/addition to my backyard...... Love your video series. I am getting lots of great advice, instruction and ideas. Please keep them coming

[@dskoi7358]

Update: Just completed an 8000 gallon pond installation. This was a combination of my previous phase 2 and 3 ideas. I am already thinking on the next phase and how to expand the pond or build a twin to my new pond and create a connection between the two so koi can move between them. Would love to know your thoughts on it!

[@socalguy71]

Looking to build a pondless waterfall in my courtyard but I have plants in the way that are established can I work around them Thanks.

[@mach1freaks]

Perfect advice on uv sterilizer placement. I couldn't have said it better myself!

[@ThePondDigger]

Michael Northway My brotha from anotha Motha!

[@FaenumVena]

Only got the one little pond outside, was here when we moved in and as we rent we can't change it. I'm just putting in an inside pond, if that counts, as part of my aquaponics system.

[@ThePondDigger]

econerd Sounds great! Aquaponics is a ton of fun!

[@skyedragon9458]

Working on pond number one right now, but I'm already in the pre-planning stages for a MASSIVE pond/stream/waterfall combo within the next 8-10 years. Have to wait until we get a larger piece of property further into the woods and out of the middle of town like we are now, but it will be magnificent!! Can't wait to finish my first pond, though! It's gonna be stunning!

[@ThePondDigger]

+Leslie Kite I can't wait to see some video footage of you building it and it completed!

[@marksuson5347]

these Ask TPD are a genius idea. Keep up the good work.

[@ThePondDigger]

mark suson THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!!! \m/

[@wwOptimization]

I'm currently at my first pond, allthough me and my wife just bought our first home and we're moving there in september - so i'm already planning pond #2. my question for #asktheponddigger - should i put gravel on the bottom of my pond? or should i keep a clean bottom with a bottom drain? i've seen you built both types, i would love to know more about that...

[@mikemcpolin7722]

I am definitely a pondaholic! I'm on pond number 4. My first two were those preformed ponds that you buy from home depot or lowes. My next pond was a 14ft wooden jon boat that I built. It didn't really float (lol) so I made it into a pond. (Note that it was nothing more than blue tarps holding water in and filtered with blue swamp cooler pads). It was pretty much a fail after a few months so I moved on to my newest pond. Its about a 13 x 11 oval shaped pond. I made the filter out of an old pool filter. I stripped the inside and filled it mostly with lava rock and some filter pads I bought online. I also put some lava rock in the waterfall. The lava rock works like nobody's business and my pond has been clear for as long as I can remember! By the way I got into ponds by watching your videos. You have definitely inspired my love for ponds and koi.

[@ThePondDigger]

Mike Mcpolin Then my work is working! Education, Information and INSPIRATION!!

[@sarahsparks1843]

Hello, I have a baby Koi, she's only 4-5 inches long and I have her in a 50 gallon tank I believe, I have no money for a pond or much equipment, she is doing okay in the tank and loves to play with my hand and watch me when I sit with her next to the tank, all I have in the tank is one fake plant, what could I do to ensure she stays healthy? And happier if possible? Could I put things in the tank she could play with or through?

[@rogerr4469]

Not a single pond yet, although I would like to build one. My garden is really small (28ft x 21ft), I'm thinking of building a frog pond like you demonstrated in one of your video series, this spring.

[@ThePondDigger]

Roger R Keep me posted!

[@rogerr4469]

We'll do!

[@thomasbryant7960]

I have two questions for you. One, sieve or settlement? 2nd, buried line that is well below the water level, any tricks to repair without full draining?

[@jensdedecker6745]

First I had 2 pre-shaped ponds connected but it started to leak so I changed it for one big liner pond, I had that pond for 2 years and just a year ago I decided to build a rectangular pond with a wooden frame and I'm still loving it today. Maybe I will trow some koi in the pond next summer. Can you give me some advice for having kois and keeping them healthy?

[@ThePondDigger]

Jens Dedecker Good question. We have a few episode up and coming that talk about quarantine, Water Changes and filtration that will help you with koi health.

[@jensdedecker6745]

that would definitely be helpful, thank you.

[@vuhoang71]

My question to day is how to get predator away ? I have 2 fake heron in my pond but the real heron some time visit my pond early morning . Thanks

[@ThePondDigger]

vuhoang71 Good question. We need to shoot an entire series on this topic

[@simonsay9794]

I have a small pond garden about 200 gallon. Is a uv filter a must to have clear water?

[@magzire]

I started off with a container, then a small hole, then a bigger hole, then a raise pond :) I'm not sure whats next..

