I have 2 red eared sliders out side in about 150 gallons of water. I am looking for a good filter. Could I use this try of filter with a UV light? the pond gets like 6 hours of direct light I am getting tired of cleaning it so often.
@joker66599 sure you could use a uv light in combination with one of these. you could put it inline in front of the filter...then the filter will catch the dead and dying algae cells. also if green water is your main issue you could tinker with the type of media...finer media will filter out more. often once the bacteria get's established it will help with green water but not always, and so a uv light could be useful.
What are those floor sponges made out of? Does it leech anything into the water? I was thinking about using that sponge stuff for an aquaponic filter but I'm concerned about leeching.
@enticed2zeitgeist - those are just floor scrubby pads, no additives or anything. You could also simply cut up a standard filter pad (medium porous) that you would normally put in a pond filter. Just cut those up into blocks and put them loosely in the tub. I think that would work fine too.
@klmsolutions I get that they are just scrubby pads with out any soap added into them and such, but it's not safe to just add "dry" plastic objects into water is it? I know the recycle number associated with various plastics declares it's usage. From my research it is not safe to just add random plastic objects into water assuming that because it's plastic it's safe. If you aren't aware of what kind of plastic those scrubby pads are made of how can you be sure they don't leech into the water?
@enticed2zeitgeist - I honestly haven't found them to be a problem and this type of filter has been in use for some years now. As I said their just commercial floor scrubby pads (and I normally suggest people search online for these and see what they can find. You can probably ask the manufacturer of your concerns and they would be the best resource. If in doubt or your uncomfortable with such things, then use pond filter pads in place of them. In the end, that's probably your best bet.
Great job with the video and parts list and the very benficial commentary. So many bad ones out there, wanted to make sure you got some credit. Derrick
@africancichlidman - look for commercial floor scrubber pads, that's really all they are and you cut them into smaller pieces. You can also use any kind of filter media that you like in the filter. You might see this is bioballs, plastic coils, small foamy pads in a mesh bag...there's a lot of these things for sale on the market.
another question. If I decide to build a filter like the one you suggest, do you think there would be a problem of taking the bio-media out of my current filter and transfering it to the new filter? Would the bacteria survive the transfer? I dont think my current filter is adequit, but I dont want to have to start from scratch as far as the microbes I already have
As long as it doesn't dry out you should be ok...some bacteria will survive, but I would still prime things up once you get the new filter going just to be sure the counts are up.
quick question. I know not to clean out the filter, but I have problems with the filter getting clogged with either waste or algae. It gets to the point where the water doesn flow to the bottom of the filter. I usually just clean the media at the top. Is that a no no?
This is tough but the best advice I can give is the less you disturb the bio media the better off you'll be. Some filters come with pre-filters which can be cleaned but many diy filters do not...they just contain the bio media. Installing a skimmer (if you don't have one) may help too just to keep the big stuff out.
@Soper79 - normally no they don't. But you can cover them with plywood or something like that just to keep stuff from falling in. Usually people put rocks, plants, or various other concealers on and around the tub to hide it better.
All types of Landscaping, Gardens, Ponds, Lawns, Maintenance Services and Supplies, Snow Removal, Residential and Commercial at GEOTech Landscaping. Log on to geotechlandscapes-dot-com . Call us at 1-780-444-8555 or drop us an email at inquiries-at-geotechlandscapes-dot-com for a free consultation.
Any filter that incorperates the mechanical and biological stages in one unit is not the most efficent way of keeping good water. what you have is the mechanical stage (the fish poo and any other waste) sitting at the bottom of the bio section.This is the area that gets the full load of all the waste that comes from the pond.If left unattended the bacteria willl go anaerobic and cause massive health problems including parasite infestation and bacterial issues.A sieve before this would be better
I GOT MY USED 100 GAL STOCK TANK ON EBAY [45.00]. IT CAME WITH A HEATER BUILT IN ALSO. THAT IS WHY I ASKED YOU IF I WOULD NEED SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE GRID.....BUT THINKING ABOUT IT....THE CIRCULATION OF WATER WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO GET REALLY HOT NEAR THE GRID. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE OLD FILTER MATERIAL FROM THE SKIMMER AND WATER FALLS BOX AND PUT THEM WITH THE NEW SCRUNGIE PADS....THIS SHOULD JUMP START THE BACTERIA JUST FIND. I JUST BUILT A 10 X 4 X 3' DEEP CELLAR POND FOR MY KOI.
