DIY Pond with Solar System (Lots of Photo)

[jackyyuen]

Hi Guys,
I started my DIY Koi pond with aquaponics system few months ago. The whole system run by 3 DCpump water pump connected to the solar system without DC to AC inverter. I hope I can share some info here for people show want to do the similar thing.

3 x DC Pump http://amzn.to/29w1b7U
2 x Solar Panel http://amzn.to/29JILPX
Solar Controller http://amzn.to/29DLgG7

Please feel free to comment and provide suggestion.

Thanks

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Is this battery powered at night?

 

[jackyyuen]

Is this battery powered at night?

Yup, just connect a deep cycle battery. the battery size depend on how long you want the backup running.

 

[jackyyuen]

No one here doing something similar? I mean aquaponics or solar??

 

[Nepen]

great job!

I want to see the plumbing!

I thought about planting vegetable in my pond but I dont really have a good space for it. I plan to do it next year though..

 

[jackyyuen]

the plumbing is a mess, I am not a professional for that. But I do it by myself anyway and hide them behind a bamboo cover..

my pond has very limited space for me to work with as well .. limited space for the filter. I have two trash can as a filters, one need to put it up to a higher ground, and the one in the photo is the for bio, near to the pond, filled with lava rock and bio media. All the pipes on the higher level are for the input, goes in to the middle of the trash can. when water goes in, will have to go through a 6 inch pvc in the middle, then to bottom. when the trash can filled up with water, it come out from the pipe at the lower level

The black PVC is for overflow for protection, incase one the pipe get stuck, water goes thought that and bypass all the filter.

Not sure if you know what I mean. If I have time, I can draw it for you.

 

[rwhunter4]

Nice setup, and thank you for the links to your hardware. Do you have an example of the battery you are using?

Also, I did not see in the pictures where you located the controller and battery, are they sheltered from the weather somewhere?

 

[jackyyuen]

The battery I have is a used battery from an old car, rated 125Ah

Yes, the battery and the controller is hide under a patio around 10 feet away and surrounded with few concrete bricks from homedepot. The pump come with very long cable which allow me to do so without extension. I will get a picture if I have a chance.

 

[jackyyuen]

Just would like to keep you guys updated. The mfg did contact me through PM and say they have 2 other pumps with different flow rate. I just wanna share with you guys as well.

http://amzn.to/2byNdz7 <-- 898GPH Max
http://amzn.to/2bgOEkZ <-- 196GPH Max

FYI

 

[Mmathis]

Nice set up. How many koi do you have and how large is the pond?

 

[jackyyuen]

Pond is around 500 Gallon
Filter is around 100 Gallon
Aquaponics system is around 100 Gallon total, I have two levels setup now.
5 Koi around 4 inches each

I know is overstock now. But I am planning to expend more with the Aquaponics system to remove the "shit" from the water. LOL

 

[Mmathis]

Pond is around 500 Gallon
Filter is around 100 Gallon
Aquaponics system is around 100 Gallon total, I have two levels setup now.
5 Koi around 4 inches each

I know is overstock now. But I am planning to expend more with the Aquaponics system to remove the "shit" from the water. LOL

Yes, koi really do need super filtration due to the amount of waste they produce.

I'm not sure if anyone on here is doing aquaponics, other than small scale. But I've recently been researching a type of mechanical filter and it seems that almost all the information that's available for it is from aquaponics sites. It's a fairly simple, do-it-yourself (DIY) filter, but I can't remember what it's called. I'll look it up, then you can search the web for designs, applications, and lots of available videos. It probably shouldn't be your ONLY source of mechanical filtration for koi, but it might be a good start. I'm planning to make one for my goldfish/garden pond (but not soon).

 

[Mmathis]

@jackyyuen It's called a RADIAL FLOW FILTER. Do a Google search to get you started. Watch some of the videos. There are many different ways to make it, as you'll see, but the general concept is the same.

 

[jackyyuen]

@jackyyuen It's called a RADIAL FLOW FILTER. Do a Google search to get you started. Watch some of the videos. There are many different ways to make it, as you'll see, but the general concept is the same.

Interesting filter setup. I wish I know that 1 year ago. My filters are DIY with two big trash cans' with tons of lava rocks and bio media only. I may setup the Radial Flow to replace one of them. Need a plan.

Thanks.

 

[jackyyuen]

got all the pvc pipe and bucket for the filter.... going to make one for testing this weekend.