pond filter requirements

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky? - everything I read talks about having an outside biofilter
setup.

Thanks

"wruess" wrote in message
m...
Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter
in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky? - everything I read talks about having an outside biofilter
setup.
==================
I tried an undergravel filter in a 150 gallon kiddy pool and it didn't work
all that well. It was a good bio-filter but didn't do much as a mechanical
filter.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
EVERYONE: "Please check people's headers for forgeries
before flushing." NAMES ARE BEING FORGED.
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filte in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky?

I tried an undergravel filter in a 150 gallon kiddy pool and it didn't work
all that well. It was a good bio-filter but didn't do much as a mechanical
filter.

/ONLY/ an undergravel filter is a bad idea, in the long run. Particulates
will accumulate in the filter. Some sort of mechanical prefilter would be
a good idea here.

For a larger pond, a settling tank.

For the larger pond, and the smaller pond, a skimmer with a good filter
screen.

There are many other, more expensive options. Know thyself. Extra
money for a low maintenance device is well spent if you are not going
to really maintain.

Not to forget: the veggie filter. Essentially just a separate tank area,
heavily overplanted with fast growing water weeds. Something that is
invasive in your area is what you want, if you can legally get it.

When the stuff fully grows out, cull it. It's a waste removal system
of sorts.

C//

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 00:11:03 GMT, "wruess" wrote:

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky? - everything I read talks about having an outside biofilter
setup.

They work for awhile, till they plug up, then you must drain the pond, dig
it all out and completely redo. It can take a few years, but eventually it
has to be done. Why go thru that? Why stress your fish? Why stress
yourself? Why spend the money and time? There are so many easier DYI
maintenance-wise-ways now days to do it. It is so much easier to clean 1
chamber or barrel every now and then, then to clean a whole pond years down
the road. And if you can afford a vortex filter, even if just the 1
container for the pre-filter, maintenance is going to be open a valve for 5
minutes, drain, shut valve. Why have all that muck decomposing on the pond
bottom before it finally breaks down enough to get pulled out? ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

"wruess" wrote in message
m...
Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter
in his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this
sound a bit wacky? - everything I read talks about having an outside
biofilter setup.

Thanks

Yes. It would be very difficult to maintain and clean. Here is a link to
my filter, if you are looking for alternatives:

http://home.insightbb.com/~jryates/filter.htm

Here is a vote for the 'vegie filter and bottom drain' approach. We
have drain our veggie filters once a year and toss bushels of hyacinth
and water celery every year. Minimal labor and clear water.

Courageous wrote:
Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filte in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky?


I tried an undergravel filter in a 150 gallon kiddy pool and it didn't work
all that well. It was a good bio-filter but didn't do much as a mechanical
filter.


/ONLY/ an undergravel filter is a bad idea, in the long run. Particulates
will accumulate in the filter. Some sort of mechanical prefilter would be
a good idea here.

For a larger pond, a settling tank.

For the larger pond, and the smaller pond, a skimmer with a good filter
screen.

There are many other, more expensive options. Know thyself. Extra
money for a low maintenance device is well spent if you are not going
to really maintain.

Not to forget: the veggie filter. Essentially just a separate tank area,
heavily overplanted with fast growing water weeds. Something that is
invasive in your area is what you want, if you can legally get it.

When the stuff fully grows out, cull it. It's a waste removal system
of sorts.

C//

"Courageous" wrote in message
...

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filte
in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound
a
bit wacky?

I tried an undergravel filter in a 150 gallon kiddy pool and it didn't
work
all that well. It was a good bio-filter but didn't do much as a
mechanical
filter.

/ONLY/ an undergravel filter is a bad idea, in the long run. Particulates
will accumulate in the filter. Some sort of mechanical prefilter would be
a good idea here.

For a larger pond, a settling tank.

For the larger pond, and the smaller pond, a skimmer with a good filter
screen.

There are many other, more expensive options. Know thyself. Extra
money for a low maintenance device is well spent if you are not going
to really maintain.

Not to forget: the veggie filter. Essentially just a separate tank area,
heavily overplanted with fast growing water weeds. Something that is
invasive in your area is what you want, if you can legally get it.

When the stuff fully grows out, cull it. It's a waste removal system
of sorts.
======================
Those you can't sell or give away make excellent compost for next year's
garden. :-)
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

"wruess" wrote:

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter in
his ponds - like a large version of an aquarium setup. Does this sound a
bit wacky? - everything I read talks about having an outside biofilter
setup.

Thanks


That would be hell to clean.

San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

Talking to local pond builder who only uses an 'undergravel' type filter in
his ponds -

Since veggie filters are SO easy to build and work SO good,
it amazes me that people keep trying to use something else.
Veggie Filters are the only way to go. Mine hasn't been
cleaned in two years and my water is gin clear all the way to
the bottom, 4 feet deep. That's with nearly 50 large goldfish
in a 1500 gallon cement pond.

Ron in NC
http://radioheaven.homestead.com/Cement_Pond1.html

Since veggie filters are SO easy to build and work SO good,
it amazes me that people keep trying to use something else.
Veggie Filters are the only way to go. Mine hasn't been
cleaned in two years and my water is gin clear all the way to
the bottom, 4 feet deep. That's with nearly 50 large goldfish
in a 1500 gallon cement pond.

Ron in NC
http://radioheaven.homestead.com/Cement_Pond1.html

Ron, I often don't have (or take) the time to read people's websites, just
look at the pictures. So the first time I looked I was wondering where the
spa was (thinking above ground, portable, like they sell now days). That
spa, built in like that, just begged to be a fish pond, didn't it? ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~