my last setup had a 1 gal container with bio balls and the water spread out with a defuser to spread it out. but I don't have the room for it and it was blocking too much of the pond. I should be ok with all the sponges in the filter and the water flowing through the mini bog but hey overkill right? I have room for a 4" pipe 11" or so long thatI can run the water from the filter through. I have bio balls but they are bulky I want something with more surface and thats smaller but won't break the bank.