[@briannaharter4411]

pond 1 right now.it's container pond since right now I can't own my home to be able to instal an in ground pond.the only issue is finding the plants for it.right now just have a pump and proceed with adding a few tester fish.rosy red/fathead minnows.

[@ThePondDigger]

Brianna Harter FUN!

[@GasMusK]

Im on my 10th pond (running 2 out door and 2 Indoor winterponds), if I only Count the times I got new larger pond liner...

[@ThePondDigger]

Hans Hartman PONDAHOLIC!!!

[@MrRamz1961]

hello Erick I build my own pond 10ft long by 5 wide 4 deep I have an immense grout of algae replace the circulating pump with a 2000 gallons per min I have lilies and 5'' gold fish also a water cascade including an air pump on the deep end water fall 3tear how can I control the rapidly growing algae. please advise ..if you can ..btw love your channel great .

[@policyoftruth8881]

I started with cut in half 55 gallon drum. then moved up to a 400 gallon chemical tote then. the madness began " lol " a 900 galloon in ground liner. pulled it out dug my hole for a 2500 galloon pond but waited a little to late in the fall( being old and out of shape had nothing to do with it : ) , so I have a giant hole with a massive tarp over it waiting for spring to come. doing all this on a string budget thinking of using 2, 200 galloon totes and making a twin side by side bog filter.

[@ThePondDigger]

+Dennis Scogin Sounds like dedication!

[@TheAquaticGeek]

Do you have retailers in the UK for your products?

[@ThePondDigger]

At this time we do not have distribution in the UK. Sorry to say....

[@natewou]

Just came across this, I'm on my first pond, wish I would have seen these videos earlier....I have a lot of work to do.

[@ThePondDigger]

+natewou Keep me posted.

[@matzekuchen]

Hey Eric, i was just wondering what is your opinion on sturgeons in a koipond?

[@ThePondDigger]

matzekuchen I love sturgeons!

[@williamweaver8198]

hello. i moved into a bungalow with a concrete liner with 23 fish in it and the water is clear and with a waterfall.

[@ThePondDigger]

william weaver Now you just might become a pondaholic! Be careful

[@williamweaver8198]

ok thank you. thinking of adding water feature to add more air in the water

[@robertohzn6707]

I have my third, and already looking into something bigger...

[@ThePondDigger]

Roberto Hernandez Pondaholic!

[@brianfoster8988]

Hey, I'm famous! You have pictures if you think my contractor was "wrong" enough. They are starting the re-dig March 23. I found a pdf of the bio-reactor filter that says the bottom should be loaded with lava rock, but looking at the bottom of it and the air injection, it doesn't look like I add anything but the bio-balls. Any video or instructions on a comprehensive setup guide?

[@ThePondDigger]

Brian Foster I'm hitting the road this week for the Water Garden Expo but will connect with you to see how your project is coming along. Talk to you soon.

[@iandouglas703]

Hi Eric i have 1 question for you i am Building a Very Large Aviary and planning to include a Stream , Waterfall and Pond now my plan is about a chiclid pond any good tips for me about a chiclid pond requirements my total water capacity should be around 25000 gallon and concrete structure by the way i live on a small island called malta its located in europe and our cold winters very rarely go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit so snow is not a problem :)

[@ssng1]

I'm on pond number 2. I turned my 1st one into a plant pond that feeds into a stream which enters my 2nd main pond. Total gallons is 2,200 400 and 1,800. I've got two Ultima bead filters (6,000 and 1,000) installed, no UV, and a skimmer. The skimmer outputs to the plant pond. I have a bottom drain that feeds the 6,000 gallon Ultima then outputs to a waterfall. I'm considering buying some Bacteria House Filter Media to put in the skimmer and waterfall. What is your opinion on this ceramic media? It is pretty expensive for media in my opinion but if it does what they claim it would be worth it. Thanks for any thoughts on that. Steve

[@ThePondDigger]

+ssng1 Ceramic media is great but I wouldn't put it in my pond skimmer. The ceramic media works best in a bio filter with great pre-filtration. You want to catch all the solids before sending pond water to the ceramic media. The skimmer is a pre-filter. That is why I wouldn't put the ceramic media in the skimmer. Thank you for sharing the details of your pond with us and thank you for watching!

[@chrisg1749]

I'm on my second. First one was a drop in with no filter. Second one came about because i didn't want to see my fish suffer any longer. So 4k later and lots of Helix help I have a pond that I actually have no idea how to figure out the gallons (this could be on your next video =)) But it's large and 4' deep. The third is going to be EPIC when I purchase a house I'm going all out, I hope to be making enough to fly you out here for a while to hang out a build a hell of a pond!

[@ThePondDigger]

Chris G I'm ready to get on the plane!

