Pond construction recommendations?

[biophase]

I have just completed the digging of my pond. It is 18' x 13' x 3.5'(avg depth). The pond I believe is about 5000 gallons. I purchased 3 - 55 gallon drums to construct a series of filters. I am wondering if 3 are overkill. Also, I haven't decided on a submersible pump yet. I'm thinking I need about 3000gph.

Here is what I'm contemplating:
#1
Pond pump -> 55gal barrel (settling) -> 55gal (biofilter) -> 3ft. large waterfall -> pond.

#2
Pond pump -> 55gal barrel (settling) -> 55gal (biofilter) -> 55gal (biofilter) -> 3ft. large waterfall -> pond.

#3
Pond pump -> 55gal barrel (settling) -> 2-55gals (biofilter) in parallel -> 3ft. large waterfall -> pond.

I may add a 4' x 3' bog in between the last 55gal drum and the waterfall.

Will post pics tomorrow. Pond will be lightly stocked with koi.

 

[Oldhead]

With 3 barrels going you can more then lightly stock it. Don't think there is an overkill on filtration, the more the better.

 

[biophase]

Do you think that a 55 gallon barrel can be used as a settling tank or is it too small. What if I just made 3 biofilters?

I also need a submersible pump recommendation. My pond is 5500 gallons. It will pump to about 5 ft total head. I figure I need about 3000 gph at 5' head. I could add a 2nd pump for a smaller waterfall later.

Last question, will 2" bulkheads be large enough to handle 3000 gph in the barrels?

 

[DoDad]

Is this a koi pond or water garden?

 

[koiguy1969]

with your measurments your pond is 6126 gals
18x13x3.5x7.48=6126.12

 

[biophase]

Is this a koi pond or water garden?

It will be a lightly stocked koi pond.

 

[DrCase]

Your pond is about 500 gal bigger than mine..
I have 3 - 55 gal bio drums and run about 750 gal ph through each one independently,,, each drum has a 2" return to the pond ....all off of a laguna 4200 pump
And 1 drum for my fines filter on a extra pump..
to move 3000 gravity return gals thru the filters you will need 2 - 3" outlets or 1 - 4"

 

[biophase]

with your measurments your pond is 6126 gals
18x13x3.5x7.48=6126.12

I used 5500 gallons because it is sort of kidney shaped in one corner and it has a decent slope.

 

[DoDad]

Have you thought about gravity feeding the barrels via a bottom drain?

 

[biophase]

Have you thought about gravity feeding the barrels via a bottom drain?

I didn't want to do a bottom drain. I didn't want to punch holes in the liner and I have no where to dig a pit.

 

[koikeepr]

You can do a retro bottom drain where you don't have to put holes in your liner. AquaArt has one and I would highly recommend it for your size pond. Tetra makes a retro bottom drain, too, but I don't like the way it's plumbed on the top. The aqua art one is plumbed on the side, so there's no hose in the way.

I think the number of barrels you have selected is perfect for your size pond if it will be lightly stocked. However, I question your submersible pump. Why are you not getting an external pump? Who wants to be fishing an submersible pump out of a pond that size? It will be continually stopped up with muck and gunk. Will be hard to keep it free from clogging up in the water.

Get an external with a leaftrap on it. Try a Sequence 750...the 4200 or bigger for your pond. Also, you don't mention a skimmer. How will you skim the top of your water with a 18 foot pond? That's a lot of surface to keep free of leaves and such. Just put it right next to your barrels and throw a laundry basket over it for protection.