Hey all,
Being a total noob I just realized I need bio-filtration (thanks Koikeepr) and being a total noob I thought I'd stage my project in a thread so you guys can alert me if I'm missing anything. I DO believe I'll have a few questions. Yep...here they come now. LOL I've aquired an 8 gallon canister from on old film processor. It's very hardy, not like some of the plastic products you get from the store. Let the questions begin:
Cleaning used containers.
This particular container held film developer. It's a non-toxic chemical, the recommended disposal is down the drain. How should I clean and prepare it for use as a filter? Do you guys ever bleach pond gear?
Container Media Ratio.
These canister filters have a space at the bottom for the intoduction and dispersal of water. Above this, the media. Is there any reason for reserving a larager portion of space for this water area? It stands to reason that the more media space you have the more effective the filter will be. I'm thinking about maximizing my media area and minimizing the base column water area. Any thoughts?
Media type.
Nylon dish scrubbers, scotch brite pads, what's the favorite?
Using glues in the construction of filters.
I'm thinking of using a glue to create the media platform. The reason for this is the small size of the filter. If I put it on legs, the legs will be space hogs in the water area and might inhibit circulation. Glues yes? No? Types?
Piping size.
It seems to me that the level of flow through a bio filter must be critical. I'm guessing the critters need to be able to set up camp and if the water is moving too fast they'll be impaired. Is this right? If it's too slow the filter just wont work well. Because my pond and filter are so small, I have to use a small pump. I think the small pumps are going to have a half inch in and out. I was thinking about using larger than half for all the piping and reducing down in and out of the pump. That way the pump could be blasting away but the larger piping would slow the flow through the filter. Does this line of thinking make any sense?
I plan to have the intake on the opposite end of the pond than the filter, the waterfall end and put the pump behind Buddha Boy somewhere so there's maximum travel between the pump and the filter.
I think that's all I got for now. Thanks for any help!
Being a total noob I just realized I need bio-filtration (thanks Koikeepr) and being a total noob I thought I'd stage my project in a thread so you guys can alert me if I'm missing anything. I DO believe I'll have a few questions. Yep...here they come now. LOL I've aquired an 8 gallon canister from on old film processor. It's very hardy, not like some of the plastic products you get from the store. Let the questions begin:
Cleaning used containers.
This particular container held film developer. It's a non-toxic chemical, the recommended disposal is down the drain. How should I clean and prepare it for use as a filter? Do you guys ever bleach pond gear?
Container Media Ratio.
These canister filters have a space at the bottom for the intoduction and dispersal of water. Above this, the media. Is there any reason for reserving a larager portion of space for this water area? It stands to reason that the more media space you have the more effective the filter will be. I'm thinking about maximizing my media area and minimizing the base column water area. Any thoughts?
Media type.
Nylon dish scrubbers, scotch brite pads, what's the favorite?
Using glues in the construction of filters.
I'm thinking of using a glue to create the media platform. The reason for this is the small size of the filter. If I put it on legs, the legs will be space hogs in the water area and might inhibit circulation. Glues yes? No? Types?
Piping size.
It seems to me that the level of flow through a bio filter must be critical. I'm guessing the critters need to be able to set up camp and if the water is moving too fast they'll be impaired. Is this right? If it's too slow the filter just wont work well. Because my pond and filter are so small, I have to use a small pump. I think the small pumps are going to have a half inch in and out. I was thinking about using larger than half for all the piping and reducing down in and out of the pump. That way the pump could be blasting away but the larger piping would slow the flow through the filter. Does this line of thinking make any sense?
I plan to have the intake on the opposite end of the pond than the filter, the waterfall end and put the pump behind Buddha Boy somewhere so there's maximum travel between the pump and the filter.
I think that's all I got for now. Thanks for any help!