DIY Wheelie Bin Koi Shower Filter (great for healthy water in a fish pond)

Click 'SHOW MORE' for full video description, links to gear and useful videos - Watch in HD.
I hope you find this video useful. It is of a new idea for a pond shower filter using a small wheelie bin which can easily be moved around / stored away in a shed without having to totally strip down the filter. The first media shown in the video is the new Biohome Shower media which is incredibly hard wearing but also extremely porous, having a structure similar to Biohome Ultra and Biohome Maxi Ultimate which is a perfect environment for supporting a great balance of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for full cycle filtration (reduction in nitrate).
I also show a few other types of media which make a good budget option for the biological side of filtration.
GEAR LINKS:
45 litre wheelie bin: goo.gl/D14wFP
75 litre wheelie bin: geni.us/WjPOtF
Biohome, foams and Pumice filter media: www.filterpro.co.uk
Lava rock: geni.us/daKf8n1
Alfagrog: geni.us/Il899
20mm conduit pipe (spray bar and inlet): geni.us/A2kuXLc
20mm 90 degree bends: geni.us/MT6TCqt
20mm Tee pieces: geni.us/zLY2Lj8
20mm inlet: geni.us/BxXR
(the above plumbing fittings may be cheaper from a DIY outlet e.g. Plumb Centre - I put links here to Amazon so you can get a close look and see exactly what you need)
Outlet, Flexible pipe, plastic grid, foams and pump from any good pond outlet.
Decent 3000 litre per hour pump: geni.us/dDYgVX
Plastic grid: geni.us/AelD
USEFUL VIDEOS:
Stainless steel shower filter: goo.gl/gNFyWB
Alternate DIY shower filter: goo.gl/R8YAeM
Looking inside filter media: goo.gl/yMpJEr
My pond construction playlist: goo.gl/YufhpP
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: goo.gl/jMaBWy
INSTAGRAM: / pondguru_outdoors
FILMING EQUIPMENT:
Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder geni.us/3UwE
+Rode stereo microphone: geni.us/4OL
+Rode 'deadcat' mic cover: geni.us/1pmn
JVC Everio quad proof HD camcorder: geni.us/e09e
+Rode 'deadcat' mic cover (opened up and held between tripod and camera base) geni.us/dee24
Zomei Z666 tripod: geni.us/1a1af3
Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: geni.us/87f7
If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more - on a variety of subjects.
Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching.
See you next time.
Pondguru

[@pondguru]

Click 'SHOW MORE' for full video description, links to gear and useful videos - Watch in HD. I hope you find this video useful. It is of a new idea for a pond shower filter using a small wheelie bin which can easily be moved around / stored away in a shed without having to totally strip down the filter. The first media shown in the video is the new Biohome Shower media which is incredibly hard wearing but also extremely porous, having a structure similar to Biohome Ultra and Biohome Maxi Ultimate which is a perfect environment for supporting a great balance of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria for full cycle filtration (reduction in nitrate). I also show a few other types of media which make a good budget option for the biological side of filtration. GEAR LINKS: 45 litre wheelie bin: goo.gl/D14wFP 75 litre wheelie bin: geni.us/WjPOtF Biohome, foams and Pumice filter media: www.filterpro.co.uk Lava rock: geni.us/daKf8n1 Alfagrog: geni.us/Il899 20mm conduit pipe (spray bar and inlet): geni.us/A2kuXLc 20mm 90 degree bends: geni.us/MT6TCqt 20mm Tee pieces: geni.us/zLY2Lj8 20mm inlet: geni.us/BxXR (the above plumbing fittings may be cheaper from a DIY outlet e.g. Plumb Centre - I put links here to Amazon so you can get a close look and see exactly what you need) Outlet, Flexible pipe, plastic grid, foams and pump from any good pond outlet. Decent 3000 litre per hour pump: geni.us/dDYgVX Plastic grid: geni.us/AelD USEFUL VIDEOS: Stainless steel shower filter: goo.gl/gNFyWB Alternate DIY shower filter: goo.gl/R8YAeM Looking inside filter media: goo.gl/yMpJEr My pond construction playlist: goo.gl/YufhpP RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: goo.gl/jMaBWy INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/pondguru_outdoors/ FILMING EQUIPMENT: Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder geni.us/3UwE +Rode stereo microphone: geni.us/4OL +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover: geni.us/1pmn JVC Everio quad proof HD camcorder: geni.us/e09e +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover (opened up and held between tripod and camera base) geni.us/dee24 Zomei Z666 tripod: geni.us/1a1af3 Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: geni.us/87f7 If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more - on a variety of subjects. Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching. See you next time. Pondguru

[@matthewsmith22]

Nice design mate! Plumb centre are pretty good for tank connectors, much cheaper than cockney koi and have some 'unusual' sizes

[@pondguru]

Yes that is as good as anything for fittings - some may need taping up or shaving down to fit certain sizes of flexible hose but if you go all push fit you could definitely make a filter with fittings purely from a DIY outlet like that.