This pretty simple, and love to give this a try. But where do you buy the media (pads)? What kind? How much? On skippy, he said floor scrubbing pads, you say simple floor cleaning scratch pads. I tried searching online and closest thing comes up, cost more then $100. On skippy site, 3 bags for $75. Could anyone tell me, where they gets theirs and how much.
@invasmani - you can buy floor buffing pads at homedepo or lowes (look in the rental area - they sell them for about 5-6 bucks a pad - I built this unit this spring and used about 10 pads, cut them up my self .
Really like this idea! Any idea how many of those floor cleaning pads a 150 gallon tub would take? I will have to order them since I live in a rural area. Thanks
I did something similar, I took two 55 gallon drums and set them up with a smaller grate and the same pipe, then I filled them with number 8 gravel, the gravel doesn't fall down into the gunk trap at the bottom and I planted some bog plants in the top. Do you think this will work like the design you just showed. If not how can I fix it with an EXTREMELY limited budget. thanks
anybody lookin to make a cheap homemade weir for their skippy bio filter should check out my videos,im still in the process of getting them uploaded though.i looked all over the internet and you tube to find information on making a decent size weir to incorporate with my skippys filter with no results.I finally came up with my own solution, which was cheap and pretty easy.
apauln...around here we find them in some garden centers...we have one called Menards, that's like Lowes or Home Depot so it might be worth checking at those two. Places that have products for livestock and horse people, may carry them as well.
Hi Arteolike...cost is relative. When compared to a bead filter these are pretty cheap. Many of those can run in the thousands of dollars...but basically do the same thing.
No not really. Bead filters are reliable, Easy to clean, extremely effective, and easily hidden because they are pressurized and not gravity flow.
These filters are even more expensive than i first planned, it is around $150.00 - $300.00 for the tank and around $200.00 for good media, If you are going to add Malta® Mat (The Best Bet) It will be around $350.00 for the media!
And bead filters from advantage that are rated 15,000 (KOI)Gallons are around $1,200.00 (I have one)
@Arteolike the rubbermade stocktanks start at $70.00 for a 70 gal . you can get an off brand 110 gal for $60.00 . @ tractor supply company floor scrubber pads and scrubby pads perform well as media..i,m on over 2 years non stop use on my media, its never been cleaned,and it goes from my outdoor pond to my basement pond. you can easily build one of these for under $250.00 U.S. buty do yourself a favor and add a flush valve to the bottom with a 2" shower drain,2" pipe and 2" ball valve
with the flush valve..you just open the valve and the water rushing down and out of the filter will eliminate much of the fish waste and other organic matter from the system witout removing the live bacterial colony... if you build one of these you'll find it performs extremely well, and with the addition of the flush valve its maintainence is minimum. i flush mine once a week.. takes less than a minute. this increases the filters efficiency by decreasing its work load.
@nightstalkerrc Thanks for the heads up! =) I actually might try it. Cause i have a pond which is around, 2,000 Gallons. Alllllll my bead filters i sold, i never knew people liked them so much! They were gone within a day and i sold them for like $1000.00 for the new ones and i sold the used one for $400.00 which my cousin was using.
...... And to match up to a 15,000 Gallon Advantage pressurized bead pond filter (According to you) You would need around 3 of your 150 Gallon filters, with will run around $800.00 And they don't work as good as the bead filters .....
Don't be sorry...as I said, everything is relative. For smaller ponds, and those with specific circumstances, diy isn't a bad way to go. There are a lot of options to this thing and costs can be kept down pretty well. I prefer bead filters myself with backwash and pressurization, but they may not fit everybody's budget or needs.
This particular design is completely reliable and simple to put together. But I'm not trying to sell the idea..just share the information.
No No, i understand, and everything you said is so true, for a smaller pond DIY is best, Hey i made a DIY filter for my fit small pond!?!
And for anyone wondering were i got the filter for such a cheap price, we had a pond store in our location closing, so i bought a filter for around 50% ($1,200.00) off, 3 weeks later i went to the store and really stocked up! I found they had three more left at 95% off ($114.79) I took them all, there still in the shed, in boxes!?!
@rik680 I agree slightly, but this is not always the case. It somewhat is determined by the pond water bio-load. If you are referring to standard bio-load to a specific size pond/aquarium than almost all filters are overrated by the manufacturer but saying you should double the filtering, I would say is not a completely accurate rule of thumb but is a safe rule of thumb to use.
@klmgroupia Filter manufactures are notorious for under rating there filters .
