The ONLY thing you NEED for a CRYSTAL CLEAR POND

[@justkerry173]

I swapped the sponges in my filter barrel for 3 sizes of rocks and I'm absolutely amazed at how clear the water is now. I first found one of your video's a couple of years ago so it took me a while but worked a treat. Thanks Kev.

[@Ozponds]

Well done 👍

[@darcieclements4880]

As a biologist, it is delightful to see a KZbinr that understands pond ecology and is giving actual good advice ❤. It is exhausting seeing over manufactured artificial plastic systems being pushed while sitting on the sidelines jumping up and down yelling "adjust you ecological balance with micro habitat zones and well selected maintenance organisms!"in my head. "Noooo, not a giant empty drum with a plastic box in it ... No, no why are you cleaning the filter weekly, what are you doing?!" Lol.

[@robertbaker3174]

​@darcieclements4880 Hello,Darcie. Having the day off, I was grazing the internet and just found this. A water feature has been on my bucket list for a while, and I may be able to do this soon. Having kept planted fish tanks and some success with raising some fry, I am aware of a bit of this biological process. I found a book several years ago called Dynamic Aquaria. It was mind-boggling to verify the complexities of nature. Anyway,I had a lace plant seed and sprout over 90 plants. I have never been able to reproduce that. If you have any suggestions as to where I might find some information, I would appreciate that. Thanks.

[@glenpryce]

Good tip

[@thecluelessoutdoorsman916]

With my experience the sponges don’t clean then waste more of harboring it in the filter. The rock solution actually cleans the water which I’m throughly pleased with.

[@jorgen.zamora]

Very clear way to explain what aquarium gear sellers try to NEVER explain to people. thank you for sharing!

[@Ozponds]

My pleasure👍

[@sewerbat4634]

that's how business works, just like how they never explained how to get rich in school until you enrolled on a business course and figure it out for your self.

[@thepandemicequation7100]

A person who knows what he's talking about. Most aquarium edutubers just give instructions, but not explain the science behind it. This is a good channel. Subscribing...

[@samchanning22]

Hi Kev the bog filter is still going strong almost 2years now and have nearly 30 koi and 2 sturgeon and never have a issue was the best decision I ever made and watching you videos on how to construct one was so easy 👍 good to see your at nearly 50k in subs 👍

[@Ozponds]

I’m so happy mate. This is what makes it worthwhile. I love when people reach out and tell me that the videos helped them in their pond journey. Thanks for all your support over the years 🍻👍

[@rochelle6006]

👍🏼👊🏽

[@benjaminwillems8839]

How much liters is your pond? Just being Curious 😄

[@avinashsolankii]

Can you paste the link to create filter?

[@samchanning22]

@@benjaminwillems8839 16000Lt including filtration I do still run a EA nexus 220 for mechanical filtration with a uv off a bottom drain and the bog runs off my skimmer line.

[@pux0rb]

I'm glad I found your channel years ago. The detailed breakdowns and instructions were super helpful. I was able to build a bog filter in 2021 that was 6feet x 3feet and 3 feet deep. It flows out through a wide stream and is an absolute powerhouse of a filter that I only need to clean out twice a year. My pond water is always crystal clear, all the fish are healthier, and tons of native frogs populate the bog during springtime and breed in its shallow waters.

[@Ozponds]

That’s so cool to hear 👍

[@lyrebird9749]

I was skeptical when I saw the headline that this was going to be an ad. But instead it was excellent advice. Thank you!

[@davidogan]

Thank you. It is such a wonderful video and your pond is truly so clear! I don’t have a pond and I wasn’t even interested but YT recommended your video. I’m happy I watched it. Your voice and explanations were so clear and soothing as well. One day if I have a chance to build a pond, I’ll do what you said here. Thank you again.

[@Ozponds]

Thanks for your kind words. I wonder why KZbin recommended it to you. Hopefully one day you do get a pond, mine bring me lots of joy.

[@B30pt87]

Instant subscription! Thank you so much for this (and I'm assuming all your other videos too). This is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm so happy I found you!

[@Ozponds]

I’m happy you did too 😊👍

[@IamAnubite]

I am planning to make a pond for my 3 year old, thinking of making 2 parts one for 5-6 fishes and another for him to play inside , thank you for all your support ❤

[@Ozponds]

I’m sure you’ll create something awesome 👍

[@IamAnubite]

@@RTiff thanks for concerns dear, I respect it

[@foppo101]

Just a word of warning.Don't let your 3 year old fall in.Protect your child at all times.I wouldn't let a 3 year old near a pond only with complete supervision and never never on their own.

[@reneeb.2702]

Please do not build this unless very shallow. My mother’s neighbor lost her child in her small koi pond. Maybe wait till older. Kids can get away just a few minutes & are so curious.

[@carlinkag2525]

My dog accidentally pushed me into my dad's pond when I was five years old. Luckily I didn't knock my head so I could just stand up and climb out. The neighbours had a closer call with their escape artist toddler and their kiddie pool though. I'm sure you'll take all precautions though, because I really did enjoy that pond growing up.

[@jigglypuff57puff55]

There is another way to have clear water I use. I go to local stream which is overflowing with invasive pond weed, pull out large amounts and throw them in water and they filter it. These need to be changed once pond gets cloudy. Your way is by far superior though.