[@rickmasters818]

Starting a pond build & this is without a doubt the best video on how to build a shower filter I have seen. Great job. You showed & explained things in a simple & informative manner so as a laymen can understand. 5⭐️s

[@charles29cc]

Absolutely love these diy shower filters. I bought a oase gravity fed filter and couldn’t understand these diy stuff but when you look at how much it cost to make it’s a no brainer! Love the videos

[@regancorreia8189]

Thank you Richard for this extremely informative video. I'm starting my DIY filter this weekend . I've been looking at a lot of other videos, but this one really caught my eye. Very compact!

[@anthonybrown8158]

Always enjoy your DIY. On all filters you make simple and easy. Great job

[@haipham6031]

Made this, it’s a beauty. Have a 2500 gallon pond with an Ultima UV 4000 that doesn’t seem to be man enough. This has made a huge difference to the water clarity. Nice one!!

[@debraarizona4809]

This was an awesome invention.😃 The instructions and the demonstration on assembling the filter was perfect.🤗 I also like that everything was very inexpensive,and I saw clearly everything you used😁 I think I can make this myself being a woman,can't waite to try.😁 Thank you for this very helpful video.🤗 Greedings from Phoenix Az USA New subscriber🤗🍎

[@charmnGUY]

My kinda ideas and thoughts...well built, a true gravity filter! Changing top media or even 2 layer is easier than feeding dirty water from the bottom and outlet is at the top!

[@davebaldwin340]

So cheap and cheerful it's a awesome bit of kit thanks for sharing this video

[@smokeydabeecharlescoleman8365]

Some of those fittings can be found in a boat supply place.Maybe fasten a bungee cord to the underside of the lid so it can hold the last foam insert. Allowing better flow in case it backs up. Would also be out of the way when you open it every time. Great video, Thank you for your time.

[@thefishylife6823]

So simple and easy but my goodness who thought all that media would fit in such a small filter! Very nice my friend ✌️☮️🐟

[@pondguru]

Yes, having the media made in ball form really makes a difference to the packing density so filters do not need to be huge or have fast flow rates to be effective.

[@stephenross1581]

Subd and liked, very informative and useful video, everything was explained very well. I'm quite happy to have a go and build one for my pond at home now. Thanks for posting Stephen

[@peteveal3031]

Just made one ..... great idea. Cannot wait to see if you massive filter has made a difference

[@michaelharland5571]

What a great idea may have a go at making it for my pond. Thanks for the idea keep up the good work pondguru.

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@michelethomas3614]

Thank you Richard for your very concise video. You have given me the confidence to rebuild my Bio shower filter on a larger scale. Yours is the only channel I have subscribed to so will be watching more of your information videos for more ideas. I am living in Australia where the water and heat are a problem for ponds as they end up growing heaps of string algae which is very hard to keep out. Hopefully this idea of yours for the shower filter will keep the string algae out of my beloved pond. My Koi thank you.

[@ThousandYardStare]

(my other channel) I'm glad you found the video useful and best of luck with the pond. If the filter matures to the point where it can reduce nitrate then the string algae problem should subside but with heat and nitrate the problem can be quite severe.

[@micky2oo2]

I made one of these 3 weeks ago from a mini wheelie bin. Ive got it the same layout as yours but at the botom ive got micro k1 and a air pump running aswell. It is prob overkill for the small pond i have but I did enjoy making it! Thanks for the video! Keep up the good work!

[@pondguru]

Awesome to hear and the addition of K1 at the bottom is an interesting touch - having the water get re-oxygenated before entering the pond is never a bad thing.

[@AussieAquatic]

I like this filter a lot. The HD Plastics that wheelie bins are made of is excellent outdoors and the low price of the bins, ease of use make these great filter containers.

[@pondguru]

Yes it seems like such an obvious choice for a filter but so many people are still unaware of the effectiveness of showers and probably would never consider that their bin would make a great pond filter, lol

[@AussieAquatic]

That is the beauty of videos, seeing is often the first step to believing.