All of them , aquarium or pond filter makers . Buy the time you find out
you are under filtered its to late and you have to spend more money for proper filtration . If there filter say 1500 gallon you would have to double there filter to 3000 gal filter ,for a small fish load .
basically its a metal grid that will hold the sponge or medium.
the vetical pipe will go into a T junction that will then lead to elbows pointing in oppersite direction from each other.
so for another word if you take out the vertical pipe it will look like a z.
To buy the pipe go to a plumbing shop and ask for internal drain pipe for a sink i.e 1/2 inch pvc pipe, a hacksaw will be needed to cut the pipe and that is all.
there is NO METAL in this filter, the bottom rack is a plastic flourecent light defuser, you will find them with the ceiling tiles at LOWES or HOME DEPOT. the only metal you ever use with a pond is stainless steel. its a good idea to put another on top of the filter media also... the media is a mix of floor scrubber pads.. you can also use furnace filter pads (the plastic(vinyl)cut to fit ones and dollar store scrubbies.
@ChinaBlue1231 that white net is that light cover that goes over a drop ceiling system. you can get at home depot for about $2,(2'x4'). i think nothing goes underneath. it collects settlement(heavier waste).
i built and use this filter myself and it is real smart to replace the upper elbo with a tee ran sideways. this will break the syphon effect if for any reason your pump stops, the elbo allows the filter water to back drain thru the pump back into your pond... microbelifts " PL GEL FILTER INNOCULANT" will have a fully active filter in much less time than ordinary beneficial bacterias. just as a trivia fact: SKIPPY IS A FROG..not a person, hes the company mascot.
Where does the pump go? Did I miss something. If this goes above the water line it can't be a natural siphon, can it? Also...is there a top that should be on this filter?
The pump line goes into the inlet that can be seen above the tub. the water goes down that tube and then fills the tub in a circular motion and comes out the side.
Yes, the bacteria will work best if the filter is in constant use. If the water flow is shut off for very long the bacteria will begin to die off and will need to be replenished. I think it's a good idea to do this every spring anyway, just to get things started off right. We use the Algae Solution product to do this but there are many brands of bacteria on the market.
No.This filter is above the pond level and outside . The outflow can feed a waterfall if wanted.But remember the return has to be above water level and has to be outside the pond.
I have 2 red eared sliders out side in about 150 gallons of water. I am looking for a good filter. Could I use this try of filter with a UV light? the pond gets like 6 hours of direct light I am getting tired of cleaning it so often.
joker66599 1 week ago
@joker66599 sure you could use a uv light in combination with one of these. you could put it inline in front of the filter...then the filter will catch the dead and dying algae cells. also if green water is your main issue you could tinker with the type of media...finer media will filter out more. often once the bacteria get's established it will help with green water but not always, and so a uv light could be useful.
klmgroupia 1 week ago
Thanks for the publicity. skippys@provide.net
SidelineHero10 1 week ago
@SidelineHero10 hey, you're welcome. A good idea is a good idea.
klmgroupia 1 week ago
I'm interested in making a filter for a small (180 gallons) pound. Any suggestions?
CatherineCrowe 5 months ago
do you need a prefilter for this kind of filtratin system?
BigBoyLies 6 months ago
@BigBoyLies - Usually no...the skippy filter will work fine all on it's own.
klmgroupia 6 months ago
What are those floor sponges made out of? Does it leech anything into the water? I was thinking about using that sponge stuff for an aquaponic filter but I'm concerned about leeching.
enticed2zeitgeist 6 months ago
@enticed2zeitgeist - those are just floor scrubby pads, no additives or anything. You could also simply cut up a standard filter pad (medium porous) that you would normally put in a pond filter. Just cut those up into blocks and put them loosely in the tub. I think that would work fine too.
klmsolutions 6 months ago
@klmsolutions I get that they are just scrubby pads with out any soap added into them and such, but it's not safe to just add "dry" plastic objects into water is it? I know the recycle number associated with various plastics declares it's usage. From my research it is not safe to just add random plastic objects into water assuming that because it's plastic it's safe. If you aren't aware of what kind of plastic those scrubby pads are made of how can you be sure they don't leech into the water?
enticed2zeitgeist 6 months ago
@enticed2zeitgeist - I honestly haven't found them to be a problem and this type of filter has been in use for some years now. As I said their just commercial floor scrubby pads (and I normally suggest people search online for these and see what they can find. You can probably ask the manufacturer of your concerns and they would be the best resource. If in doubt or your uncomfortable with such things, then use pond filter pads in place of them. In the end, that's probably your best bet.
