Water Gardening: Filter Design Q, 0 by art_n_garden

art_n_garden wrote:
This spring I plan to slightly enlarge my pond (go figure) and enlarge my filter/pump as well.

My plan is to make an inexpensive DIY filter in a rubbermaid tub using lava rock, etc. like many people have done that I've seen online. I have a small deck beside my pond that I would like to hide the new filter under so I don't have to bury it or look at it.

My question is mainly this : Where does my pump go? I have a submersible, so should I leave it in the pre-filter box it came with in the pond and run the outtake through a tube into the filter tub, instead of through the fountain attachment? Or should I put the pump with/without the pre-filter box in the new filter tub with a tube connected from the pond for intake and then let the outtake process through the filtration tub and back into the pond? How much extra GPH do you think this whole set up will require if any?

I'm sorry if this not making much sense. I cannot find the answer to my specific questions/situation online (though I went to koiphen.com upon Andy's suggestion and love all their information).

Main goal : make a DIY filter inexpensively and not have to look at it. I am sure I am making this harder than it needs to be. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you in advance. Picture included to show the small deck beside the pond.
Susanne