Hi, we are new to the forum and are converting pool to a pond.

[CLippincott28]

It has been in operation for about 3 months And fish are doing well and frogs have been breeding.
Building a bog filter and ready to put rocks and pea gravel in. We have 6 inch tall milk crates on bottom. ( I cut them down and fitted them over the pvc piping.)
is there a problem using lava rocks as the middle layer of rocks? Will use 2-3 inch rocks as bottom and pea gravel on top.
Thanks for any input.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

When I first started ponding, everyone was using lava rocks in their bio filters. I have since learned that, while lava rocks do contain a lot of surface area, they are hard to keep cleaned. If those small crevices fill up with gunk, I’m not sure they are effectively serving their purpose. You want surface areas that oxygenated water can pass over.

 

[CLippincott28]

Thanks TurtleMommy, is a bio filter the same as a bog filter and if not would the same issue apply in a bog filter.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum!

It applies to both. They fill with muck.

 

[j.w]

@CLippincott28

 

[JRS]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[GBBUDD]

is there a problem using lava rocks as the middle layer of rocks

THE BOG IS BASED ON ROUND SMOOTH EDGED ROCKS THESE DO TWO THINGS WHILE THEY TRAP THE SEDIMENT AS IT BREAKS DOWN IT FLUSHES OUT AND THE SMOOTH ALOWS THIS TO HAPPEN THE LAVA ROCK WILL TRAP IN SEDIMERNT

 

[GBBUDD]

JUST NOTICED THE SIZE OF YOUR BOG , IT IS TERRIBLY UNDERSIZED FOR A 20,000 GALLON PLUS POOL

 

[CLippincott28]

JUST NOTICED THE SIZE OF YOUR BOG , IT IS TERRIBLY UNDERSIZED FOR A 20,000 GALLON PLUS POOL

 

[CLippincott28]

Pool is 10,000 gallons. I do realize the bog is definitely smaller than recommended (300 gallons) but we are not looking for crystal clear water. Hopefully this will give us 2 to 3 feet visibility. Don’t really want to see the pool bottom.
what do you think?

 

[GBBUDD]

It will greatly depend of fish quantity and type. Also your feeding habits what type of food and outdoor debris that finds it's way into the pond. And last but by no means least your water it's self and it's quality

 

[CLippincott28]

Welcome to the forum!

It applies to both. They fill with muck.

Wow! Many thanks for your experience and willingness to share it.

 

[CLippincott28]

It will greatly depend of fish quantity and type. Also your feeding habits what type of food and outdoor debris that finds it's way into the pond. And last but by no means least your water it's self and it's quality

Thanks GBBUD