Bickal Koi Farm: Koi House Blog Breeder Tank Filter

Nov 21, 2005 I took a sick day Friday So Forrest (as in Gump) ran for a 3 day weekend. I picked up my 200' natural gas line late Thursday night. I was hoping I could get it burried early Friday morning so I could get an inspection. Well, guess what, ground was too frozen. It took me until late Friday to get it done, so I missed inspection. Made some progress, as the pictures will show. Got the filter bay all framed up.

Nov 21, 2005 The final shaping on the pond is done. I spent most of Saturday evening and Sunday morning digging about 12" more soil out of the bottom. I removed the poly on the walls of the koihouse and threw the spoil outside. The final depth is just over 5'. Sides are all angled and the bottom is sloped towards the drains. I just need to do the plumbing, and it will be ready for liner. Sunday afternoon I went into town to get 6" pipe for the bottom, and they were out of it. Oh great. Going to a different store accross town tonight. If they dont have it, I'll have to go with 4" instead. Weather is holding in the low 40F, but not for long. Suppose to be down around 15F this weekend. Koi are comming inside one way or the other this Friday (after thanksgiving).

Nov 24, 2005 I made some great progress this holiday weekend, get ready for some pictures !!! The temperature outside Thursday was 22F. Inside the koihouse (with no extra heat) it was 60F. I was in a t-shirt and happily working away... Bottom drain pipes are in. Four 4" pipes. I was gonna go with 6" but it was just too expensive The green 6" pipe in the middle is where the "Luke Pump" will return the water back to the pond. There is a 4" lines in each upper corners (right one is visible in the photo) these will be for the skimmers.

Nov 24, 2005 There are no rocks or sharp objects in my soil, however I had some old carpet padding around, so I used it for underlayment. Rubber is in. Bottom drain pipe boots are on, and I begin to fill with fresh water from the house. The sides are tacked in place. Once the pond is full, the liner will be secured around the perimeter. I work out the wrinkles as it fills.

Nov 25, 2005 Once the pond is about half way full, I can do the pipe boot for the pump return. Normally this would be done by wading in the water, however, the water was about 45F, so I had to use some Palaties skills and bend a little... Can you say, head rush.... oh yeah, high on life

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