Looking for a small Bio Filter

[Sweet Lew]

So I could go with the 700 or the 1100 pressure flo filter?

EDIT: Just read that the 700 doesn't have a space for bio-spheres...So I guess it only uses sponges..

 

[koikeepr]

I always opt for more filtration, so if I were you, I would go higher. But you'll need to decide what your budget will allow.

 

[koiguy1969]

with either of these your pump is way more than needed , so you put a ball valve controled bypass on it to slow the filters flow thru and turn it up for back washing. its max suggested flow is 650 gph the one you looked at is 600 gtph....what kind of fish load are you talking?
and as koikeepr said bigger is better...you cant really over do filtration just under do it. if it was me i would redo my falls with a DIYer

 

[Sweet Lew]

It's a small pond. Not looking to stock it heavily. Handful of comets to start. If they don;t get eaten by the possums and raccoons, then I would move to koi. Here are some pics from last year when it got cleaned out for the first time in 5 years (previous home owners didn't do anything with it)

Before pics:

Waterfall pool:

After cleaning and landscaping:

Waterfall pool (note the stones for biofiltration):

 

[koikeepr]

okay. a few things. Rocks do not provide bio filtration. You need to remove all those rocks, as when debris/poop/leaves/etc falls into the pond, you will be unable to remove the sludge thanks to those rocks. Your pond will never be clean or easy to maintain with rocks in it.

#2, that pond is too small for koi. You need to stick to comets, sarassa or shubunkin.

#3, you need to protect the fish from predators somehow.

 

[Sweet Lew]

So with that all said I have a couple of questions:

1. What do you suggest I use for filtration at the top of the watefall? I thought the rocks would provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow?

2. With the size of the pond, do I really need an external biofilter?

 

[koiguy1969]

hows the waterfall pool plumbed? wheres the inlet?

 

[Sweet Lew]

It's a really simple setup (if you couldn't tell already). Hose from the pump runs around the side of the pond and the end gets jammed under the stones in water fall pool. I haven't poked around in there (had a service clean it out). I would need to see if there is an actual waterfall wier in there.

 

[koiguy1969]

it looks like that pool is decent size, in depth, correct? if so why dont you plumb it from where its going in now down to the botton via some pvc pipe, put a grid in,and fill the pool with bio media and cover the surface with hiacynths and lettuce. the weir is the point it spills back to lower pond.

 

[Sweet Lew]

Not sure how deep the pool is. I'm guessing under a foot.

Your idea sounds like a good one. Thanks for the advice.

 

[koiguy1969]

your welcome.i always shoot for the cheapest routes first

 

[Sweet Lew]

Back up to the top!

How high does an external skippy need to be above the falls? I was trying to see if I could use this:

http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/filters/plo1000.php?link=152

 

[cauzeneffeckt]

You can definately use a diy setup for this just have the diy filter drop the water into your waterfall pool. Build one out of a 18 gal rubbermaid container. You should be good to go.

 

[PS3]

check out this site you can build this and there are people here.that used these plans and added there own stuff its much cheaper and these home made ones a are better.
and u dont wanna put a uv light where the bio grows because
the uv light will kill it.and koiguy 1969 built one of these

http://skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm

 

[Sweet Lew]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I'm really limited on space, so a smaller bio or pressure filter would work best.