Anyone have any favorites or suggestions for my upcoming larger pond? I'd like to decide exactly what I need so I can take my time and search ebay for a good buy. I want my new pond to be around 1500 to 2000 gallons. It will be a formal shape, English Garden style, built partially above ground using cement blocks which I am going to plaster and tile over. It will be lined with PVC of course, and have a lionshead spitter flowing into a basin and cascading over into the pool. I want the pool to be about 3 ft deep, and shaped like a lower case "t" - the main body will be 5 ft wide on the inside measurement, by 9ft, and the cross t section will be 9 feet long by 2 ft wide. Whew do the math on that one! I'm working around some already established Palms and some underground swimming pool solar tubes so this is the best shape I could come up with in the space I've got to put it in.

Anyways, thats the shape and the size, so I need to decide on a pump and a filter. I'm used to a submersible bio filter with the pump inside, but I'm open to an outside pump if its more efficient. I've heard pros and cons about the UV thing for the pea soup. Cost IS an issue with me, so while I'm willing to buy a quality pump and filtration system, I'm not sure I can afford too many extras, so if I have to put up with peasoup water I will if the UV system is too much extra. Can such a thing be added later? So, what size pump and filter should I be looking for to make sure I've got good water flow up to my spitter? Inside or outside pump? Also, does PVC come in any other color besides black? Since my pond will be an unusual shape, do I have to buy a huge piece say about 20x20, or can I safely "cut and paste" so to speak using liner tape/glue?

Part of the thrill of a new pond is in all the planning! Thanks for your feedback!

Sharp corners in a pond can cause dead areas where the water can become stagnent. It also can be places where debris can build up making sludge which leads to other problems, so remember that when designing your new pond.

'Koi Kichi' by Peter Waddington is a valuable source.

IMHO a gravity feed filter system is by far the best and cheapest to opperate. It provides less stress on the pump which in turn would mean lower electric bills. They will take up a little more room but after my experience with what I have I feel it's worth it. An external pump I feel is better, of course I had an electrocution incident with one of my favorite koi last year in the QT tank. I'm not much on the submersable pumps.

A trickle tower filter properly built (this would be a dyi project) will maintain a clear pond without the use of a UV. This is what I've been told by those that have them. The trickle tower should not be the only means of filtration, you would want another filter such as gravity feed.

You should think about putting in a bottom drain. I have a two inch bottom drain I've heard that a 4 inch is better.


Don't use glue or tape to splice your liner. I need to update my page on the use of this stuff. It is difficult and if not done properly you are going to have to re-do it again and maybe again and maybe again. One liner is easier and cuts a lot of headache.

I have to get to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott