kansas pond started

[jason081180]

NO progress. its hard to do much with the rain we have been getting. i woke up to a full pond though. lol pumped it all out with a pump i had in there from earlier

 

[koikeepr]

'tis the trials of a pond builder! Just keep chugging along! My pond build is at a stand still too. I've found a leak and have had to let water out so I can re-caulk. And they are calling for thunderstorms all week next week. Sigh.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Looks good!

 

[jason081180]

im planning to build my 150GL stock tank filter in the next couple days. i think i have all the parts. this filter will be my mechanical and bio filter so im wondering about what filter material to use for the mechanical. now i have heard of using scrubby pads. but i have also been thinking of paying more and getting the Matala Filter Media. i just don't know if its worth it or what densities to get. I'm thinking a layer of black low density and a green medium density at least. but do you all think it would be good to add another layer of the blue high density and even a gray supper high density on top. or maybe going with a layer of the green and one of the blue and skip the black all together. i need some advice.

 

[DrCase]

The scrubby's work great ...But adding a extra finish layer would be good
with a 150 gal filter you will have room to try a layer of a different material

 

[koikeepr]

The green and black is exactly what you would need to get. PM DoDad as he sells 'em cheaper than prices you will see advertised online. Two layers will be enough, as the stuff is pretty thick. Then you do your strapping or whatever on top of that.

Matala is more expensive, but it will last eons.

 

[jason081180]

yes the black and green will work that's 3in thick all together. once i build my plumbing for the stock tank i will be able to see how much room i have for the filter material. i might go witha layer of blue as well but we'll see.

 

[koikeepr]

I don't think you need the blue. It will be overkill. And the blue is very fine so it will clog more. Just trying to save you some pennies.

 

[jason081180]

thanks a lot. i need all the advice i can get. so ill just go with the black and green once i find the prices. i will PM DoDad

 

[koikeepr]

I thought he was having a special on them recently. I know a few folks on the site wanted them, not sure if he's willing to do a group buy to get us better prices. I might buy another sheet if it was the big one that fits the stock tank.

 

[cauzeneffeckt]

im down for a group buy

 

[koiguy1969]

the flanders cut to fit furnace filters work great too...over 2 years of use never been rinsed or cleaned in any way...my scrubbies and furnace filter combination performs wonderfully...and it gets used 24 /7/ 365 outdoor pond and basement pond.

 

[jason081180]

thanks koiguy1969 i was hoping for your input as my filter is your design.

 

[jason081180]

Well filter finally getting started. I’m wondering how to keep the PVC off the bottom of the filter. Now koiguy1969 used 1.5 in pipe in his filter and used I believe 2 2in tees to hold the plumbing off the bottom of the filter. I am using 2in pipe so maybe 2.5 in tees will work for me. I tried looking and they didn’t have any at Lowes. The black street tee is ABS and will be replaced with a white PVC one. I also bought a 10ft length of 2in ABS that will be returned. I was hoping to build it out of black pipe but I found out that you need special glue to glue PVC and ABS together so I’ll just go PVC all the way. Cutting the light diffuser was a little more difficult than I thought. But I got it done cutting a little off at a time and making it fit. It cuts easy just getting it the right shape took while. The rest is all good. I haven’t added the bottom drain yet. It will have to be offset to one side a little because there is a brace that runs along the middle of the bottom. But no big deal should still work fine. It’s amazing how much room all the plumbing takes up. The stock tank maybe 25in tall but with the plumbing and the water fall I’ll be lucky to get 12-16 in for the filter.

 

[koiguy1969]

no need to glue anything inside the filter...this allows for future modification. and all the pieces should fit snuggly anyways.... i have weirs for your waterfall...
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/waterfall-weirs-diy-filters-t5243.html
make it look like this
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/gallery/index.php?n=175