I did catch her saying nitrates although that's probably not what she meant -yes we do know the difference but we're also not reading off a teleprompter (or rehearsing:-). Yes, the pads were in backwards...we fixed that. It should go coarsest to finest. Funny, but when you DIY it's pretty easy to fix little errors like that. This filter was in use for a year and it was perfectly adequate for the tank- we did not need to add anything else.
Biological filtration CAN reduce nitrates, just not this kind of biological filtration. So like many others have said here... that filter is going to do NOTHING for your nitrate level except continue to raise it.
i thought the thick media has to go on top then thin on bottom, so the big pieces of dirt get caught on the thick media and the small partilcles on the thin, so as not to clog the thin media so easily
1:10-1:15 " hold nitrates down" beneficial bacteria only converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate the beneficial bacteria to keep nitrate down does not like oxygen so you do not have any in that filter. BUT plants do lower nitrates, i do not know of the plants in the back are connected to the tank. either way that filter does not keep nitrates down.
you do not have to p ay 500 but no o ne explains how to do this correctly or successfuly all these people saying how to do it but no one showing the result so funny
@takenbythesky there's the second video DIY part 2 to show the working filter and the look of the water- I need to learn more video editing (of which I know nothing) to show a good step- by step.
Folks, I don't want to sell you anything, or convince you to make your own if you don't think it's a good idea. If you can find a great price on ebay, then by all means buy it. I am only saying you can build a fine filter that does the job of keeping nitrites down and fish healthy without breaking the bank if you're willing to do a little work. There's a million different ways a filter can be made and still work just fine- check out some of the other 'related' videos and see for yourself!
We made a version of this filter last spring, it does a great job. We spent probably about 40 bucks, but we did some upgrades. On the bottom of ours we made grate out of a pvc light diffuser so that there is about a 3 inch gap between the filter media and the bottom of the rubbermade tote. The filter media we used was traditional and non traditional. The only problem we had with this filter is finding a 2' bulkhead passthrough for the return to pond side.
@bighatstephens thanks for the feedback. I had no idea our little vid woud get so much attention. I will do a follow up on what exactly the parts are and where you may find them- but our store names are all different. I'll do what I can to make it easier. What was $25 at the time I originally posted is a bit more now, but hey, it's still better than $300-$700 for a decent filter, prefab.
Exactly. We spent about 500 dollars for the pond liner, of that we only used about a third of it. Another 100 was spent on the pump, and aparently we got to much pump for our size pond. That was an easy fix, we plumbed in valve and a tee to adjust waterflow and create a current.
@Arteolike there are indeed 'cheap' filters on ebay. What I have seen for under $200 are fairly low capacity, appropriate for small ponds without fish load. Hey, if you can find something to fit your needs and not break the bank, go for it! All I'm doing here is trying to provide people with alternatives they can do themselves. I'm not trying to sell you anything. Remember that list price on ebay does not include shipping, tax or customer support.
Quote:"there are indeed 'cheap' filters on ebay. What I have seen for under $200 are fairly low capacity, appropriate for small ponds without fish load"
1.)Not true, the filter is rated for around a 4,000 Gallon pond with light fish load and plants. and 2,000 Gallons with heavy fish load's and no plants.
Quote: "Remember that list price on ebay does not include shipping, tax or customer support. "
@Arteolike I know that's what we've got in the video, but you don't have to purchase expensive filter media if you don't want to- for the bargain hunter and diy person, all you need is large amounts of surface area and that can be accomplished with a number of materials.
Well... That is true. But i still am saying that $25 for that filter is not right! $50.00+ is the least, it will cost a lot for the fittings, as they are not too cheap. Bulkheads will run you about $5-$15 Each.
@Arteolike yep, our bulkheads at the store run from $9 to $20,( I just checked). The size we used on this filter was $12.99. The T piece sells here for $4, and the pvc pipe I'm not certain because we just used some scrap that was laying around. The cap on the pvc shouldn't be more than $2. You could silicone it, though. The rubbermaid tote, again, we already had lying around but should cost less than $15. However, this is in Canadian dollars. I'd be surprised if it's more in US$!
@Arteolike ok for Lily and Arteo both. We just built another filter based on this design. Filter body $9.00 at BigLots, 2" x 3' pvc, 1" x 3' pvc, 3 1" elbows, and 1 2" tee that cost $12 dollars togeather from our lumber store. Reedley Irrigation had the "tank adapters" and threaded inserts, that was 30 dollars. Filter media, pool noodles from DollarTree (5) and 1 washable plastic furnace filter from Home Depot 5 dollars. Pls see comment reguarding filter media.
