building a 55 gal biological filter

[DrCase]

I run mine most of the winter , weather permitting
If i have to turn the filter off i drain it out along with the pipes
I'm sure my bacteria dies when i do it
You should be able to build one for about $100 or less

 

[PS3]

i close my pond for the winter i just use a deicer and a air pump with an air stone
and i put window screen over the pond to keep out the leafs and sticks

 

[richardw]

Hi,

I joined this excellent site a few years ago with plans to construct a new pond replacing my existing one. Unfortunately it turned out not be suitable so I've been on the backburner since. However, I'm still very keen on using a 55g bio filter. My pond is only small, 600g. The drum will be raised about 2ft above pond level but the feed and return hoses will have to run a few inches or so below ground for a distance of 5ft. I will have to allow about 1ft for the return hose rising from the ground and over the edge of the pond. My question is.... what size of pump would you recommend for the job?

Many thanks

Richard (In England)

 

[DrCase]

I would shoot for 900 to 1200 GPh to make the fish happy

 

[richardw]

Many thanks Dr Case. I have a week vacation next week so I plan to get it up and running then. I'll be back to let you know how it's going.

Cheers

Richard

 

[richardw]

Hi Dr Case. So far so good. No hitches (famous last words) I wonder if you can tell me the diameter of your water tower and what you used to cap it? Also is the cap vented? It's probably a silly question but I just want to be sure.

Many thanks

Richard

 

[DrCase]

3 of my filters have a 3"pipe the last one i built has a 2" pipe
I dont have a cap on any of them , i just stick the line from the pump into the tower ,
I use a 90 and a short stub of pipe to keep it from getting knocked out

 

[richardw]

Great, thanks. When I looked at the pic I thought it was capped. Full steam ahead tomorrow.

Thanks again

 

[DrCase]

I could have had caps in the past . Lol
If I did have one , it must have been a rubber fast cap with a hole drilled in it for the 90 and the tube

 

[richardw]

I thought I did spot one in your first pics but as you can do without I won't bother lol.

 

[richardw]

Hi Dr Case,

Regarding my dump drain. If it stood proud of the bottom inside by about 1/2 inch do you think there would be enough downflush to suck the muck on the base over the rim and out?

Thanks

Richard

 

[DrCase]

yes I do that 1/2" is about normal for a bulk head to stick up.

 

[HTH]

Backflushing needs to be a, can I say, 'violent' movement of water, this is why a big drain pipe is a good thing.. It will sweep the stuff on the bottom right up.

 

[richardw]

I did a test with the barrel full and by the time it was about two thirds down I saw the vortex starting and by half way it was really swirling so I think I'm ok.

Many thanks for your comments

Richard