building a 55 gal biological filter

[jameskoi]

DrCase: once my new plumbing is in, it's going to remind me of yours. This is nuts... I'm used to fish tanks. Pond filtration is 10x more demanding. LOL!

Well, i figured out that my 3/4" PVC pipe for my 900GPH rated pump is causing too much resistance. Hooked up to 1" pond flex tubing and it's doing 750GPH. Immediately, water level is 3" above bulkhead, almost overflowing. Total pump flow is now 1000GPH and 2" bulk heads are choking. Haha

 

[DrCase]

Yea once you get it going good its worth all the set backs

 

[DrCase]

If its going to rain like this all summer i wont ever have to add water to my ponds ..
I dump my filters every week each time it rains ,,and get the free refill

 

[cuesport]

Is there any correlation between filter size and pond volume available? I have a 1000 gal. pond. Right now I'm running with a 25 gal "Skippy" type filter. Everything is looking good after about 3 weeks. Should I be thinking about going with a larger filter? It seems like many of you are going with 55 to 70 gal.

 

[koiguy1969]

if your filters doing its job dont worry about it, but if you add fish, or when they grow out and you want or need more filtration, you can always build a bigger one...or build another like you have and have another waterfall, or have the new one feed the old.( plumbed in series)

 

[DrCase]

Extra capacity is a real good thing to have in the filter world...
When you think your water is good ..It can get better

 

[koikeepr]

I can't remember the ratio with fish, but I thought it was a 55gal filter for every 1.000 gals.

Someone please correct me...

 

[DrCase]

I have read that before,,,it will vary with the fish load..
On my 4500 gals i run 3 bio drums and 1 fines drum..
With great results

 

[stroppy]

Drcase .... where the hoze from the pump goes into the drum ... does it have to have that conection on or could i just push hoze down the pipe a bit ? building raised pond in garden now and thought i would try the drums for this pond :biggrin:

 

[koiguy1969]

you could probably tuck it in but youll have to drill a hole and ziptie it to the pipe and/or barrel lip.to keep it in place.but a hose adapter would be best.

 

[stroppy]

yep your probably right ...just wasnt sure what that was on the top ...but im sure i could find something to fit on there ...thanks koiguy .... by the way skippie filter is working well on front pond ...clear water !! :biggrin:

 

[DrCase]

Like Koi guy said .
Just stick it in and tie it down..
I have had a cat get on top of my filter and knock it out

 

[DrCase]

Koikeepr
this is as close as i could get to cut & paste

 

[delatha]

I also have a diy filter system,what kind of filter media do you use?I was told that I need to change mind to deer block which is fencing.What do you think?Oh I have lava rocks now.

 

[DrCase]

The deer fencing would be better than the lava rock..
and a lot easier to work with
You can use most anything... cut up pipe, scrubber pads , bottle caps, the list is long