Making a Home Made Up-flow Filter

This is how I made a custom Up-flow filter to try and catch 'fines' from the pond and increase clarity.
The approximate costs for building a filter using 150mm and 110mm pipe are:
150mm Filter
£39 - 1 x 1mtr length of 150mm acrylic clear perspex tube
£03 - 2 x 20mm (approx) lengths of 110mm pipe
£32 - 2 x 160mm to 110mm rubber adapter
£20 - 2 x 110mm to 1½" rubber adapter
£ 8 - 1 x 1½" rubber T-connector
£15 - 2 x 1½" valterra valves
£ 4 - 5 x 1½" straight connectors solvent weld
====
£123 = Total
110mm Filter
£33 - 1 x 1mtr length of 110mm acrylic clear perspex tube
£20 - 2 x 110mm to 1½" rubber adapter
£ 8 - 1 x 1½" rubber T-connector
£15 - 2 x 1½" valterra valves
£ 3 - 3 x 1½" straight connectors solvent weld
====
£ 79 = Total
Where I got the parts from
Acrylic Tube - Trent Plastics do 110, 150 and 200mm acrylic tube at 500mm and 1 metre lengths
www.trentplast...
160mm to 110mm rubber adapters - For a massive range of rubber reducers and adapters covering a big range of sizes and combinations I used JDP
store.jdpipes....
I got all of these fittings from my local Koi shop
110mm to 1½" rubber adapter
1½" rubber T-connector
1½" Valterra gate valves
1½" straight connectors solvent weld - Toolstation
www.toolstatio...
I got the mesh to keep the media in the tube off eBay. Cut it to size using a wire cutter.
www.ebay.co.uk...

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

I do very much like this idea might have a little play and try one on my pond

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks James. You would be able to do away with your filter floss. This unit does the same thing. "Thank ya mutha for the rabbits!". Stay safe. Subscribe for more upcoming videos.

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

@@northernkoikeeper512 I have mate keep up the good work

[@andrewkelly3387]

Nice impressive

[@ItsWhatIDo]

Just been trying to find some acrylic pipe and nearly everywhere has sold out. Only place I can find is the plastic shop and they only sell it in 2m lengths. I'll have to keep searching or buy more than I need.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Everywhere seems to be sold out due to demand and Covid-19 I presume.

[@TelfordKoiPond]

Great video, very interesting. Looking forward to seeing it after the air pipe is inserted.👍😊🐟🈲

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. It's coming soon!

[@abstractkoi9088]

Really great idea. It looks like a very good imitation of the new EA Tempest filter;) Cheers mate!

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. I couldn't believe it when the EA filter came out as I have been meaning to make one of these for ages now. Great minds think alike!

[@danieldavis9946]

Just wat I was thinking🤔, wack some k+ in bingo job done 👍👌🤔

[@Wrighty]

Great build mate. A lot quicker build than mine lol. Will be interesting to see how they work. Well done mate. take care and stay safe, Terry.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks Terry. I like to think I've made it so easy for anyone to put together one of these regardless of skill! Lets see how well it works. Keep ponding...

[@jiffsterkoi]

Great build think I will make one to go to my shower 👍🏼👍🏼

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. Easy to make and results are amazing.

[@greenmachinesweden]

I like your filter room! And the new filter adition looks great. Thank you.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the nice comments. More videos coming soon.

[@grahamsmith6083]

Absolutely brilliant 👍👍

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thank you Graham! Cheers!

[@countrykoipond]

Just subscribed. These type of filters seem popular at the moment and you have done a good job of making a diy version. 👌

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the sub! Yeah I had planned on making one after one of my friends was trying out different designs for an up-flow filter.

[@ObligateFailure]

I really like the look of this! I love DIY filter stuff!

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for your kind comments. It is so simple to make.

[@martinpembroke591]

me too

[@andycox3862]

Great job matey thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks Andrew. I enjoyed making it and I'm glad you like it. More videos coming soon.

[@colinsharp1314]

Great job, I think it's going to be a great filter top work

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks so much Colin. I hope it's gonna work well.

[@progressivepondkeeping]

Awesome build mucka, thanks for sharing 👍

[@northernkoikeeper512]

You're welcome. I like your channel and always watch the new updates that you post. Keep at it.

