Simply Koi and More Koi

Next phase of the big plan is underway. This is to take out all of the old block filters, remove the redundant vegtable filter and create a large walk into filter bay.

A few pictures of what it looked like before the demolision started.

This just shows a bit of the pond and the existing filter. You can see the first pair of Vortex's I fitted a couple of weeks agao. Behind them under the decking are is the old block built filters. Behind the two flat conifers is the old vegatable flter.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0416.JPG[/img]

View from the other end, the vagtable filter is behind the Pine tree.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0418.JPG[/img]

Here you can see a little bit better
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0422.JPG[/img]

Saturday lunchtime this is how it looked. Quite a few of the walls were down now and things were progressing well. I'd hired a 12" disc cutter and medium breaker and I was pleased with progress.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0423.JPG[/img]
http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0424.JPG

Unfortunatly the afternoons progress slowed up somewhat. I really cant understand how when I built the vegtable filter 12-years ago, why I put so much concrete in there! Quite a few hours work with the breaker and I wasnt making much progress. I cant remember exactly how I built this part of the pond and I cant find my construction pictures. I have a feeling I built it 'up' a bit with blocks and concrete, this may be a big job getting it all out!
This is how the day ended.
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0425.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0426.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0427.JPG[/img]

Havent started work yet on Sunday, there has been a big thunder storm with lots of rain since 6.30, so thought I'd start this thread instead. Will rip out the rest of the walls today, leave the old vegtable filter for another week!

Brian,

Hard at it again i see No help this time
You should of asked....

Hi Bob

Like my construction a lot of concrete down there and looks like a fair bit of digging if your going the same depth all the way through, how you going to drain excess water as I assume you will put in a concrete base .
Good pics though nice to see someone is making progress I seem to spend all my spare time looking after what I've already got .

Hi Bob,

Thats a lot of work for one person....especialy at your age

It looks like you may need the Dangerous Brian team back on standby

I know how you made the last vortex and that was hard enough so i would say you need a bigger breaker

Terry,

Don't worry when he is finished we will bring Bob over to your and he will bring some tools and make a start

hey Gazz I like the sound of that

You haven't seen the mess we make yet

I think you should start a thread with some pictures so we can do a "Lets Plan Terry's New Filters"

Hi Bob,

That looks like its going to be a big job! I would suggest a bigger breaker or a mini digger-why do we always go over board with the concrete! Looks like its coming along nicely though! Are you just having the two vortexs-im sure you said you had four? If you need an extra pair of hands let me know! Keep up the hard work-lets just hope the weather holds off!

Andy

Popped in for some lunch, I'm knackered again. Must be my age eh Gazza, I'm sure there must be many people a lot younger than me who are not so stupid as to do this!!!!!!

Danny - didnt like to ask again

Terry - I'll utilise the filter bottom drains which were there already.

Andy - Yes another pair of Vortex's to go in there yet, once all the mess is cleared away.

This of course is only phase 2, lots more work after this is completed!

well bob you dont mess around do you!!!

it seems as per anything koi its over engineered with plenty of concrete and no thought of what it will take to remove it at a later date LOL
i'm sure a quick shout out to the boys and youll have plenty of hands in that hole, and a lot more rouble in the garden to clear away.

i'm so glad we closed our pond down and filled it in whilst it was dry (winter time) and not attempted it during the wet summer months (monsoon season)

go for it Bob

Hi Bob,

Did you have to bash all this out so you can get the next set of vortexes in

So whats the plan now and when as if i am available ill try to get over and lend a hand

Hi Gazza - Yes without removing those walls and ripping up the fllors, there's no room for the next pair of Vortex's. As I'd have to then climb in and out to get to them, the old veggy filter has to be removed to create the walkway.

So these are the pictures of today's work. I focussed on the old bases of the filters, still took some time, but mostly removed now. Came across some more concrete I'd put in!!!!

I'm pretty knackered now and need a rest, so will go to work tomorrow!!!!

Next weekend I will dig out the earth on the other side of the old Veggy filter, try and see how much concrete and blocks there is in there. A few trips to the the tip as well to get rid of this weeks debris.

I dont think I'll be gunning any more out until September, very busy until then. Plus a couple of holidays that will get in the way

Will see if anyone is up for some fun then and I'll hire a bigger breaker as well!

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0430.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0431.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0429.JPG[/img]

Looking a bit different from here as well
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0434.JPG[/img]

While I had the camera out and they came to me, thought I'd snap a couple of the Koi
[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0435.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... IM0436.JPG[/img]

You have been busy and i am sure you will have a nice rest tomorrow

So is that all the old filters removed or is there another one at the end

It looks massive Bob you should of had a block built filter with all that room sorry But you have some serious room to mess about with some filtration now and also make it easier access which i think is something you have always wanted.I know its hard work and taking some time Bob but it will all be worth it and i am sure i can lend a hand

You're right Gazza, there is one more filter to knock through, just the end and side to take out on that one though.

Will give me lots of room as you say to mess about.

Once the Pergola and roof is put on, then the back, then sides/front in the Winter, I'll have a nice little home to live in. Not sure it will be like that for this Winter though, although once September comes around it will be all systems go.

Thamks for the offer of help

Well with the size of that i would imagine your be able to get another growing on system in there so whilst keeping an eye on the main pond you will be able to keep an eye on the small ones growing on

It could be easily done Gazza. All I have to do is keep the last filter bay, plug up the inlets and hey presto instant system - I't's not going to happen though, it's being bashed through! I need to 2 x 4" outlet pipes, this is where all the new pipework and cables from the shed will come through.