klmsolutions 6 months ago
@klmsolutions Wise answer! Thank you very much man! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Namaste
enticed2zeitgeist 6 months ago
Great job with the video and parts list and the very benficial commentary. So many bad ones out there, wanted to make sure you got some credit. Derrick
one350z 7 months ago
where do you get your sponges?
africancichlidman 7 months ago
@africancichlidman - look for commercial floor scrubber pads, that's really all they are and you cut them into smaller pieces. You can also use any kind of filter media that you like in the filter. You might see this is bioballs, plastic coils, small foamy pads in a mesh bag...there's a lot of these things for sale on the market.
klmsolutions 7 months ago
another question. If I decide to build a filter like the one you suggest, do you think there would be a problem of taking the bio-media out of my current filter and transfering it to the new filter? Would the bacteria survive the transfer? I dont think my current filter is adequit, but I dont want to have to start from scratch as far as the microbes I already have
nhowland52 7 months ago
As long as it doesn't dry out you should be ok...some bacteria will survive, but I would still prime things up once you get the new filter going just to be sure the counts are up.
klmsolutions 7 months ago
quick question. I know not to clean out the filter, but I have problems with the filter getting clogged with either waste or algae. It gets to the point where the water doesn flow to the bottom of the filter. I usually just clean the media at the top. Is that a no no?
nhowland52 7 months ago
This is tough but the best advice I can give is the less you disturb the bio media the better off you'll be. Some filters come with pre-filters which can be cleaned but many diy filters do not...they just contain the bio media. Installing a skimmer (if you don't have one) may help too just to keep the big stuff out.
klmsolutions 7 months ago
@nhowland52 sounds like your media is too 'tight'... you might want to switch to a coarser media.
Starrwulf7 1 month ago
you can SITE TO STORE ship "Rubbermaid Stock Tanks" to many "Do It Best" hardware stores as well ;)
Osren 9 months ago
Simple/dumb question here. Does the stock tank come with a lid? Or are these filters simply exposed on the top. Thanks.
Soper79 10 months ago
@Soper79 - normally no they don't. But you can cover them with plywood or something like that just to keep stuff from falling in. Usually people put rocks, plants, or various other concealers on and around the tub to hide it better.
klmgroupia 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
All types of Landscaping, Gardens, Ponds, Lawns, Maintenance Services and Supplies, Snow Removal, Residential and Commercial at GEOTech Landscaping. Log on to geotechlandscapes-dot-com . Call us at 1-780-444-8555 or drop us an email at inquiries-at-geotechlandscapes-dot-com for a free consultation.
Gregmills007 1 year ago
Any filter that incorperates the mechanical and biological stages in one unit is not the most efficent way of keeping good water. what you have is the mechanical stage (the fish poo and any other waste) sitting at the bottom of the bio section.This is the area that gets the full load of all the waste that comes from the pond.If left unattended the bacteria willl go anaerobic and cause massive health problems including parasite infestation and bacterial issues.A sieve before this would be better
scoobyboyuk 1 year ago
I GOT MY USED 100 GAL STOCK TANK ON EBAY [45.00]. IT CAME WITH A HEATER BUILT IN ALSO. THAT IS WHY I ASKED YOU IF I WOULD NEED SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE GRID.....BUT THINKING ABOUT IT....THE CIRCULATION OF WATER WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO GET REALLY HOT NEAR THE GRID. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE OLD FILTER MATERIAL FROM THE SKIMMER AND WATER FALLS BOX AND PUT THEM WITH THE NEW SCRUNGIE PADS....THIS SHOULD JUMP START THE BACTERIA JUST FIND. I JUST BUILT A 10 X 4 X 3' DEEP CELLAR POND FOR MY KOI.
GEORGE13048 1 year ago
very detailed info, thanks
borghiusa 1 year ago
This pretty simple, and love to give this a try. But where do you buy the media (pads)? What kind? How much? On skippy, he said floor scrubbing pads, you say simple floor cleaning scratch pads. I tried searching online and closest thing comes up, cost more then $100. On skippy site, 3 bags for $75. Could anyone tell me, where they gets theirs and how much.
invasmani 1 year ago
@invasmani - you can buy floor buffing pads at homedepo or lowes (look in the rental area - they sell them for about 5-6 bucks a pad - I built this unit this spring and used about 10 pads, cut them up my self .
stevenhaas 1 year ago
Really like this idea. Any clue as to how many of the floor cleaning pads a 150 gallon tank would take?