@bighatstephens The filter media floated. So we used the plastic light diffuser grid from the scrapped filter to prevent the filter media from floating away. I ca not fully remember how much we paid for it, maybe 7 bucks? My new filter cost me 68 dollars to put togeather. The old filter did a great job but we had to improvise some of the parts.
@LilyISay For my 5 Gallon bucket DIY filter for my turtle tank I bought 50 pounds of lava rock for $14, 60 sponges from the dollar store for $12, 50 bio balls for $6 on ebay, the pump was $30 for 500 gph flow and the bucket was one I had already. $60 for an awesome filter lol better than the $149 fluval 305 I had running
It would be great to have an experienced ponder like you on our site!
I like your pond videos and want to invite you to join a pond site to share your stuff!
Please join the new OldGardenPond,com group today! I learned a ton of stuff and it gave me the motivation to finish up my own pond. POST EVERY DOG-GONE POND PICTURE AND VIDEO YOU GOT! Sign the Guest Book and let us hear you on the message board. This site will be rocking, because you will make it happen!
i made this filter but couldnt find the fittings for the outlet at menards. i didnt know what to ask for could u maybe message me a list of supplies please. Thanks
i dont understand how this works very well, the spray bar shoots the incoming water at the ribbon, and filter pads, and goes back up and exits at the 2 inch outlet, but if the spray bar is on top and the exit is on top, once the container is full, the dirty water would just stay near the surface and exit without reaching the cycling bacteria..
@boomlightsout water doesn't exit from the the top. it comes up that pipe from the bottom. the top is an over flow. in case the filter backs up. and also an anti siphon(but not for this configuration).
What do you think about a small pond say 150 -200gal preform pond?? Can you message me on what you think?? Or what I can use for a smaller pond?? PLEASE
You can make the same filter with a l'il plastic tub and smaller pvc or other rigid tubing...just size down all the components, it will still work. But you'll likely require a uv light in a small preform or you'll have green swampy water, even if you filter it mechanically.
I suppose if total area was an issue I'd worry more about what kind of filter media was where, but you're right, finer goes on the bottom if you're using different grades. If you've lots of volume to work with, it's not so much of an issue.
I like you filter I have a 250 gallon pond I get a lot of sediment on the bottom from the fish and my river stone allways turns allmost black my uv keeps my water clear on your filter what is that green material you use on the bottom
The green material I believe was plastic strapping from some packaging- otherwise known as junk. Anything that will not break down and provides a lot of surface area will do. Another easy biomedia is heated plastic forks. Bunch them into balls while malleable and presto! Bio balls. Be creative with your waste!
Aquaponics/Koi pond/etc. all can learn a thing or two when it comes to DIY from the aquarium community
valdezorbust 5 months ago
I did catch her saying nitrates although that's probably not what she meant -yes we do know the difference but we're also not reading off a teleprompter (or rehearsing:-). Yes, the pads were in backwards...we fixed that. It should go coarsest to finest. Funny, but when you DIY it's pretty easy to fix little errors like that. This filter was in use for a year and it was perfectly adequate for the tank- we did not need to add anything else.
LilyISay 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
click on my name and watch how to make oxygen,aeration,circulation on
submersible pump
Mr1SUPERB 8 months ago
she wrong with the mechanical filter,,it should be the oposite
rckrackedup 9 months ago
Your collections are excellent. See excellent exotic Ornamental fish collections.
Please watch our videos.
Anna Aqua Pets -Ornamental fish farm in Kottat - Chalakudy - Thrissur DT- Kerala -India
youtube.com/watch?v=tlalIQqsiUU
youtube.com/watch?v=mpR8R_5_340
MrSaijujose 10 months ago
I thought biological filters lowered nitrites and ammonia..not nitrate.
ChrisH11515 1 year ago
Biological filtration CAN reduce nitrates, just not this kind of biological filtration. So like many others have said here... that filter is going to do NOTHING for your nitrate level except continue to raise it.
helicrashpro 1 year ago
Also, biological filtration does not reduce nitrate, only nitrite and ammonia/ammonium.
blownable 1 year ago
Shouldn't the fine floss stay at the bottom? That way it won't clog as fast.
blownable 1 year ago
Ma'm where do you live? If you're interested in buying ome koi I would love to sell you some if you live in Florida.
quadhondarider 1 year ago
i thought the thick media has to go on top then thin on bottom, so the big pieces of dirt get caught on the thick media and the small partilcles on the thin, so as not to clog the thin media so easily
theeroom 1 year ago
what type media is on the bottom
jharrin293 1 year ago
1:10-1:15 " hold nitrates down" beneficial bacteria only converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate the beneficial bacteria to keep nitrate down does not like oxygen so you do not have any in that filter. BUT plants do lower nitrates, i do not know of the plants in the back are connected to the tank. either way that filter does not keep nitrates down.
imthevictorr 1 year ago
you do not have to p ay 500 but no o ne explains how to do this correctly or successfuly all these people saying how to do it but no one showing the result so funny
takenbythesky 2 years ago
@takenbythesky there's the second video DIY part 2 to show the working filter and the look of the water- I need to learn more video editing (of which I know nothing) to show a good step- by step.