[@Ozponds]

It’s always good to have multiple options 👍

[@9catlover]

your pond is stunning

[@MandyJane123700]

I think of the bog filter as part of the pond. Yours are just as lovely as the pond itself, and that is my goal - to make my bog filter a beautiful functional plant growing part of the pond. I'm trying out a couple different plants this year, I've got hydrocotyle tripartita, bacopa, water sprite, and rotala. I hope the hydrocotyle will take off and shade the top of the bog a little, plus it is so interesting to look at. I haven't had much luck with water sprite in the bog, but it grows like crazy in baskets in the pond, maybe I will have better luck with it this year.

[@Ozponds]

Thanks Mandy. I’m quite sure your bog and pond are incredibly beautiful. Thanks for always commenting and supporting my efforts 😊. Good luck with the new plants. It’s always trial and error 👍

[@JustinThorts]

Why would anyone dislike this video ? The information, like with all your videos, is excellent. Clearly rivals are jealous 🤣

[@Ozponds]

Theres always a few people with a bee in their bonnet. That’s their problem 👍

[@khakicam5400]

It's the Aquascape guys who want to regularly sell bacteria to people

[@AlexaY82]

Could just be people teaching the algorithm what topics they don't like. The dislike then isn't really criticism, just a "not for me" signifier.

[@Ozponds]

@@AlexaY82 I guess that’s true.

[@steveburke7675]

...ppl in the pond maintenance biz.

[@bizzybee852]

Thanks great info I had never heard before. Usually it is someone showing you what you need to buy.

[@MrJamesdeanhunter]

Hi Oz Ponds! I built a bog filter in my goldfish pond in a 55-gallon food-grade plastic drum. The whole process was super simple, following your instructions, including the open overflow fitting just above the waterline, (as you explained, to prevent a back suction that would drain the barrel in case of a power outage). This has dramatically improved the clarity of the pond water. THANK YOU SO MUCH! However, within a month, I noticed the volume of water drilling out of that open connection increasing significantly, indicating to me that the large to small rocks were getting plugged up wit silt increasingly blocking the passive circulation through the rocks. I tried backwashing it out the bottom valve, (installed according to your plans with an elbow down from the drain valve. to about a 1/2" above the bottom surface of the barrel, but little silt had accumulated there; little came out with the water. A week later, I drained it again, this time going down the silt rocks from above (I KNOW< likely washing away much of the beneficial bacteria). Within a month, the open anti-siphon overflow began again to increase, like before, so I blocked the overflow, (cancelling the intended anti-siphon feature) forcing all the pumped volume of water to be forced through the layers of rocks, before draining back into my pond. Will this negate the beneficial effectiveness of the bacteria-coated stores? Is it normal for the anti-siphon to increasingly bypass circulation through the rock layers? Is my top layer of rocks too small, (I used two bags of approx. 3/8" decorative stones). Will the bog filter still work optimally if I force all the pumped water to circulate up through the rocks before draining back to my pond? I see many small holes across silt that covers the surface of the finest top layer of stones? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

[@Ozponds]

It’s pretty normal for some water to come out the breather hole, hence why I often add a valve or an elbow and some vertical pipe. Don’t overthink the sedimentation, monitor the pond, if the pond is going fine don’t worry about the biological processes inside the filter they are humming along. If you drain the filter you won’t be losing too much bacteria as they are clinging to the surfaces, as long as they don’t dry out many will remain inside the filter.

[@readmachine18]

My offering to the algorithm gods, this is wonderful and helpful content 😊🙏

[@Ozponds]

The alter of the algorithm thanks you 😊👍

[@francus7227]

I love looking at your creations. Thanks again. Now I'm off to tap the thumbs up 👍 button to feed the algorithm monsters.

[@lugnutt7375]

I believe you meant "off to tickle the thumbs up button" cuz kev.

[@francus7227]

@@lugnutt7375 Yes.... Noted.

[@Ozponds]

Champion 👍👍

[@Ozponds]

😂👍

[@Chilled_Mackers]

Commenting so the matrix puts the video infront of more people, superb video as always chap. Soon I will have all the fittings to make my mk2 bog filter, my test bog filter made the world of difference - thanks to you and your channel.

[@Ozponds]

Legend! Can’t wait to hear how the improved model goes 👍

[@suemacdonald9623]

Your videos are always helpful and simple to understand and makes total sense especially in these often complicated times we live in these days

[@Ozponds]

Thanks, that’s very kind of you.

[@suzannemoran7281]

Thanks Kev , another great video . I really appreciate your diagrams of the bog filters. 😊❤ Your fish are very sweet.

[@Ozponds]

The cormorant came back😞. The fish in this video have left us. At least some of them. There might be a few still hiding but I haven’t seen any for a few days.

[@suzannemoran7281]

😢😢😢

[@allsearpw3829]

Great video , kept ponds for 50 years now . Only changed the water once in that time .

[@Ozponds]

Perfect 👍

[@thegooddoctor8479]

I have a stream with assorted sized rocks. It's been keeping the pond clear, but I have lots of leaves and other sediment that I can't keep up with. The pond displayed in the video is beautiful. Great info. Thanks.

