Wine barrel waterfall/filter.....I have many questions!

[MrsGriff]

Hello all. I'm new here and my head is swirling from all the info, so please forgive me if I'm asking questions that have already been covered.

I'm trying to overhaul the filter system on my 1500 gal koi pond. I just purchased a Laguna 2000 pressure filter with uv light and 2000gph submersible pump. I want to set up a wine barrel waterfall, that will also add some additional filtration. My thought is that I can simply add a layer of bio balls, gravel and bog plants, with a space at the bottom for waste water, and that will do the trick.
But here are my questions:
1. Does the barrel need a molded plastic liner? (I'm reading different opinions)
2. Should the water flow into the barrel from the top or up from the bottom?
3. If it flows in from the bottom, or if I need a flush out valve at the bottom, how do I seal that off thru both the barrel and the liner?
4. If I don't have a flush out valve, can I put another small pump in the bottom to flush out the dirty water periodically?
5. If I have the water coming in from the top, and then spilling out from the top, does it even really utilize the bio ball and gravel layers?
6. Is there anything I need to know about overflow valves or something to make sure the water doesn't drop below a certain level and run the pump dry?

I'm sure there will be more questions, but I'll start here. Any advise is appreciated. Photos would be awesome!

Thank you!

 

[Bluerooster]

My bog/waterfall is made of a plastic barrel cut in half longways. and both halves fed from the bottom, filled with pea gravel, and filled with plants. The pics are when I first installed it in April of this year.

 

[Bluerooster]

Here is what it looks like as of a few min. ago. The third pic is a "wine barrel" (plastic planter looks like a barrel half) Made into an "island" filter in the middle of the pond. The water hiacynth started as 2 plants back in April.

 

[Bluerooster]

I know, I needa net some pinestraw. What I did for the bog, is run the pipe up, and over the side, then back down to the bottom. That way, no need to cut holes. I had a piece of liner material left over from the pond, so I lined the barrels with it. (Didn't need to, but glad I did)

The "island" is a bottom fed "skippy", with lava rock. And I threw in a WH which went forth and multiplied. On the "island" I did cut a hole in the center bottom, and afixed pvc pipe using urethane windshield adhesive. A tee on the inside, with arms and elbow on each, to cause the water to swirl.

 

[addy1]

What a difference! Your bogs are doing a great job!

Beautiful pond.

 

[MrsGriff]

Well, here is my update...
After ordering a barrel liner with spillway that was supposed to fit any standard wine/whisky barrel, I learned that there is a huge difference between the two. It took some redneck ingenuity, but my hubby was able to come up with a 'collar' made from plywood that doubles as a ledge for my old water pump to sit on.

I build a 'skippy' type pipe for the water intake then added layers of screening to hold up sponge filters, lava rock and plants on the top. It took MANY trips to the hardware store to find all the right pipe and fittings for the intake and the drain to flush it. All had to go through both the wine barrel and then the bucket. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the seals.

I have a 950gph pump on it and it makes for a nice flow over the top. Time will tell if it is an effective back up filter to my main Oase bio filter.

 

[addy1]

I had whiskey barrel filters in my AZ ponds. During a rehab one stayed dry for xx amount of time. The wood of the barrel dried up, made the bands loose and it fell apart.
Keep a eye on your barrel make sure the wood pieces don't start to shrink.

That looks great btw.

 

[Lisak1]

It turned out great!

 

[GBBUDD]

I love the hand pump on the side nice touch .

 

[j.w]

Very nice job @MrsGriff and hubby!