iam going to build my own bio filter skippy style

[PS3]

ok i was thinking of useing 1&1/2 hose for the discharge to the water falls
i read on other sites that this is a good size. i cant find any 2 inch hose
that will fit my off set

 

[koiguy1969]

you can use a regular tee or even an elbo but the tees break the syphon affect if your pump stops for any reason.

 

[oldmarine]

Koigoy has a good idea. I have used 'T' in the past to eliminate the possibility of a back siphon and run my water pump dry.

Happy ponding,

 

[PS3]

ok i just got a reducer to go with the 2 inch drain to 1&1/2 pipe lol..
sorry guys iam still learning and i dont know much about plumbing
but iam leaning

 

[PS3]

is there any reason u have to use the off set shower drain for the return??
because i took back my off set and got a strigth through for the return.
i cant see why that would make any drifrence to get the water back to the pond
what i plan on doing is just useing a reducer on the 2 inch going to a
1&12 inch pipe to retrun to the water the 1&12 inch pipe will be short also
like a nipple just enough to hold the hose for the water fall on

 

[PS3]

sorry i could not edit my last post could i just run the pcv pipe
for my water fall right from the drum??

 

[DrDave]

I deleted your previous message. Yes you can use PVC for the return.

 

[PS3]

ok i called a guy about a pump today and i told him that the
pump hose will run out of the pond over the edge because my pond is above ground.
along the ground and up to the skiipy filter so he told me to get a 2000 GPH pump.
and he told me he can put a vaule a twist one like on a house
and he told me i can contolle and it will be better so does this pump and vale
sound like a good idea and will i hurt the pump with this vavle ?

I will be going to put the filter right behind the pond
but back about 5 or may be 6 feet my mom wants
me to hide it in the bush's
here is the pic u can see the bush;s i wanna hide the drum

 

[koikeepr]

your pump is on the ground? Help us understand that...are you using an inline pump?

Yes, I don't blame your mom for wanting you to hide that barrel. You can even spray paint your barrel black (tho not inside), and when you get it in the bushes none of that blue will show. Use a spray paint that's made for platic, like plastic kote. It bonds right onto plastic.

 

[koiguy1969]

you use ball valves for flow control ..pvc ball valves... any ways as i told you before, you want to turn your pond over atleast once an hour anything over that is personal preferrence... if your falls will be to your liking at 2000 gph go for it ... you install the ball valvre to divert some flow from the pump past the filter directly to your falls...at 2000 gph your water will get under 2 minutes in filtration, i like a little more hang time than that so i would drop the flow to 2/3 filter 1/3 bypassed.

 

[PS3]

ok so i will go with the 2000gph and yes my pump is on the floor in the pond
and it will come over the back edge like in the pic and go long the ground
and i will duct tape it up to the drum inlet. and i will use 1&1/2 inch flex pvc pipe
for the discharge for the water fall i should be ok

 

[koiguy1969]

duct tape wont hold on the drum very long.. if its a big concern hard pipe over the pond wall and up into the drum, and make your hose connection inside the ponds walls.

 

[DrDave]

Use the same rocks you have on the pond to hide the 55 gallon barrel. plant some papyrus & or bamboo around it.

 

[PS3]

what size hose should i go with comeing from the pump to the filter
i was thinking of useing 1&1/2 inch because the pump iam geting call's for it.
and when i cut the hole for the discharge to go to the water fall
how many inches do i make it from the top thanks

 

[koiguy1969]

i put my outlet as close to the top as possible to maximize filter volume...but every barrel is alittle different , my barrel curves up into a smaller diameter at the top.so as far up as possible while still on a semi flat surface, i'm around 4" down...and go with the maximum size pump hose if your locating your filter away from the pond.