[@KC-tg4mk]

Great Video on easy ways to create a clear pond. Thank you for sharing

[@Ozponds]

You bet 👍

[@LyleDyland]

Clams are a very cool organism to add to your ponds as a filtering mechanism, especially if you have a multi-level water fall feature. You can even put them in plastic frame crates to move them around or keep them confined to a specific area.

[@Nedw]

Just be careful not to introduce any invasive clam/mussel species where you live

[@NicolaBrown-wo2bq]

Thank you for your video. My dad built a beautiful very natural looking pond but I'm struggling to keep the water clear. He also put a small stream area in and once I built up the strength ( my dad unfortunately died ) to uncover the stream area I didn't really know what to do with this . Now I do it will make a great biological area . Many thanks.

[@Ozponds]

Sorry about your Dad. I hope you can get it all fixed up.

[@derekiswriting4288]

Thank you for this channel. You are the best pond resource on the Internet. I put all of your advice on filters and plumbing to put in a bog filter next to my little pond and for the first time in years I have now figured it out. Water is crystal clear, easy to maintain, and the fish are happy and healthy. Thanks again.

[@Ozponds]

I’m so glad 😊👍

[@MiniLuv-1984]

This is an amazing channel as is your web site - full of information, suggestions, guides. Thank you very much.

[@Ozponds]

Glad you like them. I was hoping it would help people. 👍

[@ElJefe0720]

Greetings from the states! Thank you for the informative video. I'm planning something similar in the next few years and this video helped clear up a lot of things for me. Thank you!

[@Ozponds]

I’m glad it helped 😊👍

[@robertyboberty7495]

This video, a rain barrel and some stone is transformational and will be a turning point for new ponders like me.

[@mariofilippi3539]

Thanks, I've heard of Zeolite before, never knew how it was used.

[@laurelscott4466]

Thank you so much, Kev. I’ve just discovered you & although I have a small pond system, it wasn’t working well. I’ve been scratching to find a solution Brilliant, now I know which way to go. So grateful for your generous sharing of I formation. Torquay/Vic.

[@9Rizla9]

Having a bog filter for 1 year now and wow, just amazed by results. I have around 10 koi and now the water is crystal clear, I'm still amazed. I used to clean the barrel filter ever 2 weeks and never had water quality even close to what it is now, hell I could barely see my koi.

[@Ozponds]

Great to hear 👍

[@beautifulwings8042]

There's a large run-off pond on my parents' property, and duckweed takes over every year. I hope to manage it a bit this year, and finding your video was very helpful.

[@elizabethdg]

Duckweed is a super food high in protein. I keep trying to grow it

[@ryanluan4225]

I have a bog filter for my turtle tank and it's been running for 5 years, I agree with you.

[@DebiRose062]

Thanks matey. Clear, concise and with the ability to diy. Very much appreciated.❤

[@danutilasciuc]

Nice work! This is taking care to understand, respect and make use of mother nature to your advantage. This is what is needed in an aquarium too, understand the phenomena, watch it carefully and play with natural processes.

[@tdhtran]

Very interesting topic. I don’t do any of these (ponds, fish tanks,..) but I love to know how they keep their tanks so clean. Thank you

[@Kari-0503]

Extremely the most educational video I have found in this topic. I appreciate this explanation!

[@Ozponds]

I’m glad it was useful 😊👍

[@tanyabecker1249]

So glad I came across this video before attempting our pond. Thanks so much for this wonderful advice about the bog filter and providing the reasoning behind it. Makes perfect sense 🙌

[@Ozponds]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with your project 👍

[@sonjanordahl3158]

Kev this was an excellent explanation of the nitrogen cycle. No math to scare off new-be's. They can delve into the math once they get the concept. Again, well done.

[@Ozponds]

I remember how confused I was at the start. Still learning 👍

[@johnhoyle6390]

I've moved to a farm in the rural Ozarks. Sewage was done via a 22' diameter 'Sewage Lagoon' as is common in this region of the rural Ozarks. I've now had a Septic tank system installed. Now I have the decrepit old defunct sewage lagoon pond. The general practice is to fill these in following conversion to a septic tank system. But I'd love to somehow convert this into a clean scenic pond? It would be quite a transformation and I'm sure no easy task. Still I wonder if this is possible.

[@Ozponds]

As long as there’s no sewage now should be pretty straightforward. Good filtration, let the bacteria and microbes work their magic.

[@billyandrew]

This popped up in my feed, so thought I'd have a squint at it. Glad I did, as I've learnt something new. I live in a tenement building, in a city, however, if I ever win the lottery I'll buy somewhere out in the country and create a crystal clear pond, now I have the knowhow. 😂😂😂 Thanks for uploading!

[@Ozponds]

I hope you do win the lotto 🤞

[@AmandaDragmire]

i encourage you to go have a look at prices in small villages around 600 people or so. away from cities. you might be shocked at the prices and be able to stop dreaming and start doing. I miss the city life sometimes, but then just today, i set up my pond for the year. so theres that

[@alekjuskevice]

An you put a play pool on the roof or something?

[@bobprivate8575]

This same concept applies to aquariums as well, with undergravel filters- except water flow is usually top to bottom instead of bottom to top.. If outdoor space is completely out of the question, maybe you can an aquarium.