LilyISay 2 years ago
Folks, I don't want to sell you anything, or convince you to make your own if you don't think it's a good idea. If you can find a great price on ebay, then by all means buy it. I am only saying you can build a fine filter that does the job of keeping nitrites down and fish healthy without breaking the bank if you're willing to do a little work. There's a million different ways a filter can be made and still work just fine- check out some of the other 'related' videos and see for yourself!
LilyISay 2 years ago
We made a version of this filter last spring, it does a great job. We spent probably about 40 bucks, but we did some upgrades. On the bottom of ours we made grate out of a pvc light diffuser so that there is about a 3 inch gap between the filter media and the bottom of the rubbermade tote. The filter media we used was traditional and non traditional. The only problem we had with this filter is finding a 2' bulkhead passthrough for the return to pond side.
bighatstephens 2 years ago
@bighatstephens thanks for the feedback. I had no idea our little vid woud get so much attention. I will do a follow up on what exactly the parts are and where you may find them- but our store names are all different. I'll do what I can to make it easier. What was $25 at the time I originally posted is a bit more now, but hey, it's still better than $300-$700 for a decent filter, prefab.
LilyISay 2 years ago
Not really $25.00. it around $60 - $80 for the Savio Spring Flo® biological filter media
Arteolike 2 years ago
Exactly. We spent about 500 dollars for the pond liner, of that we only used about a third of it. Another 100 was spent on the pump, and aparently we got to much pump for our size pond. That was an easy fix, we plumbed in valve and a tee to adjust waterflow and create a current.
bighatstephens 2 years ago
This filter is worthless, because it is more expensive than buying a one. There are pressure canister filters on eBay with UV lights for $139.99
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike there are indeed 'cheap' filters on ebay. What I have seen for under $200 are fairly low capacity, appropriate for small ponds without fish load. Hey, if you can find something to fit your needs and not break the bank, go for it! All I'm doing here is trying to provide people with alternatives they can do themselves. I'm not trying to sell you anything. Remember that list price on ebay does not include shipping, tax or customer support.
LilyISay 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Quote:"there are indeed 'cheap' filters on ebay. What I have seen for under $200 are fairly low capacity, appropriate for small ponds without fish load"
1.)Not true, the filter is rated for around a 4,000 Gallon pond with light fish load and plants. and 2,000 Gallons with heavy fish load's and no plants.
Quote: "Remember that list price on ebay does not include shipping, tax or customer support. "
2.) It is $99.99 + 39.99 Shipping, No tax
Don't believe me?
Link: On my other comment.
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike I know that's what we've got in the video, but you don't have to purchase expensive filter media if you don't want to- for the bargain hunter and diy person, all you need is large amounts of surface area and that can be accomplished with a number of materials.
LilyISay 2 years ago
@LilyISay
Well... That is true. But i still am saying that $25 for that filter is not right! $50.00+ is the least, it will cost a lot for the fittings, as they are not too cheap. Bulkheads will run you about $5-$15 Each.
Arteolike 2 years ago
@Arteolike yep, our bulkheads at the store run from $9 to $20,( I just checked). The size we used on this filter was $12.99. The T piece sells here for $4, and the pvc pipe I'm not certain because we just used some scrap that was laying around. The cap on the pvc shouldn't be more than $2. You could silicone it, though. The rubbermaid tote, again, we already had lying around but should cost less than $15. However, this is in Canadian dollars. I'd be surprised if it's more in US$!
LilyISay 2 years ago
@Arteolike ok for Lily and Arteo both. We just built another filter based on this design. Filter body $9.00 at BigLots, 2" x 3' pvc, 1" x 3' pvc, 3 1" elbows, and 1 2" tee that cost $12 dollars togeather from our lumber store. Reedley Irrigation had the "tank adapters" and threaded inserts, that was 30 dollars. Filter media, pool noodles from DollarTree (5) and 1 washable plastic furnace filter from Home Depot 5 dollars. Pls see comment reguarding filter media.
bighatstephens 1 year ago
@bighatstephens The filter media floated. So we used the plastic light diffuser grid from the scrapped filter to prevent the filter media from floating away. I ca not fully remember how much we paid for it, maybe 7 bucks? My new filter cost me 68 dollars to put togeather. The old filter did a great job but we had to improvise some of the parts.
bighatstephens 1 year ago
@LilyISay For my 5 Gallon bucket DIY filter for my turtle tank I bought 50 pounds of lava rock for $14, 60 sponges from the dollar store for $12, 50 bio balls for $6 on ebay, the pump was $30 for 500 gph flow and the bucket was one I had already. $60 for an awesome filter lol better than the $149 fluval 305 I had running
Yakuzagang5 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It would be great to have an experienced ponder like you on our site!