[@pondguru]

Yes that is for sure and it is increasingly bugging me how much crap information is out there - it's actually keeping me up at night believe it or not. Therefore I'm going to have to make a video to purge my system of the incorrect information I've absorbed over the last few weeks. Some of the claims companies make about products is plainly ridiculous, their inability to understand what a cycled tank / pond system is and the total reliance on chemical treatments and water changes instead of natural biological processes for healthy water is killing the love many people have for the hobby. Even forums / group pages have their resident 'experts' who are talking absolute nonsense and baffling people with copy and pasted 'science' - I have an unbelievable example of that to show. Yup, it's the nearest to angry I reckon I've been in a long time so look out for that video - there will probably be lots of edits to remove the swearing, lol

[@AussieAquatic]

You are a very seasoned video creator now, which leaves you in a good place to speak your mind, and really I feel that putting our experience and learned knowledge out there for others to consider, is a worthy legacy to leave behind on the public record. I have spent 30 years+ using full microbial filtration in my tanks, Aerobic, Anammox, Anoxic bacteria in planted tanks with sintered quartz filter media. Most aquarium KZbinrs seem to regularly suggest there are only 2 species of aquarium bacteria, and that's it.

[@waikarimoana]

Good day Richard, Great idea, well presented, thanks for the info, thumbs up and regards from New Zealand, Tony.

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@frankiebattles7815]

Pondguru has

[@OriginalMindTrick]

Brilliant in its simplicity.

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@ThatGuy-dj3qr]

Very cool idea.

[@taherakhan7044]

Thank you Richard for your time in sharing these awesome hints and tips. I will be building this over the coming weeks - the wheelie idea is great! We are about to build a simple pondless 'rill' in the patio area. The filter will be needed because the drain pipe siphoning the rainwater from under the inground trampoline will be coming into the pondless pond. Don't want all the crud (soil, dirt, micros', frogs, etc.) to enter the rill/pondless pond. The drain pipe (68mm diameter) will be around 250mm below the ground level. Just a real dilemma how to solve a filter AND put in a pump for the blade feature for the rill/pondless. Any suggestions would be really appreciated!!!!! x

[@oceansky9220]

Wonderful idea Richard and it’s portable.

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@jaimiedeppe8360]

Loved you video!

[@linda-bagobones75]

Thanks so much for your expert advice!

[@pondguru]

No worries, any time.

[@captraykelly]

I am going to try to make one. Thanks for the great video.

[@pondguru]

Feel free to link to any videos or pictures in the comment section as I always love to see what other people have come up with for filtration.

[@AnimalsUnlimited]

Nice idea 👍🏻👍🏻 might have to give this a go! Thanks

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@RiverLifeUS]

Nice rig - thanks for sharing. New subscriber!

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching.

[@jimwalsh4834]

Excellent video and very cool filter my friend. 👌🏻👌🏻

[@pondguru]

Glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for watching.

[@freedomisfromtruth]

Always great detailed descriptions and taking apart the filter too instead of just talking about how it is inside. So would it clean a pond that size?

[@olufunmitaiwo4412]

Thank you for your help on wisdom we are very grateful

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful as I put them out to help.

[@DramaticAquatics]

Awesome video man thats a proper recycle bin lol!!!

[@paulrigby4765]

Only the guru would make a filter from a wheelie bin! But so efficient excellent.

[@pondguru]

It's a cracking solution for making an easily moved shower filter so I was loving this design - glad you enjoyed the video.

[@user-mc4dr7qm1o]

Thank you so much for these comprehensive videos. They are very helpful ! Could you please explain how to figure out flow rates for choice of fittings?

[@Thebigmanmetaldetecting]

Excellent video buddy

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@electoplater]

hi sir on your spray bar if you vary the size of holes going along the tube so they get larger at the end of the bar you will get better distribution of water great video as usual

[@bobskimaxx]

Disclaimer:- Any wheely bins that go missing in the North of England we know who to blame! 😃😃😃😆😆😆 EDIT....buy the way this is a superb Idea!!

[@pondguru]

I remember when everyone was cursing wheelie bins and now they are beloved by all - especially people wanting to make shower filters, lol

[@ianforrest]

Just the north of England? This has gone international!

[@SuperMarko1976]

Another great vid pondy and i like ya using my fave lava rock haha keep up ya good work and i wish i bought the hobo reel for my hols last week

[@pondguru]

Just about anything can be used in a filter like this as the water doesn't sit in there - media naturally dries out in storage and water is easily drained if the filter needs to be stored away. Yes you would have loved using a hobo reel as its a great thing to have in a day bag.

