DIY KOI POND***RETRO FIT BOTTOM DRAIN INSTALLATION*** 

so hope you like the video and I will be trying a few different ideas with this bottom drain as just a little bit worried about how I have set it up I will try a few ways but still a bit unshore if I keep it in the pond happy days

Hi James I had the same reservations when mine arrived but I bit the bullet an installed it what a difference it made it’s been in 5 months & no waist on bottom since.i also fitted a vario pump out of pond an I’ve had no probs with my koi flashing or rubbing against it.best thing I’ve bought

Watching this 3 years on and I'd be astonished to find out the company continued to work with you. You've put off a staggering amount of customers

2yrs on the video has just become relevant to me. Thank you!

Another great video, honest as ever James, definitely a great product in the right environment. Personally never been a fan of retro-fit bottom drains, koi damaging themselves, unsightly etc. After 24 hours turn the air off and see if you get a clean area around the drain to see it's effectiveness. Happy days mate.

Quite right, follow your feeling. Kois can be heavily damaged with hard objects in the pond. Always educational videos, thanks.👍

Totally get what your saying i am pump fed and my koi love to flash on the pump.

Totally agree everybody’s pond is unique. You have to Accept accountability and responsibility for your set up and you are doing just that. I agree about the scraping on the plumbing and the filter . It’s your call, good day and “ happy ponding”. wm

Good video mate, I’ve just fitted the 4” gravity version. Had to drain pond down about 2ft and drill 4” hole through side, but wow what a difference compared to being pump fed. Can’t believe how much more solids are on my sieve Get a valve on your air to balance between pond and filters Look forward to next vid

4:30 am having trouble getting back to sleep.. and up pops James the koi whisperer. 😁 That filter webb is pretty cool stuff.. it looks like you got some really great filtration supplies!! And you're right whenever you replace a battery in a clock after it's been stuck on the same time 😂😂😂 Happy days for sure! Thanks for sharing James and we always enjoy your videos.. have a great day!

Take it out James Your pond looked awesome anyway and like you say if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it👍🏻

I run a retro bottom and pump in the pond, not the nicest site but once a bit of algae is on them they're not as noticeable, never had any injuries with my koi. Definitely shifts more crap out than just the pump,

We've had ours for 3 months and yes it does look big and bulky but worth persevering. Needs the air on to stuck up all the waste. We cable tied all cables together so it doesn't look to bad. We're running a 35lpm pump and turn it up or down when required.

I also have one of these. I just knock the power off when I am out at the pond. super piece of kit.

Yeah for the reasons you stated is why i went for a bottom drain, the less things in the pond the less chance you have of getting fish damage when theyre flashing. But the air dome is hidden by the air being produced and it will get covered in normal pond slimey stuff. Tough call, your water and pond floor are clean so why change? Hmmmm tough one, i think youve made you mind up though, lol

That’s one of my concerns too. Having to much in the pond like pipe work and pumps and then a retro bottom drain. Looks like a decent bit of kit. The aeration isn’t an issue for me as I have it on when no body is home and I just shut it off via an app when I want to see them and enjoy them or feed them etc... I think I’m still going to get 2 x vari pumps as they look tidier and I like the hole idea of adjusting the flow via a control box.. I’m still thinking about a retro but I don’t know yet. As you said it’s a lot of stuff in the pond that koi like to flash against.. Thanks for sharing. Great video again 😀👍🏻

Another great, honest video James. Wished I'd have installed a proper bottom drain, but my retro-fitted bottom drain from DracoDrum is awesome. Why not leave it in for a week and see how much you still have to hoover out? Your fish will soon learn to avoid it, or come to like rubbing up against it. Looking forward to you reviewing the filter webbing. Happy Ponding mate 👍

Hi James forget about bottom drain, spend your time tinkering with your new filter, good video as ever, happy ponding.

Another great video mate, and you have raised a good point that I didn't even think of. I will have to ponder a bit more as to if I get a retro bottom drain or not. Will be interested to see how you get on. Anyway Thank Ya Mother For The Rabbits 🐇 and happy ponding 😊

Well done mate, needed this, don't like drains I cant properly maintain, everything gets old and brittle over time weakest link in many ponds. I prefer to have a lowspot and siphon clean it then have a drain intake or flush out.

