I've already got a (very) small (5"x4" panel) solar powered Venturi which works great during these sunny days that we are experiencing this summer, it does however stop instantly a cloud or shadow passes over it. The airstone and the waterfall provide some aeration and water movement and the fish do like to swim around the outfall of both, but I'd like to provide more. Has anyone any tips on what is the best type to use? I don't know anyone who uses a Venturi, so can't ask.....firstly, here's as much fact about my pond as I can think of, some may not be relevant, I don't know.....
My fish are thriving, and I don't appear to have any health issues that I'm aware of. I've two very big Ghost Koi, three large Golden Orfe, two Blue Orfe, and 17 assorted comets, shubunkins, goldfish....and 'yellowfish'! My pond is planted with several water lilies, elodea and starwort, with a few marginals giving a good 50% surface cover at this time of year. It's in full sun from noon onwards. Apart from the unruly ghosts ripping the starwort to shreds this year, the rest are well behaved! It holds around 15000 UK gallons or thereabouts, being 11x10 x 2.5 ft deep in the centre section with 3 levels. Pond filter system was upgraded two years ago from a box gravity filter with three graded mats which was struggling to do it's job now the fish have grown considerably to a more beefy Hozelock Bioforce Revolution 9000 with an integrated 24watt UV, powered by an Aquaforce 6000 pump. It's working brilliantly, is easy and quick to clean, and it keeps my water clear.
Regarding the venturis, I've seen one type that doesn't need a pump or electric but works using the in pond pump. Water flows from the pump through a wide tube, then through a restricted section of pipe where a snorkel type tube sticks up above the water level, this draws in the air due to lower pressure. The flow of water then goes through a wide tube and into the pond, nicely aerated....this is how I understand if to work, I may be wrong! Info says this can only be used with a gravity fed system, however, mine is a pressurised filter sunk into the ground at the top of the waterfall and I have an in pond pump. It would be nice to use a system that doesn't use electric obviously, but I assume I can't use this style?
The second type are the separate pump powered ones with air stones. I've read reviews and am more confused than before.
Thirdly, there's the solar powered ones. Judging by the amount of air my tiny panel provides, I need one with a panel the size of the pond to get a decent amount!
I have no idea which to go for. Sun isn't always guaranteed here, and from what I do know the oxygen can be depleted at night when obviously the solar gizmos don't operate. Do the pumps have to be kept inside if I decide they're the best type to buy? I have a weatherproof pump house that houses the filter and electrics for my pond systems and my garden lights about 8ft or so from the pond edge.
Sorry for such a long post, I have no one to ask, and the guys at the nearest pond shop are, I feel, only interested in making a sale or puffing away on their E-cigarette. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which type is a good reliable brand, what to look out for, or to avoid......bearing in mind I'm UK based? Thanks.
My fish are thriving, and I don't appear to have any health issues that I'm aware of. I've two very big Ghost Koi, three large Golden Orfe, two Blue Orfe, and 17 assorted comets, shubunkins, goldfish....and 'yellowfish'! My pond is planted with several water lilies, elodea and starwort, with a few marginals giving a good 50% surface cover at this time of year. It's in full sun from noon onwards. Apart from the unruly ghosts ripping the starwort to shreds this year, the rest are well behaved! It holds around 15000 UK gallons or thereabouts, being 11x10 x 2.5 ft deep in the centre section with 3 levels. Pond filter system was upgraded two years ago from a box gravity filter with three graded mats which was struggling to do it's job now the fish have grown considerably to a more beefy Hozelock Bioforce Revolution 9000 with an integrated 24watt UV, powered by an Aquaforce 6000 pump. It's working brilliantly, is easy and quick to clean, and it keeps my water clear.
Regarding the venturis, I've seen one type that doesn't need a pump or electric but works using the in pond pump. Water flows from the pump through a wide tube, then through a restricted section of pipe where a snorkel type tube sticks up above the water level, this draws in the air due to lower pressure. The flow of water then goes through a wide tube and into the pond, nicely aerated....this is how I understand if to work, I may be wrong! Info says this can only be used with a gravity fed system, however, mine is a pressurised filter sunk into the ground at the top of the waterfall and I have an in pond pump. It would be nice to use a system that doesn't use electric obviously, but I assume I can't use this style?
The second type are the separate pump powered ones with air stones. I've read reviews and am more confused than before.
Thirdly, there's the solar powered ones. Judging by the amount of air my tiny panel provides, I need one with a panel the size of the pond to get a decent amount!
I have no idea which to go for. Sun isn't always guaranteed here, and from what I do know the oxygen can be depleted at night when obviously the solar gizmos don't operate. Do the pumps have to be kept inside if I decide they're the best type to buy? I have a weatherproof pump house that houses the filter and electrics for my pond systems and my garden lights about 8ft or so from the pond edge.
Sorry for such a long post, I have no one to ask, and the guys at the nearest pond shop are, I feel, only interested in making a sale or puffing away on their E-cigarette. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which type is a good reliable brand, what to look out for, or to avoid......bearing in mind I'm UK based? Thanks.
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