[@onewomanslife]

WOW! This is great.

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@shunter66]

Great richard, ideal for those on low budget 👍

[@pondguru]

Yes, manufacturers of koi filters often think that people have limitless budgets and just want gear which looks the business no matter how poorly it performs. While there is certainly an element of that there is a much bigger crowd who just want the water to be as good as it can be. If I had £1 for everyone who has spent thousands on flashy filtration and still has sky high nitrates I could retire.

[@shunter66]

Pondguru exactly the point richard, saying that i would not have chosen anything else but the bio home ultimate 😁

[@pondguru]

Groovy

[@JN.0_o]

Happiness is: listening to a geordie say "wheelie bin" repeatedly. :D Excellent design, I've always loved DIY filters. Always made me cringe to see the price tag on the big commercial filters, especially Nexus ones. The more I learn, the more I realise just how useless my 200L of flocor is. Hopefully next year I'll be able to replace it with something a bit more effective.

[@pondguru]

I was talking to people at a recent show who make the very expensive moving bed filters (Oase, EA etc.) and none of them had a clue about the nitrate reduction possibilities of a filter and how their filters were simply nitrate factories - that was one of the frustrations which made me make that video on filtration I uploaded last night as when you have respected companies telling the buyer that a nitrogen cycle ends with the production of nitrate something is severely wrong.

[@JN.0_o]

I must admit, I didn't know about getting rid of nitrates until one of your previous videos on bio media. I always figured that the only way to get rid of nitrates in an almost closed loop system was just plants, plants and more plants.

[@pondguru]

...and large, regular water changes. It definitely doesn't have to be like that and while it does cost more initially to set a filter up properly to achieve the full cycle filtration it is definitely worth it to have less maintenance and more stable water conditions / happier fish.

[@davidsimons4143]

Brilliant idea and will have a go at building one of these next spring to put on my pond. Out of interest the overflow at the top of the bin, could this be replaced by putting a 90 degree bend to replace the capped end of the bottom 2 inch outlet pipe at the bottom of the bin and then connect a 2 inch pipe and run vertically up the inside of the bin to the equivalent height of where you have placed the outlet pipe above the foam mats. Pipe can be kept vertical by gluing a plastic pipe bracket to the inside of the bin. By doing this although you won’t instantly be able to see when the foams are blocked, you will be able to site the filter away from the side of the pond in the knowledge that if the overflow was needed then the water would still return to the pond via the outlet pipe.

[@NiagracountyNY]

Excellent!

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@piranhafish]

Nice :) i will be using a shower filter for my 16ft outside pike tank i am setting up soon

[@pondguru]

Feel free to post a link to any videos or pictures of that in comment section of any of the pond videos as it sound like it will be epic.

[@piranhafish]

Pondguru thanks :) very interested in ur biohome media

[@fisharefriends598]

I need that wheel bin for my water changes !!

[@pondguru]

You may still find the occasional 45 litre one for sale but more likely 75 litres (they have bigger wheels so may be a more convenient choice anyway)

[@kylewyenberg7292]

nicely done. I don't have the room for a fish pond but I would like an option for a bird bath/ fountain filter much like your setup here?

[@walterrussell7584]

Thanks for doing the math from the US

[@SILENTLY9]

Very good . and a good job as well ''

[@pondguru]

Glad you liked the idea - thanks for watching.

[@crazycressy7986]

Wheelie good idea ;)

[@pondguru]

Pete, you're PUNbelievable....

[@crazycressy7986]

lol

[@stevecampey9469]

I have been watching your channel for a while now just subscribed, I think what you do and how you explain things is awesome. why don't you come to Australia and build me a pond LOL. I think this filter system that you have explained in this video is bang on, going to use it in a pond but in a much bigger capacity though. I have been into aquariums and fish for a long time, but you my friend, you just simplified filtration in my mind, I can't wait to get started. One question, will coral make a good base for the bio. Thanx in advance,

[@pondguru]

If you can get coral it would make quite a good media for koi as it would mineralise and buffer the water, it is relatively good for bacteria to colonise too. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@midnighttoker8038]

This is a great idea could i use one simular to this on abput 5 6000 litre pond mate

[@atravers349]

Great filter! One bit of advice; if you put it away for the winter, put caps on the openings! Otherwise, you WILL have rodents moving in and making a huge mess in it!

