Pond filter systems
#1
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Pond filter systems
Do you turn yours off during winter months?
I have some rather large koi, but with them not feeding so much theres not so much pooh on the bottom
Also have some airstones going too, do these need turning off? Thought I would leave these going, to stop the pond freezing over, but live daan saaf where its not been overly cold.
Thanks Paul
I have some rather large koi, but with them not feeding so much theres not so much pooh on the bottom
Also have some airstones going too, do these need turning off? Thought I would leave these going, to stop the pond freezing over, but live daan saaf where its not been overly cold.
Thanks Paul
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I turn airstones off but leave filter running. I think you are supposed to turn filter off but I worry that I will kill off the essential bacteria that keep the filter working (although I don't suppose there is much bacterial activity in cold conditions). My filter runs into a small waterfall into pond so it also helps to stop it freezing. dl
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Always used to turn the pump off. The one year we didn't the pond froze badly and all the water got pumped out. Ended up with koi in a large kiddies paddling pool in the front room until it got warm enough to sort the pond out and put them back out in it!
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Originally Posted by The Rani
Always used to turn the pump off. The one year we didn't the pond froze badly and all the water got pumped out. Ended up with koi in a large kiddies paddling pool in the front room until it got warm enough to sort the pond out and put them back out in it!
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I used an Oase Biotec filter before I found it was useless (would clog up constantly) and returned it but the instructions said "Do not use below 7 degrees C". I ignored this but always wanted to find out the reasons for the instruction. (Hi Andy). dl
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I always turn the pump and filter off over Winter, clean it and put it in a shed - that said I fit a heater to stop the pond freezing..... Always amusing on a cold morning to spot all the Koi parked nose up against the heater
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Originally Posted by David Lock
I used an Oase Biotec filter before I found it was useless (would clog up constantly) and returned it but the instructions said "Do not use below 7 degrees C". I ignored this but always wanted to find out the reasons for the instruction. (Hi Andy). dl
Have had fish completely frozen in the ice before now and they have survived!
#13
Originally Posted by darren...
I always turn the pump and filter off over Winter, clean it and put it in a shed - that said I fit a heater to stop the pond freezing..... Always amusing on a cold morning to spot all the Koi parked nose up against the heater
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Do not turn the filter off, you will end up with amonia spikes etc when the water starts to heat back up, if you can gag the pump back slightly to slow down the flow. I would turn off the air pump though as you are only cooling the water more, as for the Koi handling the lower temps, I wouldn't worry too much as Japan gets far worse winter than we get.
John
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My pool run's 24/7, this year it is un-heated as my heating element has given up the ghost.
Usually the water is at a steady 7/8 degrees, this year no heating 'but' there's weed everywhere, doesn't add up.
12 Koi in excess of 15" at least, water quailty is crystal clear & perfect condition
PNB
Usually the water is at a steady 7/8 degrees, this year no heating 'but' there's weed everywhere, doesn't add up.
12 Koi in excess of 15" at least, water quailty is crystal clear & perfect condition
PNB
#17
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Originally Posted by David Lock
My filter runs into a small waterfall into pond so it also helps to stop it freezing. dl
Thats the same as mine Dave
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1373.jpg
thought it would help it not freeze over
#18
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Originally Posted by D3MAN
How big are your rather large koi?
The big one is 22 inches long
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1366.jpg
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Originally Posted by pauld37
Here they are http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1365.jpg
The big one is 22 inches long
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1366.jpg
The big one is 22 inches long
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1366.jpg
Nice fish BTW
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Originally Posted by pauld37
Thats the same as mine Dave
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1373.jpg
thought it would help it not freeze over
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...7/CIMG1373.jpg
thought it would help it not freeze over
I once had a floating small output heater which was just enough to stop surface completey freezing.
I came across this courtesy of Google which seems to have some decent articles. I've yet to plough through them all dl
http://www.pond-doctor.co.uk/longwinterstrategy.html
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Had a kiddies football in mine courtesy of the kids over the back. It used to be just by the outflow from the filter. As it was constantly turning, it used to stop the pond from freezing at that point. In the summer the koi used to play with it!
