Up-flow bog filter vs down-flow bog filter

[@paullill5604]

Can I just say a massive thank you, after watching your videos I built my mum an up-flow bog filter earlier this year after she had been struggling with green water for years, after a month of being used she has had so many comments on how clean the pond is you’ve saved hours of work and added hours of enjoyment

[@Ozponds]

That’s great. It really makes me happy when I get comments like this. It makes sharing my experiences worthwhile, knowing it helped someone else. So thank you for letting me know.😊👍

[@TheDrillMaster001]

We have a large pond here in Florida and it's constantly green/brown. I have worked hard to learn how to eliminate the massive algae buildups we would get throughout the summer and I seem to have accomplished that with a rather crude setup that I want to expand. I learn everything from watching your videos. Thank you so much.

[@Ozponds]

I’m so glad I helped in some way 😊👍

[@kenmcguire2427]

This is by far the best channel for home built ponds. I have designed my plan based on everything I learned here.

[@Ozponds]

Thanks Ken. I’m glad you’ve found it helpful 😊👍

[@allysonh6410]

Awesome, Ken !!🎉🎉❤🙌🏻 would love to see it

[@kenmcguire2427]

@@allysonh6410 it is just a drawing and parts list right now. I will make videos of the build when it happens. (But it may be a year or two.) 🙂

[@praveshgaire3437]

the water glass example made it so clearrr

[@stefanovanenio]

I have a 20 foot by 15 foot pond that is about 5 feet deep and crystal clear water, I mean when I drop my gopro in it doesn't look like there is water at all, just a load of flying koi, this is completely down to a bog filter. I took inspiration from oz ponds! I do though, harvest rainwater and drop in 3-400 gallons in every week or two. I have calculated the cost of the bog filter including plants to around £1200. If I were to use an off the shelf filter with UV etc I would have been looking at £2500minimum. Plus I get massive satisfaction at creating my own little ecosystem. Thanks Oz ponds!!!!

[@Ozponds]

They really do work. That’s why I go on and on and in about it. Thanks for letting us know your experience 👍

[@allysonh6410]

I so wish I could understand this but I’m convinced you’ve got it figured out!! One of these days I’m gonna have a small creek through my backyard emptying into a small pond so I’m gonna keep watching till I figure it out 😊🙌🏻 Your Dream Pond is Gorgeous!!! Would love to see more of it Great job!!! Thank you!

[@Ozponds]

I’m trying to upload 1 short a week. I’m sure the dream pond will make many appearances.

[@PYGolf]

Omg when that "oh damn I'm going down the rabbit hole" feelings kicks in

[@karlroyston8453]

I think your theory on pond filters is spot on, im currently using a down flow , with pump in the pond returning to the bog filter and being distributed using a 12ft spray bar. I have had this pond running for 5 year's and the only maintenance has been removing the autumn leaves . Mu pond is 5 thousand gallons of which 2 thousand is bog filter, 8 x 16 inch koi live happily, I've never changed the water only topped up in the summer due to evaporation. Karl from Ireland

[@Ozponds]

Sounds like a great setup 👍

[@marnez390]

I think the earth purifies the water from the same upward method, so this definitely makes sense. 👍🏻 Thanks for sharing

[@4doorvip]

Both my bird bath and container fish pond have been loving the upflow wetland/bog filter system. Bonus is the pump sucks up mosquito larvae and I have my bog filter flowing out into micro mesh netting. I then feed the fish with the catch

[@Ozponds]

Cool 👍

[@Nozinbonsai]

Another good idea.

