Hi guys, I forgot to mention in the video, its not a showstopper but try and get the trays without handle holes if you can. You might get the odd bit of splashing if you have them but not a disaster if you cant get them.
Thanks Colin, if you do use these trays, try to get the ones without handles. I don't think its a show stopper but you may get a bit of splashing if you have handle holes, I should have mentioned that in the vid but I forgot.
Happy new year Daz, Followed you from day 1, by far the best and most informative on the tube. Been waiting for this one as Iv not got a bakki shower sorted as yet, but my pond won’t be ready till early spring so no rush. Also could I ask if you have any thoughts about doing a video on moving bed chambers as I’m thinking of adding one after my easy pod air ? Thanks Rex
Haha thanks Andrew, its funny that because when I see my videos I feel like I'm a boring old fart and wonder why anyone would want to sit through it 😁 I cant wait to get this shower built and up and running. Roll on Spring 🍻
Excellent so pleased you have done this as I have been wanting to do it for my new system and properly, I have looked into media that doesn’t cost stupid that works with a compromise over the very expensive original and that was pumice stone look forward to seeing your next instalment 👍
Hi mate, thanks very much, I appreciate that. I've got a lot of work to do on the media as its an absolute minefield and very difficult to measure performance without testing each one over months and months. I've got pumice on my list 👍👍
First happy New year 🎈. I have only a very small pond 2000 litters and 4 small koi the new pond comes later in the year.. so for now I have 2000 litters pond.. I have a spare 8000 litters per hour pump I have the 5 boxes like yours which will hidden in the shed.. really looking forward to the next video. Much appreciation from the Netherlands. Matt
Intresting video. I have one of the widely available beige showers, 4 tier, 600 wide, think there only 220 deep though. Intresting to know if the reduced width makes much difference. I'm using quite a low flow as it's after my pod at the moment but in the process of swapping for a profi drum so the flow will be increased then. I use that midori Infarred media from kitsu koi aswell as kockney koi kintama bio balls on the bottom tier, working great for me, even with my low flow my nitrate is almost 0 and is lower than I get out the tap. Always looking for ways to improve though
Great vid 👍 just getting my stuff together got the boxes from Ryman 62 litre wham bam ones. Also purchased those tray things for the bottom. Just ordered all the pipe work from plastic pipe uk too 👍
Recently setup a new pond. With pressure filter and pump. Can I add shower off a separate 12000 pump. Will this be ok and will the containers this size be ok? Thanks
Hi Mark, you can definitely do this and see great results. If its not being pre-filtered, make sure to use the correct ceramic media as alternatives will block up. I would got up to 600mm wide for a 12000 pump.
Very informative video My pond is a similar size to yours and I will be running the pod as well the difference is I will be pump fed First question is would it be better for me to put a separate pump in and still use the pod The pond won’t be running until spring When I was getting the info about the pod Shirley aquatics said I wouldn’t need a shower because the pod will do it all Sorry it’s a bit long winded but I am new to the hobby and I want to get it right Regards Gary
Hi Gary, what size is your pond? The Pod is capable of handling a pond up to around 1500 gallons if setup correctly. The thing with a shower is it gives you things that normal filters don't such as nitrate removal etc so they are a great addition to any pond whether it needs extra filtration or not.
Hi Gary, yes you definitely need the Pod as your main filter. You can then supplement that with a shower to give you the extra benefits that come with it such as reduced nitrates, extra aeration, de-odorising, gassing off of some Ammonia, extra biological filtration etc. The shower isn't necessary, your fish would live fine without it, but they will thrive with it 👍👍
@@DazzleKoi thanks for that when I am up and running I will definitely make one Do you think I should run it off a separate pump or off the pod pump as I’ve said I am pump fed not gravity fed
Hi Gary, I think you could do it a couple of ways but if it where me, I would run a separate pump, yes. The thing with a shower is , they are brilliant, but if you miss by just a tiny amount, they are just a trickle tower and you'll be disappointed. Its very fine margins between getting it and not. If you are building one I would say go for it fully and nail everything and you wont be disappointed with it 👍👍
Really enjoy your videos, they are full of useful information and you have a slightly different take on things, based on experience, so we have a lot in common. Where do you live Mate? I'm guessing east Manchester. I'm from Manchester too but have lived in Canada for the past 32 years.
@@DazzleKoi I know St Helens well mate although it was a bit of a surprise, as I could have sworn you jave a Manchester accent. Keep up the great work.
haha, no St Helens born and bred for my sins. As you know the place you'll wonder why the hell I stayed, I ask myself the same every day 😁 Normally people call me a scouser rather than a manc so I'll take that 👍🍻👍
Hi mate. I am planning on making a shower in the spring. Watched the 1st 2 vids in this series and really informative. I ordered my media in November in readiness (although still not here due to port hold ups) I went for Sakura Far Infrared Shower Filter Media. This is heated to 1800 degrees and i think is a new version. They sell it at Queni Koi but I found the volume I wanted was about £100 cheaper at Kitsu Koi. See what you think 👍
Thanks Matt, I have heard about the Sakura one. It sounds like its the same material and method of production as the genuine BHM so its definitely one that interests me a lot. I will definitely be looking in to this one 👍👍🍻
Happy New Year mate! I have been looking forward to this particular video. Thank you for all your help. I should have my new pond completed by the end of summer (1500G) and the build will be very similar to yours - gravity fed using an Easy Pod with a 3 inch drain. I definitely will go for a diy shower but I have a couple of questions. I plan to run the shower off a skimmer and if I use a Varipump 10,000 could this pump handle the pod return and the skimmer to the shower? I thought of buying two separate vari pumps, so effectively have two independent set ups but would you recommend I should go for just a 20,000 Varipump to do everything? Sorry about all the questions! All best Darren ,
Hi mate, sorry for the delay, Happy New Year to you to 👍👍 I dont htink you can, no. I think you will need a 10,000 variable speed pump on the pod immediately as the water comes out and that can return over the shower and then have a second pump on the skimmer line. If you T the skimmer line in to the bottom drain line you could use valves to balance the flows (not easy) but you would only be able to run the pump at 5500 litres as it would all go through the pod.