#24
The answer to your question would be the size of a decent book, but in short: if you can keep it running, keep it running. The only risk is the water in your filter freezing during a long cold spell (yes, running water does freeze as well).
It won't be doing much in terms of filtering, but there still will be some activity, and the bacteria film will grow quicker in spring compared to starting again all over. You also avoid "dead spots" in the water where ammonia can build up.
You may want to consider extending the outflow so that the return water goes directly into the pond. A waterfall can lower your temps drastically, or better, make the temps fluctuate (which your fish won't like at all).
The "warning" on the filters is, erm, beaulleaux TBH.
If you ever consider heating the pond, don't use an electrical heater (as I did). I never want to see a 5K UKP electricity bill ever again
About Japan... you have to keep in mind that most breeders take their koi indoors during winter. Most koi that arrive here have never seen or experienced a winter, and have been treated with shots of antibiotics. (hum) So keep an eye on the new fish.
Don't worry about "thermoclines" and all that: these only come into play when your pond is deeper than say 10 meters. A 6ft pond will have temps that are only a few tenths of a degree apart surface to bottom.
Bottom line: temp fluctuations (can) kill your fish, not low temps.
It won't be doing much in terms of filtering, but there still will be some activity, and the bacteria film will grow quicker in spring compared to starting again all over. You also avoid "dead spots" in the water where ammonia can build up.
You may want to consider extending the outflow so that the return water goes directly into the pond. A waterfall can lower your temps drastically, or better, make the temps fluctuate (which your fish won't like at all).
The "warning" on the filters is, erm, beaulleaux TBH.
If you ever consider heating the pond, don't use an electrical heater (as I did). I never want to see a 5K UKP electricity bill ever again
About Japan... you have to keep in mind that most breeders take their koi indoors during winter. Most koi that arrive here have never seen or experienced a winter, and have been treated with shots of antibiotics. (hum) So keep an eye on the new fish.
Don't worry about "thermoclines" and all that: these only come into play when your pond is deeper than say 10 meters. A 6ft pond will have temps that are only a few tenths of a degree apart surface to bottom.
Bottom line: temp fluctuations (can) kill your fish, not low temps.
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Originally Posted by David Lock
I turn airstones off but leave filter running. I think you are supposed to turn filter off but I worry that I will kill off the essential bacteria that keep the filter working (although I don't suppose there is much bacterial activity in cold conditions). My filter runs into a small waterfall into pond so it also helps to stop it freezing. dl
John
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Originally Posted by RedFive
About Japan... you have to keep in mind that most breeders take their koi indoors during winter. Most koi that arrive here have never seen or experienced a winter, and have been treated with shots of antibiotics. (hum) So keep an eye on the new fish.
Bottom line: temp fluctuations (can) kill your fish, not low temps.
Bottom line: temp fluctuations (can) kill your fish, not low temps.
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Originally Posted by New To Scoob
Would be a good idea to route your return past your waterfall as you are only lowering the temp of the water further. You don't need the waterfall to aereate the water at this time of year as cooler water holds O2 better than warm water.
John
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#28
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I have had my pond up and running for about 5 years now and every year all i do is just stop feeding the fish between nov and march, all the filters and pumps are kept running . I have found that keeping the water moving helps to stop the pond freezing over completly and i have never lost any fish yet
Pond size is just under the 1000 gal size so not huge.
The fish do look a little naffed off at the mo though and not much happing in the way of movement the cold water slows them right down.
Pond size is just under the 1000 gal size so not huge.
The fish do look a little naffed off at the mo though and not much happing in the way of movement the cold water slows them right down.
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Something else to think of, bloke at the Aquatic centre said not to let the fish lie on the bottom too long, give 'em a poke with the net, they tend to pick up sores quite easily when dorment and lying on the bottom.
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