[@the_bloke_that_cuts_the_grass]

I’d say your upflow system seems to work pretty well what I can see. I love watching your videos, the sights and the sounds are mesmerising ❤

[@Ozponds]

It’s just what I understand. I’m glad you enjoy the videos. 😊👍

[@sweeyong7756]

My experiennce wtih upflow filter is the sediments builds up in the media over time in the pea gravel. . Just an update it took almost one week, 8 people to manual clean out my bog filter. Its got large river stone about 10cm thick, course gravel about 10cm , and pea gravel 20-30cm in a 4 meter diameter upflow bog. So now eveything cleaned out, plan is to have 5cm -8cm worth of pea gravel, to make it easier to clean out the sediments. Pipe the water a prefilter (mechanical) before entering the bog. Its going to be an experiment to see which works best. At the end of the day, there is always going to some sort of maintenance. Nothing is maintenance free. Cheers.

[@Ozponds]

Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍

[@elmerkilred159]

Bottom flow going up seems to be the least complicated to build, and maintenance. I clean mine once every five to six years, only because once the vegetation has established itself, it becomes a serious workhorse for filtering. The entire filter is about 2' to 2-1/2' deep (60cm to 76cm) 2" (5cm) slotted pipes are fashioned along the bottom into a shape that runs the contour of the pond with one intake, and about a foot (30.48cm) of 3" (7.62cm) gravel is filled over the top of the piping leaving about a foot of water for plants to populate the gravel. This bog makes it convenient for dechlorinating municipal water when added to the pond though aeration, and addition of dechlorinator, and in my hardiness zone the plants are the first up to start filtering when the bacteria is still in suspended animation from extreme cold winter temperatures.

[@Ozponds]

Sounds perfect 👍. Thanks for sharing your experience 😊

[@inaecht]

I just built a temporary up-flow bog filter with a bucket in an old flower pot and some pieces of a garden hose. When I'm sure, the pot I used is big enough for our sun exposed pont, I will build a more beautiful one with plants and a nice bubbly overflow. I am really curious about the progress! But looks like just one night was enough to clear the water a bit. Thank you for the inspiration and your explanations, especially on the diversity of possible methods.

[@Ozponds]

Good luck with it all 👍

[@DarrinsDaffs]

As always, Kev, many thanks for your straight forward explanations! I continue to work (on paper) on my up flow bog for my 100 gal. koi stock tank.

[@Ozponds]

The planning stage can be quite exciting. I love the anticipation of what is about to be created.

[@marcuscooper9544]

Cheers dude 😀 The only additional point I would make is that I think the top-down filters are far bigger because they use a lot less pressure, which I assume means they need a greater volume of slower-moving water to pull from. The choice seems to be clear... if you don't care about streams and waterfalls, and want the cheapest to run swim pond, then go for top-down filtration with bubble tubes. If you want a stream or waterfall then you have to have a decent pump, which means you can save some space and go for a bottom-up filter, which can be crafted to add to the look of the whole design. My next question is concerning how the water moves, as you showed with the glass and the tap (I'm convinced the power of the flow would send all the new water swirling to the bottom - you could have added some cordial and made squash to show how the water moved). Anyway... without some sort of deep level powerhead, wouldn't the water come down a stream, hit the pond at a slightly higher temperature, go straight across the top and into the bog filter, and back round again? You'd just end up filtering the top few inches of water over and over, whilst the slightly colder main volume of water in the deep area never moves? I've seen ponds with additional jets and they make sense, but I've also seen some Aquascape creations that don't seem to have anything but the wetland and stream.

[@Ozponds]

I kept trying the glass experiment a few different ways (dye ect) was to hard on such a small vessel. Then I just gave up because I figured whose gonna watch the video anyway. Like I said in the vid it all works, just pick what suits you best. For me it was up-flow.

[@FFTuk]

I’m making a small swim pond for the back garden and have a 2m high wall that curves around the pond. To save space and not have to have a sizeable regeneration/ planted zone; I figured I could make a hollow faux rock wall in front of this and sit a wheelie bin in it as a top down bog filter (I don’t know if a pond pump would be able to shift water through a bottom up filter to say 1m head height?). Maybe have two of these either side of a separate waterfall going into the pond on a separate pump so that could be turned on and off as needed to save energy. I thought about using airlift pumps but it seems like a nightmare trying to get any significant head height off those things. Any suggestions?