I like your pond videos and want to invite you to join a pond site to share your stuff!
Please join the new OldGardenPond,com group today! I learned a ton of stuff and it gave me the motivation to finish up my own pond. POST EVERY DOG-GONE POND PICTURE AND VIDEO YOU GOT! Sign the Guest Book and let us hear you on the message board. This site will be rocking, because you will make it happen!
PR0CRASTINAT0R 2 years ago
Sexy =)
senorpsycho 2 years ago
What size pump is idael for this filter? How many gallons per hour?
Thanks Kev!
TheStikk 2 years ago
Hey how do i contact Shawneen? I am hoping to get some specs
elliswrightjr 2 years ago
can u please give us a shopping list for the different parts of pvc pipes? that would be really helpful
wereluva 2 years ago
i made this filter but couldnt find the fittings for the outlet at menards. i didnt know what to ask for could u maybe message me a list of supplies please. Thanks
CrazyBirdThing 2 years ago
Sorry, I have no idea what menards might supply-we're in Canada. I will give you folks a shopping list to go with the video.
LilyISay 2 years ago
i dont understand how this works very well, the spray bar shoots the incoming water at the ribbon, and filter pads, and goes back up and exits at the 2 inch outlet, but if the spray bar is on top and the exit is on top, once the container is full, the dirty water would just stay near the surface and exit without reaching the cycling bacteria..
boomlightsout 2 years ago
The outlet is cycling up from the base- see the pvc goes to the bottom, and the hole at the base? About 0:45
LilyISay 2 years ago
@boomlightsout water doesn't exit from the the top. it comes up that pipe from the bottom. the top is an over flow. in case the filter backs up. and also an anti siphon(but not for this configuration).
apauln 2 years ago
What do you think about a small pond say 150 -200gal preform pond?? Can you message me on what you think?? Or what I can use for a smaller pond?? PLEASE
50JumpChump 2 years ago 2
You can make the same filter with a l'il plastic tub and smaller pvc or other rigid tubing...just size down all the components, it will still work. But you'll likely require a uv light in a small preform or you'll have green swampy water, even if you filter it mechanically.
LilyISay 2 years ago
you think this will work for my 10,000 gallon pond? i dont want to spend $1500 on a filter.
travisbrummett 2 years ago
if i was you id use 3 of those with 2 uv lights and a 3500 gal pump u have a big pond so u need gig stuff ,2uv 's thats important
tonmagicwon 2 years ago
What about for a small becket kidney shape pond? Should I just use a smaller container?
phxdrummer16 2 years ago
bigger is always better
tonmagicwon 2 years ago
LilySay, can you tell me where you got the fittings for your filter please?
xrayfeeney 2 years ago 3
"Zapstrap" ? It's a cable tie.
Bretty135 3 years ago 7
dude why dont that woman try cleaning it out first
makavelishaman 3 years ago
cool nice one.....i want to make one of those but how...? can you tell me how to do this?:-/
stvnivan 3 years ago
I suppose if total area was an issue I'd worry more about what kind of filter media was where, but you're right, finer goes on the bottom if you're using different grades. If you've lots of volume to work with, it's not so much of an issue.
LilyISay 3 years ago
wouldnt you want the finer filter media towards the bottom?
hypacalyps 3 years ago
Absolutely!
xrayfeeney 2 years ago
lily is the filter material the same that you use for central ac units
printman52 3 years ago
I like you filter I have a 250 gallon pond I get a lot of sediment on the bottom from the fish and my river stone allways turns allmost black my uv keeps my water clear on your filter what is that green material you use on the bottom
printman52 3 years ago
The green material I believe was plastic strapping from some packaging- otherwise known as junk. Anything that will not break down and provides a lot of surface area will do. Another easy biomedia is heated plastic forks. Bunch them into balls while malleable and presto! Bio balls. Be creative with your waste!
LilyISay 3 years ago
It's not junk it's PVC ribbon. It's sold specifically for filter media.
ShastaPwns 2 years ago
I'll try to do another vid of the working filter this afternoon. Just always busy at work, and this section is in the far reaches of the nursery!
LilyISay 3 years ago
Hi, just wondered how it's been working out? Can you post a video of the whole setup? Thanks!
mikeandann420 3 years ago
what a cutie...
I totally forgot about the filter thing and had to watch it again...
YouAdamNazzkl0wn 3 years ago 2
can you make a video of how it works please nice filter good job
wonka1990 3 years ago
can you make a vid of it working
subcrazy111 3 years ago