Planning a Bog Filter for My 1000g Pond

[ColinD]

Hello Folks, so I'm in the planning stages of a bog filter for my 1000+ gallon pond. I have acquired an 108g water basin that will become my bog. Planning an up-flow bog, trying to decide on the size of pump I would need, is there a turn-over calculation like one would use in an aquarium? How much flow should I be looking for through the bog?

My experience is with Saltwater Reef Tanks, we acquired the pond and its smaller 800g sibling in our recent house purchase.

800g after replacing the liner

Some of last years lilies from the big pond

Thanks
Colin

 

[Becky]

Hi Colin, I was going to say welcome to the forum but then I noticed your join date, so I guess "welcome back" would be more appropriate!

We have a few people here with bog experience, so hopefully someone will be able to help with your query.

 

[addy1]

Welcome back Colind I pump all my pond water into my big bog.

You want to push a lot of water through the bog but not so fast that it does not get filtered. I turn my ponds over about once every two hours. Have around 10000 gallons plus, pump is around 6800 gph without counting any head pressure loss. That flow keeps the pond in great shape. My best guess is 5000 gph goes through the bog. A small amount of pump water is diverted to a pass through flow in a 1000 gallon pond. My bog is around 26 feet long x 4.5 feet wide and deep, around 2ish feet

 

[ColinD]

Thanks for the welcome, I've kind of lurked off and on for the last couple years while I completed other 'projects' but now its time to focus on the ponds.

So going by your response addy1 I should be able to get by with 500gph through my bog?

Colin

 

[j.w]

@ColinD

 

[addy1]

So going by your response addy1 I should be able to get by with 500gph through my bog?

With a well planted bog, water flowing through it, imho, you will be just fine. The plants do a great job filtering and using up extra nutrients.

 

[ColinD]

With a well planted bog, water flowing through it, imho, you will be just fine. The plants do a great job filtering and using up extra nutrients.

Thank you, now to look at my pump options, don't think I can throttle down the 2400gph pump I currently have.

Colin

 

[addy1]

Yes you can, just split the flow, have a T with a ball valve on one of the legs, the one going back into the pond, use that to send more or less flow down the open line to the bog part of the T. Tweak it until you are happy with the flow.

I have a T with a ball valve I can send more flow to the 1000 gallon pond or less just by setting it. I can also close and send all the flow to the bog. I usually have it about 1/4 open for the pass through flow into that little pond. Keeps the water fresh for the fish in it.

Thank you, now to look at my pump options, don't think I can throttle down the 2400gph pump I currently have.

Colin

 

[Bluerooster]

Using smaller pipe will throttle it back. I'd been running my pond on 3/4" pipe, when I put my bog in, I changed all that to 1-1/4" pipe, which is what the pump calls for. WOW! what a difference in volume. I kinda wish I went with 1" instead. But we'll see how it works out.
should turn the pond in about 1.5 hours. Tempted to install a gate valve to restrict flow a little.

 

[ColinD]

was gonna go with 1-1/2" pipe , throw a 'T' on it and run a small water feature with it. Still in planning stages at the moment as getting materials here can be a challenge at times, tried to find some 18x18 concrete patio blocks to use as a foundation this weekend and struck out, looks like a ferry trip next weekend.

 

[Nevermore44]

have you also considered a sand&gravel filter? same idea as the bog... less pretty... but you can clean it out.

 

[ColinD]

have you also considered a sand&gravel filter? same idea as the bog... less pretty... but you can clean it out.

I like the idea of adding more greenery to the area surrounding my pond, and the way I'm planning on setting it up I should be able to clean it out if I need to.

 

[addy1]

I don't know what kind of ball valves you have, but I only use these. They never freeze up and get hard to turn like the red handle ones. Even use if I don't need to have the ability to unscrew it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/AMERICAN-VALVE-PVC-SCH-40-2-in-Socket-PVC-Ball-Valve/1000339525

 

[ColinD]

it begins, sorry addy1 only red handled ball valves available in this little backwoods town, all the visible PVC will be painted with black Krylon Fusion anyways. Need to install the bulk heads today, and fabricate some 'faux bamboo' outlets. Got my pump box fabricated and sunk, need to run some electrical lines. Looking at how much pea gravel I will need and potential cost, I'm wondering if I could get away with using lava rock as a base layer and then 4 to 6 inches of pea gravel on top?

 

[mrsclem]

I just did a 150 gallon stock tank bog and used lava rock in the bottom. I was concerned about the weight as the tank is on blocks. Should keep the supply pipes from clogging .