Pond filter not working, how to improve clarity

[Mgessert]

They drain back into the pond, like a bog, but for veggies I have my pump set for 30 min. on, 30 min. off, 24/7. I have snuck some ornamental ginger in there this year though. I can’t wait for it to bloom!

 

[lozcozard]

Thanks all for suggesting a bog. I built a diy one in a container and I can’t believe it but my pond is clear now. I can see the bottom. I can see it needs a clean out now .

I may rebuild it better in the future because I have some issues I wasn’t expecting.

The “heavy duty” container I bought from Amazon is very flimsy. The rectangle shape is half round now. I’m expecting it to break one day.

Pipe fittings are a nightmare. I have a corrugated pipe and doesn’t seem to be standard ways to connect to pvc pipe. My inlet is leaking for example.

I should have put the inlet over the bog to catch leaks but forgot. I’ll change it.

My outlet was too high had to put another lower one in.

From reading online I should use flexible pvc. Reluctant to buy some though because all the results online look like corrugated. Like corrugated suppliers naming it flexible take over the results.

My pump was too powerful. I downgraded to a 1400ltr and I think it’s perfect.

I’d prefer a holed pipe hidden beneath chippings as the outlet but the tank connectors are not standard diameter and I was told they’re not meant to connect a pipe inside. So I put that green small pot there. It’s stop debris blocking the outlet.

 

[poconojoe]

If you empty the container, reshape it, then surround it with soil, rocks, a wooden frame or whatever for support, it may prevent it from bulging out.

When penetrating any container, the best leak free method is to use a bulkhead fitting. They come with either slip (glue) connections or are threaded. There are two halves that screw together sandwiching the wall of your container and have a gasket that seals the joint. I reccomend the threaded type for a less permanent pipe connection.

I advise not using the popular corregated pond hose. It's weak and will fail very quickly. If you need flexible hose, use flex pvc. It's totally compatible with all standard PVC fittings, primer and glue. You won't have any compatibility or connection problems.

There is another hose that some members here use that seems to be ok. It's the corregated sump pump hose. But, the flex PVC is the ultimate best.

If you do use any of the corrugated hoses, it's important to have the proper hose adapters (hose barbs). They screw into a PVC female adapter and have graduated steps to fit multiple hose sizes. A hose clamp holds them in place.

I'm not sure what you are saying in the last paragraph.
But, if you use a threaded bulkhead fitting through the container wall, you can thread any pvc pipe into it from the inside of the container. That pipe can have the holes or slits for your diffuser which then gets covered with the gravel.

Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Hope this helps

 

[lozcozard]

Thanks for the detailed reply. About the bulkhead, this is the trickiest bit. Only one side fits the PVC pipe (43mm). The threaded side is smaller. I’ve put the threaded side inside so I can connect a 43mm pipe on the outside to run from the bulkhead to the pond. The threaded inside is about 38mm to 40mm inside diameter. I’m not sure as it’s tricky to measure now I’ve assembled it. So I’m not sure if there’s a pvc pipe that I can fit that side and if so what size. This would be the pipe with holes that goes under the gravel if I can find one to fit.

Thanks

 

[poconojoe]

Thanks for the detailed reply. About the bulkhead, this is the trickiest bit. Only one side fits the PVC pipe (43mm). The threaded side is smaller. I’ve put the threaded side inside so I can connect a 43mm pipe on the outside to run from the bulkhead to the pond. The threaded inside is about 38mm to 40mm inside diameter. I’m not sure as it’s tricky to measure now I’ve assembled it. So I’m not sure if there’s a pvc pipe that I can fit that side and if so what size. This would be the pipe with holes that goes under the gravel if I can find one to fit.

Thanks

I'm not sure if you are understanding how the bulkhead fitting works or maybe I'm not understanding what you are saying.

The bulkhead fitting has two parts. One has male (external) threads that go through your container. Then a locknut screws onto it and that's what holds it in place. You don't screw anything else to the male threads after installing the locknut.

Then, if you have the threaded type, it will have female (internal) threads on both sides to screw your pipes into.

If you have the slip (glue) type, there are no female threads, it's just smooth inside. You glue the PVC directly into it on both sides (inside your container and outside).

Hope this helps. Let me know.

 

[lozcozard]

It’s the solvent weld type but the internal size of the threaded side is smaller then the external. I don’t know what size would fit that’s the issue. This is what I have:

Amazon.co.uk

A 43mm pipe fits inside the non-threaded side, solvent welded.

But in the threaded side the same pipe doesn’t fit as it’s a smaller opening. Someone on Amazon answers said it’s not meant to have a pipe connected. So I’m not sure if there is a solvent weld pvc pipe to fit. It would be 38mm to 40mm if it is. Maybe it’s 40mm and that’s what the 40mm in the product description referred to (it’s not clear). Otherwise I was thinking of getting the next smaller size down and bulking up with plumbers tape or just sealant as it doesn't need to be leak proof this side, just needs to be held in place.

In fact, now I’ve realised it doesn’t need to be leak proof, the chippings may hold it in place and a couple of mm gap around the pipe in the bulkhead doesn’t matter at all, so maybe I’m over thinking it. Maybe I just put a 38mm pvc in there with no sealant or anything and chippings hold it in place. That would work fine if it stays in place. It’s only needed to drain water through holes and stop chippings draining into pond.

 

[poconojoe]

From the answers to some questions on Amazon, it appears that particular bulkhead fitting is meant to have a pipe connected to only one side!

I guess you you'll either have to do as you stated or get a different bulkhead.

 

[GBBUDD]

bulkhead fitting is meant to have a pipe connected to only one side!

That's not so the average is long pipe on one side usualy the feed . But you could use a bulked for a main drain as I have and the bulked is just a water tight fitting like red any other.
Even a return line will have a vortex jet on one side pipe on the other

 

[poconojoe]

That's not so the average is long pipe on one side usualy the feed . But you could use a bulked for a main drain as I have and the bulked is just a water tight fitting like red any other.
Even a return line will have a vortex jet on one side pipe on the other

That particular bulkhead fitting he has seems to be meant for a connection on only one side. I've never seen one like that.

 

[GBBUDD]

Some pool bulked just have a tapered wall cheapos