[@erichpizer1]

1st plus expanding so 2nd. 1st many version / methods DIY. today sterling.... very proud

[@michaeldev5962]

That makes a lot of sense

[@Musabe009]

This is my first pond build, I wont build another unless I have the equipment to assist me. I love the process but am to broken o do it again by myself,

[@ThePondDigger]

Musabe009 It can be hard on the body!

[@ThePondDigger]

You Keep Asking Questions, And I'll Answer Them.....

[@matthewbahl3430]

I have a waterfall feature (just regular-no filter) and I just made a DIY biofilter like the one on "Trevors Workshop." I want to add an UV filter but I'm not sure how that would work. Could I just put a submersible UV light down in my Biofilter?

[@matthewbahl3430]

I saw filter, uv filter, and fountain all in-one. Do you think that would work ok?

[@devilman8347]

ThePondDigger I bought a 275 gallon ibc tote and a 55 gallon drum. The 55 gallon drum made it into a filter. The pump is 800gph so it’s way more then needed power . The filter is pouring out water very good. My question is what can I do to make the corners stop collecting poop

[@steelersgod]

I don't know if I'm on my 2nd or 3rd? LOL My first pond 10x2x2 I moved from one house to another. Well, as I'm sure you know, with a liner pond, when I moved it ended up being a completely different pond 8x8x2. So much so, that I had a bad leak in my liner, before I could get it fixed, I lost my Koi to a predator. I was pretty upset. We also just got a puppy, who chewed up all my pond equipment shortly after. So 2 years later, am now going "all out". Almost done with my 15x9x4 pond and will be getting 9 Koi from Mystic Koi this spring.

[@ThePondDigger]

Ron Yelenich Fantastic!!! But the puppy eating pond equipment? ouch!!!

[@markferniz1124]

I do DIY ponds for myself and Im already in POND #3, i have one in my rented house, and I have one in my mom's house. And I like 8'x3' for goldfish and koi.

[@sissymurphy9620]

Well I would have to say pond 4 .When my family bought a small farm in NJ I was 9 and dad came home with this huge rubber thing in the back of his truck and says sissy come on we are building a pond .Shovels in hand a month later we had a 20x30 pond 3 ft deep .Then when I retired in 2004 to VA my first was a preformed until We got the covered front porch built in 2005 and then liner in hand second was 10 x20 -3 ft deep and then moles chewed through liner last year (March rebuild ) and new liner in hand and my shovel it went to 10 x28 - 4 ft deep .I still have my original 13 fish and have given lots of babies away to people to get a start on there new ponds .I actually thought I had given all my baby fish away but took some of my plants into the basement from my pond for the winter and put them in a 300 gallon stock tank and now have found I have 8 babies swimming around in there:)

[@ThePondDigger]

sissy murphy Love the story. more babies to share with friends and future PondAholics! Great stuff!!!

[@insaneinnixa]

what number pond am I on well that depends do you consider a hole dug in the ground with a kiddie pool stuck in for my ducks to be a pond if not then I will be on number 1 if so then this is my second pond

[@ThePondDigger]

+Mark Patrick I say it counts!

[@toreandersson3852]

Number 2 but I connected pond 1 with pond number 2 so they work as one.

[@ThePondDigger]

TORE ANDERSSON FUN!

[@50f150]

I have two ponds one in the back yard full of gold fish and last year's babies koi that's more of a water garden from my koi pond in the front yard that one is my second time around pond full blown koi pond

[@jerrychetty2524]

I am on my 2nd pond now

[@monicasalter5725]

I’m on #1 and I doubt there will be a second one. Has turned out to be a very expensive mess.

[@flowstate423]

I'm 23 and I'm on my third pond on my own and I built one in my friends backyard with him and I've had like five fish tanks

[@ranjaniweerasinghe2665]

pond lifestyle 8

[@staqzit8613]

Good Epp.

[@tratos1]

Pond 2.5 if you count all the rebuilds thanks to learning and talking to you and others.

[@carolpeters7155]

This is our third and final rebuild - well at least in California. We're moving to Mississippi in two years and want a massive pond there.

[@ThePondDigger]

Carol Peters Don't us final when talking about ponds Carol! PondAholic!!! You're already dreaming of your new pond 24 months from now. Life is Good

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

UV should always follow mechanical filtration, as effectiveness of the UV depends on the light penetrating the immediately surrounding water. Placing it before filtration simply invites particulate matter to coat the tube and cancel out any effectiveness.

[@ThePondDigger]

PalJoey1957 Thanks for watching! We appreciate your support!

[@marksuson5347]

haha.. excellent question. I'm actually on pond #5 \o/

[@ThePondDigger]

mark suson PondAholic!