Just found your video, loved watchin it, your pond is awsome 😀. Ive had mine 7 yrs in the ground but come spring i am making a raised pond so i am watchin as many videos for tips ect =)

Hi James I’m the same as you I didn’t put a bottom drain in but I’ve got the retro one exactly the same as you’ve just fitted on a 2.000 gallon pond and yes the fish do flash on it but don’t damage themselves it works fine for me it’s been in there for 3 years hope this helps Kev and June from stoke

Iv got that bottom drain mate n the koi av not injured themselves on it yet. Dry pump it yeah only downside is its a pain to prime whenever u pull up the bottom drain or mess with the piping/pump. U cud just av it in the corner where u had ur pump it will still do a better job for u 👍 if u dont want it in the middle

Hi James. I've got one of those in my pond and had in there for a few months now n touch wood mine have been ok with it in the pond. I run my air all the time but if out with them ill turn the air off. Im running my variflow pump at 40% outside the pond as dint want a pump in the pond too,and it does suck the crap from the bottom. With having the air on i was told it helps with the suction too. If your worried keep an eye on the koi n see how they react to it being there. Good luck with it mate. Keep the videos coming n I enjoy watching your videos.👍🏻

I've always been very nervous about having a pump sucking from the bottom of the pond. I know it cleans the muck off the bottom but if you get a leak while you not at home you can empty your pond so quickly. My pumps (i have two) sit on an upside down header tank which keeps them about 8 inches from the bottom. I've had a hose go before and that 8 inches saved my fish. I'd have to fit a float switch if my pump was on the floor. A gravity fed bottom drain is definitely the way to go and if I build another pond it will have one. Until then it will have to be the pond vac to clean the bottom.

James I orderd one a while back and it was huge for my pond way to big. Its a shame they don't make a smaller one to suit smaller ponds I suppose 😕. Great video tho buddy 👍 keep them coming and thanks for the sub 👍 ill try get some more videos of the garden and pond on soon mate.

Cracking video as usual, I’ve just opted to do a pond move and rebuild, this time I’ve gone with the bottom drain (compliments of eco-filtration) they have a great product range

Another great video mate. Certainly makes you think. Love videos like these.

your Koi look great fantastic set up m8

Hi James. The retrofit bottom drain will work fine, do a good job and not cause any damage to your fish as there are no sharp parts to it. But do you like the way it looks? I think not. One thing you could do is regulate the air flow so it isn't so strong. That would make it look a bit better. Also turn off the air when you are looking at the koi. But in the end if you don't like how it looks get rid of it. If the company don't want it back offer it as a prize.

Hi James I haven't got a bottom drain but I do have two 9 inch air stones that fit flat to the bottom of the pond. Looks really good and the fish love flashing and swimming through them. Again it what suits your pond and you, but good video and the fish are looking really good keep on going Andy J

Good video mate. I was going to get one but I decided against it for the reasons you mentioned. I'm planning a big rebuild in the next few years anyway but thinking this year just to make it a bit deeper to 5ft and put in a bottom drain. I've decided this cause my gin rin sanke developed a cut on his head, I suspect caught on the pump. So I think it's a must for me.

You said it,if it's not broken don't fix it keep things as they were.👍

Great video. Intrested to see what you decide to do. Probably wants mounting on the pump that's on a higher flow rate so it gets more draw. I'm not a bug far of loads of aur in the pond either. Like to be able to see the fish clear. Like you it all go's in in the filters

I don't know if this would work for you or anyone else, but anytime I have wanted to protect fish against anything in a tank or pond they could scrape or bang into I get that spongy black foam sheeting dosnt have to be real thick because it is soft it also has all that surface area for the bacteria to grow which I like its the stuff you put in filters but the thinner stuff get a heap of those sheets and wrap them around and shape them to cover anything dangerous, taking care not to block outlets or inlets but around pipe fittings, pumps anywhere theres something rough or sharp I cover it with the foam wrap it around and use some black cord or that black auarium glue stuff to secure it youy can get creative with that it might not look great I often have plants in my ponds to hide stuff but it's just an idea if you do it neatly it might work it will protect the fish. My liner is black its a big pond so I just find ways to hide things lol.