[@progressivepondkeeping]

@@northernkoikeeper512 thank you , I'm going to have a look through your videos see what I can learn as I see you are a koi wizard 👌👍

[@KoiRun50]

Superb. I think that should work really well before the shower.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. I'm hoping so. I will post another video when I'm doing a clean/purge.

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

I really enjoyed that

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@richardfrost1026]

Hi mate can you tell me where you got the big tube from please

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Richard I have put links to ALL of the parts I used in the description. Let me know if you need anything more.

[@markalan8517]

Looking like a diy Tempest filter .good job

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks 👍 I've just posted a new video showing how well it performs.

[@mark5tytshort770]

Just subscribed brilliant videos Just what we all want keep up the good work 👍

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for subscribing. It's good to know that you enjoy the videos. I've got more planned so keep watching!

[@rossblack2666]

Great video and links for the tube 👍 I’m going to try this

[@northernkoikeeper512]

You're welcome Ross. I have put links to ALL of the parts I used in the description. Let me know if you need anything more.

[@globby480]

Hi there may I ask please were you bought the 200mm to 110mm rubber reducers thanks

[@northernkoikeeper512]

This company holds loads of different adapters store.jdpipes.co.uk/adaptors-reducers/

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Fantastic. Nice built similar to the Tempest. It will work great I am sure. I think before the shower is just fantastic. The only thing I would say (sorry I am a shower and media freak) , if you built it to catch the fines, then smaller media like K+ being smaller is better. Also, as the K+ is coated with with minerals and salt, it will mature quicker. But it looks really good and it's longer than the Tempest. Can't wait to see the update.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the lovely comments. That's a good idea about K+ media. I might have a go with that.

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

@@northernkoikeeper512 I might have a go too at some point and follow your amazing instructions. Thank you and keep safe.

[@andrewdavies5103]

What a great idea and cheaper than the one evolution aqua are bring onto the market i think its called the tempest filter and will cost at least £250+. There has been problems with the micro k1 and all the little bits of plastic in the media even after a good rinse.love the video keep up the good work. Cheers Andrew

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks Andrew

[@marekskoipond9083]

Looking good, be interesting to see how you get on. Just subscribed.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the sub Marek. Yes I'm always amazed at how much it traps. In my opinion though it needs agitation for 10/15 mins with air stone before emptying it.

[@marekskoipond9083]

@@northernkoikeeper512 just seen (wrightys) version, before he installed it, I wasn't convinced it would work, but seeing how much yours and his collected, I've just ordered acrylic tube and top/bottom rubber adapters.

[@IcenI_Koi]

Great idea, always wonder why EA never put some sort of agitator in the Tempest, best spending £249.00 on one and looks great.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Yeah I'm not convinced their method of agitation is enough to clean the media. Would be an easy thing for anyone to add though using a Uniseal, air pipe and an air stone. Invalidate the warranty though!

[@martynward3536]

Thats a great build idea, just what I need before my shower as a pre filter. what flow rates are you putting through it? Would save on cost of a EA Tempest and can be cleaned better when required.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

I'm putting around 3-4,000 lph through a Varipump. I've just posted my cleaning video where you will see how easy it is to clean by loosening 1 clamp.

[@martinredfern3171]

@@northernkoikeeper512 is the flow rate not too slow for a Bakki , these need a high flow rate over the media

[@mykoiobsession]

Nice take on a DIY tempest filter. Larger than the EA version and about half the price as well. Couple of questions: What type of media will you be using - K1 or the new K+ ?, Where did you get that T-shirt you are wearing? I love it

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the kind comments. I plan on using K+ media in the new one I'm gonna build. Currently has Hel-X media. The T-shirt was a Christmas present so I don't know where it came from. There are loads of custom T-shirt suppliers on the web who will do whatever designs you want at a pretty reasonable price.

[@garyneo2259]

great video

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Glad you enjoyed it Gary. Watch out for more to come soon.

[@JrKung_Pung]

Great work , will copy this :) How much media in the pipe? Best regards:Andreas

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. Certainly copy it. I filled the tube with media to about a third of its volume.

[@koilife4143]

Just out of interest how did you spend making this? Be interesting to compare this to buying a tempest? Thanks great work

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi. You should find the part list and costs in the description

[@koilife4143]

@@northernkoikeeper512 thanks

[@martinpembroke591]

before i saw the end of the video, i thought about returning to bakki shower,can i feed from the pond,or does it have to be filtered first

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Martin. It's best if it's filtered first as it's good for removing what your filter cannot (the fines) however it's okay to go straight from the pond but you may have to clean it more frequently.

