I want to do a 55 gallon drum skippy type filter

[koiguy1969]

GOOD DEAL...now heres some helpful links
geheral info video on skippy filters...
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/stock-tank-skippy-video-t3863.html
my skippy build
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-70-gallon-skippy-filter-t3083.html
this is incase you cant build a weir (prferred)
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/diy-filter-waterfall-outlets-t4866.html

 

[ghall]

GOOD DEAL...now heres some helpful links
geheral info video on skippy filters...
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/stock-tank-skippy-video-t3863.html
my skippy build
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-70-gallon-skippy-filter-t3083.html
this is incase you cant build a weir (prferred)
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/diy-filter-waterfall-outlets-t4866.html

I like the way you set yours up, I think I will do a bit of copying if you don't mind. The two 2 1/2 tee's that you are using, how are they attached to the bottom of the tank? I like the way you have the water coming in through the nipple drilled at the end of the tank, what size is the water line coming off your pump? I want to do the bottom drain too, that just makes too much sense, before I read your setup I was just thinking of putting a valve at the current SMALLER drain lol.

 

[koiguy1969]

o.k as far as the flush / drain setup look at my 55gal skippy with the shower drain and 2 inch ball valve assembly. i never took pix of it when i built this one. the 2" tees on the bottom i used as "hinges", you would need a plastic welder to mount. i think most people just let them sit on the floor. i use 1" line (hose) from my pump which is a Tetrapond 1200 gph. as far copying it ..thats why i posted it..to help out others who are DIYers. where i put the pipe thru the side with the nipple, take your time and make sure its water tite. all your inside connections-no need to glue fittings..altho the hose nipple over the tank makes sense too, any drips fall into the filter not the ground....good luck, any more questions just ask.

 

[ghall]

o.k as far as the flush / drain setup look at my 55gal skippy with the shower drain and 2 inch ball valve assembly. i never took pix of it when i built this one. the 2" tees on the bottom i used as "hinges", you would need a plastic welder to mount. i think most people just let them sit on the floor. i use 1" line (hose) from my pump which is a Tetrapond 1200 gph. as far copying it ..thats why i posted it..to help out others who are DIYers. where i put the pipe thru the side with the nipple, take your time and make sure its water tite. all your inside connections-no need to glue fittings..altho the hose nipple over the tank makes sense too, any drips fall into the filter not the ground....good luck, any more questions just ask.

I'm moving right along here, I got the bottom drain in, cut the hole for the closet flange. I read somewhere the size screws that are needed for the flange but can't find it now, would you know the size off the top of your head?

 

[koiguy1969]

i used shower drain assemblies for my flush valves, and i built a wier for my filter so i didnt use the closet flange... the weirs are so much better.... as per the pix in the second comment post on this link..........this is where i get my nice flat sheet of water, checkout the pix alittle lower on the page
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-70-gallon-skippy-filter-t3083p4.html

 

[ghall]

i used shower drain assemblies for my flush valves, and i built a wier for my filter so i didnt use the closet flange... the weirs are so much better.... as per the pix in the second comment post on this link..........this is where i get my nice flat sheet of water, checkout the pix alittle lower on the page
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/my-70-gallon-skippy-filter-t3083p4.html

ooops, I aready cut the hole for the flange. I went out and picked up the screws this morning and the light grate. I'm not too sure on the bring the water in adopters though.The hose coming off my pump is 1" my intake is 1 1/2 couldn't find the reducer at Home Depot or Lowes I may need to go by Star Nursey

 

[koiguy1969]

they have the reducers caps in the plumbing and the hose nipples in the irrigation (underground sprinklers) section

 

[ghall]

they have the reducers caps in the plumbing and the hose nipples in the irrigation (underground sprinklers) section

Ok, got all the parts and put some water in to see if there were any leaks, there was, around the drain...back to the drawing board. A couple questions, what kind of plants do you recommend to put in top of skippy? I read some that you used but I'm too burnt out and lazy to try and find em right now. Another question, I read on the skippy site about putting in something to get things going, I was planning on putting the pad from my current waterfall in the skippy to help get the cycle going and maybe the sponges from my canister, will this be enough? I'm heading to the dollar store to look for some scrubbies too.

 

[koiguy1969]

first ...i put water hiacynths and lettuce in the top of mine. fill the tank with media leaving 2 or 3 inches for the plant roots to settle in.. sams club has the best prices on scrubby pads in the janitorial section.. lowes and home depot have blue cut to fit furnace filters that work real good too!! and they have a green one that works nice as a first layer on the bottom grid. use aquarium silicone for your seals.

 

[ghall]

Ok I'm up and running now, thanks for all the help:bowdown:

 

[koiguy1969]

how about some pix?

 

[ghall]

how about some pix?

Ok I just took these a few minutes ago, it isn't pretty but hopefully will work well. I'll be adding plants soon.

 

[ghall]

A couple more pictures

 

[koiguy1969]

do yourself a favor and switch your elbow pipe for a street tee and avoid a syphon backflush of the filter into the pond if the pump should stop for any reason..power failure, accidental unplugging or whatever.. this will break the syphon.....
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1334&d=1252186446
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=830&d=1245846479 this one is from my 70 gallon
notice the hornwort in the filter and hiacynths and lettuce went on top.

 

[ghall]

do yourself a favor and switch your elbow pipe for a street tee and avoid a syphon backflush of the filter into the pond if the pump should stop for any reason..power failure, accidental unplugging or whatever.. this will break the syphon.....
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1334&d=1252186446
https://www.gardenpondforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=830&d=1245846479 this one is from my 70 gallon
notice the hornwort in the filter and hiacynths and lettuce went on top.

Good idea, I cleaned my pump after I got this filter set up, when I disconnected the water line from the pump it started siphoning back into the pond.
Thanks for the advice.