[@robertball3630]

great idea mate and thanks,...i never thought a cockney would be saying that to a geordie :-) If anyone has a QD's near them they are selling a 145ltr very rigid plastic container box that has latches and wheels for £14! Should cut down on the bills a bit!

[@magzire]

That's nearly exactly the same setup i have, a pressure filter than feeds into a Hozelock Ecocel filter box (filled with filter floss) then split into two bins. Probably overkill for 2000l pond. DIY filtration can be addictive, always trying new stuff out, or just bored :) Pressure filter really does take a lot of dirt out and really easy to clean. All Ponds Solutions have a decent one for the price.

[@pondguru]

That sounds awesome and there is certainly no such thing as over-filtering as far as the fish are concerned - they will love you for that.

[@subconscious.com_usa6691]

Awesome :)

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@50shadesofgreen]

i'm in the process of making a tower shower filter for your other video the one with the seperate tub and all the drill hole lol !!

[@pondguru]

It doesn't really matter what form a shower filter takes, whether it is one container or multiple stacked containers they will work the same so good on you for making one.

[@djswaterscapesandlandscaping]

Hi would u need to put the top pads in shower filter if goes thru pressure filter first thanks again just got your info of pondaviser

[@jpspira8651]

Richard - I love (and subscribe to) your Pondguru videos. I am interested in your advice. I have a pond which is approximately 7,500 gallons stocked with 13 Koi and about 12 goldfish. i am builing a Bakki-style shower filter with 4 levels (each with about 7,200 cubic inches of capacity). Consequently, total volume is approximately 28,800 cubic inches (or 470 liters). I can't afford to fill the system with Biohome, but would like to use media which is relatively durable and good for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. what media would you recommend to fill the four levels and should I use the same or different media in each of four levels? keep up the good work. I think your videos are among the most informative I watch on KZbin. best regards, jonathan.

[@Technologyadvisor1]

can I ask you some thing retailers on pipe attachments say pvc pipes you can get give off chemicals into the water that is not fish safe what is your take on this?

[@1habicher]

Sonny You are up there with the finest. This is no small pond for home use but what do You run it with? Must be some big pump!

[@pondguru]

I currently have an Oase 40,000 litre per hour pump shifting water about but no large scale filtration. However I am due to move all the gear out from under my cabin to make space for a very large filtration system which i should get built over this winter ready for the spring. I will film that no worries.

[@misterwilson6774]

Is the plastic in wheelie bins safe for use as filters? I read somewhere they my leach into the water. Wanted to make my filters out of the bins but am not sure if I should use Bins or blue plastic butts.

[@heskey8866]

Hi Just watched the monster lake filter end to end...mrs wasn’t too thrilled 😂can you advise on my next filter for the extension to my current pond,12,000litres-20,000.wondering if a shower filter would look/work better and how many tiers/kg of bio media would I need to create the perfect conditions needed.would the diy tote box work for my needs....hope all is well 👍🏽

[@cainweber1978]

I was thinking of using my small 60cm dia 40cm deep upper filling pond (pre water fall cascade) to do a reverse of this ie a wetland type filter- water leaves my pressure filter goes into bottom bucket at bottom of top pond. If I do crate/foam breaks is this likely to work as an extra bio filter in my pond?

[@michaelbur8776]

A DIY pressure filter would be a great video. Just a thought.

[@pumpkinheadghoul]

Does anyone else keep pausing this video to try and mimic this guy's awesome accent? No... just me then?

[@mattpettitt3204]

Hi Richard. I am about to extend my pond and it is looking like it will be around 17000 litres once complete. My idea was to use a pressure filter and then to go the extra mile run that into a filter like you have built at the top of a cascade. Looking at the reccomendation on volume of biohome shower media I would need 85kg!! @ 1kg per 200 litres. Could this be reduced as going through a pressure filter first? Thanks Matt

[@sophalkin5528]

Sir, For your expertise, I got about 4500 gallons pond size and how big DIY filter or filter it self I needs. Thank you

[@craigisherwood7966]

What u call the media ceramic balls from and we're to get them from and the plastic grid I'm in uk please want to make 1 got a 75 litre wheel lie bin and how much media would I need

[@francisbrenner3856]

What size of a filter should I make for a 1200 gallon pond.My store has 32,64,and 98 gallon wheelies?Thank you

[@kerrytheobald6665]

Hi .. I'm really new to all this and I've started to feel overwhelmed and out of my depth .. I currently have 4 turtles who keep outgrowing their tanks so I'm in the process of digging an outdoor pond ready for the to go out in April. The pond is going to be 15ft long 7 foot wide and 3 maybe 4 ft deep ... would this wheelie bin idea be ideal for the volume of water in my pond and also what sort of water pump would be sufficient for this wheelie bin project ? Many thanks .. great video .. great idea.

