My Shower part 1

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 12:18 PM

Hi Guys,

This is some info and pictures on my Bakki Shower upgrade on my pond carried out a few years back.

I decided it was time to fit the shower as although i had a large TT filled with BHM i needed to fit a shower if i wanted to get the full potential from my fish that i wanted and this is the only way IMO i could achieve this.

OK so the idea was to strip out the existing TT on the skimmer line and then re-jig all the pipe work so that i could put a greater flow over the shower and to do this i fitted a tommy drain over the old skimmer return so i could now pump the skimmer and the new leg from the tommy drain directly over the shower using there own 16,000ltr pumps and spray bars.

So Bakki Shower and media and bits and bobs was all sourced and it was time to start getting into it.

The new shower in rough position and some bits and bobs:

The next setp was to pump all the water out into a pool/vat so that the water was below the level of the skimmer circuit which i would be cutting into as i didnt want to get to wet.

Once the water was all pumped out i was then able to start cuting out the old pipe work which would be able to be changed so the old skimer leg will stay and now be returned over the shower and i could also change the old skimmer return so this will now be pumped over the shower as well with a new pump.

The exsisting TT and pipe work which is all to be removed and changed:

So with the water level lowered out with the cutters and saws and away i went as i wanted to get this done and the water pumoed back in ASAP and of course without falling in

One of the fist jobs was to sort out the tommy drain and get it stuck to the pond wall over the old skimmer retern so i could give this as much time to dry as possible.The exsisting fiberglass was cleaned off and made ready both the glass and tommy drain i roughed up so the sealent would have a good key.

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 12:20 PM

Once this was done and drying (which i always help with a hair dryer) it was time to set up the shower in position and as this was going to be enclosed i fixed two battens up the wall and then a sheet of 25mm poly carb which the showers within then back onto:

Now was time for the fun stuff cutting around the pipe work and seeing if i could make this all work as planned. So the idea is to cut out the TT from the skimmer circuit which is all withing my shed and the pump this over the shower and then some modifications to the old return leg which will now pull from the tommy drain and again go directly over the shower:

TT removed and mods done on pipe work:

Now for the outside stuff:

Job done the pond was filled back up and the new shower was switched on and works a treat.

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 01:00 PM

Hi Guys,

So the finishing post was in site all the pipe work was done the pond was filled back up and all i had to do was now enclose the shower in poly carb. This is all 25mm poly carb and is to stop some of the heat loss especially over winter. I have built the enclosure so there is still plenty of air flow around the shower so it can still breath and air passes through.

the stoneman · 20-05-2011, 01:32 PM

Very nice Gazza,

What are the slide valves for at the end of the spray bar?

Peter

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 01:40 PM

Hi Pete,

Thanks mate

They are so i can open if ever needed to unblock as the spray bars are on double unions so can be completely removed and i can also open them to test flow to make sure there was enough holes an no back pressure on the pumps.

markf1fan · 20-05-2011, 02:10 PM

Hiya gazfish
can i ask if you use to get alot of bubble and thoff on the top of the water as since running my shower with crystal bio in i get loads at night time.

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 02:25 PM

Hi Mark,

No i do not seem to struggle with foam at all the pond normally stays relatively clear although i am not an big fan of the crystal clear train of thought as clear water is not always good water. I put a lot of it down to being a nice mature pond which has settled down very well.

I do sometimes get a bit in the summer but not much and this will be due to the high volumes of food that are being fed but its never anything to worry about to be honest.

Heres a couple of shots:

terrydog · 20-05-2011, 03:40 PM

very nice job and them koi look very good and happy im going to get some bhm soon

Gazfish · 20-05-2011, 03:43 PM

Hi Terry,

Glad you found the post

Yes the fish seem happy enough

and i know about all the hype about media but i have been using BHM for years and as they say it does what it says on the tin so IMO well worth the money

Shevyrabbit · 20-05-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazfish

Hi Mark,

No i do not seem to struggle with foam at all the pond normally stays relatively clear although i am not an big fan of the crystal clear train of thought as clear water is not always good water. I put a lot of it down to being a nice mature pond which has settled down very well.

I do sometimes get a bit in the summer but not much and this will be due to the high volumes of food that are being fed but its never anything to worry about to be honest.

Heres a couple of shots:

HI Film Star

Just alittle Joke Gazza is that all thats running your pond the bakki?

Shevy