Filtration System

[blondhairboi]

I need to purchase a bigger filtration system that will be external and flow down my filter falls. Right now I have it running through a little 6 gallon box filled with lava rock and 2 filter mats cut in half to make 4. It is holding the green water from getting any worse for now but I need to find something inexspensive and will get the job done. I am looking towards the mechanicle filtration side but if anyone has other expierence with some good products that would be great. I have a 800-900 gallon pond and want something for around $50-90.If its not in that range but close still feel free to post, thats just the price range what I am looking at around right now. I would build my own but I would rather have something that I know will work unlike like my last one :banghead: Plus it will look better :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Filters whether purchased or built can be hidden or desguised. Building yourself is always the cheapest and often the best for small ponds.

Try a veggie filter, even I a luddite built one and it worked beautifully and no green water. Ian has barrel filters that work as well. A little search here will give you several ideas.

[blondhairboi]

Parents would not fall for the veggie filter I already tried after seeing yours lol. If I was to build my own barrel filter I know a huge blue barrel would not look to nice. Are there any white ones or dark green that I would be able to find. If I end up doing a barrel, what would I fill it with? I did find this though...http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=44891-315-FG2212CPSTEEL&lpage=none
Would something like this be big enough

[Jackie Ramo]

A veggie filter is the easiest and prettiest of filters so I'm not sure why they would nix it. Any pretty pot would do, it certainly doesn't need to be the size of mine. My indoor one sits inside the pond with a 240 gallon pump to pump the water into the pot, it flows out the holes in the bottom and stands on a plastic plant stand.

Another attractive and efficient filter is the TT, I have a strawberry pot one. Here is a pic of the greenhouse pond, the white pot is the veggie filter and of course the strawberry pot is the TT, there is also a small and ugly barrel type filter that cost 120.00 and isn't that efficient.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/1992475996_04ba8182ef.jpg

[Peg]

You can use a tub like the one it the picture and it does work. I did one this summer - the veggies. I did put watercress in. Be ready to frame around it though as the weight of the water will make it bow out. Here is a pic of ours. It's hooked up to the retro bottom drain and returns to the pond. This one the water flows up and out. If I were to do it again I would have the water flow from the top the bottom and out. The water kept pushing the matting up. Good luck with the project.
Peg

[blondhairboi]

Can someone get me a link to a filter I can buy instead of make that have had good reviews. I have been looking and there are so many options in my price range of around 50-100$. If you had a picture that would be great to but I need one quick as i want the water to be clean for the winter. :-) Thanks for the tips though...

[Terri]

Cyprio Ecocel is in your asking price range. The Cyprio Ecocel 2000 would be what you would want to purchase, just under $100US.

When choosing from these type of pond filters you always want to go 'bigger' than what the box says the filter is rated for - double it up.

Really, the tote you posted the link too would do the same job as any of the cheaper commercial pond filters available - with some plumbing parts, nylon kitchen scrubs, and some filter matting. You might spend $50 total but more likely less than that.

So if you are watching your wallet, DIY in your case would be the most cost effective way to add a filter to your pond.

[raganwald]

Blondehairboi:

I note that you have asked about commercial units several times and people have replied suggesting DIY several times. Here is my theory about commercial units.

There's a certain amount of overhead involved in selling a commercial unit. Shipping, storage, advertising, finding dealer, wholesaling, packaging, printing instruction manuals... it goes on and on. So naturally an assembled commercial unit must be more expensive than the cost of its parts, even before the manufacturer and dealer take their profit margins.

At the low end, the overhead and profit margins eat up most of the retail price for the unit. So if you buy a $100 unit, you might get $25-$50 in parts for something you could build in less than an hour. And the unit you build will probably be much better than the commercial unit. At the low end, the commercial units really aren't much better than a bucket with some kitchen scrubbers thrown in.

At the high end--Terri and Ian advertise the Nexus Pod for $745, IIRC--you are getting a system with parts that are so specialized you cannot buy them at the local garden centre. The assembly cannot be replaced with a simple barrel.

You can find DIY instructions on the net and buy some of the parts (like the Kaldnes filter media) from Terri and Ian, but you are going to need to devote a fair bit of time, trial, and error to making thing work as well as the Pod.

So my theory is that at the low end, DIY gives you a better product for less cash outlay. If you don't care to do the work yourself, my honest suggestion would be to find a fellow hobbyist who will do the work.