[@martinpembroke591]

@@northernkoikeeper512 thanx mate,i could tee from the sieve filter,i will send you a video when ive finished it,just waiting for parts

[@ianhearne6696]

New subscriber and wish I had seen this (and wrighty’s) before buying the tempest - lol next time will do some diy research

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks Ian. From what I see the Tempest does work. There's nothing (except the warranty) stopping you from adding air agitation to the Tempest.

[@diddygreen5077]

Top video 👍Does it have an impact on your Flow rate

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Not that I've noticed. It is on a separate pump of it's own after the moving bed at around 3,500 l/h, then over the shower.

[@mickelliott4583]

Nice job, but I think the costs above need working out again?

[@peterfinkill8098]

Thanks Mick. Why do they need revised?

[@mickelliott4583]

@@peterfinkill8098 Hello again, I just thought that at £15 for 2 the Valterra valves were cheap? I have ordered the bits to build two.. I found a place to get the tube from as I am going to use 110mm, I have 2 ponds both about 1000 gallons and I think 110mm will be ok, this place: www.clearplastictube.co.uk do 700mm lengths for £19 +vat, so I have ordered enough for 2 filters, and may even run 2 side by side and see how that works out, maybe with a Y splitter with valves on the input so I can clean one at a time, and also take the out puts to different places, shower, Anoxic bed etc. I will let you know how it works out. Cheers. Mick

[@mickelliott4583]

@@peterfinkill8098 Sorry that company also do circles, that could be drilled as Wrighty has done, £2.50 each for 110mm.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Sounds good Mick. You should video it and upload to KZbin.

[@allanlocke5420]

TRENTPLASTICS have not got 110mm clear pipe any other ideas for pipe !!

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Try SimplyPlastics Allan. www.simplyplastics.com/catalog/acrylic-tube/clear-extruded-acrylic-tube/c-24/c-81/p-216

[@shaungoldsborougb4385]

Can i ask where purchase the clear pipe

[@northernkoikeeper512]

I got it from Trent Plastics.

[@terencespeers5276]

Love it 👍

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks 😁

[@richardfrost1026]

can you tell me where you got your 1mtr length of 150mm acrylic clear perspex tube

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Richard. I have put links to ALL of the parts I used in the description. Let me know if you need anything more.

[@mark5tytshort770]

How much did it cost without media please

[@northernkoikeeper512]

The approximate costs for building a filter using 150mm and 110mm pipe are: 150mm Filter £39 - 1 x 1mtr length of 150mm acrylic clear perspex tube £03 - 2 x 20mm (approx) lengths of 110mm pipe £32 - 2 x 160mm to 110mm rubber adapter £20 - 2 x 110mm to 1½" rubber adapter £ 8 - 1 x 1½" rubber T-connector £15 - 2 x 1½" valterra valves £ 4 - 5 x 1½" straight connectors solvent weld ==== £123 = Total 110mm Filter £33 - 1 x 1mtr length of 110mm acrylic clear perspex tube £20 - 2 x 110mm to 1½" rubber adapter £ 8 - 1 x 1½" rubber T-connector £15 - 2 x 1½" valterra valves £ 3 - 3 x 1½" straight connectors solvent weld ==== £ 79 = Total Where I got the parts from Acrylic Tube - Trent Plastics do 110, 150 and 200mm acrylic tube at 500mm and 1 metre lengths www.trentplastics.co.uk/acryl... 160mm to 110mm rubber adapters - For a massive range of rubber reducers and adapters covering a big range of sizes and combinations I used JDP store.jdpipes.co.uk/adaptors-... I got all of these fittings from my local Koi shop - 110mm to 1½" rubber adapter - 1½" rubber T-connector - 1½" Valterra gate valves 1½" straight connectors solvent weld - Toolstation www.toolstation.com/solvent-w... I got the mesh to keep the media in the tube off eBay. Cut it to size using a wire cutter. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4pcs-Grid-...