@@DazzleKoi Hi Darren, Thank you for your advice , very helpful, this makes sense and running a 10,000 variable pump after the pod to the shower at 5500 litres flow rate is a good plan . Going back to the skimmer line, if I run another 10,000 pump through a 55watt UV and through ...perhaps two side inlets into the pond ? this would produce good water movement for the fish. Is this a reasonable option in your view,? If so, what flow rather would you recommend on this skimmer line set up? :) sorry about more questions! Stay safe mate and thank you again for all your help. Regards Darren
HI mate, yes that's a good plan. Mid water returns are great for water circulation. You can fit the tangential ones so they come in at an angle and encourage circulation. That helps keep the pond bottom clean amongst other things. In terms of flow, I would match it to whatever your particular skimmer manufacturer recommends for their skimmer. Keep in mind that your UV will have a maximum flow as well.
Hi, nice informative video. The design of the Momotaro showers has quite a large air gap between tiers, is that a critical feature? It looks like the plastic boxes stack quite snugly so would not have the same airflow. What do you think?
Hi mate, no I don't think its relevant. There is air everywhere around the inside of them as they are far from air tight. Also, anaerobic bacteria, which is what we need to encourage, needs an environment void of oxygen anyway. The only oxygen it needs is the oxygen in the water tied up as nitrate and it breaks down the nitrate for its oxygen source. It will cut down on wind chill to having them more closed in. I'm going to box mine in further with a cement fiberboard and tile on top of that . Bead filters work brilliantly to and they have much less air supply than these showers will.
Hi daz I have a load of bhm media left after mankind shower . Can I put this in a static flow through tank or does this only work with a shower type set up ?
Hi Martin, you can definitely use it submerged but it wont give you any special performance. It has surface area for bacteria but it wont really do anything different to say K1 and it costs a lot more. Can you squeeze on another tier maybe?
Hi there, I filtered a 5500 gallon pond with just 3 showers and no other filtration at all so it can be done, yes. But you need to use genuine momotaro stainless steel showers with 4 tiers and the correct amount of genuine Bakki House Media (BHM). The problem with this is that you need massive water pumps (I had 3 x 15000 litre pumps) and it is very expensive both to buy the showers & media and to run the pumps.
Hi Mike, my system is 3" bottom drain to Pod, Pod outlet straight in to 10,000 vario pump, out of pump to shower via UV . I'm not changing anything , just putting the shower as the return instead of a pipe over the wall 👍
Great video I’ve got a monentro balking shower I got secondhand at a really good price I’m pumped out so I’ve got a t junction one going to my nexus one straight to the shower I’ve only got a 15000 vari pump on it to the max would you put a bigger pump on it as I need minimum of 7000 to get the nexus running right the shower is full of bhm I’ve only got a 1000 gallon pond what do you suggest? Thanks Kevin
Hi Kevin, its not a straight forward one this to be honest. The shower you have is really designed to work properly at or over 15000 litres and its for a much bigger pond. To get it to work right you would need another pump but its an awful lot of flow for a 1000 gallon pond. You could do it, but its going to be expensive to run. You will have one hell of a well filtered pond though 😁👍👍👍 I guess the best approach would be to use the 15000 pump on full belt to the shower and put a second , smaller pump, say a 10000 variflow throttled back, on the nexus.
Hiya can I ask, would the 600x400x320 still be ok for the shower. Initially planning on using alfagrog, to keep cost down.. on a 8500ltr pond, bottom drain and gravity fed. Still in the process of building the pond by the way.
Hi Steve, it all depends on what flow you are putting over it really. That's quite a big shower if you are only putting Pod flows over it but would be ok for say a nexus 320 or similar. Do you know what filter you will use yet? If you can stretch to pumice it would be much much better to. Pumice will do a good job but grog is close to useless in a shower if I'm being honest.
@@DazzleKoi I was aiming for either an 8000 or 10000ltr pump. Only asked about the 320 high to make more of a drop in water, I don't mind using the 270 high. I don't mind going for pumice inside. The shower was going to be the main filter to start , was then thinking of making a diy upflow filter which would then feed into the shower
You could use the 10,000 on those trays, just about and the pumice will do a good job for you. The 320 trays are definitely better than the 270's if you have the space to accommodate them. The problem you will have though is that with no mechanical filtration your pond is not going to be clear and you will quickly block up pumice if you pump dirty water to it. You really need a mechanical filter before the shower from the start to take out the solid waste first. I would definitely make the upflow filter first and then the shower if you can't do both straight away. The upflow will work without the shower but the shower wont work without the upflow. I have a video on upflow filter principles if you haven't seen it. The next problem you will have is even a 250mm upflow filter (like the tempest) can only work well up to 5000 litres an hour so you wont be able to get enough flow through an upflow to feed a shower that size. I would look at a nexus 200 or similar if you can and then add the shower after it later.