[@pattiannepascual]

❤🙏 I pray for a miracle every day to move to the countryside, will keep you in my prayers

[@katesmiles4208]

I have been saved by small stock in my ponds. Just as you said, the water was always crystal clear. This worked with my old 5m x 4m x1m large backyard pond to my new 3m x 1m x .4m one. My small pond has no mechanical agitation but a healthy ratio of surface area compared to depth, and a couple of hand fulls of frog friendly fish with plenty of plants and snails have produced the same results. Next to no maintenance and beautiful water quality. Love it ✅️

[@Ozponds]

Perfect 👍

[@heartbeatbandke]

My pond(mini dam) is from a moving stream that has been dammed.how can i turn it clear enough for people to swim

[@2654tyrepower]

Kev Hi, I too have ditched the sponge filters on one of my self made filter barrels now using a gravel filter and water so clear and clean.

[@Ozponds]

Nice 👍

[@miakreta685]

Thanks!

[@Ozponds]

Thanks so much 😊🍻

[@elgar6743]

I don't have a pond or am I interested in getting one...and...having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed watching your video as I found your video educational and VERY interesting. Thumbs UP!

[@Ozponds]

That’s very kind of you.

[@San-qs5ef]

Hi. I love your videos. Thanks. Just wondering if you have any advice to protect the filter from snails? Thanks.

[@Ozponds]

I have videos on how I position my pumps in skimmers or intake bays. I also have videos on how I prevent the pump getting clogged if it’s in the base of the pond. I hope they help 👍

[@bogglesbiggins1101]

very helpful thank you. Building my first pond as I type

[@crushlogic]

Don't get dirt in your laptop...😋

[@Ozponds]

Great to hear. 👍

[@bogglesbiggins1101]

@@crushlogic😂

[@bogglesbiggins1101]

@@Ozponds Pond is now fully finished, had fish in for 2 weeks now and water is still crystal clear, although I'm expecting a few changes as the pond gets established. Just wanted to say a huge thank you for your videos and website, my project was 80% made from information from you, and was built for about 10% of the cost someone would have quoted me. Thank you!

[@Ozponds]

@@bogglesbiggins1101 great to hear. Just remember there’s probably an ugly stage coming.

[@johngarth1]

Great advice... how do bog filters work where it freezes in the winter where we have to shut pumps off ?

[@Ozponds]

I have no first hand experience in this. My assumption is that it’s perfectly fine as the biological activity in the pond over winter is also dormant. In spring start it all up again and off you go.

[@eloisecamire3741]

If you search for “how to winterize a pond” you will get great explanation. From what I found most northern ponds will get a clean in spring to manually remove string algea, they are active when the bacterias are not yet, and then as soon as the water temperature rises to around 10c the beneficial bacterias will be active again.

[@CopperheadCustoms]

Glad I found your channel mate. Thanks for shaping

[@DennisDolan-fl3mw]

When I moved 4 years ago I left behind a 30 x 50 pond and an 800 gallon koi pond. I miss them and am getting anxious to build another koi pond.

[@Ozponds]

It’s very relaxing watching fish.

[@Fiverkoi]

great job mate, really explained how bio-filter works. but for a heavy load koi/fish pond you might need other mechanic filtration, such as a drum filter.

[@Ozponds]

Yes. High fish loads will need additional removal of waste.

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

Having done aquaponics with fish and biological filtration that in turn feed the water back to my grow beds as nutrients for the plants and then periodically it is drained back to the fish, I'm a firm believer in this. I have a large catfish my granddaughter caught about 3 years ago and I've had it in a tank over winter, when the top froze over to summer when algae and extra warm water compete for oxygen. I finally brought it into the house. One reason it works is I never totally do a full cleaning. The filter stays mucked up until I rinse the excess off or maybe change the charcoal filter. This all keeps the tank very clear. My next challenge is a duck pond I dug. We have clay soil, so it holds water pretty well, but I need to either make a plastic barrel bio filter and maybe even a small bog to clean it. I'm hoping with both ducks and geese swimming in it and doing their business that I can actually clean it and get rid of the summertime algae bloom.

[@Ozponds]

Good luck with your project 👍

[@andydipi]

Grazieeee! In 3 giorni il mio laghetto si è ripulito alla grande, ho anche un sistema blasonato ma non basta; con questo sistema l’acqua è diventata limpidissima! Super!!!

[@Ozponds]

Great to hear 👍

[@Sahy89]

Hi, so idea mixing the downflow bog with air pump ( david pagan buttler, but to reverse the process he has shown) and upflow bog. Idea was to implement air output at the bottom of the bog(those perforated hoses to watter your garden), and let the watter move up with only help of air, but conccern is if the watter will be moving fast/slow enough, and if the direct output of air in bog does not kill the bacteria.

[@Ozponds]

Air won’t kill the bacteria.

[@Sahy89]

@@Ozponds Thanks, so to now use small barrels to build test, if air draft through rocks will be enough to pull in watter and move it up.

[@Ozponds]

@@Sahy89 I’d love to hear your results 👍

[@LordRubino]

This is beautiful! Amazing pond

[@kuttysankar1401]

Just found your channel. Excellent. With love from Kerala, India.

