June 2003
Here is my new mini-filter system I built for my 65 gal preform as a learning
The preform is 65 gals. The pump is a 90gph submersible with 3/8"ID outlet. The piping for filtration is 1 1/2 pvc,
August 2004
Well in addition to adding a hundred gallon preform to my watergarden I have upgraded my filter system a bit this summer.
tool for when I build my BIG pond. I based my design on the many things I've observed and learned from all
the ponding people on the net. When I first started this ponding thing a year ago the filtration part plainly
baffled me, I'm so proud of myself for figuring this out and now executing what I've learned!! It should
filter the heck out of this tiny pond and I'll learn alot!!
I used rubber couplers for ease of troubleshooting (and I know I'll change something!) I used uniseals (fantastic things!)
on the pond and tubs, these too are removable and reusable. I made the bottom drain out of a shower drain.
The vortex is a 5 gal bucket with elbows inside to direct the water along the inside edge. The mech filter tub is a
10 gal sterlite with filter furnace media and quilt batting, I think I'm going to replace this with matala eventually.
The bio filter is another 10 gal sterilite tub with shotgun shell wadding (plastic tubes) for biomedia, this tub is
areated with an aquarium pump. I still will probably tweak this design over the summer as I see how well it functions.
I improved my filter cartridges, added a pump tub, added another pump giving me a total of 230 GPH, put the biomedia into
a bag for ease of cleaning bottom of the bio tub and covered the bottom drain valve leaving a hole for a tool to control it.
Since I have no drains on my tubs I found a very good tool for cleaning the gunk that especially collects in the vortex--
a kerosene siphon, brand new of course. Last summer I built a cover that I just flip over to expose the filter bank for maintenance.