[@kartikeyabahadur]

moving so much water would also cost more i believe both for the machinery as well as electricity? the top-down method only has an air pump, the bottom-up will require actually moving the water?

[@sambulate]

I would be interested in seeing an experiment with a small, clear, aquarium tank and a bit of dye.

[@Ozponds]

Me too!

[@12Jerbs]

From my personal experience: Down-flow (input from top, output at bottom): output has to exactly match input. - If output < input, bog filter will overflow. - If output > input, bog filter will be empty. Once the filters start to clog, output (top to bottom) will decrease and unless managed (i.e. clean filter or reduce input), the bog filter will start to overflow. Up-flow (input from bottom, output at top): easier to manage as output cannot exceed input. - If output < input, bog filter will overflow. - If output > input, bog stays full and output flow matches input Once the filter starts to clog, the flow to output (bottom to top) will decrease, causing input to decrease. Bog filter will not overflow.

[@nanak828]

according to the figure at 5:54, how do I make sure all water in main pond are going to bog? I feel it's only upper surface level of water is going throgh. The bottom water stays in the main pond?

[@Ozponds]

Adding an aerator will help mix all the layers of water within the main pond. On larger ponds I also like jets.

[@fossphur]

I think it’s definitely easier to wash an up flow filter using gravity to backwash, than to somehow force water up through a down flow filter to flush it and unclog it. I haven’t needed to do this with my upflow bog filter yet since I ended up putting a chunk of foam over my pump to stop it from sucking up the frogs that insist on living in my skimmer box. I have a space to remove wastes from the bottom of the bog but so far it looks very clean (no solids). The battle with hair algae is still ongoing, I think I can remove it faster than it grows apart from the fact that it is chock full of tadpoles so I need to be very careful and only pull out small pieces at a time so I can check and return any inhabitants to the water. I don’t know if they eat it or if they are just grazing on the massive surface area it provides.

[@Ozponds]

I want to do a video on establishing the food chain and it’s impact on algae. I’m Still experimenting myself. I love your ecosystem first approach. 👍

[@fossphur]

@@Ozponds I love our local spotted marsh frogs, they seem to do well here despite the arid climate. Tough little survivors that are happy to make use of human structures (there was one living in the storm drain up the street that I used to hear before I built my pond) and in the very few natural rocky formations outside of town that hold water I’ve seen the tadpoles surviving in impossible conditions. Picture a tiny triangular crevice that holds maybe a couple of bucketfuls of water, completely full to the brim with tadpoles, concentrated by the evaporating water. The top layer of tadpoles slime up and dry out and provide a protective layer for the tadpoles beneath! Hopefully my ponds give them somewhere to continue to thrive as the climate here changes for the worse.

[@Ozponds]

🤞

[@disartdisart5613]

Love your content and the way You explain it! Best Regards from Bolivia

[@Ozponds]

Awesome, thank you! 😊👍

[@luudantu7211]

The one advantage I notice for the downflow undergravel filter system is that it can be powered by just an airpump in a large pond, which uses significantly less electricity than the water pump required in upflow bog filter.

[@Ozponds]

That is true. Down-flow can be easily powered by an air pump, however I don’t think the energy saving argument stacks up anymore. In recent years pumps have gotten so energy efficient. If you select the right pump they can move just as much water, in some case more than an efficient air pump. But if swimming air pump has massive advantages as no electricity in or around the pond.

[@colinwaldron7399]

I suppose any flow of water through or across bacteria colonised media does the job, but I can see more logic in choosing up-flow for a dedicated filter. I'll ultimately be having an up-flow bog that feeds out to a naturally down-flowing stream with its own rocks, gravel and marginal plants. As you say Kev, it's all about emulating nature... we just have to design it well enough to invite nature to move in and do its stuff to best effect.

