Inherited pond, where do I start?

[Gkinghorn3]

Hi everyone, I’m new here and was looking for some advice.

My father recently passed away and I am now responsible for looking after the pond and the fish that live in there, the problem is that he didn’t get a chance to show me how to look after it, so I’m completely clueless. I’ll try and describe the setup in the best way I can:

It is a lined pond, that has what I think you’d call a surface skimmer? Two Dust bin sized filters that I think he said many years ago were UV and something else? There’s also another filter that seems to just be a UV lamp.

I believe the pump is needing replaced but I can’t get to it, and don’t know how to pull it out without damaging the pipes. There’s another pipe that goes from the filters into the other side of the pond, but has nothing attached to it. The filtered water goes up to the top of a small waterfall that comes back into the pond.

The filters have been off for the winter but the water is now very murky, and I’m worried we might lose some of the fish (koi, orfe, and a sturgeon), I’d like to get it going again as soon as possible as my dad would have chucked me in the pond if I let his fish die.

I know this is probably a terrible description but I really have no idea, and I can’t see where he got the equipment from to ask them either.

I have attached some photos incase that’s of any use identifying what’s going on here.

Thanks for taking the time to help out!

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum and so sorry for your loss.

Have you tried turning the pumps on? Do you have a picture of how the pumps are set up and a close up of the label? More info can help us help you.

I am not a filter person so others will be able to help you better with them.

 

[Gkinghorn3]

Welcome to our forum and so sorry for your loss.

Have you tried turning the pumps on? Do you have a picture of how the pumps are set up and a close up of the label? More info can help us help you.

I am not a filter person so others will be able to help you better with them.

Hi addy1,

thanks for your reply. Yeah I tried turning the pump on the other day and didn’t see any movement. My mum had mentioned that my dad had said we needed to replace the pump. Unfortunately I’ve still not managed to get the pump out of the bottom of the pond, I may need to dive in as it’s about 6ft deep if I remember correctly from helping dig it out many years ago.

I’m almost certain the pump will need replaced before I get the whole system running again. I just wasn’t sure about the general way in which it all runs, if I need to back wash the filters, I just noticed there’s an air pump also, I just dont understand how all these things work as an integral system, I wouldn’t want to do the wrong thing and break something.

I shall try get more info tomorrow that might help out a bit!

 

[addy1]

Usually a submersible pump is on a flexible line with a rope or something tied to it so it can be pulled up. Look around see if you see anything. Also see if you can find the pump line coming out of the pond, is it stiff or flexible.

 

[j.w]

@Gkinghorn3 and so very sorry for your loss. All I have are simple filters. Yours look like nice heavy duty ones that I don't know anything about. The air pump should be attached to some sort of line w/a diffuser on the end to create bubbles. Just plug it in after you get the line where you want it to set. Airline should be weighted down so it does not float.

 

[Gkinghorn3]

Usually a submersible pump is on a flexible line with a rope or something tied to it so it can be pulled up. Look around see if you see anything. Also see if you can find the pump line coming out of the pond, is it stiff or flexible.

Ah right, that would make sense, I’ll have a look for that. Yeah I can see the pump line, it’s flexible for the most part, black corrugated plastic.

 

[addy1]

So a pump is hanging off it somewhere.

 

[Gkinghorn3]

View attachment 126863@Gkinghorn3 and so very sorry for your loss. All I have are simple filters. Yours look like nice heavy duty ones that I don't know anything about. The air pump should be attached to some sort of line w/a diffuser on the end to create bubbles. Just plug it in after you get the line where you want it to set. Airline should be weighted down so it does not float.

Thank you. I can see a thin white tube going into the pond, that must be the airline youre referring to? There’s quite a lot of plugs, but he’s labelled them. I’ll go see if I can get some bubbles from the air pump.

 

[j.w]

Yes that would prolly be the airline. Great he labeled everything. Hope it works!

 

[poconojoe]

If you can pull the pump out of the pond, it might just have something jammed in it preventing it from turning. Maybe a twig or other debris. Or if something is actually broken, there might be some replaceable parts that you can purchase. Basically, pull the pump for evaluation.

If you don't find any rope attached to it for retrieval, you might have to pull it up by the hose. That's not really recommended, but you need to get it out somehow. Definitely do not pull it by the electrical cord.

When you get it out, post a picture. If you're lucky, there may be a legible tag or some sort of model number stamped on it.

Hopefully, it will just need to be cleaned out.

Keep us posted...

 

[Gkinghorn3]

Yes that would prolly be the airline. Great he labeled everything. Hope it works!

Managed to pull out the end of the airline, there was a porous rock attached to the end of it, I assume that'll be the diffuser. Seems like the air pump needs replaced too as wasn't seeing air bubbles when it was turned on and in the water close to the surface. Thanks for your input!

 

[Gkinghorn3]

@addy1 @poconojoe managed to find the line and pull the pump out. Have not checked for any bits of debris as only seen your messages now, however its seems to be rather cheap to replace. I have attached pictures.

If you guys have any recommendations for a more reliable pump that would be great!

 

[j.w]

I like Laguna Max Flo pumps as they have lower power usage #'s. You'll need to know how many gallons or liter's your pond holds to choose for the right flow.
https://webbsonline.com/Category/Laguna-Water-Pumps-Category

Darn that the air pump doesn't work. I like the Pondmaster AP air pumps. You can choose the size you want for how deep and large your pond is.
https://webbsonline.com/Item/Pondmaster-Air-Pumps-04520

Other places carry these brands above as I don't think this company ships to the U.K. Try Amazon. There are many other types of good water and air pumps so maybe someone else will have some to suggest too.

 

[poconojoe]

Your air pump may have replaceable parts. Mine does and mine is a cheap Laguna model. I have replaced the innards three times and the parts are around $12-$13 on Amazon. I want to call the part a bellows. Not sure if that's the right terminology, but the rubber cups always split open.

I can't quite make out the pump model number. Is it JFP-1000 or 3000?
That pump looks like a mag-drive type pump and may also have replaceable parts. If it IS a mag-drive, sometimes the shaft breaks and the impeller gets jammed up against the magnetic wall. I have fixed many of these. I've only had one where the motor was actually dead.

 

[GBBUDD]

On the other side of the pond any advice from someone from the states is probably not going to work for you the plugs are different if i am not mistaken and we used 110 not sure what you use over there i believe its 230? the Plants look very healthy