Hey guys, again I must apologize that I'm not super active here but still frequent the forum for knowledge and ideas. I am coming into the third summer at our "new" house which included a pond. My wife and have enjoyed every minute of the pond that we can during our MI summers.
So the pond has a skimmer and what I may be incorrectly calling a "bio falls" -not sure of the exact brand name etc...I had determined it once researching online. Anyway it consists of a couple of filter mats and 4 mesh bags for bacteria growth (filled with plastic "tape"). So far, in the spring; the mats require about weekly cleaning for the first several weeks the pond is back in action which is understandable after not having had moving water during the winter months (bubbler keeps ice open).
My sort of wish/want is to ease maintenance some while using more plants for filtration. I don't consider myself old yet (35 this weekend!) but honestly dragging those big mats out when they are full takes some effort! Granted after the initial few weeks they can go longer. I have searched here some and in general to get ideas but haven't really come with any outside my own visions. I'm not sure I want completely cut out the falls basin but to go full on bog filter that may be what needs to happen.
I already put some plants in the basin every summer and they do well but the filter mats are still there and need cleaning...I'm not sure if I could get away with completely removing them and trying to fill the basin with plants...and some way to hold them in place in the flow of water. I never found any sort of back flush on the basin so filling it with a media such as pea gravel for plants doesn't seem like a great idea...plus the basin is pretty deep.
My other thought was another "container" for the bog filter that spills into the existing falls but then it seems like it would make more sense to go full bog. I would prefer not to add more pumps but am not afraid to dig and play with plumbing.
The pond is around 2400gals (I've never measured myself, this is according to previous owner). We have 2 Koi and no current plans for more. Around 20 or so total fish, the others consisting of comets, shubunkin, maybe some sarasa.
Has anyone converted something like this or just said to heck with filter media and stuffed the falls full of plants and it was enough to support the pond? Maybe I'm over thinking and should try over loading the falls basin with plants?
Thanks for reading my story LOL.
So the pond has a skimmer and what I may be incorrectly calling a "bio falls" -not sure of the exact brand name etc...I had determined it once researching online. Anyway it consists of a couple of filter mats and 4 mesh bags for bacteria growth (filled with plastic "tape"). So far, in the spring; the mats require about weekly cleaning for the first several weeks the pond is back in action which is understandable after not having had moving water during the winter months (bubbler keeps ice open).
My sort of wish/want is to ease maintenance some while using more plants for filtration. I don't consider myself old yet (35 this weekend!) but honestly dragging those big mats out when they are full takes some effort! Granted after the initial few weeks they can go longer. I have searched here some and in general to get ideas but haven't really come with any outside my own visions. I'm not sure I want completely cut out the falls basin but to go full on bog filter that may be what needs to happen.
I already put some plants in the basin every summer and they do well but the filter mats are still there and need cleaning...I'm not sure if I could get away with completely removing them and trying to fill the basin with plants...and some way to hold them in place in the flow of water. I never found any sort of back flush on the basin so filling it with a media such as pea gravel for plants doesn't seem like a great idea...plus the basin is pretty deep.
My other thought was another "container" for the bog filter that spills into the existing falls but then it seems like it would make more sense to go full bog. I would prefer not to add more pumps but am not afraid to dig and play with plumbing.
The pond is around 2400gals (I've never measured myself, this is according to previous owner). We have 2 Koi and no current plans for more. Around 20 or so total fish, the others consisting of comets, shubunkin, maybe some sarasa.
Has anyone converted something like this or just said to heck with filter media and stuffed the falls full of plants and it was enough to support the pond? Maybe I'm over thinking and should try over loading the falls basin with plants?
Thanks for reading my story LOL.
