Water Gardening: Info on Pond Skimmers and Biofalls Filters please., 0 by BeaHive

BeaHive wrote:
ok here goes. Hope this helps some.
I will try to answer as many questions as possible. You may wish to purchase a book or visit the library for a pond building book. I did not install my pond but I watched very carefully as it was built and can add the info as I remember.
First to start here are two links to show you what a skimmer and biofalls are.
skimmers http://www.pondsolutions.com/skimmers.htm
Boi falls http://www.thepondoutlet.com/home/tpo/smartlist_176


The skimmer is where I have the auto fill and the overflow features. Water flows through this unit from the pond. The skimmer basket & filter pads collect debris. The water is pumped though this unit and back up to the bio falls. In the bio-falls there are several layers of filter pads that collect more debris. I also have added what are called bio balls which collect beneficial micro organisms to keep the pond in balance in time. The water from the bio falls then goes down the waterfall stream and back into the pond. The water is always in recirculation.

The Auto fill that I have was plumbed using pvc pipe for the water line similar to how you would lay irrigation for sprinklers. Outside the skimmer unit there is a screw type shut off valve. It is normally in the open mode during the summer. The auto fill valve releases water when the level of the pond gets low. It shuts itself off when the water fills to the determined level. ( kind of like the workings in a toilet tank)
info for auto fill valves

http://watergarden.com/store/product/Assessories/Auto-Fill_a...

The overflow is basically a drain inside the skimmer. If the water level gets to high from rain, the drain takes the water to the street gutter system thru a pvc pipe. You may wish to route your line to a dry area in the garden or if you have room, you could save the water in a cistern or rain barrel.
We have so much moisture in Oregon..that I cannot take the excess on my property…
I do not have a bottom drain so I can’t help you with that.

A liquid Clarifier weekly helps build up the beneficial micro organisms which help rid the pond of slime and muck. I use Aqua One and on occasion have used Algae Off when the algae get thick. This product is safe for use with fish, but you must have great water flow as it does deplete oxygen levels. If I use this product I add additional circulation by having my small fountain/filter unit running. You will need to clean out the skimmer quite often as this product makes the algae rise and flow into the skimmer. Don’t want a clog!!

When they laid the stone after the whole was dug he laid a layer of sand, followed by a pond fabric liner followed by the thick plastic liner. About a foot of liner was left around the edges of the pond.
We used river rocks for the pond. I understand that sharp edged rocks are not good as they can poke a hole in the liner. Anyway, he used various sizes. He created plant shelves and hiding places for the Koi with larger stones and filled any exposed liner with stones of 2-5 inch size keeping the bottom rocks as flat as possible to make ease of wading in the pond. The sides were built up using larger stones and again filling the gaps with smaller stones. On the edge of the pond he placed some large “boulders “ mixed with large stones. Over the liner on the edging he added small river stones .

The bog area is lined as above. I have planted some plants directly in the stones (bare root) and they have done well (pond muck is a wonderful replacement for soil l. I also have some potted plants with them sitting in an inch or two of water.
No cement was used to place stones. The weight of the stones and water keeps them in place. Occasionally I move the larger stones around to accommodate a water lily of plant..

Well hope this helped somewhat. I do recommend getting a book as a better reference.