Cheap DIY pond filter | Solar powered pond & stream

This filter is going to be used in my newest pond/ water feature. The entire system will be running on solar and this will be the filter.
Here is a video that outlines the plan for this project- • The plan for a solar p...
Here's a playlist that includes all the other DIY pond filters I've built in the past- • OZPOND DIY POND FILTER...
Here's a link to the pdf that includes the formulas I use when building my ponds- ozponds.com/po...

[@PhoenixEagle2012]

I have been inspired to make a pond in my garden and so happy to have found all of your stuff!! This is going to make my pond journey so much easier and so extremely grateful for all the resources you've made and given access to :) You're an angel on earth

[@Ozponds]

I’m just happy you find it helpful 👍

[@pablovalenzuela3213]

thanks for all Kev, hugs from Spain

[@Ozponds]

Thanks Pablo 👍

[@reyouk3672]

I just love watching your channel 🙂its so much to learn from you. I can’t stop watching it lol . Thank you so so much🙏

[@Ozponds]

I’m really happy you enjoy it😊

[@Na16Patman]

Excited for more solar pond content! Realizing my current plans aren't easily powered and have been looking at solar power filter options

[@Ozponds]

I’m excited learning about the setup of the panels, battery and regulator. 👍

[@MrCites1]

I’ve been buying pallets of 20kg bags of pumice, it’s really good as a media source.

[@adrianzmajla4844]

Where are you buying bulk pumice? I've been searching with no luck. In Australia BTW.

[@MrCites1]

@@adrianzmajla4844 Ausperl in Sydney.

[@Ozponds]

Is this for adding into the wetland or are you working on another project?

[@MrCites1]

@@Ozponds I filled one large wetland with pumice and topped it with river pebble

[@Ozponds]

Nice 👍.

[@StraightOtohGunga]

I really enjoyed this video. A lot of great images for the plumbing and how everything fits together

[@Ozponds]

Awesome 👍

[@spockbr18]

Once again, thanks Kev!! Cheers from CA!

[@Ozponds]

Thanks for watching. 👍

[@jamesnguyen7069]

breather pipe @4:15 awesome and neat

[@Ozponds]

Funny thing is I ended up not needing it, I changed the setup due to the pump having so much flow.

[@silicondave2797]

Helpful content as always, looking forward to the rest of this project. Thankyou Kev!

[@Ozponds]

Cheers Dave 🍻

[@nevrbx2016]

Love the videos Kev!

[@Ozponds]

Thanks mate 🍻

[@adamwilson6247]

We are making a bog filter for our backyard and have loved your instructional videos! I understand the concept of the breather tube but don’t understand how all the water being pumped in doesn’t flow out of the breather before making it to the base of the bog. Can you explain?

[@Ozponds]

I can’t really explain it. It’s a combination of flow rate, path of least resistance and position. If the pump is oversized you do need a valve.

[@adamwilson6247]

@@Ozponds interesting and thank you for the response. The other thought I had, do think just drilling an 8 mil hole in the incoming tube, right at the water line would server the same purpose?

[@Ozponds]

Yes it will. See the other comments 👍

[@johnecobuilder274]

I used a solar motor (3500 l/h) for a small pond. It works great although flow is intermitent and not very big

[@Ozponds]

Cool. I’m hoping to get this right the first time. If not I’ll keep trying 👍

[@johnecobuilder274]

@@Ozponds Kev, what is that video that you talked about alternatives to Aquascape aquablocks?

[@Ozponds]

Aquablox alternatives kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGbUY2d7jbKamcU

[@What2Have4Dinner]

Obligatory "first!" comment. Awesome stuff Kev, my brother is trying to do something similar with a solar pump.

[@Ozponds]

Well done 👍. Let us know how his setup turns out 👍

[@suzannemoran7281]

Hi Kev , I have finally finished my pond. I have a pump that also has some filter material inside of it. Just 3 small boxes with K1 and some ceramics and then 1 filter sponge over it all. Then from this pump it has 2 outlets one goes to a little fountain. One outlet I have going into my bog filter via pond hose that just slided into the top of a pipe that goes to the bottom of the bog filter with an elbow on the bottom. However I do not have a breather pipe to stop a back flow if the pump stops. With my set up can a back flow happen ? If it can happen what can I do ? Thank you 😊

[@Ozponds]

It depends if air can be sucked in through the fountain part of your setup. Just turn the pump off and see what happens. If you need to add a breather pipe you can actually just drill a small hole in the hose/ pipe that enters the bog filter. Some water may exit the hole when the pump is running to make sure that it either falls into the pond or filter.