[@Ozponds]

Spot on 👍

[@allysonh6410]

But most natural ponds I see Are pretty nasty looking 🥴

[@J_Strong]

The main advantage that I did not hear in this video is the massive power savings on moving water that can be achieved using the bubble pump vs a water pump. The guy from Australia said he was moving 30,000 liters an hour through his system with 80 watts of power. That is one small solar panel worth of power. Is there a way to have an up flow using the bubble pump?

[@Ozponds]

The problem with the bubble pumps is they don’t handle head or pipe friction well. That means they aren’t really in option for up-flow.

[@TechNAquatic]

Natural swimming poll seems look like mbembang/fish pond in my hometown.

[@pharmerd6094]

Thank you for your content. Curious if you have thought about how you would create an air driven up flow filter?

[@Ozponds]

I think it could be done if the bog is level with the pond. Very hard to regulate the flow though. Much easier with a pump, they are so efficient theses days. If you want air for safety easier to do down flow.

[@devin5381]

Thank you for making this channel, I really enjoy your videos and learn something in each one. Can I use a 50 gallon sterile plastic bin as a container for my bog filter? I would post the link but sometimes that causes an issue on KZbin. The product is sold by Walmart for $25 USD stateside. Thanks.

[@Ozponds]

For sure 👍 I like to use UV stabilised plastics when doing container bogs and cladding them in something. Don’t want them breaking apart after one summer.

[@devin5381]

@@Ozponds Thank you!!!

[@suzannemoran7281]

Hi Kev , when making an above ground pond , the pond pump , pumps the water to the bog filter which is in a barrel. So using an upflow the pond water is directed to the bottom of the barrel therefore is the only way of getting the water back into the pond , by situating the top of the barrel above the water level of the pomd ? 😊🐠🐟🐡🐋🦎🐝🦋🌻😊🐢☀️

[@Ozponds]

It’s certainly the easiest way. It’s not the “only way”.

[@jodyvollmer4125]

Hey Kev, I love your videos! I just wanted to thank you for all of your advice. In my head I’m living the aqua scape lifestyle but in reality I’m living the Oz Pond lifestyle ha ha. Who can afford $600 for a centipede? I’m going to try and make one myself this year.

[@Ozponds]

It is crazy it’s just a pipe that disperses water throughout the bog. You’ll do a great job 👍

[@supremepeace.]

Hi, thanks for the video. I have a pump sebo wp2550, could you please tell me if i can make a small bog filter upwards with it? Or is it too weak? Is a 2800L/hour . 35w.

[@Ozponds]

There’s a few variables. How high you need to pump the water and how big the bog filter is. If those fall within the specs of the pump no problem.

[@supremepeace.]

@@Ozponds thanks

[@9entax]

For a swimming pond could you build it with both David Pagan Butler style bubble pumps AND also out in an up filter bog with a waterfall? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

[@Ozponds]

Absolutely. Had a guy do that last year turned out fantastic!

[@luudantu7211]

​@@OzpondsDo you have the link to that pond build? I would love to learn more

[@hollygray5525]

Hello Kev, very informative thank you. I'm going to try and turn my swamp into a natural swimming pond. How is it going without a pump? I'm wondering if I can do it with just a large bog area and waterfall? Pond will be around 15m x 20m

[@Ozponds]

Check out the swim teich KZbin channel. It’s all about swim ponds with no pumps.

[@hollygray9891]

Thanks kev

[@sappersrus8003]

Hi, I'm in the process of moving my pond *(orders of the boss lol) as the original was inadequate and a trip hazard. My intention is to follow your advice and install a bog filter etc. My only concern is the measurements of the foil, as I am sure you would agree is very expensive to get wrong. Here in Germany they offer two types..., 1. the normal direct foil and the foil which you then cover in concreate. Have you ever heard of the later and or used it? Your thoughts and advise are truly welcome. Regards R G

[@Ozponds]

Here’s a video I made a long time ago. I probably should re make it. Anyway it should help you work out how much you need. How to work out how much pond liner you need. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oILEc4Bui85plZo. I’ve not heard of a specific liner designed to have concrete over the top (unless your talking about builders plastic). My choice is always epdm rubber.

