Another great informative tutorial Terry. You're the Boss of sharing your knowledge on this hobby that so many of us are learning. I'm sure that like myself, many others with limited experience are being helped immensely by your regular updates and DIY ideas that always seem to work. I can't wait to start on my own protein skimmer and upflow filter. Kudos to you mate.
Hi Rob, and thank you. It's really appreciated mate. I don't do much mate really, I just let people know what I'm up to. I do enjoy messing around with pond filtration, I must admit. Thanks again and take care, Terry.
I must admit mate that protein skimmer has made a big difference, the clarity has increased loads, the bubbles rising from the bottom of the pond look so clear, exellent job mate. That can't be it though 😀there's always something to change 👍👍👍
Hi Mate, I have to say, my water is spot on now. I can't believe just how much dirt is being taken out by the protein skimmer. If I add anything else to the filter house, I'll have to go on a diet lol. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Hi Terry, great video as always, water is looking mint, well impressed. Your bakki river is lovely and clean, it used to concern me how dirty my one used to get so I done away with it. Skimmer definitely doing the job mate, all the best Matt
Hi Matt, and thank you. They do say it doesn't hurt to run a bakki river dirty, but I do like to keep mine clean. I am very pleased with the way the skimmer is going. It's the clearest my water has ever been. Thanks again mate and take care, Terry.
Great video Terry as always, why not try Canterbury spar in small bags in your bakki river, in a natural river water is cleaned by running through gravel, Canterbury spar in bags can be lifted out and cleaned in a bucket, thanks pete
Hi Pete, thanks for the tip mate. The Siporax is pretty good and self cleaning. I do usually get dirt settle in the river, but the media stays clean. I think putting it after the protein skimmer hasn't done it any favours with all that air flowing through it. It's got it's own feed now, so it should recover. Thanks again mate, Terry.
Another cracking video Terry. What ever you build now will have to be compact or wafer thin to get in your shed ha ha. See you Wednesday mate. Stay safe
Hi Steve & Cat, and thank you. I've just gone on a strict diet mate lol. Going to have to look at mini filters from now on lol. See you Wed mate, Terry.
Hi Danny, thanks mate. I couldn't believe, that after my water has gone through the RDF and the up-flow filter, just how much dirt was still going back to the pond. But we are talking about microscopic dirt and protein now though. I have to say, my water has never looked like this before. Thanks again mate, Terry.
Another great entertaining 20 mins video. Pond is looking amazing. Just regular updates would be appreciated as we love to see how everything is progressing, thanks for sharing. Take care mate
Hi mate, really appreciated, thank you. It has been very difficult to make videos with all the rain and bad weather we've had, but I will keep trying to turn them out. Thanks again mate, take care, Terry.
Your setup is just bloody awsome buddy..... looking foward to your opinion on that new shower media, im looking at building a shower for mine and was looking at media for it 👍🐟
Hi mate, and thank you. The new media does look really good. I'm working on a shower filter for it as my next project, so I will put it on UA-cam. Thanks again mate, Terry.
Protein skimmer is doing an amazing job and the pond is looking fantastic. With almost everything in the filter house automated you'll need to find a more challenging project. Have you ever given a thought to building a " automated jumbo koi' for those people who would love to have one in their pond but can't afford the real thing? LOL. Cheers. Stay safe.
Hi Mate, I am pleased with how it's going. I do try to automate as much as possible as I do tend to forget things lol. Like forgetting to turn my top-up off, and flooding the pond lol. I'll give the jumbo koi a thought mate. Thanks and take care, Terry.
Other than the PH, the water parameters your pond water is indicating are identical to mine. The only thing I can think of is that your filter media have well and truly kicked in. Bear in mind that the end product of an efficient pond water filter system is ‘nitrates’. I introduced mountain tree lotus root BHM last year and is submerged in a water sump that feeds a water fall - it has the same effect as your Bakki river. I can only think that as the water warmed in July, the bacteria in the media (K1 and the Lotus root) had the opportunity to multiply as efficiently as it could. This has led to a spike in nitrates. I have introduced ‘watercress’. It had a bit of impact at first, but the fish are feeding like crazy so the nitrates have gone up again to the level you have indicated. I am looking at introducing some form of aquaponics filter for next year. Now there’s a project for you to keep you happy Terry🤞on a separate topic, I was on holiday in Weymouth with my family and stayed in a lovely apartment in the harbour on the Nothe fort side of the harbour. All though I have never met you in person, I could swear I saw you and your good wife sitting outside in a corner of restaurant/pub in the harbour. If it was you I did not want to interrupt or disrupt your stay. Was it you?
Hi Alex, I have been told by several people to check the rain water for nitrates, as I would be surprised. So that's probably making things worse, as we've had a lot of rain lately. Trouble is, it's not rained since lol. I have thought about adding some sort of aquaponics system, but the wife says, I can't have anymore garden lol. I have to say, it wasn't me mate. If you ever see me, come and have a word mate, it would be nice to meet you. Take care, and stay safe mate, Terry.