megnut411 1 year ago
Really like this idea! Any idea how many of those floor cleaning pads a 150 gallon tub would take? I will have to order them since I live in a rural area. Thanks
megnut411 1 year ago
@megnut411 - i used 10 full pads in mine - works great - it does take time to get up and running
stevenhaas 1 year ago
I did something similar, I took two 55 gallon drums and set them up with a smaller grate and the same pipe, then I filled them with number 8 gravel, the gravel doesn't fall down into the gunk trap at the bottom and I planted some bog plants in the top. Do you think this will work like the design you just showed. If not how can I fix it with an EXTREMELY limited budget. thanks
dolittle1992 1 year ago
anybody lookin to make a cheap homemade weir for their skippy bio filter should check out my videos,im still in the process of getting them uploaded though.i looked all over the internet and you tube to find information on making a decent size weir to incorporate with my skippys filter with no results.I finally came up with my own solution, which was cheap and pretty easy.
higdonii 1 year ago
Comment removed
catscarer 2 years ago
Ive allways found that if you wash out your filters with pond water it has no effect on the bacteria count, nice job on the filter.
spinaway 2 years ago
Comment removed
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
where do you get a rubbermaid "stock" tank???
apauln 2 years ago
apauln...around here we find them in some garden centers...we have one called Menards, that's like Lowes or Home Depot so it might be worth checking at those two. Places that have products for livestock and horse people, may carry them as well.
klmgroupia 2 years ago
great vid,thank you sir
juve98 2 years ago
Its' a nice DIY! But it is expensive! around $200.00
Arteolike 2 years ago
Hi Arteolike...cost is relative. When compared to a bead filter these are pretty cheap. Many of those can run in the thousands of dollars...but basically do the same thing.
klmgroupia 2 years ago
No not really. Bead filters are reliable, Easy to clean, extremely effective, and easily hidden because they are pressurized and not gravity flow.
These filters are even more expensive than i first planned, it is around $150.00 - $300.00 for the tank and around $200.00 for good media, If you are going to add Malta® Mat (The Best Bet) It will be around $350.00 for the media!
And bead filters from advantage that are rated 15,000 (KOI)Gallons are around $1,200.00 (I have one)
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike the rubbermade stocktanks start at $70.00 for a 70 gal . you can get an off brand 110 gal for $60.00 . @ tractor supply company floor scrubber pads and scrubby pads perform well as media..i,m on over 2 years non stop use on my media, its never been cleaned,and it goes from my outdoor pond to my basement pond. you can easily build one of these for under $250.00 U.S. buty do yourself a favor and add a flush valve to the bottom with a 2" shower drain,2" pipe and 2" ball valve
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
with the flush valve..you just open the valve and the water rushing down and out of the filter will eliminate much of the fish waste and other organic matter from the system witout removing the live bacterial colony... if you build one of these you'll find it performs extremely well, and with the addition of the flush valve its maintainence is minimum. i flush mine once a week.. takes less than a minute. this increases the filters efficiency by decreasing its work load.
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
@nightstalkerrc Thanks for the heads up! =) I actually might try it. Cause i have a pond which is around, 2,000 Gallons. Alllllll my bead filters i sold, i never knew people liked them so much! They were gone within a day and i sold them for like $1000.00 for the new ones and i sold the used one for $400.00 which my cousin was using.
Arteolike 2 years ago
...... And to match up to a 15,000 Gallon Advantage pressurized bead pond filter (According to you) You would need around 3 of your 150 Gallon filters, with will run around $800.00 And they don't work as good as the bead filters .....
Sorry, felt like you should know. =)
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike ,
Don't be sorry...as I said, everything is relative. For smaller ponds, and those with specific circumstances, diy isn't a bad way to go. There are a lot of options to this thing and costs can be kept down pretty well. I prefer bead filters myself with backwash and pressurization, but they may not fit everybody's budget or needs.
This particular design is completely reliable and simple to put together. But I'm not trying to sell the idea..just share the information.
klmgroupia 2 years ago
No No, i understand, and everything you said is so true, for a smaller pond DIY is best, Hey i made a DIY filter for my fit small pond!?!
And for anyone wondering were i got the filter for such a cheap price, we had a pond store in our location closing, so i bought a filter for around 50% ($1,200.00) off, 3 weeks later i went to the store and really stocked up! I found they had three more left at 95% off ($114.79) I took them all, there still in the shed, in boxes!?!
I bought a lot more too,
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike
just a basic fact . Filter manufacturers grossly over rate there filters on purpose .