[@geneponniah3007]

I have a 3 year old liner based 32000gallon pond in the country ( Bancroft, province of Ontario, Canada). It has some gold fish and plenty of frogs. I am planning on creating a bog with an upflow design . Given I have a huge frog population on my property, wondering if the bog will become another frog colony and defeat the purpose of the bog filter? None of your ponds show any signs of frog that is hugely noticeable. Wondering if you can shed your thoughts on whether it is advisable to create bog filter or go for a pond filter like Oase or Nexus?. I have been watching your videos and am truly amazed on the details you provide. Thx.

[@Ozponds]

If you build it they will come. I have many frogs here. It’s really a personal choice with the filters. I obviously prefer DIY bogs but the other filters are great too.

[@geneponniah3007]

@@Ozponds i will try the bog as you have done. Thx very much.

[@sweeyong7756]

I am in the process of renovating my up flow that is clogged with fine sediments through out the filtering media. Its a 4m x 2m deep diameter up flow reservoir. Its a big mess. Routine clean out is a bitch. Going to go with combination of tradtional mechanical fiteration that can be easily cleaned plus the 4m upflow will just have 10cm of fine river gravel for easy maintenance. Lets see how it goes.

[@Ozponds]

🤞

This is a great channel and I enjoy your content a lot. One of the best! But, I'm not certain that down- vs up-flow makes any difference and I am not convinced by the water glass example. Certainly if you filled it with media and added water from the top, the water'd just spill over the side like the example. In reality water will ALWAYS find the path of lest resistance but as the easiest channel begins to collect debris it becomes not the easiest channel, and so on, and so on. There will always be a channel with less resistance that will eventually get plugged up. Gravity itself probably plays little role or all the water in the swimming pool would be falling to the bottom of the pool and then how does it replace the water that was already there?

[@Ozponds]

Just my thoughts and theories, you are most welcome to yours 👍

[@life-time-ponds]

Hi mate, Wonderful points you made there and the proof is in the clarity of your ponds, they are in really great condition and it’s nice to see. I’m currently from South Africa and I’m running my own pond company in the north side, I was just wondering how you deal with the blanket weed problems because you don’t seem to have that problem from what I noticed. I don’t like having to add treatments to the ponds but I currently find myself needing to do this from time to time. How do you keep this under control if I may ask? Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Thanks

[@Ozponds]

I’ve made quite a few vids on how I’ve dealt with algae in the past. Once the pond matures (can take up to 3years) there’s shouldn’t be any need first treatment, as long as the filtration is correct.

[@leroymckenzie5989]

Thank you, I will go have a look at your other videos. It’s a little difficult because I don’t really have the time and they don’t want to pay for my time so my best option is to treat and go.. also I do water changes because they leave them to soup before contacting me and once I’m done they don’t seem to want to do a service plan to keep them well. But anyway thank you for you brilliant advice

[@leroymckenzie5989]

I’m Lifetime ponds the first message this is my private account, don’t know what happened there.

[@vin461]

Your vids are amazing. I have completely revamped an old and neglected pond that came with the house I recently bought. I have built a huge bog filter out of an ibc tote following your guides and it works great. At this point, my only question is regarding the air port to break the siphon. While the pump for the intake from the pond is running and water is flowing through, I always hear a gargling from the open air port. Is that okay?

[@Ozponds]

Yes that’s fine, doesn’t affect the function it’s actually good it’s the air getting pulled down into the pipe, that will help ensure the water going into the bog is well oxygenated. If the sound really annoys you, you could add a little bit of pipe or hose to make it so the air will only be sucked in if the water level drops, say when the pump shuts off.

[@vin461]

@@Ozponds thanks again for your great advice

[@debbieesparza110]

Quick question, if you have an external pump does the overflow in your filters replace using a check valve?

[@Ozponds]

I wouldn’t think so.

[@michaelgutierrez6293]

How would you keep the water cool year round? If the bog was built deeper would this help?

[@Ozponds]

Yes. Negative edge/ reservoir system can also help.