Another amazing video Sir, thank you so much - I have looked back to where you were excited tinkering with three barrels, it has come on a little since then ...
Hey Terry, one thing that could be added is a plant filter to get rid of those nitrates as well as phosphates. But what would be brilliant is build a refugium for a pond. You could use natural string algae that grows in your area and place it in a container with something for it to grow on. And just remove excess algae to allow continuous nutrient consumption. Better yet you could place it outside under a greenhouse cover so you don't have to store it in the filter house. For aquariums, they make them 10-20% of the water volume. They're usually a 12" depth. You could also put grow lights so the algae with the set up so they can consume nutrients 24 hrs rather than during the daylight. Other things that would be cool is recycling your pond water through an RO system. That's really popular over there. Also possibly growing your own live food like black soldier flies. That should keep you busy, cheers!
Hi Miguel, Thank you for all the ideas, much appreciated. Problem is, I'm not allowed any more garden lol. I am looking into the nitrates problem, so I'll see what I can come up with. The RO system is a bit expensive for me I'm afraid. Thanks mate, Much appreciated, Terry.
@@Wrighty Hey bud - Nitrate wise, if it's high, you can get nitrate removal media stored in a pressure tank. It was something that I was looking into. I worked out a few calculations. The only thing you have to do, is backflush it with brine to recharge it. Smart stuff in all honesty.
Hi mate, thanks for the tip. My bakki river should sort it out really. I have got some tablets to treat the pond with, that say their a nitrate remover. Was going to see if they work. ua-cam.com/video/fAuJ0be2e7o/v-deo.html see what you think mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty think it's a loads of codswallop, but I'd be interested to see if you see any changes at all. I think the pressure vessel (think big blue) that you can feed water into via a return (use a horse clamp) and it'll turn nitrates from 80ppm to 0 on the outlet. Let me dig out my research and I'll drop you an email with it..
Evening Mate, all looking good I see, your filter house is a pipe dream :) Nitrate could be from vac the Pond out upsets the oils and waste spikes it. thanks for sharing as always takecare yourself bud
Hi Kev, I think the filter house is getting to be a bit of a plumbers nightmare lol. That's right mate, all that rain could have had something to do with it as well. It's only nitrate, so not too bad. Take care mate, Terry.
Well the new filter additions are doing there job, the weather has caused me so many delays trying to build my upflow 🤨. Not sure if you seen a recent channel birthday video I did, but I just want to reiterate a huge thank you for your inspiring videos which made me decide to build what I have and your valued support. I really cant thank you enough mate. Have a great weekend 👍
Hi Andy, thanks mate. I'm getting no notifications about new video releases mate, so I haven't seen the birthday video. I will have a look. Your very welcome mate, but I've not done much. I just tell everybody what I'm doing, in the hope it will help somebody. Thank you for your kind comments, it's really appreciated. You take care and stay safe mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty your videos have inspired more than you perhaps realise, your 3 stage drum filtration has been copied worldwide there aren't many koi enthusiasts in the uk who dont know wrighty, and more recently the infamous slipper club 😬. Take care mate
Hi mate, and thank you. To be honest, I was thinking about selling it. I just don't get any time to use it, and it's a shame to see it doing nothing. I might put it on eBay. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Hi David, and thank you. Yes I have mate, but the problem I have is, were surrounded by big trees here, and it's a job to find a roof that gets good sun, and is not shaded most of the day. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
You have such a great filtration set up Terry. Your pond and garden look amazing! How often do you vac the pond and do you believe a vac is an essential piece of equipment? Great video mate 👍
Hi Dave, and thanks mate, very much appreciated. I vac the pond about every week and a half to two weeks, because of the algae. It really does pay to keep the pond clean, and I wouldn't be without my vac. Thanks again mate, Take care, Terry.
The bell rings another weighty vid, spot on mate great content,the filtration is quality I’ll be sure to order the plastic welding gun and plans when I’m ready,who manufactures the pumps you have ? interesting fact the painted lady emigrates from Africa to uk crazy,
Hi Gareth, and thanks mate. I saw that documentary on the Painted Lady butterflies as well, unbelievable! You'll love making your own filters, really rewarding. The pumps I use are Jecod / Jebao pond and air pumps. Take care mate, Terry.
Thanks for the videos. As for the nitrate being a bit higher, could it have anything to do with adding heavily aerated water from the protein skimmer now feeding the bakki river? Thats assuming the bakki river was producing anaerobic bacteria before, now it has more oxygen in the water it might have knocked it off a bit? Just a thought.
Hi mate, thank you for your channel support. You could be right mate, that's just what I was thinking. I'm looking to re-route the water from the skimmer into the same outlet as the moving bed. I would then have to get a new feed for the bakki river. I suppose as it is at the moment, it's running more like a bakki shower. Thanks mate, Terry.
Hi Anthony, I will have mate. I just wanted to give it a good run to make sure all is ok with it. Hope to have them out in the next week or so. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Hi Aaron, I will have mate. I just wanted to give it a good run to make sure all is ok with it. Hope to have them out in the next week or so. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Check your Kh if it is low the bacteria will crash. Also when you clean out the algae you are taking away the thing that eats the nitrate and a lot of the biomass . I know you hate aglae but the short stuff is great for the pond biomass.
