furnace filters and quilt batting

[bettasngoldfish]

I am planning to use lava rock, quilt batting and furnace filters in my pond filter this year.

I bought the red lava rock which I plan to rinse and then soak before putting in laundry bag and then into the filter. I would like to buy quilt batting and furnace filters to use as well.

I am wondering which quilt batting you use? High loft, medium loft, etc. And exactly what furnace filters are safe to use in my filter?

I do remember some of you saying you purchase these items from Walmart or Lowes. Either place works for me I just want to know exactly what I should get.

 

[Pambates]

Hi Maria, I don't have an answer to your question but just wanted to say hi, I see you are in Wlby I'm in Mentor.

 

[j.w]

I use the quilt batting but only in a basket under my falls. Don't know what kind of grade it is but I did get some out of the seats on my lawn swing after the fabric deteriorated. It's nice large pieces and rather thick and does a nice job of filtering the fine debris out of the water. Bet you could find it in a lot of cushions for free. Just rinse it good before usage.
Here is a photo of it I took cuz the cats were using it as a hideout while I had it out drying on the lawn. Silly cats!

 

[sissy]

I use high loft and tried each one but found the high loft holds up to more cleanings than the other ones .I usually put the blue furnace filter on top of my quilt batting this way furnace filter picks up the heavy stuff and quilt batting picks up the fine stuff .I hose it off and soak it in peroxide and water .oyster shells to keep ph stable activated charcoal to help keep water cleaner

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Hi Pam, Nice to meet you! We are practically neighbors.

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Cute picture j.w

 

[sissy]

lowes for the furnace filters about 68 dollars but the last .I have my furnace filter right now i the middle, quilt batting then 2 pieces of furnace filter and then more quilt batting since it is a new pond

 

[dieselplower]

How do the furnace filters hold up? It doesnt seem to me that they were designed to be wet.

 

[sissy]

sorry meant 8 dollars for one I have had mine for 6 years now and just keep cleaning them like the quilt batting .I have had the quilt batting for over a year now .When the quilt batting starts to fall apart i rip it up for the birds to use for nests .The blue furnace filters are made similar to the regular pond filter stuff .I have also used the floor buffer pads .

 

[bettasngoldfish]

you are always helpful sissy, thanks so much

My filter is a DIY made from a rubbermaid tote. The water comes in at the top and runs down through pvc pipe to the bottom of the tote. It then is directed two different ways by pcv in an s shape. The water runs back up through the media.

I was thinking of having the lava rock (in mesh laundry bags) in the bottom, then furnace filters, then quilt batting, then if or when I need to use carbon that would be in a bag or bags on the very top.

I am planning to try and hide the tote this year with rocks/bricks/plants haven't decided exactly what I'm doing. Then maybe having some live plants coming out of the top of the filter box instead of just having the lid on it with a plant on top like I did last year. Trying to make it look a little better.

Does the order that I have my filter media listed sound right to you?

 

[sissy]

It should work mine goes in the top and then comes out the tank adapters through a T pipe .I do a liner around my tanks and then use concrete block around under the liner so if the tank leaks it runs back into the pond .This connects to my tank adapter and pulls the water back up from mid bottom .Remember you need a space on the bottom for gunk to settle .I doubled up my totes ,just cut the handle off one so the other would slip inside

 

[sissy]

I put plants in pots in mine but i have to trim the roots often .fountain grass lemon grass and striped grass

 

[bettasngoldfish]

thanks for the tips

I think I want to try the lemon grass if I can find it.

 

[sissy]

you can find it in Asian markets ,As long as it has the ends on it and get rooting hormone to dip it in and it grows fast

 

[runaroan]

Can any of you supply the name of the furnace filters your using? I've read not to use the fiberglass kind, only the biodegrable kind, but it was hard to find. I didn't see any that said either.