DIY 55 Gallon Barrel Filter

[AngelaM]

Does anyone have good instructions I can follow for this? I’d also like media ideas to fill it with. Thanks!

 

[Rex]

I've built several upflow 55 gal drum filters throughout the years.

I used 2" bulkhead fittings from an electrical supply store. I drilled a hole on the side of the barrel a couple inches off of the bottom, with an appropriate sized hole saw, for the intake. I drilled another hole pretty high up on the side towards the top of the barrel where I wanted the outlet to come out. I then put a heavy-duty milk crate in the barrel upside down. I then placed material on top of the milk crate that covered the entire circumference for the barrel. I used heavy duty expanded metal. I had to cut a couple half circle shapes to get them to fit down in the barrel. Metal isn't ideal. I'm sure you could find some type of heavy-duty plastic. I filled the barrel with lava rock up to a couple inches below the outlet. The milk crate and expanded metal held the lava rock off the bottom of the barrel to create a void.

Additionally, I drilled another hole as low as I could on the barrel for a drain. I used another bulkhead fitting with a ball valve on it. The void in the bottom of the barrel acts as a settlement area for sediment. Periodically, you can turn off your pump and open this drain to backflow/clean the filter.

I used this filter in my original 1,000 gallon in-ground koi pond and it kept the water crystal clear. My dad a larger horse trough that he stocked with koi and he fed excessively. The filter also kept his pond crystal clear. My probably had his filter for 8 years before he moved from that house. It was maintenance free besides backflowing it periodically.

I wish I had pictures, but I don't.

 

[Tula]

Birdman's Sand/Gravel Filter

Many people have asked about my sand/gravel filters so here's my construction thread. But 1st, all credit has to go to Kent Wallace. He is the one that originally showed me this type of filter. I build mine different from Kent, but the concept, and operation are the same. This...

www.koiphen.com

This is our exact filter

 

[Relic]

I use a large rolling plastic trash can instead of a metal barrel...similar in configuration with respect to fittings, etc.

 

[AngelaM]

I've built several upflow 55 gal drum filters throughout the years.

I used 2" bulkhead fittings from an electrical supply store. I drilled a hole on the side of the barrel a couple inches off of the bottom, with an appropriate sized hole saw, for the intake. I drilled another hole pretty high up on the side towards the top of the barrel where I wanted the outlet to come out. I then put a heavy-duty milk crate in the barrel upside down. I then placed material on top of the milk crate that covered the entire circumference for the barrel. I used heavy duty expanded metal. I had to cut a couple half circle shapes to get them to fit down in the barrel. Metal isn't ideal. I'm sure you could find some type of heavy-duty plastic. I filled the barrel with lava rock up to a couple inches below the outlet. The milk crate and expanded metal held the lava rock off the bottom of the barrel to create a void.

Additionally, I drilled another hole as low as I could on the barrel for a drain. I used another bulkhead fitting with a ball valve on it. The void in the bottom of the barrel acts as a settlement area for sediment. Periodically, you can turn off your pump and open this drain to backflow/clean the filter.

I used this filter in my original 1,000 gallon in-ground koi pond and it kept the water crystal clear. My dad a larger horse trough that he stocked with koi and he fed excessively. The filter also kept his pond crystal clear. My probably had his filter for 8 years before he moved from that house. It was maintenance free besides backflowing it periodically.

I wish I had pictures, but I don't.

Did you use some kind of silicone to seal the bulk heads?

 

[Rex]

Did you use some kind of silicone to seal the bulk heads?

No. They had a good gasket on them. They never leaked. I forgot my brother still has one of these upflow 55 gal drum filters that he's been using for years. I asked him and he said his has never leaked either. He said he 2" ball valve (for backflowing/cleaing) is starting to stick. That's the only problem he's had.

 

[Lisak1]

Put some vaseline on those ball valves and they won't stick. (Lesson learned the hard way!)

 

[mrsclem]

I have used the barrel filters for years. I used shower drains installed on the bottom of the barrels with valves for cleaning.