[@Ozponds]

Welcome aboard 😊👍

[@brycepanter4768]

Hi Ozpond! I've been using this same concept to clean grey water from homes! Loving nature

[@Ozponds]

That’s how I started my water filtration journey 👍

[@hermanhale9258]

Then what do you do with the water?

[@brycepanter4768]

We reuse the water for flushing toilets; or for watering home veggie gardens

[@hermanhale9258]

@@brycepanter4768 I thought the grey in the water was good for plants?

[@FinancialPrepper]

Great video. I'm building a pool inside my three acre pond. Sounds crazy but we enjoy swimming in the pond. We don't enjoy the perch eating us alive. The brim here in Louisiana are vicious. I was going to set up a filter a lot like what you do to filter the water going into the pool, from pond 3 the filter into the pool creating a positive pressure of clean water that will displace the dirty water trying to leach in from outside . my worry is it's going to grow algae inside the pool. Would ultraviolet light filter help. And the ideas?

[@Ozponds]

UV will kill suspended algae. It won’t kill all types of algae.

[@jerrychetty2524]

My bog filter has canna lilies but the problem is the rooting system is very invasive thereby restricting upward flow from the manifold piping. Still working but flow is bit slower

[@Ozponds]

Yes the canna is great at consuming nutrient but those roots! Boy oh boy do they get thick. Here canna go dormant in winter that’s the time to dig it up.

[@christelfleet6189]

For locations with winter freeze up. Is the barrel filter run year round? I have an air pump that keeps an open space that vents the pond. My pond has a natural bottom. Previous to installing the air pump, I had a massive fish die off one winter when the pond was frozen over for weeks.

[@Ozponds]

If it would freeze solid it obviously cannot run all year. If you experience such temperatures there’s no need to worry, I recently made a video on the bacteria during cold winters 👍

[@ingridmcfarlane8348]

Great job sir. I just followed ur instruction and made one, I will know tomorrow how well it works.

[@Ozponds]

Best of luck!🤞

[@ingridmcfarlane8348]

@@Ozponds iT WORKS fantastically...and it's been 2 months now since we have been using it. A small pump, a small dust bin, and a few plumbing fittings, some stones and voila. Happy fish, happy husband, happy pond ( :

[@Ozponds]

@@ingridmcfarlane8348 great to hear 😊👍

[@byrdhemenway369]

Love this video so so so much What can I do for super high salty water?

[@Ozponds]

You could maybe do a brackish system. Salt doesn’t evaporate.

[@byrdhemenway369]

@Ozponds ya my well water is super salty there are rims of salt around my ponds

[@Ozponds]

@@byrdhemenway369 I wonder if you can get mini desalination. It’s not something I’ve looked into. But if the fish are happy, who cares.

[@byrdhemenway369]

@@Ozponds great point the fish I have seem to like the water they are always making babys

[@byrdhemenway369]

I have been planting reeds and cat tail in the ponds they seem to eat the salt or something make it inert. Pr help the ponds in some cool way they have really helped me have clean water

[@Firenzelove24]

Brilliant information as ever, thankyou! I am still working on my bog filter after semi success last year. I suspect part of the issue is that I run it on a (powerful) solar pump so it's not on all the time. would you agree?

[@Ozponds]

Filters should always be in action 24/7

[@75blackviking]

Just found your channel and subbed, Kev. Thank you for this extremely important content.

[@Ozponds]

Thanks for the support 😊

[@brycedaw7105]

I'm just wondering if you have a video of the filter part in the water so it don't suck up the little fish?

[@Ozponds]

I’ve done a few vids on how to position the pumps it depends on the size of the pond how that’s configured. If it’s a small pond there’s a video titled something like how to protect your fish fry. It’s one of the early videos I uploaded to KZbin. If it’s large look at my diy skimmers or intake bays 👍

[@luimackjohnson302]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing this video. Greetings from Madang, Papua New Guinea!

[@Ozponds]

You’re most welcome 😊👍

[@mattywillo23]

What does ongoing maintenance on a bog filter look like to remove the excess fish & organic waste?

[@Ozponds]

I’m about to flush my bog in a stream for the first time, it’s at least 2 years old. If you scroll through previous videos you’ll find the maintenance process on my different bog filters. Hope it helps 👍

[@jessicaandtrains7768]

Very interesting. I fish a very small lake. The water is very coloured throughout the year and just recently oxygen was dangerously low for the fish. Id love if the water was gin clear.

[@Ozponds]

It’s nice seeing in the water but deep dark water is nice and mysterious.

[@Sunshinegardens55]

Thanks for the tips..Cant wait to get a pond ❤

[@Ozponds]

Have fun!😊👍

[@jsmith8646]

Great video mate your ponds looks amazing!.

[@StepDub]

I don’t mind duckweed and other stuff obscuring my pond water. I used to spend time and effort in cleaning and filtering but I learned that it helped to hide the fish from the heron. I think that a layer of duckweed might look like grass from the air. They also nibbled the duckweed when I was on holiday.

[@LeeERose]

Duckweed and other floating plants can actually help with algae as well by blocking sunlight from lower waters.

