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Pond Construction and Pond Build DiariesPost all Pond construction Topics here. If you are starting a new project start your own pond diary.
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Top Poster: markf1fan (3,500)
Two bottom drains equals two filters, save yourself a load of cash because one is required for a pond of that size. Benching the bottom slightly towards the drain should surfice imo, others may have a different view.
yes i will be benching towards the drain for sure also whats you view on an airated one? the returns will give a good current, but could this interfere with the way the airated BD creates a current to move debris into the bottom drain?
I'm on the yes side of the fence when it comes to airated bottom drains, I didn't have one on my first pond but build a spindrifter into my new one and it seems to make a difference. The flow around the pond will act a bit like a vortex as in trying to move the debris towards the center, the colums of air will create more of a pull towards the drain, as the bubbles rise they will take the water with them albeit slower drawing water in from the sides, pulling more debris in. hope this helps.
My take is that you are looking at in excess of 5,000 gallons with the size you have mentioned. At that size I'd be thinking of two filter runs but depends on what YOU want.
In a Koi set up its the filters that really count and I'd compromise on size for decent filtration if I had to choose.
with my little ledge for a few plants it works out at just over 4000g
i agree that filtration is the priority but also buget is awell.
making it smaller i have thought about but dont want to end up thinking i should have made it bigger when i had the chance.
i was thinking more of, if i build the bottom drains in they can be there to accomidate me upgrading my filters as i stock more or fish grow and funds become available
hiya as already been said i think one drain would be enough, i myself have put in a "avenue fishiers" bottom drain and know of others that have fitted them and are very happy with them. i understand what some people say about a bottom drain with air but i believe if you have enough flow going around your pond then you will be ok. here is a picture of mine fitted. they dont have any pipe work inside like other drains which could block up. they are a good size and the lid is hinged. good luck on the build.
__________________ 1x 2400 gallon pond
1x estro sieve
1x econo bead filter
1x bakki shower with crystal bio
1x 55w pro clear uv
1x eco 12,000
1x sequence 15,000
1x hi blow 40 air pump
and some really nice koi
I work a totally different system to some as my bottom drain is connected to a pump sump.
I've always considered the most important feature of a bottom drain is to get as much crud out of the pool as possible. Some may not agree with this, which is fair enough.
Admittedly I've only 3,000 gallons, but in my system, an additional bottom drain would halve the rate of flow from the bottom of the pool. Enough crud is built up in my one bottom drain and 4" connecting pipe over a couple of days in high summer, as determined by the stuff that comes up when I purge the sump of 40 gallons every three days at that time of the year.
Yet during normal operation the water looks reasonably clear as it flows up into the sump, so the build up isn't obvious.
__________________ "I don't mind if you don't like my manners!
I don't like them myself, they're pretty bad,
I grieve over them on long winter evenings."
I would also agree, that one 4" drain is enough. Anything over 6000 gals, then 2 drains would be good practice, but it does involve twice the filter arrangements too.
bottom drain help. 1 or 2 drains 
because one is required for a pond of that size. Benching the bottom slightly towards the drain should surfice imo, others may have a different view.
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