(If I needed help like that, I'd probably offer a '2-4-1' deal: pay for two sets worth of parts, and the partner would build two and keep one for themselves. It's not twice as much work to build two at one time, so it's a good deal for both parties. The financier gets a system for double the cost of the parts, the builder gets the parts almost free, since the labour to build two isn't much more than the labour if they were building one themselves.)

So... My conclusion is that people are suggesting DIY in your budget because the value of a DIY is so compelling when you have a very modest budget.

[raganwald]

I need to purchase a bigger filtration system that will be external and flow down my filter falls. Right now I have it running through a little 6 gallon box filled with lava rock and 2 filter mats cut in half to make 4. It is holding the green water from getting any worse for now

Getting back to your original question...

You mention green water, which is algae of course. How do you expect a filter to stop algae? If you filter it mechanically, like running water through a sponge, more will grow to replace it, unless you remove its food source, its light source, or kill it with UV.

I had green water problems with my first pond until I (a) got 60+% surface coverage with plants, and (b) installed a veggie filter to compete with the algae for food.

Also, frequent water changes are good for fish, but bring in nutrients that algae consumes, like phosphorus. Ian and Terri may be able to help you with this: they sell filtration systems, and maybe one of those systems will filter those substances out, so that adding water to the pond will not spur algae blooms.

So, if your water is too green, I would look at adding plants, either in a veggie filter or as surface cover, or both. I would consider a UV light if you don't want surface cover. Many koi people hate surface cover, and koi will definitely try to destroy all the plants they can get to. There are tricks for protecting them, but it's an issue.

In my own pond, I am doing a filtration upgrade this Spring. I will be adding a small pre-formed pond on the side as a veggie-filter and bog garden. It's the best way to conceal it, drop it into the earth! This has cleaning implications, of course.

[blondhairboi]

I am thinking of a uv light but I am a little weery about trying one since they are fairly new. This is the one I was looking at but I don't know the reviews or what. If you like it and know its good quality, it is definately a consideration. Or feel free to post your own ideas. The second to last one on this page http://www.azponds.com/UV%20Sterilizers.htm

[Peg]

As far as I know UV lights have been used in water treatment and in ponds for quite a few years or more.. I have one in my pond and it does a good job with the green water. I have next to no plant coverage and the pond is 12x8 and in full sun most of the day. With in 2 weeks of turning it on the green is gone. gone.gone. I think it's well worth the investment. For a pond your size you should be able to find one that is in your price range.
Peg

[blondhairboi]

Alright, I have been reading and it seems this Uv light it what I need. :yup: Now can someone tell me if that uv I put up on my last post is anygood. The brand name is one I recognize and I thought it was a good deal. I would think 18 watts is plenty for my pond and will help alot with my fish load..atleast thats what I have been hearing. Also does anyone know how you would setup one like that

[Peg]

My pond is 3600 gal & the UV is rated for 5000 gal. I would go a little bigger. The same as you would pumps and filters. Most times the Uv is connected after the pump and befor the filter. Most Uv bulbs can be replaced and most will tell you how many hours they are good for. The older they are the weaker they get.
Peg

[blondhairboi]

My pond is only 800-900 gallons so isnt a 18 watt a good choice. Its rated at 2000gal(I know not always correct).But either way I would like to know how people like this product if they have heard or used.

[Peg]

Can you post the specs on the Uv light you had on the old pond. I would think that a Uv rated for 2000 would do the job in 8-900 gal pond. The trick to a Uv working right is the exposure time/ water flow over the bulb. The algae readily absorbs the Uv light which damages the DNA and makes it clump together so they can be removed by the mechanical filter. To fast and it is not as effective. Mine is fed by the skimmer and a 950 gal pump,This will change next year and will be hooked to the falls or the retro bottom drain. Are you looking at the Laguna one. I have this one. Laguna PowerClear Max 5000 UV Sterilizer - 55 W. I can't comment on any others. As this is my first one, I can only say this one works for me.
Peg

[blondhairboi]

I am looking at the calpump one that comes in two sizes...They are affordable and seem to be a name brand. I do not know how they perform though so thats why I keep asking about them.

[raganwald]

My pond is only 800-900 gallons so isnt a 18 watt a good choice. Its rated at 2000gal(I know not always correct).But either way I would like to know how people like this product if they have heard or used.

Well, I am familiar with another brand, and they say 18W can be used for up to 2,000gph. 18W is probably fine for a small pond to remove algae.