@@DazzleKoi cool this is really helpful, never got the same level of detail that you give. The only mechanical filtration I guess I might have is brushes that I'm going to put in a box like container my 110mm pipe is going to go in from the bottom drain. Would that be enough? Thanks again for the info
I'll be honest mate I doubt it very much. You really do need some good mechanical filtration or you will have loads of problems with bacteria build up as well as dirty water. What about a sieve? Is there an option to fit a sieve off your bottom drain?
Hi mate, I've never cleaned media in a shower in 26 years but if you didnt have sufficient flow going over it you may need to. Also if you dont use the better medias they can block up.
Hi Ryan, I thought a bit more about this. The tray that they do that is 300mm x 400mm is effectively a 300mm wide shower as the 400mm can be used for the depth. 300mm wide, while small, is better than being too wide as it concentrates the flow down more thus having the same effect as more flow.
Hi Mike, they can be , yes. I'm going to clad mine with something like the tiles I have on the pond and they will probably go on to a cement fiberboard or something like that so its likely I wont hear much from mine when its finished. Its the sound of water so its not an unpleasant sound. You can put a weir or something like that at the bottom to which makes the water enter the pond quietly.
Hi Mark, its more related to the flow you can put over it than the size of the pond. If you can get say 6000 litres over it then I would suggest 400mm wide shower at the most. More flow concentrated over less width is the way to go 👍
Really love the content of the videos I’m finding them so helpful . I’m currently in the planning stages for my new pond for once I’m in the new house. I would love a bakki shower but can the showers be placed in a filter house and pipe fed back to the pond? The boss aka the wife doesn’t like the look of them 🤔
Thanks Robert, much appreciated 🍻 Its not easy to install them remotely unfortunately. Because the water needs to return to the pond from the shower by gravity it needs to sit high up. You can do it but you would need it sat such that there is a pipe running from the bottom of the shower to the pond above water level. As such the shower would be to tall for most sheds and filter houses. Also, because its a gravity return it needs to be a decent width of pipe, I've used 3" on mine and I only have a very small flow over it. they really need to sit on the side of the pond. You can box them in and clad the outside etc to make it look better if you want to. That may be an option. I'm going to cover mine and tile the outside with the same tiles I used on the pond I think.
Thanks for the reply , I personally like the bakki tower look just have to please the wife 😂, that’s a good idea to box it in and tile that’s something I can look at. The world of filters to a new keeper gets very confusing.
It does mate. There are a million options and every option has a fan club who swear its the best option. Its good if you can visit some hobbyists who have systems running and see how they are performing. People want different things to. Some rate a filter highly because it is easy to clean, some because its cheap, etc etc so we all have different ideals. I place a lot of emphasis on ease of cleaning, not because I'm lazy, but because when its easy to do you are more inclined to do it. I avoid things that are onerous to clean or it becomes to easy to just put it off. I flush mine every single day so the fact that its just a case if turning a few valves and takes 3 or 4 minutes is massive for me.
I’m all for the ease of cleaning once I’m in the new house and the plans are finalised regarding filtration I maybe asking for you to give it a once over if that’s ok pal , the pond I run now is only a small pond and runs off a pressure filter so it’s going to be a big step up.
Good video again mate, I did laugh @ the "boring old fart" bit. I like the vids and find you very informative personally. Looking forward to seeing your media choice and qty, won't you lose water from the handles in those boxes?
Hi Jason, there are options to have handles or not. I did actually order them without handles but they only had 3 left so I have 3 without and 1 with. My plan is to put that at the top as I'll need to modify it for the spray bar anyway. Good spot though, I should have mentioned that in the video, I'll pin a comment on it 👍👍 I don't think it would be an issue really as the water is falling straight down and there are gaps on the genuine showers but its better safe than sorry.
Hi Lewis, sorry to hear that mate. I have never had to treat for fin rot so I'm going to cheat and recommend a web page to you that I would use if I came across fin rot. I've had a read through it and it is really comprehensive and is the one I would follow if I where you. Sorry that feels like a bit of a cop out but I don't want to give you poor advice and I know the site below know there stuff. pondinformer.com/how-to-treat-koi-fin-rot/
Good info Dazzle . 👍 I'm building mine roughly 120cm (L) and 13" (H) & 13" (D) with possibly a 15.000 pump or 20.000 Vari??? Also gonna use multiple rock ceramic media within shower (Kintama, Marine Pure sphere , volcanic rock + alfragrog 👈 "Maybe")..
Hi Simon, sounds good mate, try to use as much of the ceramic stuff as you can as thats the one that will house anaerobic bacteria and take care of your nitrate 👍👍
I've always used MarinePure for discus and Marining, and in pond (static tho). 1.5" Spheres which 🤔 1.5 inch sphere is equivalent of 132. 000 sqft area surface £64 Per Gallon 👈 and have been around in use over ten years 🤔 don't think I would use that bhm (momotaro) arm leg stuff on six year study?? What's your thoughts on it Dazzle ??
Hi Simon, I filtered a 5500 gallon pond purely on showers, nothing else at all, and they all only used BHM. I haven't found an alternative yet that could get anywhere near the BHM, its as good as it gets for me. BHM was developed alongside the shower filter, specifically for that purpose. Unfortunately I can't afford to spend BHM money now so I'm going to look in to it thoroughly and see if I can find something that comes close but costs a lot less.
@@DazzleKoi Been looking into media myself. From what I've seen, from the likes of crystal bio media and bio home shower media. It all looks and seems to do the same job as grow stones and hydro stones. Which is sold at a fraction of the price. Starting to think it's just been labelled up, to make a huge profit.
