all in one filter, skimmer, etc.?

[bagsmom]

Hey guys! I ordered some wonderful pond building books! Can't wait to devour them!

Here's my question.... Since my pond will just be small, I'm trying to be efficient and frugal if possible. I want to have a waterfall that goes to a 3 foot stream, then into a 4 x 6 pond with a few little goldfish. Nothing fancy. Just cute and charming. I have seen many, many different pieces of equipment. Weirs, filters, skimmers, etc. I am wondering if given the size of my pond, I should combine at least 2 of these pieces into one. A filter/skimmer? Or waterfall with filter? What are your thoughts and do any of you use these? Thanks!

 

[JohnHuff]

1) Don't buy any commercial filters. They are all either useless or a waste of money and you can build a much better one.
2) I've sworn off skimmers because they always ate my fish and if you have a built in skimmer, it will be hard to remove it.

 

[sissy]

correct easier and cheaper to build your own .Cheap way is a tote and lava rock .I double up totes and tank adapter is needed.May not work for every one but sure works for me

 

[bagsmom]

One thing I am concerned about with a homemade filter is my very small space. I want all the mechanical stuff to be totally hidden, and I don't have much room at all. I'm all for the saving money part, that's for sure!

 

[JohnHuff]

You can make it as small as you need!

 

[sissy]

yep totes come in all sizes .i think that is why you see so many on you tube .Gosh make it pretty get a pretty pot that is fiberglass and put another pot of flowers on top of it all

 

[bagsmom]

I guess I will have to watch some tutorials and see how this is done. I am TOTALLY new to this whole world of ponding. Is that what everyone is talking about when I see the word "skippy" filter? I'm glad to know this is a do-able option!

 

[sissy]

skippys have a pipe in the middle with a swirl action in the bottom but my tanks all my water runs down through the filter media and then goes up the pipe and out through the tank adapter .Reason for mine that why is that I like to grow plants in my filters to help clean the water

 

[JohnHuff]

I guess I will have to watch some tutorials and see how this is done. I am TOTALLY new to this whole world of ponding. Is that what everyone is talking about when I see the word "skippy" filter? I'm glad to know this is a do-able option!

Skippy is a kind of outdated and inefficient filter.

 

[sissy]

I could not get it to work the way it should so I did it my own way

 

[JohnHuff]

I could not get it to work the way it should so I did it my own way

That's what Frank Sinatra said.

 

[sissy]

maybe i can collect the fortune he left behind

 

[JohnHuff]

maybe i can collect the fortune he left behind

You need to talk to his mafia friends first.

 

[sissy]

I have friends in low places and not many in high places .Well except for 1 judge in NJ Emil Philabosian

 

[addy1]

1)
2) I've sworn off skimmers because they always ate my fish and if you have a built in skimmer, it will be hard to remove it.

I have a built in one, put a ball valve in the line to be able to control the flow into it. Totally shut down to wide open when the maple spinners are dropping.
So far it has never ate a fish, but the frogs sure love to get into it. It works great helping keep the pond surface free of the spinners, flowers, leaves dropping.