[@ashleywilczynski2921]

I've been searching for a video to tell me if an above ground bog filter needs to be winterized. I've learned so far if I shut it off beneficial bacterial will die and I will have to restart the process in the spring. But living in a climate that has quite cold Winters I'm not sure if the barrel that the bog filter is in will freeze? Or will it be okay because it has constant water moving?

[@Ozponds]

I don’t live in an area that experiences freeze, thaw so I have no first hand experience on the topic.

[@ashleywilczynski2921]

@@Ozponds thanks I appreciate your reply!

[@horsey123]

Hi Kev, i built my pond using an upflow bog using a half IBC conatainer, i have a question about the hole sizes, i think by memory i used 1/4 inch holes throughout the manifold but the holes on the pump are much bigger, so wondering wether the muck will still be able to get through the small holes being under pressure, or will my pipes eventually become blocked due to muck that dosnt fit through the holes? Im thinking i may have to dig out the tonne of pea gravel to drill larger holes? 🤔 Thanks!

[@Ozponds]

Do you have a skimmer system or intake? If the pump is in the bottom of the pond, you might have an issue. If the pump is inside a skimmer or intake (these act as pre filters) you should be ok.

[@horsey123]

@@Ozponds no skimmer or intake. I mechanically remove any debris that falls in but hardly anything does due to where its situated. Pump on bottom but I have the large bog and then another DIY mechanical/biological filter also

[@CrisAnderson27]

I just watched a video where a guy claims these pools cost around $5k a year in bacteria after each season. I like your approach much, much better. There's any number of videos where they say they are virtually free to run...and this seems to be much more logical to me. I used to run a 300gal planted fish tank. The bio load and water volume were well matched, and I used a LOT of plants, and plenty of scavengers (pleco's, crawfish, shrimp, etc). But I found the real secret was simply over filtration, and a LOT of flow. I often wonder how that will work when I transition my experience to a natural pool/pond.

[@Ozponds]

Filtering water is filtering water. Your aquarium experience has set you up perfectly. Like an aquarium there’s lots of ways to filter water and be successful, just pick the method that resonates with you and go from there👍

[@SqueegeeQuad]

Hello! I’ve watched all of your bog filter videos and attempted to make one this weekend. I used an HDX heavy duty plastic tote 50 gallons. Pvc pipe rocks etc. problem was when I filled with water the sides seriously bowed out to the point where it looked like it was going to explode. Do you have any tips? My 1/2 above and 1/2 below pond is 600 gallons so I need a above ground filter

[@Ozponds]

You won’t like what I have to say…it’s simple, you need a stronger container or you need to reinforce the sides.

[@RC-Flight]

Nice video Kev! I use the Down flow type myself. Have been using that style for close to 30 years.

[@Ozponds]

Awesome 👍

[@andynz7]

@RC-Flight do they tend to clog or become less efficient over time?

[@RC-Flight]

@@andynz7 mine are either in plastic tub or a plastic Barrel with a one inch drain cock in the bottoms. I can open the drain and flush it out with a hose. This is only done in the fall. I get freezing temps through the winter, so my filters are totally shut down and cleaned up each fall. I use river rock of varying size in the bottom and then a mesh bag of clay round small balls on top of the rocks then a course woven filter pad. I have not needed to clean it yet this year.

[@616DCDUB]

Hey Kev...love your channel. Thanks to it and because I need to my pond has been revamped with a bog filter and better flow within. Its currently cycling and has been for 4/5 weeks. I noticed my arm/the water had a distinct smell like medicinal/tcp almost after taking out my arm from the pond. Any thoughts what this is?. Again...thanks for the channel man, keep up the amazing content. 👏 👍🏻

[@Ozponds]

I have no idea what this is, sorry.