Hi Adam, the original BHM was developed specifically to optimise the conditions in a shower and with nitrate bacteria in mind. It is fired at very high temperatures which causes the internal structure to fracture and open up millions of tiny 'tunnels' inside that can harbor anaerobic bacteria. The conditions for anaerobic bacteria to live are extremely difficult to create as they need a habitat completely void of oxygen. They then take their oxygen source from the nitrate thus breaking it down in the process. The ceramics also have some FIR (far infrared) properties and are able to degrade some organic material. None of the alternatives do this. So yes, while you can put practically anything you want in a shower and get some biofilm growing and see some aeration, its not actually working as a shower can. Its only really a trickle tower. This is why a lot of people make a shower (or buy them even) and are happy with them as they see some benefits. But in reality there is so much more to be had. Ive not heard of grow stones or hydro stones though, I'll take a look 👍👍
Hi, I am about to set up a new pond for my Koi’s because they are growing and are all active and Healthy. Ranging from a year old to 23 years old and eating healthy. Can you recommend a reasonable supplier who can produce and sell me a good quality Box Weld liner for a fair price? 14x10x5 I am building a sleeper pond. 3ft in the ground and about 2ft above. Many thanks.
Hi David, I would suggest having a chat to Cotswold Koi, they always get great reviews in terms of their service and their product. Bradshawas direct is another one that I hear good things about in terms of price. I think they will be a little bit cheaper than Cotswold but just check to make sure you are getting quoted for the same material and thickness of liner. Lastly, get a price from atlantica gardens to. I believe they are good value
Hi Darren I am in the pet food industry and have bees sent a brochure from a plastic company called fletcher European containers in Wellingborough They seem to have some different sizes than normal run of the mill products Maybe worth a look
Thanks Gary, yes they have some 800's amongst others which I haven't seem elsewhere www.fletchereuropean.co.uk/en/products/plastic-stacking-and-stack-nest-containers/euro-plastic-stacking-containers/
Thanks Mitch, I really do appreciate that 🍻 I haven't actually decided yet to be honest. I like to have them sat over the pond (say 30cm off the water) and the water drop straight in, I think in my mind that would give the best results but it looks the most unsightly and least appealing from an aesthetic point of view. Then sat on the pond wall with a weir is another good option. In my particular circumstance I think I want to fix it to the side of the shed and clad it in the same tiles as the pond. As such I'll need to build some kind of shoot that channels the water in to a single pipe to return to the pond as it has a bit of distance to travel back to the pond. The trouble is I dont know how to do that yet, I may need to invest in a plastic welder and make something myself.
@@DazzleKoi As you already have the extra euro containers why not use a 5th one at the bottom and add a tank connector to pipe the water back to the pond? That's probably how I would do it.
Hi Jim, I considered a tray at the bottom for media to sit submerged but I didn't think about it as a solution to the problem of getting the water back in to a pipe. That's a great idea, I'll look in to that 👍👍
Hi guys, I forgot to mention in the video, its not a showstopper but try and get the trays without handle holes if you can. You might get the odd bit of splashing if you have them but not a disaster if you cant get them.
Thanks for the video Daz. You've got a lot of technical knowledge. Looking forward to see how the bakki shower develops.
Thanks very much Peter, I appreciate that 🍻👍👍🍻
I never thought of adding another pump and T before the filter. Might try this when I do my bakki shower.
Hi Gareth, yes, its a good option mate if your drain is big enough to handle the flow 👍👍
Been waiting for these bakki videos, interesting stuff. Looking forward to next one, gonna be building to your ideas. Happy new year, cheers 👍
Thanks Richard. I'll get my finger out and get it built soon. Happy New Year to you to mate 🍻🍻👍🍻🍻
@@DazzleKoi just a quick question if you wouldn’t mind daz, was the postage expensive on the 4 boxes?
Hi Richard, sorry for the delay, the four boxes cost £45.36 in total and that was £35.76 for the boxes themselves and £9.60 for delivery
@@DazzleKoi that’s no problem at all, got them ordered up today tbh, very reasonable I thought and easy company to deal with. Thanks for reply 👍
Nice one 👍👍
Happy New Year mate brill video looking forward to the build 👍
Hi Andrew, Happy New Year to you to mate, all the best 🍻🍻👍👍🍻🍻
All the best for the new year daz .great stuff again daz I will wait for all the vids on the shower cache them a few times before I dive in bud. 👌👍
Thanks Darren, All the best Sir 🍻🍻👍👍
Great information thanks can't wait for this one to have a go at building one happy new year
Thanks Colin, if you do use these trays, try to get the ones without handles. I don't think its a show stopper but you may get a bit of splashing if you have handle holes, I should have mentioned that in the vid but I forgot.
Happy new year Daz,
Followed you from day 1, by far the best and most informative on the tube.
Been waiting for this one as Iv not got a bakki shower sorted as yet, but my pond won’t be ready till early spring so no rush.
Also could I ask if you have any thoughts about doing a video on moving bed chambers as I’m thinking of adding one after my easy pod air ?
