trystinn: (Default)
TrystInn ([personal profile] trystinn) wrote2009-06-13 02:10 pm
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Building a Bio-Filter

Whenever I get really bored I come up with some incredibly bizarre project for the guys. The guys being Josh and Kevin (aka Chicken). This is, of course, how I get revenge for things like expired tags.

First you need a large container. Our pond is 110 gallons, so we've got roughly a 2 to 1 ratio here with a 50 gallon Rubbermaid container. This is freakishly large for koi but hopefully about right for 9 ducks. Install a standard shower drain about 3/4 from the bottom:

shower drain (outside)

Cut a hole in the top to allow for the intake riser plumbing, this is where dirty water gets pumped from the pond into the bottom of the bio-filter:

Making the hole

The internal plumbing is pretty simple - two lengths, one T, two right angles (set in opposite directions), a long piece that comes out the top. Install a grid roughly 1/4 from the bottom to hold the filter media above the intake plumbing, you'll need to cut a hole to allow the internal plumbing:

Photobucket

Fill to the top with filter media, in our case roughly $30 of sponges from the Dollar Store:

Filled with filter media

The riser plumbing piece. It looks a bit like a periscope:

The upper plumbing

With the top on:

Intake

Then, place the bio-filter near your Pond and hook up the internal pond pump to the riser intake plumbing and allow the long shower drain to flow clean water back into your pond.