Hi Garry, I did check my KH and do have some bicarbonate ready if I need it. But all was ok mate. The reason I vac the algae and not treat the pond with an algae remover is because, like you say it is good for the pond. The trouble is all the fish waste and dirt gets trapped in it, and doesn't get to the bottom drain. When I vac, it only removes the loose stuff, and leaves a good coating on the pond liner. I don't mind this short growing algae, but it's the hair/string algae I do have a problem with. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Been having much the same weather wise down hear Terry been hit by the blanket weed i noticed it first on Tuesday my local place did not have any Resolve so had to order some put it in today but the dam stuff has gone mad in 4 days
Hi mate, I must admit it does grow quick. I'm having to vac the pond once a week at the moment, or empty my sieve 3 times a day, It's a right pain. I didn't have much look with the Resolve. It did knock it back, but it was soon back again. Take care mate, Terry.
It worked for me last time then what was left i split into 4 and dosed with that every two months the problem being I hoped it would go from June till the winter without
Hi, great video as always, I'm betting you will think of another project soon enough :) Re: nitrate, I couldn't work out why my nitrate was higher than expected, it turned out that my tap water had more in it than my pond did! So may be worth testing yours if you've not already?
Hi mate, I am going to test the tap water, but I've also been told to check the rain water as well, as that can contribute to the nitrates. Thanks for the tip though mate. much appreciated. Take care, Terry.
Hi Dan, I do have a couple of videos of when I got the Vac and the first time I used it: ua-cam.com/video/fHwEJpoarH8/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/SdXT0-M3W4E/v-deo.html hope this helps mate, thanks, Terry.
You could always use your siporax to make a very low flow bio chamber to remove your nitrates , the flow needs to be really really low so it creates anaerobic areas , I know your bakki river will be providing some areas deep in side the media but if you really reduce the flow and stack your siporax this will provide a much greater area for anaerobic Bactria to grow. Your could also make up some media baskets to hold the siporax then to clean it you just need to the the basket up a few times and give it a shake. How much skimmate are you collecting in the neck of your skimmer ? As over time to much will reduce the skimmers efficiency. So maybe you could make a self cleaning head for the skimmer.
Hi mate, I will be taking the rubber top off the skimmer from time to time and give it a clean. I know these skimmers can be very temperamental. I might do something with the new media that should help with the nitrates. I do think a lot of the problem was from all the rain we've had. Thanks for the tips mate, I will look into it. Very much appreciated, Terry.
Have you tested the nitrate from your mains water? I live in southwest London, and at the moment my pond is OK at 10 ppm, but the mains water is 40ppm.
Hi Vince, the algae is still there mate, I just vac'd off the loose stuff as it gets in my sieve. I do like to see it, as it makes a nice covering of the liner. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
That budlea can be taken down to the ground, itl come back but only to the height of your fence, mid season give it a trim, will get more but smaller flowers.
Hi mate, I am going to chop it right down this year and see how it goes, I love to see the butterflies and bumblebees, and it would be a shame to take it out. Thanks for the tip mate, much appreciated, Terry.
@@Wrighty Just checked with the matron and we cut ours down in February. Agreed, bumblebees all over the hollyhocks and butterfly's over the budleas. I purchased some hybrids this year, flower power, berries and cream and going to see if can manage to grow them as a standard, like a tree. All the best
Has the heavy rain effected the water parameters and have you ever taken readings from pure rain water? Secondly plant particles will create protein/crud/skimmet this could be the reason for it being produced at night.
Hi Michael, I haven't taken rain water readings, I must admit. But I assume it's very soft water. The water here is very hard, so if we get a downpour I just do a 10 minute top up. It seems to work really well keeping my PH spot on. Most people with fresh water protein skimmers say they work best in the early hours of the morning. Mine certainly does. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
@@Wrighty great feed back there. Would be worth looking at what’s in their ponds to see why they do work at certain times and not others. I’m wondering if sea tanks that use protein skimmers work the same?
You've been feeding them dried prawns and every time I feed my koi fresh or dried prawns the nitrates always peak for a couple of days... So I only feed prawns once a week... Hope this helps...
Maybe set up a rain gauge and test a sample of the rainwater you've been getting for nitrates. The result may surprise you. I recall you had that sudden mystery spike several weeks back too. I haven't any real knowledge of your specific environment. Just going by something I read. I know you'll keep busy with something. No worries about that.
Hi mate, I never thought about the nitrates and rain water, I will test it mate and let you know. We have had some terrible downpours here lately. To be honest mate, I have got a couple of things going round in my head at the moment lol. You take care mate, and thank you, Terry.
Just caught up with your last video. All is nice around the pond 🙂 I can give you a project. I pay you and you can build me a protein skimmer ☺️ Take care Terry.