That 15'000 gal bead filter you referred to , would need to be a 30,000 filter .
To filter 15,000 gal pond . You always have to double the size of a commercial filter to get the proper filtration , pond or aquarium .
rik680 1 year ago
@rik680 I know. I sold all my filters to my friends for cheap, and made my own diy, lol, I will have 4x filtration soon.
Arteolike 1 year ago
@rik680 I agree slightly, but this is not always the case. It somewhat is determined by the pond water bio-load. If you are referring to standard bio-load to a specific size pond/aquarium than almost all filters are overrated by the manufacturer but saying you should double the filtering, I would say is not a completely accurate rule of thumb but is a safe rule of thumb to use.
helicrashpro 1 year ago
@klmgroupia Filter manufactures are notorious for under rating there filters .
All of them , aquarium or pond filter makers . Buy the time you find out
you are under filtered its to late and you have to spend more money for proper filtration . If there filter say 1500 gallon you would have to double there filter to 3000 gal filter ,for a small fish load .
rik680 1 year ago
at 3:09 with the white net on top of the pvc pipe..
what goes under the white net.and where can i get them?
ChinaBlue1231 2 years ago
basically its a metal grid that will hold the sponge or medium.
the vetical pipe will go into a T junction that will then lead to elbows pointing in oppersite direction from each other.
so for another word if you take out the vertical pipe it will look like a z.
To buy the pipe go to a plumbing shop and ask for internal drain pipe for a sink i.e 1/2 inch pvc pipe, a hacksaw will be needed to cut the pipe and that is all.
syme89 2 years ago
correct me
between the ceiling rack and the bottom of the "z"pipe.
what goes in between those two when water is flowing down passing through the ceiling rack to the medium?
.i see it as..
the "z"pipes.then rocks and bolts covering the "z"pipes.then goes the ceiling rack.then comes the form medium.??is that right??
ChinaBlue1231 2 years ago
there is NO METAL in this filter, the bottom rack is a plastic flourecent light defuser, you will find them with the ceiling tiles at LOWES or HOME DEPOT. the only metal you ever use with a pond is stainless steel. its a good idea to put another on top of the filter media also... the media is a mix of floor scrubber pads.. you can also use furnace filter pads (the plastic(vinyl)cut to fit ones and dollar store scrubbies.
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
@ChinaBlue1231 that white net is that light cover that goes over a drop ceiling system. you can get at home depot for about $2,(2'x4'). i think nothing goes underneath. it collects settlement(heavier waste).
apauln 2 years ago
as far as pump location... you use a submeresable pump in the opposit end or deepest part of pond and run a hose from pump to inlet.
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
i built and use this filter myself and it is real smart to replace the upper elbo with a tee ran sideways. this will break the syphon effect if for any reason your pump stops, the elbo allows the filter water to back drain thru the pump back into your pond... microbelifts " PL GEL FILTER INNOCULANT" will have a fully active filter in much less time than ordinary beneficial bacterias. just as a trivia fact: SKIPPY IS A FROG..not a person, hes the company mascot.
nightstalkerrc 2 years ago
You can get them at the dollar store
Mostlyfun 2 years ago
Where can I get the bio filter media from ?
jvkauai 2 years ago
Where does the pump go? Did I miss something. If this goes above the water line it can't be a natural siphon, can it? Also...is there a top that should be on this filter?
doctorkazoo 2 years ago
The pump line goes into the inlet that can be seen above the tub. the water goes down that tube and then fills the tub in a circular motion and comes out the side.
TimSDobson 2 years ago
Yes, the bacteria will work best if the filter is in constant use. If the water flow is shut off for very long the bacteria will begin to die off and will need to be replenished. I think it's a good idea to do this every spring anyway, just to get things started off right. We use the Algae Solution product to do this but there are many brands of bacteria on the market.
klmgroupia 2 years ago
does the bacteria die if your filter is in an area with freezing winter?? and if so would you need to prime the filter every spring?
really interesting filter
qcages 2 years ago
Great vid. Stupid question however... This filter goes Under The Water. correct? the pipe then skims the surface?
kidddesign 2 years ago
No.This filter is above the pond level and outside . The outflow can feed a waterfall if wanted.But remember the return has to be above water level and has to be outside the pond.
xrayfeeney 2 years ago
How about for a pond that is only 200 gal.
50JumpChump 2 years ago
use a 20 gal trash can, i built one 20 gal rubbermaid trash can as a filter. that should do it
IntegraGSR5 2 years ago