[@tenguokoku]

Hi, Kev, I just found this video, and then started galloping through several of your other videos, and your website - everything looks so fantastic, you are providing such an AMAZING amount of info for *everybody* !!! I laughed at a different video with the bucket of fish, and the water clarity be maintained primarily by K9 powered water changes LOL ! I have come back to *this* video (even though it's 3 years old), with a question about something you said in *this* video, and I was searching all your other videos and your website trying to find out more about it. I even tried searching Google for various combinations of keywords, and could not find anything relevant. In your video, above, you mentioned that if you don't have an electrical power source to power the water pump, near where your water feature is going to be, that you can use "an air line" to pump the water ... But that's all you said about it. Have you already explained more about this somewhere else? I have been looking *all over* your videos, for some reference to how a line filled with air, could be used to pump water, in some kind of recirculating-stream/waterfall creation, and all I can find is references to basically artificially oxygenating water for fish - pumping air into the water, at the far end of the tube, and that's it. I did find an "AI" summary, that basically said an air line could be used to siphon water downwards, or could possibly be used to "lift" water upwards using compressed air and suction (it didn't explain how), but it went on to say that this was typically used just to introduce oxygen into the water element, not to actually *pump and move* the water. If you have already explained this somewhere at length, can you please tell me where? And if an "air line" can really be sized up to handle a recirculating stream and waterfall, how to you set it up, and calculate the sizes of ... whatever parts and equipment are required ? Thanks much! I hope you see this comment/question, partly because I hope you might answer it, but mostly to say how grateful and amazed I am at ALL the FANTASTIC information and detail you provide, and how clearly you explain things, and how easy you make it all, to understand !!! Many, many thanks !!! -Lauren

[@Ozponds]

I use an airstone on my dream pond. The aerator is 30m from the pond. The air is pumped into the pond via a garden hose. In terms of creating an actual circulation pump using air that’s a bit more complex to construct and not something I’ve built. “Bubble pumps” are pretty straight forward, that’s your keyword to search. “Airlift pumps” should deliver more flow, another keyword. Good luck 👍

[@tenguokoku]

​@@Ozponds Thank you so amazingly much for replying !!! I really appreciate it ! And so fast ! Thanks for telling me the better keywords to search for - I've never heard of them, so I never would have found anything relevant. 😊 You are so terrific ! I subscribed yesterday and wandered in all directions through your KZbin videos, she was in awe of the careful lesson plans laid out in your website. It's going to be a couple years before I can start building water elements, but I took lots of notes, and will be coming back to everything you've so wonderfully explained, then ! Many thanks !

[@Ozponds]

@@tenguokoku I’m happy you’ve found my content useful. I want your water feature to be a success 😊👍

[@tenguokoku]

​@@Ozponds You're awesome ! Thank you ! One of the reasons I laughed out loud at your other video where you explain that your method for keeping the water clear in your tiny little fish bucket water element, was because your dog was drinking from the bucket and helping with the entire water exchange process... I had just come from a lecture and workshop on making your own water element, on Saturday morning, and while the lecturer and workshop staff were focusing on recirculating *waterfalls*, the lecturer tossed off a comment about how you could use a liner to make a recirculating *stream*... Literally just one sentence about that long, adding that a shallow stream requires less digging than a kit with a waterfall element in the middle of it, where the support base with all the equipment has to be dug out and hidden on like a foot or more below ground level (although he went on to mention that you could avoid digging altogether, by putting the entire kit base and waterfall element on top of the ground and just surround the unsightly parts with flowers and plants, or even put it up on a table, with whatever decorative plants, or bricks, or whatever you wanted, to hide the plastic waterfall kit base) ... Anyway, a miniature babbling brook is something I have wanted to create - with a waterfall - even if it's all tiny - for many, many years. Later, I was enthusiastically talking about the lecture and workshop with a friend, and he mentioned that he and his wife have a tall fountain in their winter home location in Arizona - they got it free, from a professional landscaper friend, who gave it to them because his client was just throwing it out - and that landsdaper mentioned that you need to constantly *change* the water out, not just add more to compensate for evaporation, because otherwise the unevaporated salt which remains, results in mineralization crusting everything over. I have sheep, and goats, and flock guardian dogs, and therefore I already have automatically filling water troughs with float valves in them, which automatically let more water in, up to the desired level, when the water level drops low enough to make the float bob drop down, and open up the water line, until the water level rises back up high enough to lift the float bob back up into place, to block any more water from coming in. I have *never* seen any mineralization in my troughs, and the water here is very hard. Right now, I guesstimate everybody is drinking about 25-35 gallons a day. So, that's about 1/3 of the main 75 gallon trough I think they mostly use, although there are two others that size. But I figured that's a pretty high percentage of water exchange *daily*. The water is always crystal clear. Mulling that over, and being lazy, I wondered, if I built my "stream" correctly, and of sufficient size, so that my sheep/goats/dogs could all drink from the "stream", and if I added a regular stock tank float valve to the end of the waterline feeding the stream, wouldn't that solve the entire water exchange process concern for the recirculating stream and waterfall? I mean, it would, in essence, be the same water supply situation I have already, only a lot prettier, more aesthetic, and more fun. So, I was feeling pretty proud of how clever I was, to imagine solving the water exchange maintenance and mineral buildup problem, that way, and also creating a low maintenance water feature, and also having my cake and eating it too, with having a very enjoyable recirculating stream with a waterfall... Combining all that with simultaneously providing water for the stock... I wasn't sure the idea would work, but it *seemed* like it should. I was feeling pretty clever... Also, the *recirculating* water probably wouldn't *freeze* like the water troughs sometimes do in the winters here... So... another problem solved. Then I came across your video where you, with the help of your dog, were doing exactly the same thing, in miniature, basically in a *bucket*, and I laughed out loud with delight. It confirmed my idea would work? ...Doing water exchanges, thanks to your dog! It still makes me laugh. Anyway, thanks again ! It's going to be a couple of years before I can move and start in on all this, but, I intend to come back and really dive into all your tutorial content *then*, for sure ! 😃 Thanks again ! -Lauren