[@bobfal]

I know with aquariums you'd be looking for a turn over of water of say X10 per hour the volume of your tank. You could probably use the same calc for your pond. So once you know roughly the volume of your pond you can look at a pump that will turn the water over 10 times on an hour, no expert but it would probably be a good starting point

[@DebTim]

HI Richard.. this is really cool. I'm sure it cost far less than the one I have. When mine wears out I will try constructing one like this. You know my pond is very small but this year I am going to heat it so I don't have to bring the fish in. Not sure that it will save me work as I'll still need to clean it out in the spring but it will free up a couple tanks for me!! =D ♥♥ Looking at this gravity does the work in the shower flow part so all I would need is a pump right? Oh yes I like this idea!! Have a great weekend Richard!! ♥♥ I also want to get some of the pumice for my canisters. =D

[@pondguru]

Yes the water flows through the foams and media by gravity just like really old types of pond filters used to do. I'm not sure why the hobby moved away from that sort of filtration as it was the most efficient with regard to supporting bacteria of all types.

[@DebTim]

This is something I'm going to work on next summer. I love tinkering around with stuff like this.. and of course my pond. I wish I could add one or make it bigger but hubby isn't warming up to the idea *yet* =D ♥♥

[@TheFiRmPL]

After watching few of your videos can you explain why the water in your pond still looks like crap ??

[@urbanNinjah]

Does the plastic the bin is made from affect the water?

[@northzero2390]

20mm or 3/4 inch. Totally two different sizes for a very good reason. 20mm and 19.05mm

[@melissathompson9700]

So could I apply this method to something like a water butt?

[@high_fructose_corn_syrup]

How big of a koi pond (gallons) can this handle? And how do you hide it? Looks like a great filter but i wouldn't want to see it lol

[@penpenepentv1361]

Where can we buy that Media Balls please Pond Guru

[@mark8779]

Where can i get the ball shaped media from?

[@1937Brett]

How do you measure your pound to find out how many gallons it is?

[@supajonboy]

Hi Richard. Are the filter medias like the Biohome & Pumice far superior to the black plastic star shaped type things that come with a typical gravity pond filter?

[@pondguru]

Yes either of them are many times better than plastic media as the surface are on plastic is tiny compared to porous rock or porous sintered glass media.

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

how many kilos of media like gravel for 12500l ?

[@jc49fishniner4lif7]

AWESOME I'm going to build one for sis pound👍

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you like the idea.

[@trevorgray6993]

Great video, really informative. Did you get around to connecting one to a pressure filter ?

[@pondguru]

No not yet as I haven't got a decent pressure filter.

[@trevorgray6993]

I'm thinking of making one of these to go after my pressure washer, As the pressure washer will already have done the mechanical filtration will there be a need to put foams in the wheelie bin filter ?

[@trevorgray6993]

Sorry just realised the mistake above - obviously meant to say 'pressure filter' not 'washer'

[@pondguru]

Yes, the pressure filter should have enough foams to ensure clean (enough) water to enable a shower to run effectively without foams in allowing the whole shower to be filled with media.

[@mikhailabiodun5393]

How do you clean it up when it becomes dirty?

[@monsurbanpatch]

could you use perlite?

[@weeaidan20]

To make that shower better, where the t pieces are put a 4 way mate that way there will be an extra bar in the middle as well and have more surface for the water to use on the filter foams buddy 😁

[@pondguru]

Yes a better spray bar would be in order - good call.

[@weeaidan20]

Pondguru thanks mate am full of good ideas 😂 , make it and let me see it running, u could also upgrade the pump as well to make the shower better as well

[@rvp666]

Found them at Homebase!

[@pondguru]

Nice one, now get the drill out and make a filter.....

[@TimothyBergin]

What about using charcoal as a media

[@Mikemkp]

Can I buy that one off you ? Cheers

[@linda-bagobones75]

Can I use this design with a box that is 34”L by 20”H by 20”W with 1/1/2 in flex pvc from pump reduced to 3/4 in spray bar and outlet to pond 2 inches

[@pondguru]

If you're reducing the 1.5" pipe to a 0.75" spray bar then the flow definitely won't be too much for a 2" outlet so that should work no problem. Best of luck with the project.

