Simple DIY 5 gallon bucket pond filter (pond filter build)

This is a build video on a super simple 5 gallon bucket filter. This can work for a pond, aquaponics system, and etc. very easy to build.
Visit my channel here: www.youtube.co...
Amazon parts for filter build:
Uni seal: amzn.to/3rCuGu4
Filter pad: amzn.to/3KvlErk
Finer filter mesh for center: amzn.to/3rMud8y
5 gallon bucket: amzn.to/3rMNyqc
Lava rock: amzn.to/3KG2jUn
Amazon:
Uni seals: amzn.to/3e5QeXF
Matala Filter pads: amzn.to/3bU9w0L
Bulkhead fittings: amzn.to/3d671db
Fish food I use:
amzn.to/3gAErT4

[@vonponics]

If you are confused on how the water enters the filter watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4iadZWbrt6ooKs Apparently I didn't make it clear in the video. But for those who do not understand the water enters at the BOTTOM of the bucket then moves UP through the sponges and out the top. (The water DOES NOT enter at the top and just go out the top PVC.) The black pipe that is connected to the pump goes to the bottom of the bucket. All the water enters at the bottom of the bucket. And to repeat as a result the water moves up through the sponges then goes out the top PVC. So therefore the sponges capture the gunk and clean water exits the bucket.

[@LushWisdum]

Why dont you show where the hose enters the bottom of the bucket ???

[@vonponics]

@@LushWisdum The black hose is just draped over the side of the 5 gallon bucket as see at 8:25 until the end of the video. The black hose runs down the side of the sponges and to the bottom of the bucket. Which I unfortunately did not express in the video. If requested I can make a video showing that detail and post it in this thread, which I might possibly do even if not requested.

[@antoniosanford4675]

I love improvised projects. This is great stuff.

[@danielwykowski6069]

There should be the drain at the bottom returning the water to the pond/ tank. The water will follow path of least resistance bypassing all the sponge and lava stone.

[@mattt4080]

Nice video! Ducks a very messy too, which is why I’m watching your video and looking into putting a pump and filtration system in soon. Dumping out a kiddie pool every other day is unsustainable.

[@TippleNwister]

How funny that’s exactly why I’m here

[@MyDuckSaysFucc]

Did you get it to work lol? I can’t imagine you did. Koi or turtles is one thing… ducks, no way! Waterfowl are absolutely filthy, not only crapping constantly while swimming but the way they sift mud into the water. With my ducks and geese we don’t dump the kiddie pool every other day, most of the filth is mud and they put that in there within 10 minutes of cleaning. Duck ponds will always just look dirty!

[@mediag4506]

I would be interested in a follow-up of this filter. I don't see how it's very effective when you're not getting the water from the bottom one it's gone through the filter. Looks like you're just outputting the water that's just coming in.

[@vonponics]

I can see I recorded some videos on it when I took it apart some time ago, but forgot about it and never made a video on it. So I can go through it and see what I can do. But either way the water did go through all the sponges. The hose goes all the way to the bottom of the bucket. But now that I skim through the video again I don't think I mentioned that anywhere. You can see the pipe draped over the bucket at 8:35 and it goes straight to the bottom of the bucket. I didn't have it setup for to long but it did the job I needed it to do.

[@vonponics]

Here is the follow up video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2ixfamDlrt0iM0

[@carlwilliams9771]

It's not done Proper the water is simply going straight into the out put pipe it's not passing through the filter everything is sitting on top

[@vonponics]

@@carlwilliams9771 It seems like u are not understanding how it is set up. The black pipe that is attached to the pump that is putting the water into the bucket. Goes all the way to the bottom where the lava rock is. So the water then has to move up through the sponges and then out the the top where the pvc pipe is exiting the bucket. So as a result the water goes through all of the filter sponges, and is therefore filtered. It seems I didn't make it so clear in the video, but it is a simple concept. The water enters at the bottom and comes out the top.