[@616DCDUB]

@Ozponds no worries. The more I smell it, smells like warm liner kind of smell. Hot epdm. I'll keep researching. Thanks for the reply though 👍🏻

[@Ozponds]

Let us know what you find out 👍

[@616DCDUB]

@Ozponds Well just to update you Kev...the smell has gone. I believe it was the liner almost 100% but fish are fine. During the cycle before fish the water was clearing and single cell algae disappearing. Since adding fish It has bloomed again but I think is now clearing again. Should I add more bacteria to help or give it a little more time?. The bog filter is 12-15% of the pond volume and running a flow according to your numbers. I can send pics if thats easier. Keep up the amazing channel mate. 👏 👍🏻

[@Ozponds]

Wait and see what happens. I have no idea how many fish you have or how much you are feeding. Remember all filtration is a balancing act, the water condition is letting you know if there’s imbalances. Having said that in new ponds the water clarity will act funny (every pond is different), often patience is the best practice.

[@tondenockay1296]

Could you use a Air pump to feed an up flow bog filter? I ask this because they are so much cheaper to run.

[@Ozponds]

Yes you can. But also take a look at some of the energy efficient pumps that are available these days. Things like 15000L per hour for 105watts.

[@tondenockay1296]

@@Ozponds Nice, well what do you think about this 15000L for 20 watt air pump? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioC5i2eloNF1fNk

[@butlerphotography]

Thanks for all this valuable affordable(!) info man! Tryin to do the math on what would be the right way to go for filtering a duck pond. I rescue ducks, have about 30 at a time, I want to be able to safely swim in it with them without risk of E.Coli and exposure to other bad bacteria. I feel like I would need a massive pond and bog filter to make it viable. With jets keepin the water agitated at the bottom to keep sludge from building up. What do you reckon my friend?

[@Ozponds]

When you use nature to filter you obviously have no guarantee that other less desirable (E.Coli) parts of nature are going to be eliminated. While a supersized bog filter would certainly help I think you would also need a huge pond for 30 ducks. It’s like filtering a wine barrel pond for a huge koi fish, you need a decent volume of water.

[@butlerphotography]

@@Ozponds Thanks Kev! Figured as much, what’s the best way to setup a consult with you in the future? I plan on making many ponds !

[@Spade080]

Have you considered that in a down-flow filter, when using principles used in trickle filters, the water that flows down will be highly oxygenated as the water has splashed down to the surface of the filter's water level? In an up-flow filter, the water your pumping down under the filter will have come from the bottom of your pond, which arguably is the least oxygenated body of water in your pond. I might argue that highly oxygenated water in a down-flow setup might promote more active bacteria activity.

[@Ozponds]

You’ve obviously not seen how I set up my ponds with a skimmer/ intake bay. Water is pulled from the surface. A trickle down filter is very different from downflow bog filter, usually the filter is fully submerged. Trickle filters are extremely effective at converting ammonia to nitrite, then nitrate. They are not submerged. But they won’t remove the nitrate. Both bog systems have a greater potential to process the nitrate. But of course it depends how it’s all set up. Like I mentioned in the video there’s heaps of different ways to have a successful filter system, I just outlined why I do it the way I do it.

[@larrysloan9296]

Maybe add a Venturi to the up flow filter ?

[@tenchskate6066]

I made a downflow because I didn't want my pump to overheat when it needs to push water through the media

[@Ozponds]

There ya go. I didn’t even know that was a thing. I’ve never had a pump overheat.

[@tenchskate6066]

Oh, really thanks, it turns out that I got a pump which was not meant for ponds but I'm trying to make it happen@@Ozponds

[@tenchskate6066]

Should I make an up flow or stick with what I've got@@Ozponds

[@Ozponds]

If the Down-flow is working stick with it 👍

[@tenchskate6066]

I'm not sure because I rarely turn it on as my pump is meant to work at less than 3 hours at a time and needs to rest the same amount of time@@Ozponds

[@СлаваДронов-ж8ь]

And yet, the water supply pipe, which is under stones and rubble, should have a slope to the barrel?

[@Ozponds]

For easier cleaning yes.

[@larrysloan9296]

Is adding a venturi to the inflow of the filter good?