[@SmallEngineGenius]

#asktheponddigger . Hey Eric. I dont know if you remember my comment about the pond job in the last video but Im in my 3'd pond my first was a 50 gallon preformed pond and my next was a 700 gallon flexible pond liner and the pond Im on right now is a 2000 gallon pond with koi. This summer I am rocking it in I could really use some pointers on how to billed the rock up a 2 foot shelf. #asktheponddigger

[@ThePondDigger]

yellowBellied turtle Yes I remember you and interestingly one of first ponds was a preformed that catapulted my passion. We have several videos on how to stack rock so I think you'll be great!

[@MattyIce83]

Built my 1st 2 years ago. I've made several tweaks to it in that 2 years. Fixing a few mistakes & rocking in the walls like I originally wanted. My project that I'm working on now, is to fix the mediocre waterfall I had on it. Extended the waterfall back roughly 20 feet & will hopefully have a great waterfall/stream going to the pond. I'll keep sending you pictures as I progress! I've got a #asktheponddigger question. My pond lady here in Enid gave me a free waterfall filter. The only catch is that I've gotta provide my filter media for it. What's the best media I can put in there that's easy to maintain & give me the best results? Also, can't wait to get some ideas & pointers from the best here in 5 days! See you soon my California brother!

[@ThePondDigger]

Matt Clark Let's hope your crazy weather doesn't put our build at risk! What kind of waterfall filter is it?

[@MattyIce83]

I'm not sure! I'll try to get you some detailed pictures of it soon!

[@garybeharrie]

1st pond, and i went 5mx5mx2m deep haha. balls against the walls!

[@ThePondDigger]

EPIC!

[@thomasjackson4074]

New house now under construction. Pond 3 coming up!

[@o0junglist0o93]

Half way through my third pond build...until I dropped a boulder on my toes and broke them...oops. yes should have been wearing my steel toe caps, but wasn't, lesson learnt the hard way!!!

[@jacknash7023]

I am on my 1 pond and gowing to mack it biger and re do evrefink this year and I will have fun re dowing it I am 13

[@kgproductions.6649]

Pond 2 but I helped my cousin with another so yea

[@ThePondDigger]

THE GAMING OREO Nice!

[@TheAquaticGeek]

5 & 6 replaced 3 & 4 (Bigger, Deeper, Better!) ... not finished yet!

[@ThePondDigger]

AWESOME!!! PondAholic!

[@RiverBirzer]

im on pond number 5

[@ThePondDigger]

River Birzer PONDAHOLIC!

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

1st pond

[@staqzit8613]

1rst shallow pond 80 gal wading pool with 80 gal. Tote with wading pool slightly above 4 gravity wit another connected 80 gal. Tote 4 the water fall and aquaponic bed😁 50 gal garbage connected by a center of gravity 4 my space station #®🆑㊗ Bull🐸year🍥🏪🅿

[@LoydaPippin1954]

In the process of planning pond #8! Big time pond-a-holic! The most we ever had at one residence was 4!

[@ThePondDigger]

Loyda Frankhouser PONDAHOLIC!!!!

[@zordon8183]

pond number 1

[@ThePondDigger]

Jordan Typhair You're just getting bit by the bug!

[@andrelombard976]

Pond #2

[@englishheart8320]

About to start the 6th iteration of my pond, I just get it right and my wife has another baby :)

[@ThePondDigger]

english heart Fantastic! Addicted to ponds and babies!

[@mach1freaks]

If you can believe it I'm on pond #1 ... but that's because I waited 17 years to build one for myself !!

[@ThePondDigger]

Michael Northway But I know you take ownership in all the ponds you build so add all those up and put them in your pocket!

[@mach1freaks]

ThePondDigger OK.....then that is ...... well lets see...(thinking.....) "an average of 16 water features built a year, April to October, for 17 years ...... ummmm .... well that's 272 built !! Not bad for a white boy for New Mexico !!

[@budgenatorP]

second pond

[@dodell8]

#3 :)

[@philc.9280]

Sorry your explanation was barely sufficient for the science guy in me. The UV sterilizer utilizes a germicidal fluorescent lamp that produces light at a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers (2537 Angstroms). The water with the bacteria/algae passes over the bulb (or around the bulb if a quartz sleeve is used) and is irradiated with this wavelength. As the light penetrates the bacteria/algae, it mutates the DNA (genetic material), preventing growth/multiplication of the organism. The UV light will kill both good and bad organisms and is not selective. I purposely use a smaller flow pump as the speed with which water flows over the light will affect killing times. The slower the flow the more effective the light is. Your welcome.

[@mathiiashansen6772]

3erd in two years or so .. 1000 l then 11000 and now prob around 15000 liters 😂😂😂