We have exact same bottom drain, pump fed, just as you have it. Works brilliantly for us. I did have a 70lpm air pump running to it - far too much. Now have a 50lpm one on it and it’s much better. I did experiment and split the 50lpm with a air stone and the clarity dropped. Now back 100% on the bottom drain and gin clear. When we first filled the pond we had sand residue on the bottom and you could see the bottom drain pulling it. Hadn’t thought about fish damaging them selves though (oh no, something else to worry about lol) but haven’t seen any of mine flash anyway, but something to think about. Thanks for bringing that up. Great video as usual. Bought the js koi shower on your recommendation, fab quality, although haven’t set it up yet as trying to work out (as we have a separate pump to run it) how to incorporate into a skimmer (pond too deep for the oase pump fed skimmer)

I’m going to do same in my pond and have same thoughts about pipe work so I’m going with solid pipe so I can run it on the pond floor and put a tap on air line and fasten it to the rigid pipe it will look tidy wish I lived round corner pal I would come round and help

I would put it I a corner opposite side of filter intake in a corner

Can you not modify the existing pond James? Big job I know, but empty the pond, dig the bottom out and put in a bottom drain? Just an idea. I know what you are saying about the welfare of the Koi, and their health is priority. Nice upload and food for thought. Take care, stay safe and have a great Sunday.

i would stick with your current setup mate!!!. If it was a very large pond then yes i would use the bottom drain and mount the pump outside the pond which would be better for maintenance etc but you may aswell have your pump in the middle as it does the same thing!!. best thing i do to stop fish waste build up is a pump feeding from one of my skimmers running two venturi jets!. one on the top and one sweeping accross the pond bottom blowing debri to a pump and it works a treat mate!!

Hi James love the vids mate, how ever the reason its not pulling much muck is that a bottom drain needs 6000lph pump minimum a 10k pump running at 40% is only 4k lph and you need the air running at the same time to create the mushroom effect to help the bd suck up the muck

Hi mate been watching your channel for a while can I just ask what pond pump you are running in this video. Thanks keep up the great videos

James have the same problem on my pond as you say don't try to fix whats not broken. If you don't have a bottom drain and are pump fed the less you have in the pond the better. Great vid as normal cheers Andy 👍

Hi james get what you mean. Mate i have a retro fit bottom drain in my pond i have my pipe work flush to the bottom of the pond makes it look better. Also my runs along the the side of the pond and it looks fine and out of the way. It was in the middle of the pond and as you say they are supposed too be in the middle but mine is working fine at the side. Its make your mind up time 😀😀👍

Just a thought. As your normally running the pump in the corner. ( Pond looks awesome btw, very clear) Maybe try the drain where the pump was, out the way. I know they should be in the middle. But sucking all the way around the drain, in the corner. Will be better than sucking off that pipe in one area. But as you said your running at 40% so maybe the smaller pipe may work better. Could always loose the pump either way. Put Ridgid pipe down to the bottom and one of those strainers they sent you. Pulling from the bottom. I'm sure you will sort it though 👍

What is the depth of this pond. I really love it. Greets from Holland

Hi James yeah bit of a awkward one this, think I would try it out for a while and keep an eye on the fish and if they are bashing themselves on it take it out. Speak to the company and see if they want it back if not ask them would it be ok to put it up for another one of your Competition ! It’sa lovely piece of kit 👍

Hello James... Have you considered having a sump a short distance from your pond where your pump would be positioned? That would mean you would need a container that is for the sump almost a mini pond attached to the main pond by the plumbing. This is the technique I have use on my indoor pond. In my particular case I attached the sump to the main pond by multiple 3 inch hoses that go into the pond in 1 corner and under water branch off to goto slightly different areas of the pond to collect the water from where ever you like. For this to work you would need the top of your sump to be level with the top of your pond fir when you dont have power on the pump it will not overflow and drain pond water. Simply put... line/s in the pond leave at the top (preferable in the corner to easily hide) then travel to sump where prefiltration and pump is located then pumped from there to more filtration (mechanical and/or biological). Both ends of the plumbing will need to be underwater at all times and the air in the plumbing needs to be removed in all areas above water level for this to work.

What fish friendly paint did you use on your decking planks. Looks good.

As you said, " if it ain't broke " :)

You must of lost half a stone since filming this and all that work you have put into the garden!