[@suzannemoran7281]

@Ozponds Thank so much Kev ,you are very helpful . When drilling the hole into the hose that comes from the pump/filter ,should I drill the hole near to the end of the hose ?

[@Ozponds]

Just put it in the area where the breather hole goes on my diagram 👍

[@suzannemoran7281]

@Ozponds Hi Kev ,I have watched your videos on cleaning your ponds but please may I ask a question ? I accidently split my tub of fish flakes into the pond. The pond has been set up for about a month now. So I used a little net and scooped as much as I could out. Then I decided to clean the bottom of the pond too. I have a bare liner . The pond was full of fish waste . All of the plants were covered in algae. That thick stringy stuff. Anyway it took me forever to clean it. Do I need to buy a pond vacuum ? 🤔 I have tested the water and everything is fine. I have put a couple of extra air stones in the pond too.

[@KickAssets]

There are so many videos on filters on youtube...all slightly different. Very confusing. I have 2 small ponds with a small river connecting them. I was thinking of making something simple filter where my punk draws water from the LEFT pond through a hose over to my right my pond side but drains into a bucket first...and inside this id put a hole at the bottom with some rocks...then on top of the rocks some polyfil and then on top of the polyfill id have some kitchen sponges and on top of the kitchen sponds id have a pasta strainer to catch big things... does that sound insane? And does the order of the things sound correct. Oh and I am unsure what the difference between polyfill and sponge purpose is.

[@Ozponds]

There’s heaps of ways to filter water. I like to tell people to find a way that resonates with them and follow that method. I just show the exact methods and filters I’ve built for my ponds you can use them in yours or make modifications. Choice is good, if all KZbin videos were the same that would be horrible. I hope you find something that works for you. There’s too much to unpack in your actual question but I will say that any filter needs to be sized appropriately to the pond and it’s use. For example plants can be a good filter, if I put a single plant in a huge pond am I going to get beautiful, clean, clear water? No.

[@amirseifalian6065]

Hi, I don't understand something about breather pipe. Breather pipe is higher then intake pipe. Water should go in to filter from breather filter not from intake filter witch is lower. Or I'm wrong?

[@Ozponds]

Maybe this video will help explain it better. Breather pipe for a bog filter kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSynmxqe8xonZY

[@zzman5306]

Why no bio balls or filter material like polyester or foam?

[@Ozponds]

Just using what I had. Why buy stuff I don’t need?

[@paulagarrett3758]

Hey, Kev. What kind of syphon do you use to clean this filter? I know you mentioned it in a video or beneath a video somewhere, but I can’t seem to find it. 😆I’m about 2/3rds of the way through my waterfall build now. Next week, bog filter!

[@Ozponds]

Because this is a small filter you could easily siphon it with an aquarium siphon, plenty available online. Because I’m lazy and I have a pond vacuum that what I would use. Can’t wait to hear how your pond turns out 😉

[@paulagarrett3758]

Thanks so much! Wish I could send a picture of the progress. 😅👍🏽☀️

[@Ozponds]

You could email me a picture 👍

[@ryansweeney1661]

Hello am new to the world of ponds and unfortunately haven't got much room for a big pond I have ordered a 80 cm wide pot it's large but is it large enough for stickleback ? I live in North of England it gets very cold so it would most likely freeze at the top would the fish be OK in those size pot and also would it be OK if I just use plants for filter? I chose stickleback because I think they are easy to keep even easier than goldfish is that true? Any information you have would be greatly appreciated and thanks for the content 😊

[@Ozponds]

G’day Ryan. Unfortunately I don’t know what a stickleback is. I don’t think we have them in Australia.

