Need advice on how to filter a pond with waterfall.

[xenbones]

Hello there. I have a small pond (50 gallons) with a cascading waterfall. It uses a circulating pump. I want to include a filter in the set-up so that I can keep a few small fishies. I am not sure how to incorporate the filter into the set-up. Ideally, I would like to use a filter with charcoal to keep the water clean.

 

[Mmathis]

Please post some pictures of your pond. If we can see what it looks like and how you have everything set up, it will help us advise you. There are many options available, including a bog or wetlands filter — yes, even for a 50 gallon container pond — and the only issue will be the logistics of how to incorporate it into your particular set up. And there is always the option of a traditional HOB (hang-on-back) filter used in aquariums.

 

[poconojoe]

You could make a mini bog filter out of a window box planter or just about anything that will hold water that fits your needs.

It can sit on top of your small pond to one side or toward the back. Sort of cantilevered.

The water gets pumped to the mini bog through a perforated pipe covered by pea gravel. The water rises up through the gravel and returns via a low point, a pipe or some sort of weir in the container.

Grow plants directly in the gravel, no pots, which helps with the filtering process.

Many of us advocate using a bog filter because they are very efficient and require little if any maintenance. No rinsing of filter pads. Maybe just a bit of thinning your plants if they get overgrown.

Post some pictures and maybe we can throw up some ideas.

If you need more details on making a simple bog filter, just ask.

 

[xenbones]

Here are some pics of my pond. They are a little hard to focus on. The bottom, big pond has the pump. You can see the black hose up at the top. It's out of place right now because I was draining the pond. Usually, it's tucked under a rock, and the pump returns the water, which then cascades down the three basins of the waterfall and back into the big main pool.

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome! I will add another recommendation for a small wetland or bog filter. A container at the top - like a long planter box - filled with gravel and planted will be perfect for your small pond. You pump the water into the bottom of the box, it works it's way through the gravel and plants to the top where it flows back into the pond. Not only is it functional, it also adds another element of beauty to the pond.

Charcoal isn't used in a pond filtration generally - unless you're trying to remove discoloration from tannins. Charcoal is more of a water polisher used in aquarium filters. You're looking to remove excess nutrients from the fish waste which plants do perfectly! But since this is such a small amount of water, @Mmathis 's idea of an aquarium filter is also certainly possible.

 

[mgmine]

You can use your existing pump and split the line or get a small separate pump which is what I would do. I would then build a filter out of a 5 gallon bucket like they sell at Home Depot. Pump the water in the top and let it run out a hose or pipe attached to the bottom. You would have to modify the bucket but fittings are cheap and easy to attach. Then fill the bucket with something like quilt batting to filter the water.