[@dkphantomdk]

Thank you for another nice Koi pond filter solution. But I would like to know about the medie and the bacteria that is expected to live in it. At the moment I have a huge Bakki Shower with Aqua King Bacteria House. but it seems to me that it doesnt really get going ( a year now ) To support it, I have added air ventilation fan at the top to suck fresh air into it. now. this new filter medie and new DIY you have made it seems like there are no air support to the bacteria inside the bin. so, what kinda bacteria will survive without "drowning" in this one !

[@pondguru]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'air support' as the movement of water through the filter draws air in from any unsealed part of the filter and the water contains dissolved oxygen which is released during bacterial processes as well as being integrated back into water through the water falling effect. Your cycle has not got going in a year? How does the water test?

[@dkphantomdk]

The reason why I need air support is that my bakki shower i placed in a greenhouse, where the air is stationary.. and I suspect that the "old air" from the bakki shower, ( smells like ammonia ) aint getting blown out of the bakki shower by fresh air.. by that, the bacterie is no doing a good job. the ammonia and nitrite levels has been a bit more than what I want, but there are no signs on the fish of stress or discomfort, the fish are happy, very active and eating well. I have installed an Air ventilation fan on the top of the bakki, to suck out the old air. a friend who has the same bakki shower and media and also has the bakki shower indoor, had the same problem, untill he placed a ventilation fan at it, and then he succeded getting his levels down to 0.. So, I think the bacteria needs fresh air, and not the stationary old air / smelly air from the bakki shower to do well. that is why Iam not sure a closed bin will give the bacteria a good home to survive. ?? Or it might be the case that my pond is to huge and I have to little fish to get the water "dirty" so that the bacteria will have plenty of "food" to really get going and clean out the pond completly !

[@pondguru]

Filters shouldn't really smell but I can see that if its in a confined space that you could get a build up of the free ammonia in water which gases off in the shower building up in the air. The bin filter has to draw air in from around the lid through a vacuum effect since water is being pumped into the filter and exiting through the drain pipe at bottom - if it was a sealed unit the water would back up and come out the exit pipe in a similar way to a 2 litre bottle full of water being tipped upside down with air being gulped into the exit pipe to replace the water which had exited from the bottle (or in this case from the filter). Hope that makes sense - I'm sure the air around a filter would smell a bit 'fishy' if any filter was in a confined space.

[@electoplater]

put some carbon in it if it smells it show its working

[@thechannelivesetupbecausey3585]

Is that feeding directly from the pond? If so, you'd need to clean the foams every day to keep the bio-media from clogging. Otherwise you'll end up with a mess. What about putting some form of sieve/stainless mesh above the bio media? Or even above the foams? Keep up the great content.

[@pondguru]

In an ideal world you would feed the flow to a pressure filter to do all the mechanical cleaning then fill your shower filter completely with media. This video is really just showing what can be done with a bin and a few fittings for use on a small to medium pond. I will be making a 'proper' filter for my big pond soon.

[@thechannelivesetupbecausey3585]

Pondguru Hmmmmm. I have a pressure filter doing nothing round the side of the house. Easier than making a sieve. Great idea.

[@trevorgray6993]

Hi Richard. I have found A 30 and a 40 litre wheelie bin on line - they are both on castors as opposed to the 2 wheeled bins that you show but look like they will do the job. I will have a 5000 litre pump running via a UV into my pressure washer - would you expect this type of shower filter to cope with that flow rate ? If not any suggestions. Cheers

[@pondguru]

Should be fine as long as the outlet is around 2" diameter. As the water is going through a pressure filter that will do away with any need for foams in the shower filter so water should flow freely through it no problem.

[@frankiebattles7815]

What size is your holes

[@Pedro116092]

would there be enough pressure for the out flow rise up a pipe two foot and then flow into a raised pond. and secondly will this setup also do all the bio matter as well as the heavy matter I ask as I wish to set up one of this style filter syst on ground level and the side of the pond wall is two foot high

[@pondguru]

The water flows out by gravity so the outlet on a filter like his needs to be higher than the pond it flows into. A suitably sized shower filter will catch all the muck and process waste but it sounds like you need a pressure filter for your situation.