Thanks Rex
Hi Rex, appreciate your kind words as always Sir 🍻🍻
I haven't got a moving bed filter on my video list but I will certainly add it now 👍👍
Brilliant matey 👍👍👍👍👍👍 I'm on the edge of my seat !!!! Can't wait for the rest 😄😄😄 keep up the hard work it is appreciated
Haha thanks Andrew, its funny that because when I see my videos I feel like I'm a boring old fart and wonder why anyone would want to sit through it 😁
I cant wait to get this shower built and up and running. Roll on Spring 🍻
Nice video as always. Can't wait to see the next one now with the inlet and outlet. Hope you are well. Keep safe. Take care
Thanks Lau, yes hopefully it wont be as long to wait, I should have more time to spend on it now Christmas is over 👍👍
Excellent so pleased you have done this as I have been wanting to do it for my new system and properly, I have looked into media that doesn’t cost stupid that works with a compromise over the very expensive original and that was pumice stone look forward to seeing your next instalment 👍
Hi mate, thanks very much, I appreciate that. I've got a lot of work to do on the media as its an absolute minefield and very difficult to measure performance without testing each one over months and months. I've got pumice on my list 👍👍
First happy New year 🎈. I have only a very small pond 2000 litters and 4 small koi the new pond comes later in the year.. so for now I have 2000 litters pond.. I have a spare 8000 litters per hour pump I have the 5 boxes like yours which will hidden in the shed.. really looking forward to the next video. Much appreciation from the Netherlands. Matt
Thanks Matt, and a Happy New Year to you to 🍻🍻
First things first happy new year daz! The trays you've got are bang on for me so I'm on it, bring it on! Catch you on the next one. 😊👍
Happy New Year Col, try to get the trays with no handle holes if you can. They do both 👍👍
Yes I had a look on the site. They do a static free version, which doesn't have the handles👍
Great video again 👍
Cheers Terence 🍻🍻
Intresting video. I have one of the widely available beige showers, 4 tier, 600 wide, think there only 220 deep though. Intresting to know if the reduced width makes much difference. I'm using quite a low flow as it's after my pod at the moment but in the process of swapping for a profi drum so the flow will be increased then. I use that midori Infarred media from kitsu koi aswell as kockney koi kintama bio balls on the bottom tier, working great for me, even with my low flow my nitrate is almost 0 and is lower than I get out the tap. Always looking for ways to improve though
Hi Dan, sounds good. Interesting that you see reduced Nitrate with the midori media as that's one of the ones I intend looking in to 👍👍
@@DazzleKoi sorry my mistake it's. The sakura far infrared (probably the same stuff) from kitsu koi
Hi Dan, no problem, I'll check that out to 👍👍
Great vid 👍 just getting my stuff together got the boxes from Ryman 62 litre wham bam ones. Also purchased those tray things for the bottom. Just ordered all the pipe work from plastic pipe uk too 👍
Good stuff mate, I need to get my finger out and get mine built now 😁
Great vid my friend..
Love it..
Cheers Chris,, thanks very much 🍻👍🍻
Recently setup a new pond. With pressure filter and pump. Can I add shower off a separate 12000 pump. Will this be ok and will the containers this size be ok? Thanks
Hi Mark, you can definitely do this and see great results. If its not being pre-filtered, make sure to use the correct ceramic media as alternatives will block up. I would got up to 600mm wide for a 12000 pump.
Very informative video
My pond is a similar size to yours and I will be running the pod as well the difference is I will be pump fed
First question is would it be better for me to put a separate pump in and still use the pod
The pond won’t be running until spring
When I was getting the info about the pod Shirley aquatics said I wouldn’t need a shower because the pod will do it all
Sorry it’s a bit long winded but I am new to the hobby and I want to get it right
Regards Gary
Hi Gary, what size is your pond?
The Pod is capable of handling a pond up to around 1500 gallons if setup correctly. The thing with a shower is it gives you things that normal filters don't such as nitrate removal etc so they are a great addition to any pond whether it needs extra filtration or not.
Thanks for getting back to me
My pond is a similar size to your just over a 1000 gallons
Hi Gary, yes you definitely need the Pod as your main filter. You can then supplement that with a shower to give you the extra benefits that come with it such as reduced nitrates, extra aeration, de-odorising, gassing off of some Ammonia, extra biological filtration etc. The shower isn't necessary, your fish would live fine without it, but they will thrive with it 👍👍
@@DazzleKoi thanks for that when I am up and running I will definitely make one
Do you think I should run it off a separate pump or off the pod pump as I’ve said I am pump fed not gravity fed
Hi Gary, I think you could do it a couple of ways but if it where me, I would run a separate pump, yes. The thing with a shower is , they are brilliant, but if you miss by just a tiny amount, they are just a trickle tower and you'll be disappointed. Its very fine margins between getting it and not.
If you are building one I would say go for it fully and nail everything and you wont be disappointed with it 👍👍
Really enjoy your videos, they are full of useful information and you have a slightly different take on things, based on experience, so we have a lot in common. Where do you live Mate? I'm guessing east Manchester. I'm from Manchester too but have lived in Canada for the past 32 years.
Hi mate and thank you, I appreciate that 🍻🍻
I'm from St Helens, which is right smack in the middle between Liverpool and Manchester.
