Window Box Bog

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I recently saw instructions on how to build a small bog using a window box or flower pots. I believe it was on this forum, but neglected to watch it. Can anyone guild me to that post, please. My pond is about 500 gallons and I would like to try building a small bog to filter it.
 
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One of the beauties of bog filters is that they can be any size. The main plus is how well they work.

You will not regret adding a bog. Crystal clear water with practically zero maintenance.

Pump your pond water from the pond into a pvc pipe (with slits cut in it) located in the bottom of your window box planter or stock tank. This PVC (manifold) gets covered with pea gravel or river stone. The water flows up through the gravel and back into the pond. Plants are grown directly in the gravel, no pots.

The window box or stock tank can be situated next to the pond or cantilevered over the pond.

You can have the water return to the pond by spilling over a cut-out or passing through a pipe.

If your window box planter is not water tight, you can line it with something like a rubber liner or seal it with something.
 
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I built a very small window box bog for my mini pond. If it’s wooden, treat it with a fish safe water proofing product. If it’s not water tight, line it with something that is or seal it with fish safe products like pure silicone. I used three sheets of plastic, sealed with silicone, because my box is wooden. I cut a wide spill way and added a firm plastic lip to allow water to fall off away from the box, instead of all over the side and bottom.
 

mrsclem

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006.JPG

I had 11 of these boxes around 3 sides of my raised pond. I used gutter guard foam in the bottoms for the plants to root in. 1200gph pump spraying water over the boxes. These were used in addition to my regular filtration in a fully stocked koi pond.
 

addy1

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I made this one, then changed it for a smaller cut on the side. Water goes in the bottom via that black tube, goes up through a mix of pea gravel and kitty litter. This is when it was brand new, now it is full of plants.
20190417_164154.jpg
 
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I used a masonry tub available at a hardware or animal supply store. None of these are as aesthetically pleasing as a built in bog, but they do keep the water clear. Mine is holding up over the winter. I have fencing over my little pond due to raccoons. I actually bought an even bigger version of the masonry tub to make a bigger one in the spring as my fish grow and have babies. But......this one is working. The tub plus materials was under 50$ and pretty easy to put together. I have a separate pump running my waterfall and my bog. I have overflow holes in my bog towards the pond so it it were to start overflowing it would be back into the pond. It has more water in the winter. It used to be below the rocks and is now over. It is still keeping my water quite clear.
 

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Here is mine in winter. It really filled in with plants from the original pic above. I topped off my pond with water today and the curious fish came out to check it out and I confirmed a few of my favorites are alive and well. They tend to sleep/hibernate out of site under the large rocks that have water under them. One is on cinderblocks. the other cantilevered out and cemented in. I plan to do a big leaf and muck clean out in the spring. I scoop put what leaves I can, but there is ice and some sink before I get to them.
 

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You said you are visual........the guy at Lowes told me this (see pic) was the best piece to hold the PVC between the inside and outside of the tub or whatever container is used. But they were out of stock and I did not want to drive to another store, so I made a version of my own with pieces that screwed together and bought o rings to fit. It was like a big puzzle to put it all together. I just used sprinkler fittings and 2 RV plumbing fittings (the brass pieces, with plumbers tape) to make it all work. It is a simple y with right angles at the bends. I drilled holes in my PVC with a drill. For the exit pipe, I had some old gray sprinkler riser pipe I thought would be more discrete that white. I used a circular drill bit to drill the 2 needed holes in the tub and sealed with silicone caulk type material. I think the weak point is the thin tub material itself. I suspect it will crack or break where the tube from the pump goes in since there is some pressure on the side there.

The curved piece shows how I made the pipe curve. I used straight pipe cut to the right sizes, one T, and 4 of these C shapes. One at the outer edge and one to have a piece of pipe sticking up. My bog is so tiny I probably did not need the cleanouts. But I have the option if needed. I used screw tops at the piece above the bog and the brass fitting. All of the other joints I used PVC cement, the 2 part stuff that is purple and toxic.

I ended up covering the brass and PVC on the front with black tape so it is more hidden, and not exposed to sun.
 

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I finally built a bog using a litter box. It's not large enough to handle the pond by itself, but it has definitely helped clear the water. I also have a filter in the pond. Loving the little waterfall!
 

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