Hi Lau, and thank you. Quite a few have said that lol. They are really easy to build, and with what you've achieved with your pond, you'll find it easy. Hope all's well with you and your pond. Thanks again and take care, Terry.
@@Wrighty thank you Terry. I just look at it and fins it so complicated. One question, if I am ever brave enough to build one, I suppose I can run it from the tempest?
Hi Lau, I would think you can run it from the tempest, I run mine from my up-flow filter which is pretty much the same thing. I will be drawing up building plans for the protein skimmer as usual, and they'll be on my website diypondfilters.com But I'm always here to help if you need it at pondfilters@gmail.com Take care, Terry.
Hi Michael, Now mine has settled down, it turns nothing out in the afternoon, so not much point having it on mate. My moving bed does a great job on the ammonia and nitrites, so I'm ok there. Thanks mate, Terry.
Hi Scott, and thanks mate. I did look into ozone, but decided it's not for me. The problem with solar for me is that, with all the trees around my garden, they wouldn't get enough sun. Thanks for the thought though mate, Terry.
Hi Thomas, It could be mate, but I shouldn't have lost too much as it should be deep inside of the ceramic. I don't think the rain helped. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Hi Khi, the algae is still there mate, I just vac off the loose stuff. I do like to see it, as it makes a nice covering of the liner. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
Yeah thats probably whats caused it by reducing the amount of nitrate consuming fauna the nitrates are not getting absorbed at the same rate. Think vegetable/plant filter if you mature such a filter it out competes the algae ergo algae dies off suddenley remove the filter and nitrates will climb again. Your current filtration take out nitrite and ammonia mostly not nitrate.
Hi Khi, My Bakki river usually takes care of the nitrates, but like you say, it got worse with removing the algae, plus all that rain we had didn't help. Thanks mate, Terry.
Im not familiar with the Baki river concept, i just know from the nitrate cycle that you removed a large dutrient sump by taking out the algae. My understanding on nitrate synthesis it requires slow water flow to allow increased contact time in an anaerobic enviroment...is the baki river water flow slow enough and is it a low oxygen enviroment I doubt it will be low enought after going through a moving bed and a protein skimmer. Dependent on how close to the roads you are I doubt that would increase the nitrates in rain by the amount youve seen, nitrogen dioxide that disolves into water would likely be parts per trillion to low for the chemical test kit, im on the M4 and it rarely changes.
Entertaining video again , your very clever I must say 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you mate. I just love tinkering lol. Take care mate, Terry.
Blinding video mate I like the techno music while hoovering the pond 👍
Hi Dean, and thanks mate. very much appreciated, Terry.
Great video Sir fantastic pond and system you have stay safe 🙏🐟🐟🐟🙏
Thanks Carol, very nice of you to say so. I do spend a lot of time with it. take care, Terry.
Another great informative tutorial Terry. You're the Boss of sharing your knowledge on this hobby that so many of us are learning. I'm sure that like myself, many others with limited experience are being helped immensely by your regular updates and DIY ideas that always seem to work. I can't wait to start on my own protein skimmer and upflow filter. Kudos to you mate.
Hi Rob, and thank you. It's really appreciated mate. I don't do much mate really, I just let people know what I'm up to. I do enjoy messing around with pond filtration, I must admit. Thanks again and take care, Terry.
Wrighty, your pond is cleaner than my kitchen.. Bravo, you love your fish and how lucky are they 👍
Hi Jim, Thanks mate, much appreciated. I must admit, my koi are spoilt. They live better than me lol. Take care mate, Terry.
Hi Terry/ Thank you for the update. Pond and Fish looking Beautiful,as always.
Hi Shaun, and thank you mate. My koi are a bit like me, getting old lol. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
I must admit mate that protein skimmer has made a big difference, the clarity has increased loads, the bubbles rising from the bottom of the pond look so clear, exellent job mate. That can't be it though 😀there's always something to change 👍👍👍
Hi Mate, I have to say, my water is spot on now. I can't believe just how much dirt is being taken out by the protein skimmer. If I add anything else to the filter house, I'll have to go on a diet lol. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Hi Terry, great video as always, water is looking mint, well impressed. Your bakki river is lovely and clean, it used to concern me how dirty my one used to get so I done away with it. Skimmer definitely doing the job mate, all the best Matt
Hi Matt, and thank you. They do say it doesn't hurt to run a bakki river dirty, but I do like to keep mine clean. I am very pleased with the way the skimmer is going. It's the clearest my water has ever been. Thanks again mate and take care, Terry.
Looking good thanks for sharing take care👌👍
Thanks Matt, much appreciated. Take care mate, Terry.
Hopefully the weather has turned now 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Thanks for another great video. Stay safe 👍🏼
Hi mate, that's right. Keeping my fingers crossed here as well. Thanks and take care mate, Terry.
Great video Terry as always, why not try Canterbury spar in small bags in your bakki river, in a natural river water is cleaned by running through gravel, Canterbury spar in bags can be lifted out and cleaned in a bucket, thanks pete
Hi Pete, thanks for the tip mate. The Siporax is pretty good and self cleaning. I do usually get dirt settle in the river, but the media stays clean. I think putting it after the protein skimmer hasn't done it any favours with all that air flowing through it. It's got it's own feed now, so it should recover. Thanks again mate, Terry.
