How to build a bio filter

[MitchM]

I think something like that design should work great, gardenlady.

 

[gardenlady]

So we went to Nelsons Water Gardens with pics of the pond and telling them the situaton with green water. After I told them the water tests are all really good and how many fish we have he told me that our proble, at the moment is that we have way too few plants in the bog and elsewhere. So..we bought some to add to the bog and the ledges, and added those when we returned home. He also had us get the beneficial bacteria and told us to add 3 ounces *3,000 gallon pond* for three days and then once a week. He did say that when the koi get larger we definitely need to be the bio filter/uv..didn't have a problem with us getting it now but did'nt feel it was necessary. Thoughts??

 

[MitchM]

I am always a fan of more plants. Best filters available.
Unless the beneficial bacteria that you bought was refrigerated, it's most likely a bottle of dead bacteria. I haven't heard yet of a way to have aerobic bacteria survive in a bottle. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen. Refrigeration will slow down their metabolism, but even then, there should be an expiry date on the bottle.
If you're ok with using the plants for now, that's great. You may not see immediate results in pond clarity but good to know you have a canister filter in mind for when you want to start using one.

I imagine that your bog gets cleaned out yearly by the maintenance company. That's a good thing. That's probably what the installation company gave you for a filter.
It's hard to tell, but is the pond water pumped directly through your bog at all?

 

[gardenlady]

There is NO expiration date on the bottle and it was on a shelf,. It SAYS it's "live" and I'll get immedaite results..hmph. I'm including picutres of where we've put more plants but they will take time to grow and make a difference. I'm definitely not opposed to possibly just getting the canister I posted above since I'd love to have quicker results. Yes..the people who built the pond come out once a year..this was our first maintenace. They took all of the fish out, the water *saving some* and power washed everything. Yes..the pond water is pumped directly. The water was perfectly clear until the weather turned hot and it's got full sun except for a maple tree I planted which is getting quite large now in it's third year.

 

[MitchM]

I agree with getting the canister now. Once the algae starts dying back, it should be removed otherwise it will settle out somewhere, decompose and release it's nutrients back into the water column.
Your bog will remove some of it and a canister that you can clean the filters will remove even more.
I've had freshwater aquariums for 40 years, saltwater for 30, ponds for 3 and have never had to buy bacteria in a bottle.
I find it's very difficult to get specific information from distributors so that makes me wary.

 

[gardenlady]

Yeah..I'm with you..I'd rather not play catch up. How does the one I attached the video on up above seem to you? The pond guy didn't' like the electronic parts but I"m sure he was pushing his stuff. I'm sure it can be made much cheaper but so much easier to buy one I noticed I didn't respond correctly to your question earlier...the water is pumped through the bog.

 

[gardenlady]

Yeah..I'm not really interested in playing catchup! What do you think of the canister in the video I attached up above? Not sure my dh wants to dig a hole to put it in so may get a pot and drill a hole at the bottom to run everything through. I noticed I did not answer your question correctly earlier but the water is pumped directly through the bog.

 

[MitchM]

I don't have any experience with pond canister manufacturers. Perhaps someone else here does.

I've always had good luck searching for equipment by searching for reviews online and finding out what is available locally in case I need parts.
What your local dealer has may be fine. I would still search around though to confirm good reviews for what he carries.