[@Stacy_SJA]

This would actually work for my pond… it’s a stacked barrel pond, but I need a filter.

[@trapaholicgovernor8861]

Very nice simple video will follow your steps setting up my first bucket filter for my 300 gallon pool pond thanks man

[@RickyL305]

How has it honestly worked for you since your build?

[@trapaholicgovernor8861]

Everything is working great no leaks fish are happy and growing rapidly thanks

[@RickyL305]

@@trapaholicgovernor8861 may I ask you what pump are you using for yours? And can you put the link below . I have the materials to do the build but trying to get my indoor and outdoor set ups ready for winter. Please and thank you.

[@RickyL305]

@@trapaholicgovernor8861 I have a pump I use up to a 850 Gph that can be adjusted but realized a bit to late and they killed two of last year's season baby turtles. Now that I am accustomed to them I was going to try it with this but totally unsure just yet.

[@wildanimalkeeper]

Thought this was a great video easy to follow and understand. Thanks

[@LadyRealEstate75418]

This is an Add -on to question a few minutes ago. I need this for outside . I am using on an outdoor bird waterer with plants & a couple of minnows to eat mosquito larvae. Thanks again!

[@vonponics]

Check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4iadZWbrt6ooKs

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Awesome build

[@GreymsView-ix8yi]

A great video my friend - I make all my own filters they are way cheaper easier to clean and I think work better. Ended it my friend I subscribed

[@tee_pierce6]

Great vid think imma try it

[@auntsharpy3672]

I would lift the rocks and sponges leave a gap at the bottom. Pute a pipe attached to your pump hose. Feeding the water to the bottom that way the water has to go threw your media and up the sponges leaving only clean water to come to the top leaving the muck at the bottom.

[@joshuabuergi9029]

I'm surprised that no one's mentioned yet that the internal dynamic of the sexy fish notates the accessibility of the work.

[@mdk2066]

Give the guy a break. He's not a mechanical wizard, but he gets things done. Quick tip, though, the hole saw has a set screw on the side to replace the bit - tighten it.

[@vonponics]

Thanks But ya that's what's messed up with it. It's been tighted to many times that it expanded to where an alan wrench doesn't work anymore.

[@mdk2066]

@@vonponics Should be able to get a new set screw from the hardware store. Good luck.

[@HansonFishFeeds]

Thanks for the video. Please, what's the size of the pumping machine?

[@vonponics]

The pump used in the video is like 60 gph. But better to use a stronger one. Like 500 gph

[@mangofever4681]

The water from the pond should come in from below the middle of the bucket with a 90 degree elbow to allow the water to swirl around and you need only 1 sponge filter on top. You will also need a drain on the bottom to get rid of the poop water and a grate for the sponge filter to rest on. You could also use three 5 gallon buckets, one for swirl filter, one for bio balls and last one for sponge or fine filtration. You could squeeze the sponge daily without worrying about the good bacteria.

[@vonponics]

Those are entirely different filter builds. This is meant to be a super simple build that only requires one hole being drilled. The hose from the pump goes all the way to the bottom of the bucket, then the water moves up through the sponges and out the top. This is a perfectly simple filter to build that is effective. To clean the filter all you do is carry the bucket somewhere else and dump it, then rinse of the sponges in a bucket of pond water. I purposely didn't add a drain to keep costs down and simplicity of the build. Yes if you want to build a more effective pond filter then you would have multiple buckets with different stages of filtration for different purposes. For different size particles as well as for beneficial bacteria to attach to. But that wasn't the purpose of this video. The purpose was to show how to build something that anyone can build without much effort. I do have other filters on my channel you can check out, such as swirl filters, radial flow filters, and moving bed bio filters. And I do plan on making a simple three 5 gallon bucket filter build video later on.

[@PagingDrSwiss]

To fill the hole u could have used and cut up the unused blue ring

[@vonponics]

That would have worked, but I didn't want to cut the filters pads incase I used them for a different filter setup.

