Watch this if designing a KOI pond!! Don't make the same mistakes...

#koipond #koi #pondbuild
This is part one of a 2, or maybe 3 part series on flow rates mainly. Something I believe is the most important part of building a Koi Pond.
My pond at @TimWaddington was the first we ever built in the retail facility as it is now. It was done totally wrong. The pond is just too long to get all the debris out...which is down to flow rate and movement of water. While the pond still works and the water readings are all fine and the fish are healthy, it could be MUCH better. As a dealer 'Tank' it works fine, the turnover of Koi is that fast they wouldn't have time to grow. Koi would grow in this tank but would grow without body. We will end up re-building this pond at some stage. Part 2 coming soon!

[@shaunleonard8146]

Loved it Tim, Thanks for Your time!

[@jordanbailey2620]

Enjoyed the video as per usual👍 Have you ever thought about a video for an average koi pond design. I.e how you’d design a rectangular pond for say 2,500 gallons. I know it’s hard to do a video for one size fits all but most of us seem to be planning rectangular ponds of a medium size, just a thought! Keep the videos coming👍

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Great video as always Tim with plenty of info based on experience. Thank you for all the advices.

[@AMGINE1000]

Thanks for your advice Tim

[@rubenthemastertech8631]

My brother a power head pump would give you flow for what you need. Have you give. That some thought. ? Bottom filter box. And a submersible pump to kick some waves in there. That's how I stir up my giant pond. It helps

[@TimWaddington]

It’s sorted now. I’ll do an update soon

[@Matsuba81]

Great video again Tim very informative and honest looking forward to the next one !!

[@TimWaddington]

Will try get it out tomorrow night. 👍🏻

[@khuxiong4589]

great video thanks for sharing. looking forward to building a pond in the future and this video was really good! My husband and I have been debating about pond liner, but we keep thinking "nah we don't want that though but seems easier." This is a good video

[@bobbyknox9258]

Excellent advice mate. 👌

[@johnk4819]

...it would be enough to put a longitudinal partition in the middle (some type of board) to separate the streams and allow a water circuit.

[@TimWaddington]

It’s sorted now because we added the new advanced and now the flow is excellent and moves all the debris

[@LookAtMeBarbie]

Keep it up Tim

[@brummiekoipond3757]

Great info on the returns something I will consider when I redo my pond one day 👍

[@Simonsimps]

Food for thought thank you. I think I need to re-do my returns after watching this. Cheers.

[@TimWaddington]

You and me both! It is important though, there more tomorrow night

[@Simonsimps]

@@TimWaddington Nice one, look forward to that then. Cheers.

[@simonduncan8327]

Respect for honesty

[@colinyoung4971]

Great video and imfo Tim, Paul must have been doing his pipe work apprenticeship course on the long pond looks like Paul's also going to take over with his Bonsai display in the near future. 😉👍

[@TimWaddington]

Never!!

[@jeffk464]

Stick a plastic bristle broom in there every now and then and sweep the debris towards the drains. You can also add power heads that sit in the pond and just push water. I have seen one pond shaped like a bowl with a center drain. All the return lines kept the pond water turning in a constant circle.

[@TimWaddington]

It’s been sorted now 👍

[@deanhargreaves5958]

We all have a Paul in our lives lol

[@Thestimjunkiereviewer]

I’ve always said when I build my pond it’s going to be a long term project, I want to take my time and enjoy building it my aim would be have it built within 2 years because it would just be me building it and I’d take my time lol

[@CapeFearKoi]

It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow redoing hard work. I’m also planning a remodel on my 5k gallon pond because I rushed it with time and should have saved more money to buy what was truly needed. But now it gives me the excuse to possibly double the current volume!

[@TimWaddington]

I guess it’s the same with many people who build a pond, no matter what they want to change it!

[@CapeFearKoi]

@@TimWaddington to be fair to us, all those great ponds you show doesn’t help the cause to stay still and be content. 😳 I’m going to visit the Zimmerman pond in NC USA this Spring to help measure all his beasts and help build his 5k qt pond while picking his brain and main pond apart for my rebuild. If there’s one advice out there, it’s to study everyone else’s mistakes before you make your own. Good luck with your new one!

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

Yep I am deffo waiting on my build as I want it right this time good video Tim

[@TimWaddington]

It’s very important bud.

[@thekoichannel264]

Good honest video Tim, my pond (Frank) had the same issue in the corners due to only having a single drain in the middle of a 6m pond. Since Iv upped the flow from the skimmer line (20k pump) and started feeding sinking food only it’s now always spotless. I think the constant rummage for food moves the waste to the drain.

[@TimWaddington]

Yeah that’s why when we have a lot of Koi in the pond, it won’t show. I always see it tho!

[@DazzleKoi]

Good stuff mate, I see this a lot, people place a LOT of emphasis on filtration. They research filters to death and throw a fortune at what they conclude is the best filter there is but at the end of the day, if you don't get the waste in to it, no filter on the planet is going to remove it.

[@TimWaddington]

Or set the filters up correctly, and understand the working of them.

[@anthonyjackson4034]

Great video again Tim. I am going to be going around 8 k gallons with 2× 4 " bottom drains. I am thinking 4 returns at 2 " staggered. Would you dish bottom drains separately or have an overall bench to both. Want to turn over once an hour. Not too sure if this is excessive. What are your thoughts please?