Don’t know if I’ve seen ya water quality that good over the years been watching looks crystal clear
Hi Aaron, I think your right mate. I'm really please with it. Thanks, Terry.
another interesting video Terry spot on
if your stuck for something to do now Maybe some DJ spots as im loving the music during the pond clean lol
Thanks Mike, very much appreciated mate, but way way too old mate. Take care, Terry.
Another cracking video Terry. What ever you build now will have to be compact or wafer thin to get in your shed ha ha. See you Wednesday mate. Stay safe
Hi Steve & Cat, and thank you. I've just gone on a strict diet mate lol. Going to have to look at mini filters from now on lol. See you Wed mate, Terry.
Thanks for another great video that protein skimmer is really doing a great job 👍
I’am sure it won’t be long before you come up with another project .
Hi John, and thank you. If I add anything else to the filter house, I'll have to go on a diet lol. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
It's amazing there's that much to take out after the drum. It's done a fantastic job. Water quality looks spot on now 👍
Hi Danny, thanks mate. I couldn't believe, that after my water has gone through the RDF and the up-flow filter, just how much dirt was still going back to the pond. But we are talking about microscopic dirt and protein now though. I have to say, my water has never looked like this before. Thanks again mate, Terry.
Another great entertaining 20 mins video. Pond is looking amazing. Just regular updates would be appreciated as we love to see how everything is progressing, thanks for sharing. Take care mate
Hi mate, really appreciated, thank you. It has been very difficult to make videos with all the rain and bad weather we've had, but I will keep trying to turn them out. Thanks again mate, take care, Terry.
Great see you bk terry glad your filters working good takecare mate look forward to nx video 👍
Thanks Dave, always appreciated mate. Thanks and take care, Terry.
Your setup is just bloody awsome buddy..... looking foward to your opinion on that new shower media, im looking at building a shower for mine and was looking at media for it 👍🐟
Hi mate, and thank you. The new media does look really good. I'm working on a shower filter for it as my next project, so I will put it on UA-cam. Thanks again mate, Terry.
The koi have grown you done a nice job mate
Thank you Sam, very much appreciated mate, Terry.
Another great video matey, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Andy, always appreciated mate, Take care, Terry.
Protein skimmer is doing an amazing job and the pond is looking fantastic. With almost everything in the filter house automated you'll need to find a more challenging project. Have you ever given a thought to building a " automated jumbo koi' for those people who would love to have one in their pond but can't afford the real thing? LOL. Cheers. Stay safe.
Hi Mate, I am pleased with how it's going. I do try to automate as much as possible as I do tend to forget things lol. Like forgetting to turn my top-up off, and flooding the pond lol. I'll give the jumbo koi a thought mate. Thanks and take care, Terry.
Other than the PH, the water parameters your pond water is indicating are identical to mine. The only thing I can think of is that your filter media have well and truly kicked in. Bear in mind that the end product of an efficient pond water filter system is ‘nitrates’. I introduced mountain tree lotus root BHM last year and is submerged in a water sump that feeds a water fall - it has the same effect as your Bakki river. I can only think that as the water warmed in July, the bacteria in the media (K1 and the Lotus root) had the opportunity to multiply as efficiently as it could. This has led to a spike in nitrates. I have introduced ‘watercress’. It had a bit of impact at first, but the fish are feeding like crazy so the nitrates have gone up again to the level you have indicated. I am looking at introducing some form of aquaponics filter for next year. Now there’s a project for you to keep you happy Terry🤞on a separate topic, I was on holiday in Weymouth with my family and stayed in a lovely apartment in the harbour on the Nothe fort side of the harbour. All though I have never met you in person, I could swear I saw you and your good wife sitting outside in a corner of restaurant/pub in the harbour. If it was you I did not want to interrupt or disrupt your stay. Was it you?
Hi Alex, I have been told by several people to check the rain water for nitrates, as I would be surprised. So that's probably making things worse, as we've had a lot of rain lately. Trouble is, it's not rained since lol.
I have thought about adding some sort of aquaponics system, but the wife says, I can't have anymore garden lol.
I have to say, it wasn't me mate. If you ever see me, come and have a word mate, it would be nice to meet you. Take care, and stay safe mate, Terry.
Another amazing video Sir, thank you so much - I have looked back to where you were excited tinkering with three barrels, it has come on a little since then ...
Hi Artemka, and thank you. That's right mate, that is quite a while ago now. About 7 years I think. Thanks again and take care, Terry.
Hello i have just subscribed thanks for the info.
Hi mate, and welcome to the channel. Thank you for subscribing and hope you enjoy the videos. Terry.
@@Wrighty thanks terry 🙏 just started my channel today
That's great mate. I love to hear of new koi channels. All the best with it and hope all goes well for you, I will have a look mate, take care, Terry.
