New Fish Enthusiast!!! First Post!

Carpgirl · 05-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Hi, I've just joined this forum after spending another day starting to build my third pond in 3 months!
I intended to have a small goldfish pond three months ago, then made it bigger to keep Koi or Carp (is it the same fish? I'm still a little confused.) I bought a two in one pump, tap water safe and one small ghost carp to go in it. I now have three koi/carp, two blue fish (can't remember correct name off top of head), 3 shubunkins and about ten various goldfish. have today progressed to a large 11ft x 10ft excavation which is three foot deep. I now have a large filter box with UV, need to get a pump tomorrow morning (it filters 2000 litres per hour.) I estimate my pond will hold approx 1800 litres by the time I line it tomorrow. I've bought Butyl liner, sand and I've got a bit of carpet to line it in places. I already have oxygenating plants. My fish are currently staying overnight in a huge cooler box with some plants and the pump & filter on. I thought we would finish it in a day but we've removed 90 bags of earth so far! I hope to get encouragement from the forum. I can't tell you how much pleasure watching these stunning creatures in their own world, going about their daily business brings me. I never thought I'd get hooked (pardon the pun) like this! What's really lovely is that my husband has fallen for the fish in a big way too. He's the one been digging although today I did bring in the cavalry but he's currently moving bags of earth after a 10 hour shift. I really want to learn and get this right and I'd be very grateful for any advice offered. The fish I have seem to be thriving and I will start to test my water in two weeks when the pond is established a bit. Is this correct? Anyway just wanted to say Hi to other fish enthusiasts and introduce myself!

lazarus · 05-08-2009, 10:12 PM

Hi Carpgirl welcome to the forum.

worthy · 05-08-2009, 10:44 PM

Hi and welcome sound like you have been bitten. Bitten by the koi bug

as we all have by the size of your pond i think you have your volum a bit wrong if it 11foot x 10foot by 3foot deep that will give you 9345liter wich is 2056gallons so if so you need to make shore your fillter can that amount of water plus with the fish a rule we all folow is to have a filter that can handle twice the amount of water ie if a pond is 2000gallons it would require a filter that could handel up to 4000gallons

Carpgirl · 05-08-2009, 11:02 PM

Oh, heck! I though UK gallons were lower than litres. The girl at the aqautic shop said my pond was 1980 litres and I went to the on-line converter which gave UK gallons as 450 or something. I guess I've got that wrong, thanks for letting me know! It's only 3ft in one quarter but I'd rather 'er on the side of caution. I'll check it all again. Thanks!

worthy · 05-08-2009, 11:13 PM

If you can put the exact measurment on i can let you know how much water ther will be but if it 10x11x3foot you are looking at around 2000gallond and it 5 liters to the gallon

im building a new pond at the mo around the same size as you so i know how much water ill have and your not to much different from mine

Carpgirl · 05-08-2009, 11:13 PM

Hi, I just checked on-line and my pond is 128inches x106inchesx 36inches (10ft 6in x 8 ft 9 in x 3ft. According to the website I've been on that gives me 2114 litres which is 465 gallons. It's actually slightly less as it's not 3ft throughout. Therefore the 2000 filter should do it in theory but I will take your advice and also use the second filter/pump I have to bring it up to 4000 as that combi also filters 2000 litres per hour. Am I doing something wrong in my calculations?

worthy · 06-08-2009, 07:47 AM

i make it 8004 litters and 1761 gallons so even if its not 36 inches down allover you are still looking at over 1000 gallons but this is where i worker it out so you can have a go your self }o0;> | Koi Forum |View topic - Pond volume calculator| Koi Fish, Koi Pond and Japanese Koi Carp @ UkKrazyKoi.com

Carpgirl · 06-08-2009, 10:07 PM

Hi,

Finished pond today.
My pond is: 128 inches x 108 inches x 24 inches deep. I've averaged the depth. I get that to 5437 litres or 1196 gallons. Thanks for your help Worthy I had clearly got it wrong. I now have another problem, I need a pump for a hozelock ecopower 9000, does anyone have this filter & if so what pump is best and reasonable? I'm also running an ecoclear 3000 alongside it so hoping that's sufficient for now. Thanks.