One thing that seems to be missing from this thread: your fish load. Maybe I missed it... do you keep fish in this pond?

I ask because if you do, going bigger with UV can help with parasites by sterilizing the water as it flows through, not just with the algae. If this interests you, you'll need to do a tad more research into the correct unit: for sterilization, you might need more wattage and the unit itself may be constructed differently so as to keep the water in contact with the UV rays for a longer period of time.

I have seen some units advertised that simply stick a UV lamp in the filter. This might help with algae, but all of the sterilizers I have seen force the water into a small area like a tube where it is completely irradiated.

Anyhow... for algae control 18W is probably right. Do not settle for less.

[raganwald]

I am thinking of a uv light but I am a little weery about trying one since they are fairly new. This is the one I was looking at but I don't know the reviews or what. If you like it and know its good quality, it is definately a consideration. Or feel free to post your own ideas. The second to last one on this page http://www.azponds.com/UV%20Sterilizers.htm

Looks ok from the sales page, but you might want to google a bit and see if you can find any reviews/discussions.

[Koidaddy]

I have the affordable Pondmaster UV 40 Watt. My pond went from THICK GREEN PEA SOUP to crystal clear in less than a week!

KD
:thumbsup:

[blondhairboi]

I think I am gonna go with the calpump but now dont know what size lol

[blondhairboi]

Alright I made my mechanicle filter box bigger and now there are 4 large filter mats; two for large debris and two fine. This should be good setup for a catching the clumps out of the UV. If some of you do not know I have 3 small koi in the pond that are mutts from petco...although I really enjoy them. I guess that and my pond size explains why they have only put on a couple inches :lol: Anyways...I wanted to know if a UV light can be run through the winter with these cold conditions? If so should I run it before my filter?

[raganwald]

Congratulations on expanding your system! Pond size does have an effect on Koi size, although I have heard that it's not a simple relationship. My understanding is that koi size is affected by the physical space they have for swimming, stress caused by crowding, water temperatures, food, and water quality.

So... a small pond often produces small koi for several different reasons at once: there is less space to swim, true, but also they may feel crowded if there are too many fish and it is harder to maintain high water quality when you don't have a lot of water per fish.

Three koi in 900 gallons sounds average, actually. 500 gallons would be nice, but I have read that 250 gallons per koi is fine (Perhaps some of the more experienced members can chime in). So... my guess is that if you do a great job with water quality you will be able to work on some of the other factors like the growing season and the right feeding.

Good luck, and please post pictures. I, for once, welcome our new...

No, sorry, what I meant to say is that I would absolutely love to see your fish. They do not have to be show divas to attract my attention.

[raganwald]

Anyways...I wanted to know if a UV light can be run through the winter with these cold conditions? If so should I run it before my filter?

Considering that there is no suspended algae in my pond with no UV, my guess is that you do not need to run UV unless you are in a warm place and/or you have purchased a unit big enough to sterilize pathogens, not just kill and clump the algae.

A bigger question would be: if you have cold conditions, should you be running your system at all, and if so, are there any modifications you should be making (such as using a mid-water return instead of a waterfall, if applicable).

Please post pics of your pond and new system!

[blondhairboi]

Pics are here of the filter to trickle falls and you can see my water problems, but I found this and wanted to know if it is a good product? Also, I think UV's can be run in WA.....anyone?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Koi-Pond-Aquarium-UV-sterilizer-Clarifier-18W-Pump_W0QQitemZ160199337077QQihZ006QQcategoryZ11743 4QQcmdZViewItem

[Jackie Ramo]

I'd wait and see if the new filtration doesn't fix the problem. Not sure about UV lights and the cold, most don't run them in the winter as the water always seems to clear up.

As for running the UV in winter I'd check the manufacturer for temperture recommendations.

[blondhairboi]

I got to wondering why the pond has not gotten significantly cleaner so I decided to empty out alot of the water. Well, my water lily tipped over onto the bottom and all the dirt and everything was down there :lol: Not to mention a whole lot of gunk. I was able to spot 2 of my fish and I was afraid I lost one of my koi :alright: searched everywhere until I found the body of it in the gunk of what the plant left at the bottom. Do not know if it fell on top of the fish or what but that water was all stired up after finding all that gunk.
In conlcusion I purchased an 8 watt laguna uv that will come friday to get her back up and running. It will be used temproarily possibly 24/7 until it is under control and that way I will be able to see what I am vaccuming up on the bottom. Hopes for the best