@@Wrighty cheers mate 🙏
Hey Terry, one thing that could be added is a plant filter to get rid of those nitrates as well as phosphates. But what would be brilliant is build a refugium for a pond. You could use natural string algae that grows in your area and place it in a container with something for it to grow on. And just remove excess algae to allow continuous nutrient consumption. Better yet you could place it outside under a greenhouse cover so you don't have to store it in the filter house. For aquariums, they make them 10-20% of the water volume. They're usually a 12" depth. You could also put grow lights so the algae with the set up so they can consume nutrients 24 hrs rather than during the daylight.
Other things that would be cool is recycling your pond water through an RO system. That's really popular over there. Also possibly growing your own live food like black soldier flies.
That should keep you busy, cheers!
Hi Miguel, Thank you for all the ideas, much appreciated. Problem is, I'm not allowed any more garden lol. I am looking into the nitrates problem, so I'll see what I can come up with. The RO system is a bit expensive for me I'm afraid. Thanks mate, Much appreciated, Terry.
@@Wrighty Hey bud - Nitrate wise, if it's high, you can get nitrate removal media stored in a pressure tank. It was something that I was looking into. I worked out a few calculations. The only thing you have to do, is backflush it with brine to recharge it. Smart stuff in all honesty.
Hi mate, thanks for the tip. My bakki river should sort it out really. I have got some tablets to treat the pond with, that say their a nitrate remover. Was going to see if they work. ua-cam.com/video/fAuJ0be2e7o/v-deo.html see what you think mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty think it's a loads of codswallop, but I'd be interested to see if you see any changes at all. I think the pressure vessel (think big blue) that you can feed water into via a return (use a horse clamp) and it'll turn nitrates from 80ppm to 0 on the outlet.
Let me dig out my research and I'll drop you an email with it..
Thanks mate, will be interesting. pondfilters@gmail.com thanks again, Terry.
Evening Mate, all looking good I see, your filter house is a pipe dream :) Nitrate could be from vac the Pond out upsets the oils and waste spikes it. thanks for sharing as always takecare yourself bud
Hi Kev, I think the filter house is getting to be a bit of a plumbers nightmare lol. That's right mate, all that rain could have had something to do with it as well. It's only nitrate, so not too bad. Take care mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty :)
Hello! I love watching all the koi channels in the UK :) but i was curious about one thing. What is the electric bill like?
Hi mate, It's not bad at this time of year, but goes up in the winter when the pond heater comes on. Terry.
Well the new filter additions are doing there job, the weather has caused me so many delays trying to build my upflow 🤨. Not sure if you seen a recent channel birthday video I did, but I just want to reiterate a huge thank you for your inspiring videos which made me decide to build what I have and your valued support. I really cant thank you enough mate. Have a great weekend 👍
Hi Andy, thanks mate. I'm getting no notifications about new video releases mate, so I haven't seen the birthday video. I will have a look.
Your very welcome mate, but I've not done much. I just tell everybody what I'm doing, in the hope it will help somebody. Thank you for your kind comments, it's really appreciated. You take care and stay safe mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty your videos have inspired more than you perhaps realise, your 3 stage drum filtration has been copied worldwide there aren't many koi enthusiasts in the uk who dont know wrighty, and more recently the infamous slipper club 😬. Take care mate
Thanks Andy, your too kind. Good to hear you enjoy the videos. Keep yours coming as well mate. Take care, Terry.
Lovely video Terry
Well if you have gone far enough with your pond filter projects what about the CNC Router Hobby 😆
Hi mate, and thank you. To be honest, I was thinking about selling it. I just don't get any time to use it, and it's a shame to see it doing nothing. I might put it on eBay. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Great video,have you thought about fitting solar panels on your roof to off set the pumps etc
Hi David, and thank you. Yes I have mate, but the problem I have is, were surrounded by big trees here, and it's a job to find a roof that gets good sun, and is not shaded most of the day. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
You have such a great filtration set up Terry. Your pond and garden look amazing! How often do you vac the pond and do you believe a vac is an essential piece of equipment? Great video mate 👍
Hi Dave, and thanks mate, very much appreciated. I vac the pond about every week and a half to two weeks, because of the algae. It really does pay to keep the pond clean, and I wouldn't be without my vac. Thanks again mate, Take care, Terry.
The bell rings another weighty vid, spot on mate great content,the filtration is quality I’ll be sure to order the plastic welding gun and plans when I’m ready,who manufactures the pumps you have ? interesting fact the painted lady emigrates from Africa to uk crazy,
Hi Gareth, and thanks mate. I saw that documentary on the Painted Lady butterflies as well, unbelievable! You'll love making your own filters, really rewarding. The pumps I use are Jecod / Jebao pond and air pumps. Take care mate, Terry.
Thanks for the videos. As for the nitrate being a bit higher, could it have anything to do with adding heavily aerated water from the protein skimmer now feeding the bakki river?
Thats assuming the bakki river was producing anaerobic bacteria before, now it has more oxygen in the water it might have knocked it off a bit? Just a thought.