[@Pedro116092]

Many thanks for the fast reply and for your help regards

[@malsearle]

Will your new media be suitable for aquarium external filters ? Il be getting some for my pressurised pond filter to replace the bio bollocks that came with it

[@pondguru]

Unfortunately none of the biohome is really suited to being used in a pressurised pond filter as the environment is way too dirty for the media to be effective. Although the shower media will still work in an aquarium filter it is only sold in 10kg or 25kg amounts. It is slightly more dense than mini ultra or ultimate due to one of the ingredients of those ones not being able to be used in the shower media due to the production process and it also doesn't not have the same added trace elements . If you're looking to replace the plastic balls in the pressure filter then alfagrog is a great one for that purpose: geni.us/Il899

[@malsearle]

Pondguru thanks .. ive already got some cycled bio home ultimate mixed in the bio balls .. my pond is only 2.5 k litre and understocked , with all them home made bio and mech filters i built .. its pretty crystal . Ive just modified a powerhead and a corner sponge filter .. its working well . Il link u up as i know you love my catchphrase . Lol

[@malsearle]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqqkgoyvpN2Sgdk

[@pondguru]

Nice one, man.

[@jmp041]

Hello Richard, great video and thank's for the tip, one question really Richard would this system be adequate to run a 10 foot by 5 foot by 4 foot Koi pond i'm going to build in the spring? also would i need to run water through a UV before or after the filter. Brand new to this so i'm watching as many of your video's as possibly.... Cheers mate

[@pondguru]

Maybe the next size up (75 litres) would be more appropriate but as the fish will be small in the (growing on?) pond even a filter of the size shown here may be adequate - it all depends on stock.

[@laoji6743]

Why your pond water still not clear?

[@crewecarpangler]

do you even have any fish in that pond

[@tomcee589]

Hi PG, I am a newcomer to ponds and aquariums and I have found your videos very useful. I have just bought a 50 litre mini wheelie-bin on Ebay from zorotoolsuk for £26.39.I am thinking of fitting a rubber sealing strip around the inside edge of the lid together with a couple of fasteners to hold the lid down. Then I would like to run the bin as a pressure filter with your recommended filter media and sponge filters reversed. Then with the unfiltered pond water inlet at the bottom of the bin I would like the outlet at the top of the bin to feed a small waterfall before the filtered water re-enters the pond. What do you think?

[@pondguru]

In theory that would work but the media would be submerged which may not be as effective as if water was falling through it. If you have a couple of 2" outlets on above the media you should not need to fasten down the lid unless you intended to direct the outlet up above the water level in the filter. Also, the foams would be more difficult to clean if they were under all the media - for a true pressure filter it may be better to just buy a decent pressure filter ready made up with easy clean options.

[@tomcee589]

Hi again PG, Many thanks for your quick and very useful reply. I would like to direct the outlet approximately 18 inches above the top of the wheelie bin to feed a small home-made waterfall. Does this seem possible if I seal the lid? Its a good point that you make about the foams being more difficult to clean if they were under the media. However on Ebay I have seen special net bags for sale that can contain media. Would this be a good idea? I have not seen all of your hundreds of KZbin videos yet but already I have got the impression that there isn't a decent pressure filter to buy because they all rely on just foam filters. Am I wrong? Apart from that I am, like yourself, a naturally thrifty person and your wheelie bin filter idea should hopefully save me a few hundred pounds and provide me with a top class filter. Once again many thanks for your help and any more comments or ideas from you will be much appreciated. Finally could a Pressure Wheelie-bin Filter possibly be the topic of one of your future KZbin videos?

[@tomcee589]

P.S. Sorry PG but on line 6 of my last message I meant to say : 'because they all rely on just foam filters and plastic media'.

[@pondguru]

Yes it is a good idea to have the media in bags if it is the type of filter like a bin or barrel buried in the ground. I'm not sure a bin would make a good pressure filter as the sealing of the lid would be a problem. Ideally for a DIY pressure filter you would need a barrel which had a rubber seal around the neck and a locking lid. I can't find such a thing online but I know they exist and are made for chemicals. This is the nearest type I could find but doesn't seem to have a rubber seal: bit.ly/2qKmfy8

[@linda-bagobones75]

Could this filter be connected to waterfall plumbing?

[@ThousandYardStare]

(my other channel) since this type of filter relies on water falling though it by gravity the filter would have t o be above the start of a waterfall / stream leading back to the pond.

[@davidholliday5063]

Hi is there any difference in performance to a shower filter or just the same, thanks

[@pondguru]

Shower filters are great for reducing nitrate when plenty of good media is used and they do an excellent job of supporting bacteria due to the showering / wet / dry nature of them compared to standard box filters where media is submerged.

[@davidholliday5063]

Pondguru thanks