[@Ozponds]

@@tenguokoku I think you’ll create something really special.

[@loriwest610]

So beautiful.❤ My cat likes listening to these videos 😄

[@Ozponds]

😂

[@lornapenn-chester6867]

Questions!!!!… does this system work outside of a tropical environment? Like the U.K. or ireland? And does it clean the water well enough that a pond could be for swimming as well?

[@Ozponds]

Yes and yes.

[@bryanshaw38]

Great video. Thinking of making g a bog. Regarding the pebbles. Can they be placed in a net bag like a Landry net. Would this affect the bacteria growth.

[@Ozponds]

Shouldn’t be a problem.

[@bryanshaw38]

@@Ozponds thank you. Can I just also please ask. I plan to have water coming from two different sides of the rock waterfall due to the slimness it will be due to room. I planned on have two outlets from the big filter. As long as the filter is dead level and the outlets are cut exactly on the same level do you think this will flow ok. I’m not interested in fast flowing water. More like a trickle of rocks and eventually into the pond.

[@Ozponds]

@@bryanshaw38 sounds like it will work.

[@alanzurliene461]

My pond water is beautiful and crystal clear after following your advice. I can now see that some of my fish have issues with their eyes being swollen or having a film over the eye. I am not sure what to do? do you have any advice? Thank you Kev

[@Ozponds]

I’m not very knowledgeable about fish issues, sorry.

[@tabithaelliott6855]

This is amazing. We have a 3 acre farm pond and algae accumulates at the shallow end. Would it be possible for us to build something that would be effective for a pond that large?

[@Ozponds]

Too expensive for a bog filter. I like the idea of floating wetlands in large ponds.

[@tabithaelliott6855]

@@Ozponds thanks I'll look that up!

[@JamesfromBreezy]

Hey Kev. I'm collecting rainwater in whiskey barrels and am looking for a way to constantly filter the water. The main purpose for this water is for use on the Garden when it's dry. Do you think a bog filter would work inside of the barrel?

[@Ozponds]

A bog is my favorite method of filtering water, but I think in your situation all you need to do is put a cover on the barrels, that’ll stop mozzies and algae taking over your water.

[@KawakebAstra]

volume almost inaudible on iPhone maxed speaker ?

[@Ozponds]

First person to say that in over 400k views. I just checked on my iPhone, no issue.

[@dont.ripfuller6587]

How effective would fresh water mussels be for this?

[@Ozponds]

They are a good addition. If you want clear water I wouldn’t be relying on them alone.

[@dont.ripfuller6587]

@Ozponds cool cool, thanks for replying.

[@Dani-n6y7m]

Very helpful..thank you from the green mountains!

[@Vineetp1980]

I have a pond which is 15 feet deep during monsoon but water lessens during summers,, my question is if one blue barrel would be enough to create a biological bacteria bog to counter a pond this big size. Nicely explained, never knew a thing about pond care

[@Ozponds]

Your filtration should be based on the ponds use and volume.

[@Vineetp1980]

@@Ozponds it is a walled pond mainly used as a swimming pool for people and has fishes, frogs and turtles

[@wiliamsantana572]

That's gold information here, thanks!

[@llbailey9946]

dumb question.. what do the bacteria turn the nitrogen into when they process it? I understand the algae and plants use it to grow more and bigger, but what do the bacteria do with it?

[@Ozponds]

Same thing. Consume energy, grow, reproduce.

[@dont.ripfuller6587]

Look up "the nitrogen cycle" 5 minute cartoon by Jim Sol. It does a fair job of explaining a complex subject pretty simply.

[@carole2077]

Hi will this help natural stream that gets stagnant every year in summer?

[@Ozponds]

You can filter any water body just depends on how much time and effort you’re willing to put in.

[@kaf2303]

Very well explained, I have a Aquaponic greenhouse I built a fluidized sand bed to give nitrifying bacteria a home, it works great. I think I will set up a bog filter for my pond soon, Thanks for your informative video, cheers 🍻

[@Ozponds]

Sounds great!👍

[@bo_392]

5:38 i made something similar with 5 gallon bucket of lava rock (for a small pond), works great. no flush valve necessary. who would have thought keeping the water crystal clear is so easy? no need for expensive filter media or a UV filter. thanks kev.

[@Ozponds]

Perfect 👍

[@shakeval]

Have to agree, I use red lava rock in my canister filters for several of my aquariums, cheap and effect with plenty of surface area for the bacteria.