@@DazzleKoi I know St Helens well mate although it was a bit of a surprise, as I could have sworn you jave a Manchester accent. Keep up the great work.
haha, no St Helens born and bred for my sins. As you know the place you'll wonder why the hell I stayed, I ask myself the same every day 😁
Normally people call me a scouser rather than a manc so I'll take that 👍🍻👍
Hi mate. I am planning on making a shower in the spring. Watched the 1st 2 vids in this series and really informative. I ordered my media in November in readiness (although still not here due to port hold ups) I went for Sakura Far Infrared Shower Filter Media. This is heated to 1800 degrees and i think is a new version. They sell it at Queni Koi but I found the volume I wanted was about £100 cheaper at Kitsu Koi. See what you think 👍
Thanks Matt, I have heard about the Sakura one. It sounds like its the same material and method of production as the genuine BHM so its definitely one that interests me a lot. I will definitely be looking in to this one 👍👍🍻
Happy New Year mate! I have been looking forward to this particular video. Thank you for all your help. I should have my new pond completed by the end of summer (1500G) and the build will be very similar to yours - gravity fed using an Easy Pod with a 3 inch drain. I definitely will go for a diy shower but I have a couple of questions. I plan to run the shower off a skimmer and if I use a Varipump 10,000 could this pump handle the pod return and the skimmer to the shower? I thought of buying two separate vari pumps, so effectively have two independent set ups but would you recommend I should go for just a 20,000 Varipump to do everything? Sorry about all the questions! All best Darren
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Hi mate, sorry for the delay, Happy New Year to you to 👍👍
I dont htink you can, no. I think you will need a 10,000 variable speed pump on the pod immediately as the water comes out and that can return over the shower and then have a second pump on the skimmer line. If you T the skimmer line in to the bottom drain line you could use valves to balance the flows (not easy) but you would only be able to run the pump at 5500 litres as it would all go through the pod.
@@DazzleKoi Hi Darren, Thank you for your advice , very helpful, this makes sense and running a 10,000 variable pump after the pod to the shower at 5500 litres flow rate is a good plan . Going back to the skimmer line, if I run another 10,000 pump through a 55watt UV and through ...perhaps two side inlets into the pond ? this would produce good water movement for the fish. Is this a reasonable option in your view,? If so, what flow rather would you recommend on this skimmer line set up? :) sorry about more questions!
Stay safe mate and thank you again for all your help. Regards Darren
HI mate, yes that's a good plan. Mid water returns are great for water circulation. You can fit the tangential ones so they come in at an angle and encourage circulation. That helps keep the pond bottom clean amongst other things.
In terms of flow, I would match it to whatever your particular skimmer manufacturer recommends for their skimmer. Keep in mind that your UV will have a maximum flow as well.
Cracking I’m going to get trays ordered let us know pipe and fittings you use etc but I know you will 😁👍🏻
Thanks mate Antony.
Thanks Andy, I on it 👍
Happy New Year!
Thanks mate, Happy New Year to you to 🍻🍻
Hi, nice informative video. The design of the Momotaro showers has quite a large air gap between tiers, is that a critical feature? It looks like the plastic boxes stack quite snugly so would not have the same airflow. What do you think?
Hi mate, no I don't think its relevant. There is air everywhere around the inside of them as they are far from air tight. Also, anaerobic bacteria, which is what we need to encourage, needs an environment void of oxygen anyway. The only oxygen it needs is the oxygen in the water tied up as nitrate and it breaks down the nitrate for its oxygen source. It will cut down on wind chill to having them more closed in. I'm going to box mine in further with a cement fiberboard and tile on top of that . Bead filters work brilliantly to and they have much less air supply than these showers will.
Hi daz I have a load of bhm media left after mankind shower . Can I put this in a static flow through tank or does this only work with a shower type set up ?
Hi Martin, you can definitely use it submerged but it wont give you any special performance. It has surface area for bacteria but it wont really do anything different to say K1 and it costs a lot more. Can you squeeze on another tier maybe?
Can koi pond solely depends on bakki shower filter system? With no other mechanical filtration involved.
Hi there, I filtered a 5500 gallon pond with just 3 showers and no other filtration at all so it can be done, yes. But you need to use genuine momotaro stainless steel showers with 4 tiers and the correct amount of genuine Bakki House Media (BHM).
The problem with this is that you need massive water pumps (I had 3 x 15000 litre pumps) and it is very expensive both to buy the showers & media and to run the pumps.
Hi Darren are you going to run the shower straight from eazypod or through skimmer thanks mike 👍🏻
Hi Mike, my system is 3" bottom drain to Pod, Pod outlet straight in to 10,000 vario pump, out of pump to shower via UV . I'm not changing anything , just putting the shower as the return instead of a pipe over the wall 👍
Great video I’ve got a monentro balking shower I got secondhand at a really good price I’m pumped out so I’ve got a t junction one going to my nexus one straight to the shower I’ve only got a 15000 vari pump on it to the max would you put a bigger pump on it as I need minimum of 7000 to get the nexus running right the shower is full of bhm I’ve only got a 1000 gallon pond what do you suggest? Thanks Kevin
Baku shower I meant sorry
Predictive texting bakki shower
Hi Kevin, its not a straight forward one this to be honest. The shower you have is really designed to work properly at or over 15000 litres and its for a much bigger pond. To get it to work right you would need another pump but its an awful lot of flow for a 1000 gallon pond. You could do it, but its going to be expensive to run. You will have one hell of a well filtered pond though 😁👍👍👍
I guess the best approach would be to use the 15000 pump on full belt to the shower and put a second , smaller pump, say a 10000 variflow throttled back, on the nexus.
Hiya can I ask, would the 600x400x320 still be ok for the shower. Initially planning on using alfagrog, to keep cost down.. on a 8500ltr pond, bottom drain and gravity fed. Still in the process of building the pond by the way.
Hi Steve, it all depends on what flow you are putting over it really. That's quite a big shower if you are only putting Pod flows over it but would be ok for say a nexus 320 or similar. Do you know what filter you will use yet?
If you can stretch to pumice it would be much much better to. Pumice will do a good job but grog is close to useless in a shower if I'm being honest.