Hi mate, thank you for your channel support. You could be right mate, that's just what I was thinking. I'm looking to re-route the water from the skimmer into the same outlet as the moving bed. I would then have to get a new feed for the bakki river. I suppose as it is at the moment, it's running more like a bakki shower. Thanks mate, Terry.
Hi Terry
Great protein skimmer! Do you have any drawing plans for it? Thanks
Hi Anthony, I will have mate. I just wanted to give it a good run to make sure all is ok with it. Hope to have them out in the next week or so. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Have you got some drawings coming for this one Terry cheers for the video
Hi Aaron, I will have mate. I just wanted to give it a good run to make sure all is ok with it. Hope to have them out in the next week or so. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Check your Kh if it is low the bacteria will crash. Also when you clean out the algae you are taking away the thing that eats the nitrate and a lot of the biomass . I know you hate aglae but the short stuff is great for the pond biomass.
Hi Garry, I did check my KH and do have some bicarbonate ready if I need it. But all was ok mate. The reason I vac the algae and not treat the pond with an algae remover is because, like you say it is good for the pond. The trouble is all the fish waste and dirt gets trapped in it, and doesn't get to the bottom drain. When I vac, it only removes the loose stuff, and leaves a good coating on the pond liner. I don't mind this short growing algae, but it's the hair/string algae I do have a problem with. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
Been having much the same weather wise down hear Terry been hit by the blanket weed i noticed it first on Tuesday my local place did not have any Resolve so had to order some put it in today but the dam stuff has gone mad in 4 days
Hi mate, I must admit it does grow quick. I'm having to vac the pond once a week at the moment, or empty my sieve 3 times a day, It's a right pain. I didn't have much look with the Resolve. It did knock it back, but it was soon back again. Take care mate, Terry.
It worked for me last time then what was left i split into 4 and dosed with that every two months the problem being I hoped it would go from June till the winter without
Hi, great video as always, I'm betting you will think of another project soon enough :) Re: nitrate, I couldn't work out why my nitrate was higher than expected, it turned out that my tap water had more in it than my pond did! So may be worth testing yours if you've not already?
Hi mate, I am going to test the tap water, but I've also been told to check the rain water as well, as that can contribute to the nitrates. Thanks for the tip though mate. much appreciated. Take care, Terry.
Do you think you could do a review on your pond vac ? Many thanks
Dan
Hi Dan, I do have a couple of videos of when I got the Vac and the first time I used it: ua-cam.com/video/fHwEJpoarH8/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/SdXT0-M3W4E/v-deo.html hope this helps mate, thanks, Terry.
You could always use your siporax to make a very low flow bio chamber to remove your nitrates , the flow needs to be really really low so it creates anaerobic areas , I know your bakki river will be providing some areas deep in side the media but if you really reduce the flow and stack your siporax this will provide a much greater area for anaerobic Bactria to grow. Your could also make up some media baskets to hold the siporax then to clean it you just need to the the basket up a few times and give it a shake. How much skimmate are you collecting in the neck of your skimmer ? As over time to much will reduce the skimmers efficiency. So maybe you could make a self cleaning head for the skimmer.
Hi mate, I will be taking the rubber top off the skimmer from time to time and give it a clean. I know these skimmers can be very temperamental. I might do something with the new media that should help with the nitrates. I do think a lot of the problem was from all the rain we've had. Thanks for the tips mate, I will look into it. Very much appreciated, Terry.
Have you tested the nitrate from your mains water? I live in southwest London, and at the moment my pond is OK at 10 ppm, but the mains water is 40ppm.
Hi Chris, I did mate. Our water is not quite as bad at 20 ppm, sometimes a bit less. Thanks for the thought though mate, much appreciated, Terry.
Getting rid of algae from bottom of pond probably caused spike in nitrate levels. This algae would use up nitrates normally like any plants.
Hi Vince, the algae is still there mate, I just vac'd off the loose stuff as it gets in my sieve. I do like to see it, as it makes a nice covering of the liner. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
If you don't mind me asking where did you get the media from Wrighty? I'm after some for my Bakki shower
Hi Richard, here's a link mate: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224554341668 hope it helps, Terry.
Cheers Terry
That budlea can be taken down to the ground, itl come back but only to the height of your fence, mid season give it a trim, will get more but smaller flowers.
Hi mate, I am going to chop it right down this year and see how it goes, I love to see the butterflies and bumblebees, and it would be a shame to take it out. Thanks for the tip mate, much appreciated, Terry.
@@Wrighty Just checked with the matron and we cut ours down in February. Agreed, bumblebees all over the hollyhocks and butterfly's over the budleas. I purchased some hybrids this year, flower power, berries and cream and going to see if can manage to grow them as a standard, like a tree. All the best
My problem is, I'm a rubbish gardener lol. Thanks mate, Terry.
Has the heavy rain effected the water parameters and have you ever taken readings from pure rain water?
Secondly plant particles will create protein/crud/skimmet this could be the reason for it being produced at night.
