Homemade Bog Filter for Stock Tank Koi Pond

My 300 gallon stock tank koi pond needs a filter! I like the idea of using a bog with vegetation to soak up the impurities from fish waste. Here I construct one using a separate metal container to match the stock tank. There is a significant gap in filming between initial construction and final use... sorry 😐

[@jaswinderrayit5743]

Great design and idea , I would do away the gravel around the pump as it would just clog up occasionally and let the waste product go into the bog filter for the plants .I have a similar contraption and works perfectly well.

[@JinxDClown]

I'm sure you have fix the problem by now (im just now seeing this vid. great job by the way), but the way I turned my fish from bashful to human friendly was I started only feeding them by hand. I would first lightly tap the tank with my foot (EVERY FEEDING TIME) and then sprinkle just a minor bit of food in water, but leave my hand near the surface and even put it in the water while they fed around it. Then I started just holding the food and feeding it straight to their mouths. Now, they feed whether its by hand or thrown in, but they definitely like seeing me walk up to tank!

[@CANDIKONETT]

Isn't lumber treated for fire resistance? I would think that depending on the type of lumber it might cause problems with aquatic life. Maybe cinder blocks would be better?

[@endlessrandomprojects]

I am not aware of any chemicals in that lumber. It was standard white pine lumber that was grown and cut locally. I would think pressure treated lumber would be less desirable for the reasons you mentioned.

[@MissJnet]

You can buy the liner/ I think it’s a type of rubber, that you spray from a can onto the inside of the tub.

[@endlessrandomprojects]

I did that for this bog filter

[@insolentstickleback3266]

I hand feed my Koi, stick my arm in to the elbow and let the pellets slowly float up a few at a time from my fist. They always rush to the surface as soon as they see me. Swim through my hand and nibble on it.

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

How did this set up last? Is it still doing good?

[@joanneantonacci6727]

It was interesting to me that the pump was buried in a container with gravel. Did that slow the volume of water being pumped into bog? I have a pump feeding a waterfall filter but don't necessarily like seeing the pump in the water. Covering it in gravel would be more attractive.

[@endlessrandomprojects]

The bog didn’t slow down the pump. It was able to pump water into the bog fairy easy. There was plenty of open space within the bog gravel for water to pass through.

[@MiguelBonilla4340]

How do you clean the bog filter? Will the roots of the plants clog the pvc? I really like this and i believe im going to try this in the next few weeks.

[@endlessrandomprojects]

You don't really clean it. If the filter is running correctly and the plants are doing their job, all fish waste should break down and be absorbed by the plant roots. I actually only clean out the gravel in the filter box around the pump that pushes the water up to the bog filter.

[@MiguelBonilla4340]

@@endlessrandomprojects thank you. I believe I'm going to try this using mint and lemon balm.

[@endlessrandomprojects]

@@MiguelBonilla4340 those should be nice plants. Also, the more I think about it, any plant that is especially nitrogen hungry will do well in the bog.

[@wolfheartoutdoors2056]

Wonder if you can use carnivorous plants?

[@Mrsboncouer]

@@wolfheartoutdoors2056 theylike to get nutrients from bugs they get...not thru the roots so much

[@MicJaguar]

I would buy the good pond liner to drap in there. The black color will make the fish feel better. They fear birds and predators so that may be why they are always hiding. Maybe place some natural stones in the bottom and make a shelf for them to go under. When starting a pond its good to let the good bacteria grow first to establish a good environment. Maybe throw 1 or 2 dumb dumb fish first and some fresh water shrimp as little custodians of the tank. Fish tank rules say 1 fish per gallon but with larger fish maybe 1 per 5. Where did you get the water pump spigot thing?

[@Spinozin]

Did the wooden stand fair well after many years in the water? Many thanks

[@charlesmais4176]

I did a wood stand for 2 years in koi pond to hold up my upside down 30 gal fish tank I used as a tower. I had no issues with wood stand

[@marcelashagash5808]

Is that lily peace? Your filter loos very nice. Good work ! What about the stool where it sits, is wood, it will rot, or is temporary ?

[@pershop4950]

how well has the galvanized bucket lasted? i heard that galvanized tubs should be avoided for water use?

[@endlessrandomprojects]

Per Shop - correct. I sealed the tub with a rubber coating.

[@kimuseni]

Hows the tank doing? Update

[@endlessrandomprojects]

kimuseni just check out my other videos. I update KZbin every few months

[@jackwu3189]

🌱👍🐠

[@nilo2104]

May we know the update on this setup since the time it was built?

[@endlessrandomprojects]

I no longer have the stock tank koi pond. I sold it. The big filter always worked well. It certainly is a good route to go for filtration.

[@katinaricks3613]

I really love this !!!

[@rlee1068]

metal pond and filter?? is that a long term pond?

[@xoxoricaBBYxoxo]

Trap adapter fitting for where pvc connects to pot?

[@delgirl1780]

Hi which plants are the best to use ?

[@soledadlouis1]

Would this system work for red-eared turtles?

[@endlessrandomprojects]

Solee Tee - I have no idea

[@dylanhoover6386]

It should as long as you have a basking platform. However it would be best if you spend a little more money on a pond liner. The plastic he used to line the watering troft can release harmful chemical. Also be sure to condition the water by using dechlorinator or let the water sit for a week before you put any aquatic animals.

[@2Skinny]

Mixed feedback online regarding galvanized metal and fish safety. Any long term feedback regarding that?

[@endlessrandomprojects]

It’s not good for the fish. I sprayed the inside of the bog filter with a ceramic coating. Then I later lined the inside of the stick tank with a heavy plastic. That solved the issue of zinc leaking into the water. See my other videos.

[@FinallyMe78]

What plants are you using? You sure are getting close to aquaponics. :)

[@endlessrandomprojects]

Just random plants pulled out of my yard. The broad leaf ones are hostas, then there are two small mini rose bushes (very very small), and a couple other random ones. I may switch to something edible. Right now I'm just focusing on getting the bacteria balanced.

[@FinallyMe78]

My "aquaponics " system has turtles and non-edible house plants. I am trying to fill the room with plants to help filter the air, and using some to filter the turtles helps as well.

[@bevbub]

you need more plant in the pond - too much open space for the fish

[@endlessrandomprojects]

Bev Bubna these are adult koi that will eat most plants 🌱- I have filled the pond with Lilly pads which didn’t last more than a few weeks before being decimated.

[@blueeyeswhitedragon3102]

I think plastic would be better cuse thats gonna catch some rust.

[@charlesmais4176]

True they do rust. I coated mine and the rust is still coming thru the treatment

[@leod6590]

I would not submerge any treated timber - as chemicals will leach into water and affect fish - also the timber will rot very quickly with all the bacteria. If it is untreated timber - it will rot even more quickly submerged. Best to use some strong pvc piping and 90degree elbows to create a stand to be submerged. Otherwise it's a great bog filter. Namo Amituofo

[@endlessrandomprojects]

It was untreated lumber. It’s been a few years now and it’s still rock solid.