[@TimWaddington]

4 returns from 2 drains is okay. However add more from a skimmer line. 6 would be good. On 8000 gallons I would probably try and dish them depending on shape etc

[@anthonyjackson4034]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I am gradually collecting as much knowledge as I can absorb. Looking forward to part 2😊

[@kylefisher9941]

Would strong power heads help get the circulation moving better? I know they would stick out and the fish can injure themselves but just an idea.

[@TimWaddington]

They just wouldn’t be able to move the water. Plus would need the returns to be at different levels.

[@andylochrie9504]

Would a large power head fitted in the pond not help ?

[@TimWaddington]

It would have to be big mate. To be honest it needs multiple returns and multiple levels.

[@deano6187]

How do i get a skimmer like the one's you guy's install on customers ponds?

[@TimWaddington]

We sell them but they are a pain to send in the post. If you need one give me a call and we will try and get one to you

[@deano6187]

@@TimWaddington great thanks I'm rebuilding my pond in the spring so shall be intouch 👍

[@oneup1098]

100 Ibc tote central system and pond links etc and a circular system of ponds makes sense Most likely last a year plus on that same Water volume - central central plant growth system adds filtration to the entire system defo worth trying

[@ag_fredo7719]

put jets to get flow.. jets would increase the flow of the water and eliminate any dead spots. Aquascape has some really good jets.

[@nathanjones5086]

Poor Paul always get the blame 🤣

[@abstractkoi9088]

Obviously it’s Paul’s fault 😂😂 No doubt, I coud bet my money for one month that it would be Paul’s:))

[@Fitzfishponds]

Damn paul always messing up Good video Tim

[@TimWaddington]

I’ve already planned his mess up today!

[@RS20O0]

All valid points and common mistakes. Only thing I disagree with is the push towards fibreglass construction. For a square pond box weld liners are much cheaper, very reliable and more flexible especially if you might be extending or changing the pond in the future. Like many people I didn't realise how much I'd get into keeping koi and when it came to extending pond I was very grateful that I only had to replace a £400 liner rather then having to re fibreglass the whole lot.

[@TimWaddington]

Many new pond keepers use liner, as they are going to move etc. You are right, a good box weld is no problem at all. That’s just a personal choice.

[@jameshudson2587]

You nearly killed me as I’m designing a new garden/pond and the way it’s going to work my pond will be exactly the same dimensions as this pond, then you started explaining how to make this pond work and I’ve found this video very good, be nice to pick your brains about some equipment when I get a little closer to the build, I’ve all ready got a huge pump ready

[@oliverskinner8962]

I think that long pond looks nice you could have a massive glass window. Don't worry about having 4 bottom drains I've seen an eazypod run 2, 4 inch bottom drains and like he said run a skimmer maybe one on each end and your sorted !

[@mattsonhobbies6966]

A lot of useful information in this upload thank you 👍👍👌

[@TimWaddington]

I forgot loads so another tomorrow

[@mattsonhobbies6966]

@@TimWaddington looking forward for it 👌👍 cheers for the great uploads

[@Zeamus634]

Did you ever change that pond?

[@TimWaddington]

We added a new Advanced filter to the pond and the extra flow has cleared the bottom so much better

[@53WRX]

Just to clarify, is the pond wrong 😂

[@andrewkaye1230]

If you re designed,split it into 2 15ft ponds with 2 drains and 2 returns per pond

[@TimWaddington]

Yes that’s probably the plan. Come out with each one too. Next Winters project I think

[@bobbyknox9258]

So. Tim. Do you think a koi pond needs return lines? 😂😂😂

[@TimWaddington]

I can take or leave them! 😂

[@bobbyknox9258]

@@TimWaddington 😂 flow meters on pipework I find useful aswell. Or one flow meter with a few ports on different pipework. So you know how much flow your actually getting not what you think your getting to your filters.

[@TimWaddington]

@@bobbyknox9258 correct mate. Actually got a couple of them on order! 👍🏻

[@Nillominati]

That's not a pond, that's a fish tank.

[@TimWaddington]

Okay?

[@ashreece555]

I've never heard some much bolloxes. Boxed liners last 25 years plus Fibreglass only 10years you can do the maths.

[@TimWaddington]

What about the many fibreglass ponds that are over 25 years old?

[@amandadonegan2137]

Id biotank it... soil, plants, asellus, detritus worms, gravel top and a super Fry growout...😎

[@Davidj3]

Cutting the pond in half would be good. Seems like it would be hard to catch fish in a long pond fish would swim to each side

[@TimWaddington]

It’s the only way I think David. It’s a nightmare catching them in there and they jump like crazy when trying to catch. I might split in half and come out a bit

[@Davidj3]

That would be better maximize space and easier to catch koi.! 👍

[@thepeoplespond]

🙋‍♂️ I rushed my pond lol Hasn’t been a year and I want a bigger and better one! 🤷‍♂️ Check my pond out in my new channel 👍

[@toonvangampelaere1409]

i'm building a 5000 gallon koi Pond in my backyard

[@TimWaddington]

Great stuff 👍🏻

[@toonvangampelaere1409]

@@TimWaddington do you have any tips for me

[@toonvangampelaere1409]

@@TimWaddington I have a pump that can pump 1800 l/h, two bodem drains, a 110 watt uv filter, a six room filter and the water goes back via a waterfall.

[@abstractkoi9088]

@@toonvangampelaere1409 1800l/h seems quite small for a 5k gallon pond

[@toonvangampelaere1409]

@@abstractkoi9088 how big should the pump be then

[@catrescuer]

Could we see your own personal pond? I bet you have the best pond.