[@mikehaines5467]

Pillow batting

[@pant49era17]

If doing it that way u should of had your outlet at bottom of the bucket so the water filters thru the media. The way it is now the dirty pond water is running right out of your outlet it’s not getting filtered

[@vonponics]

The water enters from the bottom and exits out the top. So the water gets filtered through the sponges before it goes back into the pond. See my pinned comment if you are confused.

[@strugglejennings7215]

Gotta get another bucket and new hole saw

[@erickborling1302]

Any non plastic solutions? I regard this filter as a failure due to the plastic.

[@LadyRealEstate75418]

Hi. I am so new to this… I need more info if you can 1- I did not catch ur name 2- In reference to the white pipe & the hose,, please explain in a sentence or 2 .. which is intake & which is getting water back to container of turtles. I like to hear & see. 3- Please explain a little on what size ( how do you talk size of pumps) of pump you have & what are you changing to & how does it connect to filter equipment? THANK YOU I hope you are still around because I need this info soon.

[@vonponics]

Check this video out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4iadZWbrt6ooKs

[@carlosbenevides4723]

What kind of silicone did you use ?

[@vonponics]

Just some normal aquarium silicone like this. amzn.to/3MZbGlw

[@RickyL305]

I purchased everything you stated for my outdoor albino turtle pond for after winter however regarding your pump you bought there as a 160 ghp in which it seems like you have a different pump in your pond that you said was just laying around in which you remarked was weak. Why don't you put at least a 850 gph filtration with a similar philosophy for a hell of a lot less money? I just purchased everything needed plus two 850 gph pumps for $56 dollars. With sub adult to adult turtles these are great but for baby babies, the suction is so strong due to the pump power extra precautions need to be taken of course. I had these pumps for some time now but increasing my indoor tanks for winter cold snaps. You need a stronger pump for that by far.

[@vonponics]

I did have a bigger pump lying around that I ended up using later on.

[@RickyL305]

I ended up going with a 850 ghp pump with a custom 3 gallon internal acrylic filter so that I could easily see into to know when I must change the filtration padding itself for my 100 gallon albino turtle tanks but I admire your system overall all together.

[@jackmcjunkin506]

Please tell me the model number of the Laguna filters I have the exact system and I ordered filters and they are way too small so I need the model number for the Laguna sponges to go inside the bucket please and thank you

[@vonponics]

Here is a link to the ones that I used in the video amzn.to/3KvlErk

[@cremaboriqua_official]

Should have made the hole at the bottom and feed the water through the top

[@hoanghuynh8160]

You have a hole saw to make a perfect but didnt want use it. Not theres possibility of leak byt dont want use silicone and instead a hot glue gun lol

[@qxq-]

ha ha, thats the oddest filter I have ever seen. Better to start over

[@therealjclap]

The water never went through the filtration 😂😂😂😂😂

[@armandmora1232]

Where buy blue sponge???????????????😢

[@vonponics]

amzn.to/3KvlErk

[@JohnnyLobes]

Here is everything you need.... None of which I have on this table

[@temujinkhan6326]

might as well just buy a complete filter which will cost the same as this

[@roberthinchee3021]

You aren’t filtering anything. The water needs to run through the sponges. You should’ve run the pipe to the bottom and then the pressure would’ve pushed the water through the sponges and then come out of you hole from the bottom up. The only thing that is being filtered are heavies that fall to the bottom. Turn your pipe over and run a pipe to the bottom of the bucket through the middle of the holes in your sponges.

[@vonponics]

Unfortunately I did not make it clear in the video, but the black hose from the pipe does already go to the bottom of the bucket. So the water therefore moves up through all the sponges and out the top.

[@Hoveton9513]

Stop holding your camera. The shots are all over the place. One can not concentrate on what you are discussing long enough before you cut to another shot. Use a tripod.

