Make your own pond filter and save some cash. If you have a rubbermaid tote sitting around, all you need are fittings, filter media and some pvc pipe. Prices will vary according to your region and the state of the economy;-)
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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Video Rating: 0 / 5
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Tags: diy pond filter design, Filter, Pond, Shawneen
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
what type media is on the bottom
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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
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
@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
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 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.
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!
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 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.
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
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 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.
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.
@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).
Not really $25.00. it around $60 – $80 for the Savio Spring Flo® biological filter media
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!
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.
The outlet is cycling up from the base- see the pvc goes to the bottom, and the hole at the base? About 0:45
Sexy =)
What size pump is idael for this filter? How many gallons per hour?
Thanks Kev!
Hey how do i contact Shawneen? I am hoping to get some specs
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
what type media is on the bottom
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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
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
@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
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 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.
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!
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 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.
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
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 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.
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.
@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).
Not really $25.00. it around $60 – $80 for the Savio Spring Flo® biological filter media
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!
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.
The outlet is cycling up from the base- see the pvc goes to the bottom, and the hole at the base? About 0:45
Sexy =)
What size pump is idael for this filter? How many gallons per hour?
Thanks Kev!
Hey how do i contact Shawneen? I am hoping to get some specs