[@ryansweeney1661]

@@Ozponds it's no problem at all thank you for answering anyway 👍👍

[@zebrobertson]

Hi Kev! Do you have to deal with heavy rains that overflow your ponds? I have some tubs with fish in my yard that I have to drain or refill depending on the season, but always wondered about that if I ever put in a pond. There have been days when I come home from work in heavy rain to find guppies swimming in the grass in my yard.

[@Ozponds]

It is possible for us to get heavy rain but it’s not very often. We aren’t in the tropics. If I did I’d create an overflow that’s nice and wide and use mesh to allow the water out but not the fish.

[@zebrobertson]

@@Ozponds Thanks Kev! That makes sense. I guess I'll need the edges to be above ground level and have an overflow like you described... I like your vids!

[@chadstoudt2580]

Hey Kev, what do think about using a full size barrel vs cutting it down? I'm using a cut down barrel just like you and my water has been dark green since last year.

[@Ozponds]

It all depends on how much media you need. Remember the size of the bog filter is determined by the pond and it’s use. If it’s too small you’ll never achieve clear water.

[@chadstoudt2580]

@Ozponds thank you for the reply. I know some people say a bog should never be deeper than 1 foot, but then you have a lot of people who say it doesn't matter. What are your thoughts?

[@Ozponds]

It doesn’t matter to me. I’m more focused on the amount of surface area.

[@jonathantran5786]

How do u connect the solar panels to the pump?

[@Ozponds]

Not sure yet. I’m learning.

[@S0me0ne_S0meWhere_SaysHi]

Hi all, does anyone know if there is a solar powered pump kit? I'm not looking for one of the ones that look decorative but a kit that can truly calculate water for most of the year free of charge.

[@Ozponds]

Most of the ones I’ve seen you’ll be lucky to get 6hrs in winter.

[@S0me0ne_S0meWhere_SaysHi]

@@Ozponds Ok, might it be possible for you to list those?

[@Ozponds]

@@S0me0ne_S0meWhere_SaysHi there’s only really one available in Australia. It’s the pond max system with battery backup. On my website there’s a link to Australian products via rockaroundtheblock. Talk to Matt use the code ozponds for additional savings 👍

[@LeslieJones817]

Do you have links or part sizes? We’re having trouble.

[@Ozponds]

No, but luckily I can remember. The overflow is 90mm stormwater with corresponding uniseal. The inflow was all 25mm or 1inch fittings and pipe.

[@LeslieJones817]

@@Ozponds Thank you!

[@faikino1838]

What type of filter should i use for a 1000L pond with a 1200lh pump?

[@Ozponds]

High flow.

[@faikino1838]

@@Ozponds does it works the same like the bog filter(clean water). sorry for my english, im italian

[@faikino1838]

@@Ozponds another question, the high flow filter is the one with the ballfilters?

[@Ozponds]

@@faikino1838 it should give you clear water. The more biological filter media you have the better. It’s not as predictable as a bog filter.

[@Ozponds]

@@faikino1838 correct 👍

[@td0079]

Hey buddy, can you make a video talking about how to remove frogs from Pond?

[@Ozponds]

That’s not really something I do. Frogs are friends.

[@Become-better-20]

Wouldn’t half your water from the pump simply exit the breather pipe and bypass the filter media?

[@Ozponds]

I’m not sure but it just doesn’t unless there is way too much flow. The water much prefers to go straight. In my courtyard pond I have way to much flow so I have a valve on the breather pipe so I can regulate how much goes down and how much on top.

[@DrKrapulax]

Can't you just drill a hole on the top of the inlet pipe as an air intake? Would be cheaper and easier :)

[@StraightOtohGunga]

I think he gave a reason in a past video, possibly that you can control the pressure and water height easier this way

[@Ozponds]

You absolutely can. It depends on the amount of pump volume in regards to the filter how much water will want to exit the hole. I like to use the fittings (adds about $3) that way if I need to add a valve it’s very easy.

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Told ma misses dat "I'm gunna get a Solar powered pond & stream"! She yelled " If you get dat! I'm gunna stuff it where da sun don't shine!" .. left me with a some what of a conundrum? 🤔

[@Ozponds]

🤣🤣🤣 time for a new missus 😉

[@Lee-re1by]

🐠🐟🐠🐟🐸🍻👍🏻

[@Ozponds]

😊🍻🌾🐢🐟🐠🐸🪷👍