@@DazzleKoi I was aiming for either an 8000 or 10000ltr pump. Only asked about the 320 high to make more of a drop in water, I don't mind using the 270 high. I don't mind going for pumice inside. The shower was going to be the main filter to start , was then thinking of making a diy upflow filter which would then feed into the shower
You could use the 10,000 on those trays, just about and the pumice will do a good job for you. The 320 trays are definitely better than the 270's if you have the space to accommodate them.
The problem you will have though is that with no mechanical filtration your pond is not going to be clear and you will quickly block up pumice if you pump dirty water to it. You really need a mechanical filter before the shower from the start to take out the solid waste first.
I would definitely make the upflow filter first and then the shower if you can't do both straight away. The upflow will work without the shower but the shower wont work without the upflow. I have a video on upflow filter principles if you haven't seen it. The next problem you will have is even a 250mm upflow filter (like the tempest) can only work well up to 5000 litres an hour so you wont be able to get enough flow through an upflow to feed a shower that size.
I would look at a nexus 200 or similar if you can and then add the shower after it later.
@@DazzleKoi cool this is really helpful, never got the same level of detail that you give. The only mechanical filtration I guess I might have is brushes that I'm going to put in a box like container my 110mm pipe is going to go in from the bottom drain. Would that be enough?
Thanks again for the info
I'll be honest mate I doubt it very much. You really do need some good mechanical filtration or you will have loads of problems with bacteria build up as well as dirty water. What about a sieve? Is there an option to fit a sieve off your bottom drain?
Do you have to clean the media? If so, how often?
Hi mate, I've never cleaned media in a shower in 26 years but if you didnt have sufficient flow going over it you may need to. Also if you dont use the better medias they can block up.
Great video. If the 400mm depth is fixed, doesn't that define the width to be a minimum of 400mm? Looking forward to the next video
Hi Ryan, I thought a bit more about this. The tray that they do that is 300mm x 400mm is effectively a 300mm wide shower as the 400mm can be used for the depth. 300mm wide, while small, is better than being too wide as it concentrates the flow down more thus having the same effect as more flow.
@@DazzleKoi hey, thanks for the reply. That makes sense. Compromise at the end of the day
Are they noisy,or can you fit something to make the water go in the pond smooth?
Hi Mike, they can be , yes. I'm going to clad mine with something like the tiles I have on the pond and they will probably go on to a cement fiberboard or something like that so its likely I wont hear much from mine when its finished.
Its the sound of water so its not an unpleasant sound.
You can put a weir or something like that at the bottom to which makes the water enter the pond quietly.
Hi can u help please what size bakki shower would u say I need for a 6300lt pond please I have alfagrog and have on order bakki house media
Hi Mark, its more related to the flow you can put over it than the size of the pond. If you can get say 6000 litres over it then I would suggest 400mm wide shower at the most. More flow concentrated over less width is the way to go 👍
Really love the content of the videos I’m finding them so helpful . I’m currently in the planning stages for my new pond for once I’m in the new house. I would love a bakki shower but can the showers be placed in a filter house and pipe fed back to the pond? The boss aka the wife doesn’t like the look of them 🤔
Thanks Robert, much appreciated 🍻
Its not easy to install them remotely unfortunately. Because the water needs to return to the pond from the shower by gravity it needs to sit high up. You can do it but you would need it sat such that there is a pipe running from the bottom of the shower to the pond above water level. As such the shower would be to tall for most sheds and filter houses. Also, because its a gravity return it needs to be a decent width of pipe, I've used 3" on mine and I only have a very small flow over it.
they really need to sit on the side of the pond.
You can box them in and clad the outside etc to make it look better if you want to. That may be an option. I'm going to cover mine and tile the outside with the same tiles I used on the pond I think.
Thanks for the reply , I personally like the bakki tower look just have to please the wife 😂, that’s a good idea to box it in and tile that’s something I can look at. The world of filters to a new keeper gets very confusing.
It does mate. There are a million options and every option has a fan club who swear its the best option. Its good if you can visit some hobbyists who have systems running and see how they are performing.
People want different things to. Some rate a filter highly because it is easy to clean, some because its cheap, etc etc so we all have different ideals.
I place a lot of emphasis on ease of cleaning, not because I'm lazy, but because when its easy to do you are more inclined to do it. I avoid things that are onerous to clean or it becomes to easy to just put it off. I flush mine every single day so the fact that its just a case if turning a few valves and takes 3 or 4 minutes is massive for me.
I’m all for the ease of cleaning once I’m in the new house and the plans are finalised regarding filtration I maybe asking for you to give it a once over if that’s ok pal , the pond I run now is only a small pond and runs off a pressure filter so it’s going to be a big step up.
Yes mate , of course 🍻👍🍻👍🍻
Good video again mate, I did laugh @ the "boring old fart" bit. I like the vids and find you very informative personally. Looking forward to seeing your media choice and qty, won't you lose water from the handles in those boxes?
Hi Jason, there are options to have handles or not. I did actually order them without handles but they only had 3 left so I have 3 without and 1 with. My plan is to put that at the top as I'll need to modify it for the spray bar anyway. Good spot though, I should have mentioned that in the video, I'll pin a comment on it 👍👍
I don't think it would be an issue really as the water is falling straight down and there are gaps on the genuine showers but its better safe than sorry.
B and Q do some very similar trays which have the reinforced buttons and cheap
Hi Philip, sounds good , I'll have a look over the weekend and report back 👍
Hi mate any tips on what’s best to treat fin rot still having nightmares thanks 👍
Hi Lewis, sorry to hear that mate. I have never had to treat for fin rot so I'm going to cheat and recommend a web page to you that I would use if I came across fin rot. I've had a read through it and it is really comprehensive and is the one I would follow if I where you.