Hi Michael, I haven't taken rain water readings, I must admit. But I assume it's very soft water. The water here is very hard, so if we get a downpour I just do a 10 minute top up. It seems to work really well keeping my PH spot on. Most people with fresh water protein skimmers say they work best in the early hours of the morning. Mine certainly does. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
@@Wrighty great feed back there. Would be worth looking at what’s in their ponds to see why they do work at certain times and not others. I’m wondering if sea tanks that use protein skimmers work the same?
@@Wrighty I do wonder if the oil content of food has any effect on the lack of bubbles. Quite an interesting subject to get to the bottom of.
You've been feeding them dried prawns and every time I feed my koi fresh or dried prawns the nitrates always peak for a couple of days... So I only feed prawns once a week... Hope this helps...
Thanks for that info mate, I'm nearly out of them, so I will give them a break for a while and see how it goes. Thanks again, and take care, Terry.
Maybe set up a rain gauge and test a sample of the rainwater you've been getting for nitrates. The result may surprise you. I recall you had that sudden mystery spike several weeks back too. I haven't any real knowledge of your specific environment. Just going by something I read. I know you'll keep busy with something. No worries about that.
Hi mate, I never thought about the nitrates and rain water, I will test it mate and let you know. We have had some terrible downpours here lately. To be honest mate, I have got a couple of things going round in my head at the moment lol. You take care mate, and thank you, Terry.
Yeah mate it's a lavaterias
or butterfly Bush. The more u hack at it the more vigorous it is.
Hi Kevin, I only keep it for the butterflies and bumble bees. It's going to get the biggest trim ever at the end of the summer lol. take care, Terry.
Just caught up with your last video. All is nice around the pond 🙂 I can give you a project. I pay you and you can build me a protein skimmer ☺️
Take care Terry.
Hi Lau, and thank you. Quite a few have said that lol. They are really easy to build, and with what you've achieved with your pond, you'll find it easy. Hope all's well with you and your pond. Thanks again and take care, Terry.
@@Wrighty thank you Terry. I just look at it and fins it so complicated. One question, if I am ever brave enough to build one, I suppose I can run it from the tempest?
Hi Lau, I would think you can run it from the tempest, I run mine from my up-flow filter which is pretty much the same thing. I will be drawing up building plans for the protein skimmer as usual, and they'll be on my website diypondfilters.com But I'm always here to help if you need it at pondfilters@gmail.com
Take care, Terry.
i let my protein skimmer run 24/7, even though it might not be producing any foam its still doing a good job of removing ammonia
Hi Michael, Now mine has settled down, it turns nothing out in the afternoon, so not much point having it on mate. My moving bed does a great job on the ammonia and nitrites, so I'm ok there. Thanks mate, Terry.
Look into ozone. Or solar on the roofs. Maybe remake the covers using solar. It'd be tricky
Hi Scott, and thanks mate. I did look into ozone, but decided it's not for me. The problem with solar for me is that, with all the trees around my garden, they wouldn't get enough sun. Thanks for the thought though mate, Terry.
@@Wrighty I just really enjoy your content.
Thanks mate, much appreciated. Terry.
The nitrate could be because you cleaned up your baki river and lost some anaerobic bacteria.
Hi Thomas, It could be mate, but I shouldn't have lost too much as it should be deep inside of the ceramic. I don't think the rain helped. Thanks mate and take care, Terry.
I bet the nitrate is from the rain.
Hi Gary, I hadn't thought of that mate, but I will check it next time it rains. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
Do you suck up much water
Sorry mate, I'm not sure what you mean, Terry.
Where’s your sleepers
Hi Alan, lol, I don't wear them if I have to stand on the side of the pond as I might trip and fall in lol. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
ozone generater
I did look into it, but not for me mate, Terry.
Your nitrate has gone up because you got rid of the algae mate.
Hi Khi, the algae is still there mate, I just vac off the loose stuff. I do like to see it, as it makes a nice covering of the liner. Thanks mate, Take care, Terry.
Yeah thats probably whats caused it by reducing the amount of nitrate consuming fauna the nitrates are not getting absorbed at the same rate. Think vegetable/plant filter if you mature such a filter it out competes the algae ergo algae dies off suddenley remove the filter and nitrates will climb again. Your current filtration take out nitrite and ammonia mostly not nitrate.
Hi Khi, My Bakki river usually takes care of the nitrates, but like you say, it got worse with removing the algae, plus all that rain we had didn't help. Thanks mate, Terry.
Im not familiar with the Baki river concept, i just know from the nitrate cycle that you removed a large dutrient sump by taking out the algae. My understanding on nitrate synthesis it requires slow water flow to allow increased contact time in an anaerobic enviroment...is the baki river water flow slow enough and is it a low oxygen enviroment I doubt it will be low enought after going through a moving bed and a protein skimmer.
Dependent on how close to the roads you are I doubt that would increase the nitrates in rain by the amount youve seen, nitrogen dioxide that disolves into water would likely be parts per trillion to low for the chemical test kit, im on the M4 and it rarely changes.
Hi Khi, I have my bakki river running slow, but a lot of people on here say it should be running fast. So I'm not sure really.