[@nannimanfrin8420]

I wonder if this could be made to work with a ram pump

[@Ozponds]

It can work with no pump. Just need the right balance.

[@nannimanfrin8420]

​@@Ozpondsso I'd need to keep the filter and pond levels equal? And what happens in winter, like when it gets to be -10? Thanks so much for the responses. Your such a positive person and I think your solutions work better than the typical constant drain, clean the bottom and replace the water models

[@Ozponds]

@@nannimanfrin8420 there’s always lots of variables. I try and show my approach and am open about how I build and maintain my ponds. The hope is that people can use that information to figure solutions to help them in their ponds.

[@SOuLSANCTVARY]

Thank you ❤❤❤ Now we know how to do these

[@johnfleming5545]

HI, Can I use a large sturdy plastic pond which has been out side for the last two years and filled with rain water and has small round floating plants on the surface for a eco pond for fish that you have recommended in your video? Thank you Jack

[@Ozponds]

Sounds like it’s probably already a nice little ecosystem.

[@watchdogu.s.a.8973]

Hi... thanks for the very informative video. This is my first time seeing your channel and I'm now a new subscriber. I'm in the early stages of planning my pond. I live on a lake and my backyard pond will be only 20' or so from the edge of the lake. I have been thinking about pumping water in from the lake and back out to the lake to help maintain a good water temperature. Is this something that would be helpful, based on your experience and expertise? If so and if I do this will it be possible to filter the water in such a scenario?

[@Ozponds]

It’s not something I’ve ever done. I would just focus on filtering the backyard pond.

[@watchdogu.s.a.8973]

@@Ozponds Thanks... is water temperature not a concern? I live in central Mississippi and it gets pretty hot here. I'm planning somewhere around 200 square feet and around 2 feet deep.

[@solidfuel0]

The information I needed, thanks. But does this prevent frogs from invading the pond?

[@Ozponds]

No frogs will come

[@solidfuel0]

@@Ozponds why not?

[@Ozponds]

@@solidfuel0 well why would clear water prevent frogs?

[@solidfuel0]

@Ozponds because there is no alge to feed on? So is your answer that frogs will come no matter what? Or no they will not come?

[@Ozponds]

@@solidfuel0 there’s still algae, diatoms and biofilms. Plenty of tadpole and fish food. There’s just no single cell algae which turns the water green.

[@olunelum1]

Excellent video and the pond water looks amazing! Thank you

[@Ozponds]

Glad you enjoyed it👍

[@majorbrighton]

Thank you for your tips. Was also wondering what plants to go for; given that the filters top area will be a feature to enjoy. I was going to try to keep it uncomplicated or natural and have two Iris with a little cress in patches. I know the Iris will do well in a clay soil, but will the clay be a bad idea for the top. Of course I have to leave open shingle? I was also wanting to pump the water from the bottom of a "Skimmer" yet that will have to somehow dictate the water level. I think that I will have to raise the bog up a little, so that it can run back to the pond. Will the filter work better with less pressure and if so, should I use a smaller pump from the pond directly. Then have the main pump at the bottom of the skimmer run water to the waterfall and stream? What do you think? p.s. Oh one last Q. Do you think a wall/barrier made of cement blocks, maybe home made ones, then rendered with strong cement will be waterproof enough?

[@Ozponds]

If you watch more of my vids, I’m pretty sure all your questions will be answered much more effectively than I can in the comments 👍

[@EmInMI80]

Does it freeze where you are at? This kind of filter looks perfect for my dad’s pond, but we are in Michigan and I think it would be tough to keep running in the winter.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

@@EmInMI80 turn it off in cold periods

[@markecgazda3880]

Is this working like that ceramics peaces in fish tank? Im having them is my fish tank, and I was told that good bacterias are growing on micro ceramic pores

[@Ozponds]

Exactly the same.

[@NikLyons]

I'm in North Port Florida and looking to learn about creating ponds and natural pools. Any recommendations? TIA

[@Ozponds]

I’ve put out plenty of content and there’s plenty of others also. Just find someone who’s style resonates with you and learn from them 👍

[@johnmichaels4330]

Will this work for a natural pool? Im wondering if people swimming would necessitate a larger bog filter. It would be nice to have a clear pond to swim in. My fish pond isnt very clear, but plenty of fish. Lol

[@Ozponds]

Yes it can. There’s formulas I like to use based on pond usage. Others have different styles and opinions. Find someone that resonates with you and follow their teachings 👍

[@binashraf]

Ive got a bio filter and bog filter etc. The water itself is crystal clear but i still have loads of string algae growing on all the sides of the pond and on the rocks and even on snails shells. I pull it out now and again but can never get rid of it. Ive got water cress, hornwort and pond weed growing in the water too but the string algae always overtakes. How do i get rid of it?

[@Ozponds]

I’ve got lots of thoughts on string algae. Too many to write in the comments section, you can scroll through my previous uploads and see different ways and approaches I’ve taken in the past. I hope you find something that works for you 👍

[@Eh_177]

Appreciate the video m8, looking to make a duck pond so a video like this helps a ton

[@Ozponds]

Good luck with your project 👍