Sorry that feels like a bit of a cop out but I don't want to give you poor advice and I know the site below know there stuff.
pondinformer.com/how-to-treat-koi-fin-rot/
@@DazzleKoi that’s very helpful of you thanks I wil have a read of it now thanks mate 👍
No problem, let me know how you get on mate 👍👍
Good info Dazzle . 👍 I'm building mine roughly 120cm (L) and 13" (H) & 13" (D) with possibly a 15.000 pump or 20.000 Vari??? Also gonna use multiple rock ceramic media within shower (Kintama, Marine Pure sphere , volcanic rock + alfragrog 👈 "Maybe")..
Hi Simon, sounds good mate, try to use as much of the ceramic stuff as you can as thats the one that will house anaerobic bacteria and take care of your nitrate 👍👍
I've always used MarinePure for discus and Marining, and in pond (static tho). 1.5" Spheres which 🤔 1.5 inch sphere is equivalent of 132. 000 sqft area surface £64 Per Gallon 👈 and have been around in use over ten years 🤔 don't think I would use that bhm (momotaro) arm leg stuff on six year study?? What's your thoughts on it Dazzle ??
Hi Simon, I filtered a 5500 gallon pond purely on showers, nothing else at all, and they all only used BHM. I haven't found an alternative yet that could get anywhere near the BHM, its as good as it gets for me. BHM was developed alongside the shower filter, specifically for that purpose. Unfortunately I can't afford to spend BHM money now so I'm going to look in to it thoroughly and see if I can find something that comes close but costs a lot less.
@@DazzleKoi Been looking into media myself. From what I've seen, from the likes of crystal bio media and bio home shower media. It all looks and seems to do the same job as grow stones and hydro stones. Which is sold at a fraction of the price. Starting to think it's just been labelled up, to make a huge profit.
Hi Adam, the original BHM was developed specifically to optimise the conditions in a shower and with nitrate bacteria in mind. It is fired at very high temperatures which causes the internal structure to fracture and open up millions of tiny 'tunnels' inside that can harbor anaerobic bacteria. The conditions for anaerobic bacteria to live are extremely difficult to create as they need a habitat completely void of oxygen. They then take their oxygen source from the nitrate thus breaking it down in the process.
The ceramics also have some FIR (far infrared) properties and are able to degrade some organic material.
None of the alternatives do this.
So yes, while you can put practically anything you want in a shower and get some biofilm growing and see some aeration, its not actually working as a shower can. Its only really a trickle tower. This is why a lot of people make a shower (or buy them even) and are happy with them as they see some benefits. But in reality there is so much more to be had.
Ive not heard of grow stones or hydro stones though, I'll take a look 👍👍
Try rubs (really usefull boxes)
Hi Josh, I haven't heard of those before, I'll check them out mate, thanks 👍👍👍👍
Love your vids....thanks!!!
Thank you very much Sir, I'm glad you enjoy them 👍🍻👍
Hi,
I am about to set up a new pond for my Koi’s because they are growing and are all active and Healthy. Ranging from a year old to 23 years old and eating healthy. Can you recommend a reasonable supplier who can produce and sell me a good quality Box Weld liner for a fair price? 14x10x5 I am building a sleeper pond. 3ft in the ground and about 2ft above.
Many thanks.
Hi David, I would suggest having a chat to Cotswold Koi, they always get great reviews in terms of their service and their product.
Bradshawas direct is another one that I hear good things about in terms of price. I think they will be a little bit cheaper than Cotswold but just check to make sure you are getting quoted for the same material and thickness of liner.
Lastly, get a price from atlantica gardens to. I believe they are good value
Hi Darren
I am in the pet food industry and have bees sent a brochure from a plastic company called fletcher European containers in Wellingborough
They seem to have some different sizes than normal run of the mill products
Maybe worth a look
Thanks Gary, yes they have some 800's amongst others which I haven't seem elsewhere www.fletchereuropean.co.uk/en/products/plastic-stacking-and-stack-nest-containers/euro-plastic-stacking-containers/
Some koi dealers sell the tray bottoms think my local does them at around £ 5
That sounds good, I hadn't even considered something being available specifically for that purpose. I'll check it out 👍👍👍
Defiantly my fav koi youtube. Watched you from day 1. Whats your plan with the exit of the water from the bottom box
Thanks Mitch, I really do appreciate that 🍻
I haven't actually decided yet to be honest. I like to have them sat over the pond (say 30cm off the water) and the water drop straight in, I think in my mind that would give the best results but it looks the most unsightly and least appealing from an aesthetic point of view.
Then sat on the pond wall with a weir is another good option.
In my particular circumstance I think I want to fix it to the side of the shed and clad it in the same tiles as the pond. As such I'll need to build some kind of shoot that channels the water in to a single pipe to return to the pond as it has a bit of distance to travel back to the pond. The trouble is I dont know how to do that yet, I may need to invest in a plastic welder and make something myself.
@@DazzleKoi As you already have the extra euro containers why not use a 5th one at the bottom and add a tank connector to pipe the water back to the pond? That's probably how I would do it.
Hi Jim, I considered a tray at the bottom for media to sit submerged but I didn't think about it as a solution to the problem of getting the water back in to a pipe. That's a great idea, I'll look in to that 👍👍
I’m thinking over waterfall so it’s away from the pond in my situation could work 🤔
That sounds perfect 👍👍