Filter Design Q

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

Susanne, putting a filter under your deck could be a challenge. Unless you know someone very small who could crawl under there. I clean my filter pads in spring and fall and they are very heavy. Have you checked out bonniesplants.com ?

Yea...that's a good point. I'm pretty short, but not that short lol. I've seen people put trap doors in their decks before, I might think about that.

Has anyone made a DIY filter in a rubbermaid? I would love to hear some experiences.

I haven't been to Bonniesplants before, what should I look for there?

go to her forum and find the right topic and post your question there.

Lol...I went to bonnieplants.com which is NOT at all a forum site. Sorry! I was super confused. Duh. ;)

The correct site looks interesting, I will have to look around there. Thank you. Ps, The lotus seeds are plumping up in the aquarium and looking promising! No sprouts yet, but I'm getting excited!

Good! I know nothing about growing those seeds. Its nice to see that your snow has melted.

Art, you can also do a search here for home made pond filters. There are alot of postings on it.

Have you heard of, or considered, a "skippy filter"? You can read all about it here: http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm

This is what I've been using for two years and it seems to work well. I did stray a little in that I didn't purchase all the exact recommended stuff on the link. The filter pads, for example. I found rolls of very similar pads for less $$ - I just had to cut them myself.

You can also disguise the skippy by growing plants directly inside, rocks, etc. and even use it as the start of a small waterfall (see website for a very nice picture of skippy filter disguised to look like a waterfall.)

One thing I have read on numerous occasions: lava rock is not the best filter material. It is heavy, clogs easily and needs to be replaced every year or so. filter material such as the pads shown on website provide much more surface area for the good bacteria to grow on.

We made our filter just as you described. Here is how it is set up. We bought a rubber trash can, the size of what you would keep in your house and drilled holes around the sides at the bottom. Then we put in rinsed lava rock filling it to about a third of the way up, then set the pump ontop of those, then filled the rest of the way up with more lava rock leaving enough space on top to set a piece of rubber foam. Then we put real rocks on top to keep it all weighted down and sank it to the bottom. The pump draws the water in through the holes in the bottom of the trashcan, and through the lava rocks and foam pad then out. I have to change the pad twice during our summer here in zone 5. It is very inexpensive and works great. The guy at the pond store told us how to make it and he said he has one, that it works better than the pre made kind. Now I don't know about that, because this is the only one we have ever had. I hope that helps.
Kathy

This message was edited Mar 22, 2008 10:45 PM

Susanne- We have a koi pond where we grow bromeliads and other tropicals. We had a lot of problems with the fish / plant wastes. After several filter methods (bought and/or made) we got some advice at a water garden center in Houston. Although we bought a tub specially made for it, you could use virtually any plastic tub. Get one about 2' square, set it at the side of your pond hanging over the edge a few inches. Place some sort of blocking under the back edge so that the water will run back into your pond. Use a 3/4" PVC pipe fitting with a gasket through a hole about 1/3 the way up the back side of the tub and use fittings to make a "U" shaped filler pipe. Drill several 1/4" holes in the "U" and cap each open end. Attach the discarge end of your pump hose to this. Fill it about 3/4 full of pea gravel, and plant several different kinds of marginal water plants ( Irises, Taros, Dwarf cattails, etc. ) in it. The gravel traps large particles and the plants eat up the extra nutrients that lead to "green water" algae. Our pond is 8' x 16', and a 2' bog filter keeps it crystal clear. If nothing else, it's a pretty little waterfall. Have fun

Thank you so much for the advice everyone! This is exactly what I needed. Gus your pond is gorgeous!

Karlae, I grew up in Houston. Seems to be a lot of southeast Texan types here on dave's. What company do you use there? My mom (who still lives there) is hoping to put a pond in soon. Do you only use the bog filter or do you also have another kind of filter?

I am going to make a filter this week (on Spring Break, am a teacher :) ) will probably do both a trashcan filter and a bog filter. Though that would mean buying another pump. Dh is gonna kill me!

But look what I did yesterday...better get going on some kind of better filtration!
I drained the pond, pulled up the liner and re-dug the pond adding better shelves, a wildlife beach and lots more gallons. Will be filling it today. Yippee!

Susanne - We got the bog filter at Nelson Water Gardens out in Katy ( they're on Katy-Fort Bend road - just before you get to Katy Mills Mall - turn right, they're on the right). We do have a UV Light filter that we run the water through into the waterfall (that also dicourages algae) but since your pond looked a lot smaller than 8' x 16', I think the bog filter will do you just fine. It really does trap a lot of sediment (in fact I have to clean it out about twice a year) and the plants grow like crazy 'cause you're steadily feeding them. Don't you miss the humidity and the mosquitos up there? (AS IF !!!!!) Jim

Lol, surely don't miss those mosquitoes!! Though right about now I am missing zone 9...:)

Was busy today. I did a filter mostly like gus said. I did it in a 5 gal bucket though because my pond is not deep enough to sink a larger trashcan. I'll post a pic where you can see it. I am pretty sure I will still incorporate a bog filter somewhere. I filled it up and added temporary pavers around the outside. I can't wait for some green to start coming back!!

Actually, I was thinking about planting in the top of the bucket for a bog. Would that be a dumb idea? Oh wait, the roots could grow into my pump, right?...scratch that.

Here's the end I made way deeper and wider. Added a beach for some froggie or bird visitors like I saw someone on this forum had.
I just wish I could cover up the bucket more. Any ideas?

I use black when I can, it tends to dissapear better. You could sink some pots with rush or catttails , something tall, around the outside of it to hide it? That is how I disguise the things I have to put in my pond.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg230/kvalentz/Flowers%20and%20Butterflies%202007/pond/rtsideofpondsmall.jpg
Kathy

Gorgeous! Lol, yea the "clear" was my choice to flaming orange, so I went with the white one. This is attributable to my severe impatience when it comes to um, well most things. lol! I couldn't wait, I needed to start the pond nownownownownowNOW! But it's a long season, I will probably need to amend the filter soon anyhow.

I like the cattail idea. HD had some for 8$ today, it took all my willpower not to buy one! I was going to opt for a shorter, wider filter "box", but it took up too much of my deep end (in my opinion), I want the deep water for fish, not for filter. I may regret it though.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I may glue a ring of rocks around the rim or something like that. That would be easiest and cheapest since I know I will desire more/bigger/better in my near future. Is there a glue that is fish and plant safe in a pond?

I think a black rubber can, like the one you would use inside for trash would be safer, there will be runoff of the glue when it rains, and fish are very touchy. Just a thought.
Kathy

Honestly, I would be worried about the glue runoff too, no matter what I read about how safe it could be. I will keep my eye out for a cheap black pail/trash can.