[@mitchfaulkner4092]

Can you add link for where you got acrylic tube 👍🏼

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Mitch. The Acrylic Tube is from Trent Plastics Ltd. They do it in 1 metre lengths from 10mm to 200mm tubes.at very reasonable prices. www.trentplastics.co.uk/acrylic-tube-rod/acrylic-perspex-tube

[@CBersPond]

Great video 👍 Looking forward to the next video once you've added the air stones. Much cheaper than those EA Tempest filters.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks. I will be using the air to agitate the filter media when I empty/clean the filter.

[@THEKOIPOND]

Hi were big pipe from as the don't sell it at 39 on the website on your video

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi. I have put links to all the parts in the description. I also can get it from eBay.

[@deano6187]

Where did you buy the tube? I can only find small lengths

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi. Thanks for watching. I get all my acrylic tube from Trent Plastics. They do various sizes in 500mm and 1metre lengths. They are also on eBay. I use the 110mm, 150mm and the 200mm tube, www.trentplastics.co.uk/acrylic-tube-rod/acrylic-perspex-tube

[@deano6187]

@@northernkoikeeper512 great thanks are you from Newcastle? I'm thinking of doing 2. I have a prefilter i made before my shower I'm thinking of adding 2x up filters after the pre filter and before my shower. It pumps 1500litres per hour though so I'm not sure it will cope but I'll soon find out

[@adamrudge6480]

Can you get more flow through these d.i.y versions?

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Adam. The flow through the DIY UpFilters and the Tempest is really down to the user. Experiment with a few different flows until you find what is best for you.

[@richardfrost1026]

hi i need your help ive ordered 7 160mm to 110mm but always get the wrong size the 160mm size is a lot bigger than 160mm i can fit my finger in with the tube is there a part number i can look up on the site you got them fromplease

[@peterfinkill8098]

Don't worry mine was the same. When you tighten it up it does create a water tight seal. Try it out.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Yes it does work when you fully tighten the clip. The rubber moves a lot.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Alternatively this rubber reducer would be tighter. store.jdpipes.co.uk/135-150-100-115mm-mission-rubber-adaptor-coupling/

[@mitchfaulkner4092]

Brilliant !

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks Mitch

[@andrewmason2879]

Were did you buy the clear type from mate

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Andrew. The Acrylic Tube is from Trent Plastics Ltd. They do it in 1 metre lengths from 10mm to 200mm tubes.at very reasonable prices. www.trentplastics.co.uk/acrylic-tube-rod/acrylic-perspex-tube

[@andrewmason2879]

@@northernkoikeeper512 cheers pal 👍

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Hey my friend.. Long time.. Hope all is well.. This is going to be cool.. Hey I like it.. You got skill. Don't be a stranger and drop by

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks! You too!

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

@@northernkoikeeper512 Drop in.. I have new vids if you have the time

[@w.k.pitsallaboutthefish6460]

Excellent idea mate I might do one in the summer... Have a look at my videos and please let me know where I could fit it on my set up. Cheers Wayne

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Hi Thanks for the comments Wayne. I'll have a look at your channel and check it out. I will let you know what I think.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Nice channel Wayne. You would put an up-flow filter just after your pump and before your UV. It should then catch the 'fines' before the water goes through the UV.

[@MuhammadYaseen-yd7bc]

Hi how do you put an air valve in this?

[@northernkoikeeper512]

- Hi Muhammad. If you watch a later KZbin video on my channel called "Bigger air pipe agitation on UpFilter" you will see the new air pipe which is based on JG Guest 15mm pipe which can be bought from Toolstation. I used a 15mm tank connector www.toolstation.com/jg-speedfit-tank-connector/p55227 Drilled the correct size hole in the acrylic tube then heated around the hole with a heat gun (or hair dryer on hot) until it started to go soft, then fitted and tightened up the tank connector while it was still malleable.

[@projectkoi7822]

Top job mate. This is basically the new EA tempest buy for a fraction of the price. Great idea putting it before the shower. Tim done a video of the tempest a few weeks back but put it in place of the shower instead which I didn't agree with. But having it before the shower would work well IMO. Be interesting to see what it takes out. Out of curiosity how much roughly did it cost to make?

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for the great comments. I have put the approximate costs above in my description for the various parts.

[@startyourkoijourneywithme7159]

Better off just buying a tempest

[@peterfinkill8098]

If you cannot build your own then that is a good idea.

[@northernkoikeeper512]

Thanks for watching 'Start your koi journey with me'. Always an option.