Introduction

[Julie]

Hi All,
My name’s Julie and while I’ve had a small pond with a 1 lily , a few other flowering plants and 2 small Koi for years I’m definitely a “newbie” to all this pond business.
10 years ago I purchased one of those small (500 gallons??) pond kits with waterfalls at Sam’s Club. This spring I discovered a leak (the 2nd leak in 2yrs) so rather than repairing it I decided to rip it out and go bigger. Last week I had my new pond dug – Woohoo!! It’s oval in shape, 13ft wide and 12.5 long with the center/deepest part 2.5ft deep. Felt liner, rubber liner, river rock with larger rock intermingled all installed/done. I chose Cary Limestone, size C’s to go around the outside. Originally I was just going to have a lighted fountain but have now decided to add a waterfall. Here’s where I really need some help:
My plan is to put the skimmer box/filter on one side and the waterfall directly across the pond (approx. 25ft of tubing needed).
What size waterfalls?
What size skimmer box/filter?
What size pump? Have been told water should completely cycle/turnover 1 per hour, is this correct? I will have a few Koi with several lilies and other plants.

Any advice or words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated.

 

[DrDave]

Welcome to the Forum!
You will notice I moved your post to the Introductions thread.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our group!

The size of your waterfall is dependent on what size you want. I chose a skimmer with a large weir for the best water movement.

With koi you will want to have the water turn over every hour, my goldie pond does great with every 2 hour turn over.

With most koi to have plants you will need to protect them or the koi will eat them, ie your plants won't survive the koi

 

[CometKeith]

Hi Julie, Welcome!

 

[j.w]

Julie