Good idea the bottom drain but personally for me your pond looks better without it mate. Your water and pond look clean anyway so I'd leave it out 👍

I suppose it depends where the true bottom of your pond is mate. If its all dished into the middle then happy days. Sh*t rolls down hill dunt it jim. 😂 liked the vid.

It is a difficult predicament but if I were you mate I'd ditch it. I'm sure your oxygen levels are fine due to the shower. I'd personally go for a water jet directed towards the bottom of the pond so no poop can settle down there, the pump will pick it up as long as nothing is able to settle anywhere. Multiple water jets would be even better, I'm not sure what your thoughts are on these so would be interested to know. I also think that the blue rings look a bit of an eye sore in your mint pond. I presume they are more suited to the swimming pool type Koi ponds with blue walls and bottom. Great video as always, mate. Keep it up!

Great video James and some great products 👍 unfortunately the retro fit bottom drain does not suit your pond and spoils the look of it. Very nice of them to send you some free products to try out and at least you can say you gave it a go happy ponding ☺

I was watching a video yesterday he had a nice plastic plant up the centre coming off the retro fit bottom drain looked really good

Can you show what kind of pump you are using for the bottom drain and how you set it up please? I have a rhino retro drain. I want to have it go from the drain and thru a filter before returning to the pond. Where in line do I put the pump? And how to hook it up. 😊 Thanks

Definitely no fault with the product!

Is there videos explaining your full set up like how the water is ran to the bakki shower and the other boxes are you using the single pump or???

Mate not being funny but the fish look a blur now think that’s better for them massive ponds mate your pond always loooks beautiful that’s the idea to see your stunning koi

I was just thinking if these would work on a big tropical tank 🤔

Like you said your pond is far from broke so don't fix it, water clarity is amazing and fish are lovely and happy with life, spot on and keep up the good work 👍👍👍

I’ve got to install retro drain on mine but now having 2nd thoughts after seeing your update. I’m just used to running the vacuum weekly on mine and keep things he clearI would keep how you had it as it was working well by all accounts. As you said if it isn’t broken why fix it!

I know this is an old video. However I am using a similar set up with the pump on the bottom. Do you reckon I could put a piece of pipe possibly 38/40mm about 1000mm long along the back of my pond with holes in attached to my evo 20k pump. Do you think this would work to pull from a larger area?

I thought the air helped draw the muck into the bottom drain? As its rises circulates to the pond walls then down to the bottom , it helps push crap into the bottom drain

Haha... i made my bottom drain yesterday and I'm pump fed, mines now external pump near the filter and solid pipe all the way thru. Thou i went conplete custom retrofit bottom drain and didnt by a kit

Looks great wish it was a dark colour to hide it and I see where your coming from about koi hitting there self's on it

Great video again James. Def see your concerns with the fish flashing against the bottom drain. I’ve a pond similar to yours with the pump inside the pond always trying hide the pipes etc. What’s the pond pump are you using in the video ? I’ve just fitted a 200mm ceramic air stone in my pond working like a treat stirring the poo up and the pump is sucking it up making the pond clearer. Happy days.

Have you thought about a gravity side drain can be easily retro fitted Did mine about 12 years ago works great !

Great vid. Did it stay or go?? Feel free to send itmy way if you're not using it 😂 totally agree, every pond differs, so won't sort everyone. BD for me is a no go due to the way garden was designed before we moved in, so really interested to see your final thoughts

Hi James interesting I have been looking at getting one for my pond I didn’t fit a proper bottom drain wish I had lot of work after the event tho.i get quite a lot of crap on the bottom of my pond been thinking of getting a hoover if they any good mate

Hi James what pump do you have in pond in ur video thanks Steve

I had a retro fit drain a couple of years ago,as you found that it didn't pick all the poop up of the bottom of the pond,and a lot of muck was always left in the drain so when I took it out to clean there was always muck floating around in the pond so stopped using it

James i am honest like you. I had a retro drain but took it out as i just kept looking at it, every bloody morning haha. I took mine out after 4 days just did not like the look of it.

Nice one james it’s a 50/50 mate will help the pond out better more oxygen better poop cleaning ,but on the other hand is it worth damaged koi ?you would go nuts if they started getting hurt and ruin their looks buddy think I know what I would do go back to your set up then when you do your new pond put a bottom drain in then buddy 👍🏻

Well done James good clip 👍 What times the chicken dinner on 😂😂 👍

Wont a retro drain, drain all the water out the pond if you have a burst pipe. At least the pump can be raised off the bottom of the pond, to prevent the pond emptying.

