3000gal fiberglassed with nexus 310 build

Pinnacle · 30-09-2011, 08:58 AM

Thought I’d start my pond build thread so you guys can help me out along the way.

I’m looking at internal dimensions of 9’ x 8’ x 6’ for the pond with an area of 10’ x 4’ available for the filter (filter size can be changed as required).
I’ve not started digging yet so this can be subject to change.

I’m looking at:
Bottom drain with air diffuser built in
Fiberglassed
Surface Skimmer
Viewing window (laminated 2 x 12.5mm 1.5m x 0.75m glass)
Nexsus 310
Top up tank
2 mid water returns creating current vortex
Protein skimmer into waterfall
Fresh Trickle feed via purifier then to waterfall
UV (unsure which one)
2 air pumps (bottom drain & filter)
Possibly a heater

So my plan is as follows:
Bottom drain will feed the Nexus 310.
Nexus 310 will be pumped back via 2 mid level feeds (angled to create a vortex effect current).
Nexus connected directly to waste for easy cleaning.
Surface skimmer will feed a top up tank.
Top up tank will consist of just a few brushes with a bottom drain connected to waste and an overflow pipe also connected to waste.
Pump with a float in the top up tank will pump to the waterfall when full.
Trickle feed of fresh water also into the waterfall.
Top up tank isolated and used to top up the pond after a nexus clean and flush.

It’s going to take me some time as I can only really spend an hour a day and maybe a few at the weekend to get this done. Also I live in a mid terrace so no access to the garden other than through the house.

So far I’ve ripped up the decking, dug deep through solid concrete and located the inspection chamber to which I’ve run a 110mm waste pipe from there to the garden. Tested it for leaks and sealed it all in, then relayed the decking. I’ve also run a hose under the decking up to an external tap for the trickle feed.

I’ll put some pictures up soon and update with progress every now and then.

Gazfish · 30-09-2011, 10:10 AM

Hi,

Good idea to always get down what your looking to do and see what others think as there are so many different ways to do things so easy and some hard and lets hope you can make it all as easy as possible

It looks like you have most of it covered and are going for a tried and tested filter that works which is always a great start.

What is the idea behind the skimmer top up tank how does this work ?

Why the trickle feed to the waterfall ?

The reason i ask is most will turn off their waterfalls during winter to stop the cooling of the water.

Pinnacle · 30-09-2011, 10:26 AM

As I have a fairly low pond surface area. It will take a drop when I flush the nexus and therefore I need a top up on standby to bring the level back up ASAP. I'll have a pump in there with a float so I can turn this off in winter and any overflow will go straight to waste.

I was thinking to trickle the waterfall to both dilute and remove any chloride but then if I'm running through a purifier I can feed straight into the top up tank I guess.

Gazfish · 30-09-2011, 10:39 AM

Hi,

Sorry having an old moment

Why will the brushes and stuff be in the box and how will you stop it going stagnant

Yes it will be best to run the water through a purifier back to the pond and you may find you wont get as much as a drop and it will be OK.

I take it your having an overflow and i know people in similar situation have an isolation valve on the overflow so they can isolate and in doing so raise the water level the day before a filter clean.

Pinnacle · 30-09-2011, 11:34 AM

The brushes would be in there to catch any surface floating debris that gets through the skimmer. The water in the will gradually rise between filter flushes as there will be a trickle going into the pond. This water from the tank will then bu pumped back into the pond (unless it's empty from a filter flush - hense the pump with level float).

I'll have an overkill of isolation valves in place so every part of the filter and components can be isolated or diverted.

Pinnacle · 01-10-2011, 12:21 PM

Can anyone in the Romford/ Essex area recommend a good fibreglasser and renderer? I have quotes for fibreglass which I think are ok but seems I may be paying a little too much.
Thanks

Pinnacle · 03-10-2011, 08:23 PM

Today and yesterday afternoon I started the long dig. As mentioned I have a mid terrace so it's all got to be dug by hand. Just under a foot of top soil dug out first, I'll be using this to level the garden. Then 2.5' of sub soil and clay. I'm having to take the earth through the house using a 40ltr soft bucket. Very time consuming and heavy lifting. With the first 6 yard skip full, I'm finished for now until the weekend due to work commitments.

I will get sone pics up soon, promise.

markf1fan · 03-10-2011, 08:26 PM

looking forward to the pond build and the pictures.
mark

muttley · 03-10-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinnacle

Can anyone in the Romford/ Essex area recommend a good fibreglasser and renderer? I have quotes for fibreglass which I think are ok but seems I may be paying a little too much.
Thanks

Hi mate...i can render your pond for you. 20 years plastering experience , can give loads of references and also love ponds and koi so understand how important this is to you. I am essex based.

Regards Matt

markf1fan · 03-10-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttley

Hi mate...i can render your pond for you. 20 years plastering experience , can give loads of references and also love ponds and koi so understand how important this is to you. I am essex based.

Regards Matt

very interesting matt i will keep this in mind. mark