Not that we have many, we only have two. Okay only one proper shed, you know the sort that is a wooden structure that is utilitarian and where you keep your garden tools and other odds and ends. The other shed, my favourite one has the growing on pond in it. And lots of plants too!
As regular readers will know this project took a while to come to completion, with the project delayed by the garden fire in 2013. However things were back on track last summer and we built this shed late last year. Following on from that we have been enjoying spending time in it since it was finished in early January. Whilst doing a partial water change this afternoon I took some photos and thought of giving a quick update on how this new shed of ours is doing.
We have tweaked the setup recently. The main filter is now an Evolution Aqua Eazypod, and this filtration has been enhanced by an Oasis Clear Pond filter that has a UV clarifier that clumps algae, prevents green water, and greatly helps with the water clarity. Plus it provides extra biological filtration too. In theory the Eazypod could more than handle the volume of water in this pond, but as you can never really over-filter a pond any filtration added can only benefit the pond and its residents.
Setting up the filtration has been very simple. The system is pump fed to a splitter where 75% of the water passes to the EazyPod and 25% to the Oasis filter with the UVC.
The Eazypod therefore does the bulk of the filtration - both biological and also mechanical. The inside of the Eazypod is filled with static K1 which has a huge surface area to encourage the bacteria that break down the fish waste. This also allows solids to settle which are flushed to waste (more on that in a moment).
The water from this filter is then returned by 3" pipe to the pond.
The second filter takes a smaller volume of water, this contains sponge filters and flocor, again providing mechanical and biological plus the UVC to reduce algae in the water. I think we will probably remove the flocor and add kaldnes K3 instead as this has a higher surface area, and thus can be home to more of the good bacteria needed in the system.
Another thing is that as the filtration is now maturing nicely improving fish healtj and water clarity, not only removing solid wastes but neutralising the toxic byproducts produced by the fish. I have to say I'm especially most impressed with the main filter of the pond which is an Eazypod. It filters very efficiently and is very, very easy to clean and maintain. You only need a few minutes to clean the filter and no need to be touching fish poo. Highly recommended if you're thinking of a filter for a pond!
The waste from the pond is fed to a large clump of bamboo just behind the filter house, I'm sure the bamboo wont object to regular watering with concentrated fish waste.
The other inhabitants along with the fish are a number of plants, enjoying the warmth and shelter the shed provides.
As for the plants, all are doing well and have noticeably grown since we placed them there in January. None have migrated out as of yet but it won't be long now when most of them will, now that the growing season is well and truly here.
Mark :-)
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| The plastic box is not normally there but I was using it to keep the hosepipe in place as I do a partial water change. |
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| Some fresh water for the fish |
Setting up the filtration has been very simple. The system is pump fed to a splitter where 75% of the water passes to the EazyPod and 25% to the Oasis filter with the UVC.
The Eazypod therefore does the bulk of the filtration - both biological and also mechanical. The inside of the Eazypod is filled with static K1 which has a huge surface area to encourage the bacteria that break down the fish waste. This also allows solids to settle which are flushed to waste (more on that in a moment).
The water from this filter is then returned by 3" pipe to the pond.
The second filter takes a smaller volume of water, this contains sponge filters and flocor, again providing mechanical and biological plus the UVC to reduce algae in the water. I think we will probably remove the flocor and add kaldnes K3 instead as this has a higher surface area, and thus can be home to more of the good bacteria needed in the system.
Another thing is that as the filtration is now maturing nicely improving fish healtj and water clarity, not only removing solid wastes but neutralising the toxic byproducts produced by the fish. I have to say I'm especially most impressed with the main filter of the pond which is an Eazypod. It filters very efficiently and is very, very easy to clean and maintain. You only need a few minutes to clean the filter and no need to be touching fish poo. Highly recommended if you're thinking of a filter for a pond!
The waste from the pond is fed to a large clump of bamboo just behind the filter house, I'm sure the bamboo wont object to regular watering with concentrated fish waste.
The other inhabitants along with the fish are a number of plants, enjoying the warmth and shelter the shed provides.
As for the plants, all are doing well and have noticeably grown since we placed them there in January. None have migrated out as of yet but it won't be long now when most of them will, now that the growing season is well and truly here.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Fish poo. What a great source of fertiliser!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Jessica, and the bamboos behind the shed are benefitting from it via the waste pipe :)
DeleteThat's some heavy duty filtration, but your shed is so neat and tidy and clean .... not like any we have at our place.
ReplyDeleteAhh but our other shed is not so tidy....:)
DeleteYou have your own fertilizer factory! How great is that?
ReplyDeleteIndeed Gerhard :) we should have made the waste pipe longer so more plants benefit but we do use some of the waste from the main pond to fertilise other plants.
DeleteHave you thought to put the water from the fish tank on other plants around your garden. Sounds lmost as if you could market it, "Fish Poo Water"!
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh Laurin! :)) some of the waste from the main pond we use on other plants in the garden
DeleteYour shed is wonderful on so many levels. I really want a shed. I have a whole Pinterest page of ideas. I've even picked a location. I just haven't mentioned it to my husband yet...Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! And yes you must mention that shed to your husband asap! :)
DeletePart shed, part greenhouse, part fish pond. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThree in one, I like the sound of that Peter :)
DeleteLove all the bright coloured pots - picnic bowls?
ReplyDeleteThey're children's bowls from IKEA Celia :)
DeleteThat must be a very happy clump of bamboo!! I'm not sure you can call this a shed though, far too much thoughtful design, even if it is on the fun side!
ReplyDeleteKind words Janet, thank you! :)
DeleteOh my gosh, it's brilliant. You two are brilliant. You could market it as some kind of fertilizer, to be sure but beyond that, it's not a shed, it's another bit of Mark and Gaz paradise....colorful, fun, where the plants want to be. You two are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamara! That was such a fun comment :)
DeleteI understand why you like it so much. It must be wonderful to be there. And it is always good when the waste of something is good for other thing, like in the bamboo case :)
ReplyDeleteThe bamboo is lucky to get all that waste Lisa :)
DeleteNice to have a utilitarian shed be a place where you like to spend time.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki :)
DeleteIt is so good when something works out the way you hoped, functioning well and looking great. Your colorful pots are a fun addition!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debs :)
DeleteI've watched ever since the development of that pond, and have invested also some feelings in it, haha! I indeed salute your ability to make things happen and you're very organized, how beautiful your place is. Every nook is enviable. I just remember a friend here who made 3 levels for fish, vermiculture, and plants calling the system Aquavermiponics. At the lowest level are the fishes and of course the plants are on top, vermi decomposes the poo and water is circulating by self-closing valves using recycled materials. He is actually selling the set-up for urban gardening. More power Mark and Gaz
ReplyDelete