New Pond - filter question

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Hello, our pond is still being worked on, but it's about 80% done. Initially, we wanted a pond/waterfall for the sound, but now would like fish. I know we have to put some plants in the pond, but I'd like to know if we need a filter and what kind - also, how should it be connected. You can see in the pictures that we have a pump that takes in water from a bottom drain and feeds a larger center waterfall and two side waterfalls. Is there an inexpensive option that I can add to filter the pond, keep it clear and safe for fish? Thank you!
 

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my first question is is that pump connected to a gfci? this is a must pluged in to a cord will need to be addressed as welll. yes a filter will be needed i'd go on you tube a diy skippy filters and make your own . that or a bog
 
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my first question is is that pump connected to a gfci? this is a must pluged in to a cord will need to be addressed as welll. yes a filter will be needed i'd go on you tube a diy skippy filters and make your own . that or a bog
It is, but currently going to an extension cord, but the electrician is coming on Monday to run a wire from the breaker to the pump. Thanks for the info. I've seen bog filters where the water flows out of them, but I already have 3 waterfall areas and I wouldn't want to add another. Could I have the water flow into the bog/filter then flow back out through the plumbing to feed the waterfalls?
 
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my first question is is that pump connected to a gfci? this is a must pluged in to a cord will need to be addressed as welll. yes a filter will be needed i'd go on you tube a diy skippy filters and make your own . that or a bog
Do you think I could use something like this https://www.thepondguy.com/product/the-pond-guy-clearsolution-generation-2/? I wouldn't want the decorative water feature, but I'm assuming that I could just point it into the pond and not have it spray out like a fountain.
 
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It is, but currently going to an extension cord, but the electrician is coming on Monday to run a wire from the breaker to the pump. Thanks for the info. I've seen bog filters where the water flows out of them, but I already have 3 waterfall areas and I wouldn't want to add another. Could I have the water flow into the bog/filter then flow back out through the plumbing to feed the waterfalls?
the flow in/out of a bog is really just a trickle so you could even add it's output to one of your waterfalls.
 
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Ok. Thanks! Are there any pre-made bogs that I can purchase or do I have to make one?
You can use containers or make your own. Of course the bigger they are the better they work and require very little maintenance. Mine is full of plants that I have to keep trimmed and clean up after, but they're a beautiful addition to the yard. Mine might be a little oversized, but I'm so glad I have it.
 
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You can use containers or make your own. Of course the bigger they are the better they work and require very little maintenance. Mine is full of plants that I have to keep trimmed and clean up after, but they're a beautiful addition to the yard. Mine might be a little oversized, but I'm so glad I have it.
Great. Thank you!
 
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Ok. Thanks! Are there any pre-made bogs that I can purchase or do I have to make one?
making one is not hard at all i feel it's actually easier to make one with rubber than it is to make one out of a preform
 
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It is, but currently going to an extension cord, but the electrician is coming on Monday to run a wire from the breaker to the pump. Thanks for the info. I've seen bog filters where the water flows out of them, but I already have 3 waterfall areas and I wouldn't want to add another. Could I have the water flow into the bog/filter then flow back out through the plumbing to feed the waterfalls?
you just make the over flow edge of the bog dump into the top of one of your waterfalls
 
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Do you think I could use something like this https://www.thepondguy.com/product/the-pond-guy-clearsolution-generation-2/? I wouldn't want the decorative water feature, but I'm assuming that I could just point it into the pond and not have it spray out like a fountain.
when you know what your doing i feel you can honestly make almost alnything work in keeping fish . i use to use an simple air stone some floss and activated garbon in breeder tanks , if you know how much food is enough and know when a water change is required anything can work. for a small pond it has all the bells mechanical biological and a added bonus of a uz would i expect it could keep a 1250 gallon pond in good shape with a heavy fish load i doubt it . any foam block filter will need weekly or more cleanings but not like you would clean a car sponge you just want to ring it out
 
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If you want to make your own canister filter, you can use a 5 gallon bucket and a gamma seal lid, as well as uni-seal gaskets and lots of pot scrubbies from the dollar store. I made a how-to video here, but with the water pressure coming from that pump you may want to add plumbers tape to the threads of the gamma seal lid.

 

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Build a Skippy filter and use "industrial" strength containers. Skippy filters are easy to build and pretty much indestructible. There are a lot of DIY vids out there for Skippys.
 
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My son did my electirical for my pumps and aerator and he made it easier on me by putting switchs for each outlet and what it is running in my master bedroom closet . He remembered the desaster when my pond almost drianed just as a snow storm hit . He is a licensed electrician and plumber but now owns a big towing company for the last couple of years . But he still rescues his momma when he is not so busy . He is in NJ and I am in VA I had one of those filters ADHDiy + guy but the weather he can go from 70 degrees all the way down to 30 degrees in 2 hours and it cracked on me . I use barrels I get here for my rain barrels . Bein on a well can be iffy during a drought . My well is 400 ft deep and I sure don't want to pay to have it dug deeper . We have a well driller he that does frackiing wells . He is on youtube H20
 

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