Hello mate your pond is better without b drain mate looks to big good vids as always mate 👍

Hi, New subscriber here. You have such lovely fish, great markings. I'm from the South/East, in Essex, UK, where are you from ?

I think the bottom drain it perfect

were did you get the 90 degree fitting from for your pump

Hi I started keeping koi about 35 years ago, before there was any internet and not much info. Sadly things changed in my life and had to give them up. I still love them and thinking about building a small pond.The last pond I built was approx 30ft x 20ft and about 7ft at the bottom drain. As I am a bit older know I think I will go for something like yours looks really neat and tidy and your fish seem to love it. Can I just ask? what is the depth of your pond as I can't go to deep as I have come across a land drain right where I want to put my bottom drain so I can't go any deeper than 40". Dave

Go with your gut feeling, dont feel guilty keep it real J

Very new to koi so im confused... i thought they only flash if something is wrong with them or the water??? Please explain ty :) ohhh nm i just got to the part of them flashing when they eat a lot. How long after they eat is it normal for them to flash?

better to use rigid pvc pipe start with "L" piece to lower the pipework to tthe bottom of the pond then run pvc pipe to side of pond which is nearest to the retro then raise the pipework withanother "L" joint to raise pipework to about 6 inches then run it along the length of your pond and around to your pump / thing with flexi hose is its difficult to tie back . .that way the only pipework you would see would be the piece going from retro to side of the pond

I would not use it as a drain, as an air diffuser okay but I would put a long pvc pipe along the whole bottom of pond with slits cut along the top and attach that to your pump.

Hi James, from USA, I wonder what that bottom drain called, I can't find it on amazon, thank you James and have a wonderful day!!

You could do with the new pond build and build it with a bottom drain in it with aeration cap on it You can never have enough air going in as your bio filter will use up oxygen and it’ll keep the water moving in all directions so you shouldn’t get any ammonia sitting at the bottom of the pond where it silently damages your fish send the wife on a spa weekend and build a new pond 👍🏻👍🏻😉😉😂

James why not after this lock down buy a padding pool stick your koi in invite all us followers to come and give you a hand to dig out your bottom drain digging party problem solved buddy could connect it stright to the epic filter 👍👍😜

Nice video as always James is your pump a 10000 EA 90degree fitting Just wondering if I could do that on my 20000 EA pump I think this model mite be bigger fitting any advice please

James have you seen kockney koi pre filters maybe something better for you buddy...

Great video I just wanted to ask you my pond as got mixed fish in it Koi and goldfish what food do you recommend thank you keep the videos coming

You know I go through this with aquarium filters too - always changing them out because I know what I want - including fit - look - etc. This seems no different to me - its not the products it is personal preference correct?

hi James, Im in the process of fitting one of these bottom drains. Am I right in thinking that the pump and pipework to it need to be in the pond, in order for the pump to be able to prime its self? at the moment I have it in the pond but wanted to move it as it all takes up too much room in the pond. Thanks

I find the air disturbance of the water stirs up the crap on the bottom which floats around the pond and I find the pump with no cage picks up more rubbish and keeps the bottom clean.

Hi James just fitted the same one to my pond , my varipump is dry mounted outside, just the flexi through the wall. Not fitted my 70 litre air pump yet but I’ve read that the air rising creates an updraft the pulls the muck towards the drain. How deep is your pond ,mines 1100 mm

i haven't got a bottom drain but maybe pipe lagging on pipes and try to have them as low to the bottom of your pond as you can?

Hi james cracking vid again buddy, is there anyway i can send you a vid, i want to send you a vid of my retro drain i think you might find it fairly helpfull as im one for making my own gear too 🤣

Hello buddy cracking video as ever mate. That retro fit is a good idea but the fish will damage they self on it. my mate run one of them for a while he’s fish flashed of it and done they self some damage unfortunately. Hopefully it works well for you buddy

Hiya mate, i did say didn't i about those retro bottom drains. I personally don't think they pick up much and what it does pick up i find it builds up, i took mine out sat so i could fit my new EA pump and i couldn't believe the crap that came from it so had to get the vacuum out, im probably gonna do away with mine.