tetrapond filter conversion

koiguy1969

GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
10,587
Reaction score
6,409
Location
Michigan zone 5b
this is a tutorial on my converting an old terapond filter to a basic skippy or koiguy style upflow filter. i used this on the basement pond and the 250 gallon pool i had fry and fingerlings in..but if youve got a small preformed pond and this filter or one like it. it will enable you to put it pond side as a waterfall. or if you have one laying around and want to put it to use......i used this with a 425 gph pump..trouble free, i use a tetrapond prefilter before the pump so no negligable amount of waste actually makes it to the filter.( if using with fry slide a nylon stocking over the prefilter to avoid any fry getting sucked in)

o.k now the work... first i put an1&1/2" elbow in for the output (in what would normally be the input). the elbow is aimed up to increase the volume in the filter. mine is adapted down to a 1&1/4" hose nipple so it can accept a 1&1/4" peice of hose if so desired. you could easily keep it 1&1/2" pipe or 2" if you like. but for 425 gph or less this works. ( i would go with the larger if you dont use a prefilter)
i took a peice of black diamond landscape border and ziptied a cut to fit peice of hardware fencing to it as the bottom grate ( cut a center hole for the down pipe). i cut the landscape border to fit the bottom of the canister..minus a section to fit around the bottom original output. just make a screwcap assembly for it for emptying and flushing the filter. or plug it.
on top of that theres 2 layers of blue furnace filter pads like i use in my other filters. with a center hole cut for the down pipe.
this is where you put your bio media..i used the original biosphers and cut up irrigation tubing...
when thats full.. use the original foam pad and activated cabon pad on top of the media.
i dont know that its neccessary but i also added a top grate cut to fit around the elbow.
i cut the end off the long L shaped pipe that originally goes on the original bottom output. thats now plugged or capped. use the long end, it already screws on to the inlet hose nipple. this is your downflow pipe. drill a hole thru the center of the lid and assmble the downpipe inlet assembly thru the lid.
 

Attachments

  • SDC11095.JPG
    SDC11095.JPG
    15.6 KB · Views: 315
  • SDC11096.jpg
    SDC11096.jpg
    17 KB · Views: 299
  • SDC11098.JPG
    SDC11098.JPG
    15.8 KB · Views: 337
  • SDC11099.JPG
    SDC11099.JPG
    18.9 KB · Views: 324
  • SDC11100.JPG
    SDC11100.JPG
    15.6 KB · Views: 336

koiguy1969

GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
10,587
Reaction score
6,409
Location
Michigan zone 5b
all the pics should be a pretty good instructional quide. i put the little grid in the elbow incase any media happens to make it up there.i dont want tit venturing into the pond. and i was considering using cut up soda straws as media this year...as they would give a hole lot of surface area cut into 1/2" pieces.but the upper mats shouldnt allow any to get above them anyways.

ONE OF THOSE CHEAP $22.00 DOLLAR WAYNE FILTERS FROM eBAY SHOULD WORK FINE AS WELL they are a knockoff of this filter.. FOR A SMALL PREFORMED POND.
 

Attachments

  • SDC11101.JPG
    SDC11101.JPG
    19.1 KB · Views: 357
  • SDC11102.JPG
    SDC11102.JPG
    15.7 KB · Views: 303
  • SDC11103.JPG
    SDC11103.JPG
    18.8 KB · Views: 314
  • SDC11104.JPG
    SDC11104.JPG
    11.8 KB · Views: 308
  • SDC11105.JPG
    SDC11105.JPG
    14 KB · Views: 310

koiguy1969

GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
10,587
Reaction score
6,409
Location
Michigan zone 5b
I should add, i had this on top of a milk crate in the baby pool which was 15" deep so if it overflowed it would overflow into the pool..but it never did. had it sitting on 2 2x4s across the corner on the basement pond. and i used 1/2" tube on it with the pool and 3/4" with the basement pond.(more head) . this pic shows it with a short length of hose. if a small waterfall was wanted..the hose could be set between some stones.
now this would strictly be for a small pond.
this filter comes with venturied inlet hose adapters...thats why the 3 extra holes are in the lid to allow the air to evacuate and for inspection of filter as well.
**** using a prefilter is highly reccommended.****
 

Attachments

  • SDC11107.JPG
    SDC11107.JPG
    17.2 KB · Views: 323

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
31,452
Messages
517,140
Members
13,662
Latest member
socialmeteorperth

Latest Threads

Top