[@stuardoruano5776]

I don't know why you decided to make like this because all durties return into aquarium or pond . Water has throughout sponges and filtration biological media and then get out opposite side.

[@vonponics]

It seems like u are not understanding how it is set up. The black pipe that is attached to the pump that is putting the water into the bucket. Goes all the way to the bottom where the lava rock is. So the water then has to move up through the sponges and then out the the top where the pvc pipe is exiting the bucket. So as a result the water goes through all of the filter sponges, and is therefore filtered. It seems I didn't make it so clear in the video, but it is a simple concept. The water enters at the bottom and comes out the top.

[@stuardoruano5776]

@vonponics I understood how it's worked. Putting in pvc and out pvc near to them doesn't work. Water has to through those filtration media. Water always goes quickly way so. This case old school isn't worked as you think. All durties came in and came out to the filter. Water never goes around and makes a cycle into the bucket. Small and medium particles return to the pond or aquarium. It might be that big particles stay in the bucket

[@vonponics]

@@stuardoruano5776 Again either I am not following what you are saying or you are not understanding the design. The water does not go in and out the pvc. The water is pumped to the bottom of the bucket (not the top but the bottom) and therefore has to move up through all the sponges then go out the bucket. So as a result the sponges capture the waste/ gunk suspended in the water. It will catch most of the medium and large particles, as for the small ones they can be removed through water changes. This filter is not designed for all stages but as an all-around filter that has surface area for beneficial bacteria as well as the ability to capture solids. Super simple design water comes in the bottom has to move up through the filter sponges and then out the top pvc pipe. There are many ways to set up filtration this is just a simple easy to set up 5 gallon bucket filter that will get the job done. If you want more advanced filtration then you would have multiple stages of filtration for the different size particles. In either a bigger filter tank or in multiple filter tanks.

[@gunsite45]

Yo, the water needs to actually flow through the filter media. In yours in comes in the top and spills right out again. The outlet needs to be at the bottom AFTER passing through the filters. This design is not optimal to put it politely. Please, those reading, do not follow this design

[@vonponics]

Just FYI you should probably read my pinned comment or the other comments. This is a super simple filter build where the water enters at the bottom and exits at the top.

[@andrzejwolder9819]

😂

[@LushWisdum]

I dont think you know how a filter works, waste of time & material.

[@vonponics]

LOL I guess this design is too simple for you to understand how it works.

[@LushWisdum]

@@vonponics me & so many others if you read the comments lol.

[@LushWisdum]

@@vonponics me & so many others are stupid. Right at the beginning of the video you say only 1 hole is needed lol

[@vonponics]

@@LushWisdum Yes I have read and answered all the questions addressing my negligence in not expressing this specific detail in the making of this filter. Yes as stated in the video there is only one hole drilled in the bucket. (I could have drilled two holes but to keep it simple and keep the cost down there is only the one hole. Which is the output.) When editing the video, the input hose is not something that crossed my mind. However as seen from 8:25 until the end of the video you can make out the black hose draped over the side of the bucket. Which then runs down the side of the sponges and to the bottom where the lava rock is. And this is where the dirty pond water enters the filter. The water then moves up through all the sponges. Which as a result filters out all the gunk. Due to me not noticing this important detail that I left out in the video. I have spent time answering all the questions so that other confused watchers can read the comments and understand their confusion.

[@vonponics]

From this video I now know to pay attention and try not miss out any important detail.

[@jonathanflud492]

Where did you get the round filters from?

[@vonponics]

amzn.to/3KvlErk The other stuff is also linked in the description

[@bigworm516]

You shouldn’t make anymore videos. Thank You

[@ayrdic1910]

Could you tell me what size pond this can work for?

[@vonponics]

so it really depends on how many fish you have and how much you feed them. But I would say max 500 gallons. And depending on how much fish and feed would determine how often to clean the filter. This was just to show a super simple build. I would go with a three bucket filtration system to get better filtration. But otherwise this would do a decent job.