[@Ozponds]

I think it would be.

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Down flow could be easier to build into the floor of a pond I suppose.

[@Ozponds]

For sure. Under-gravel filters and suction grids both pull water down through the media on the bottom.

[@СлаваДронов-ж8ь]

Hello! Tell me, does the filter have to be separate from the pond? Or is it possible to build a filter inside the pond so that the water level is the same? Will the filter work if it is built inside a pond? Thank you.

[@Ozponds]

The filter can be built inside the pond but then you’ll need to almost completely drain the pond to clean the filter.

[@СлаваДронов-ж8ь]

How often do you clean the filter? Does it need to be completely drained to clean it?

[@Ozponds]

As often or as little as needed. I personally flush mine every one or two years. It all depends on fish load, environment, etc.

[@СлаваДронов-ж8ь]

Thanks for the answers! It would be nice to make a video about cleaning your filters!

[@Ozponds]

I have there’s almost 200 videos available here.

[@AaronHahnStudios]

When you were 'pond'ering over this question. Did you trip over the Pun?

[@Ozponds]

Of course! 😉

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Hey, jokes aside. What would be wrong with the idea of having Both, two filters, one up the top and one below?

[@Ozponds]

Nothing at all. Most of my pond kinda have both as the intake bay is kinda a down flow system. Lots of pro builders will also add suction grids in the bottom of the pond and they will still have an upflow system. The more filtration the better.

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Excellent, that was my thinking, especially if your strapped for space but want to keep the bog surface area up. @@Ozponds

[@Alejandro_san]

Please continue making videos. What is the biggest artificial bog filter? (Man made)

[@Ozponds]

I’m not sure. There is a massive recreational pond in Queensland, Australia that has two huge bog filters.

[@Alejandro_san]

Name? Maybe make a video on it!

[@Ozponds]

I didn’t build it. I can’t think of it’s name it’s a strange one. Starts with a G it’s at Woodford.

[@brandonkypreos2069]

So do I need a bog and an intake bay for my pond?

[@Ozponds]

Maybe. Depends on size and your goals.

[@brandonkypreos2069]

I wanna do 15x5x3ft goldfish pond

[@matthewlins8196]

Great video!

[@Ozponds]

Thanks!

[@MrSamurai137]

The only thing I would say to add to you great point of view is it’s not the water you are filtering it’s what in the water?

[@Ozponds]

Very true. It just feels weird saying it like that. Filtering the water vs filtering the stuff in the water. There’s a video there 😉

[@MrSamurai137]

@@Ozponds yer it dose sound funny. Though it changes what and how much filtering you need I have found. As I plant heavily and filter well also finding some plants need feeding ever though I’m feed the koi like mad.

[@Ozponds]

There’s a funny relationship with man made phosphate and natural phosphate, or phosphorus I always get bamboozled. We all need to be aware what we add to the system stays in the system. Same on a global level.

[@MrSamurai137]

@@Ozponds well I’m not sure checked the back of the plant balls I put in said it’s 100% blue loam? They had been in the shed for years! Seems ok fish and plants happy now. My thought was where these plant have been put maybe highly filtered water with not much natural mechanical waste getting to them. Maybe a bog that dosent filter as perfectly could be helping a different set up?

[@garyhamilton2104]

Why don't we put some soil and worms in to clean the muck

[@Ozponds]

Worms will find their way in all by themselves.

[@DrJoeJoeHands]

Thank you

[@Ozponds]

🍻👍

[@scottgordin9709]

I believe it's the personal preference of the person building and maintaining their pond, I'm gonna go with an up-flow bog system with an overflow water fall for my 150 gal preformed pond. I don't care for it when there's a pipe coming out of the barrel or planter as the return, to me it just looks cheap and not a lot of ingenuity.

[@Ozponds]

This one is a bog in a barrel. Feeds a stream and small waterfall. Can’t see the barrel or the pipe work. Building an ecosystem pond on a budget kzbin.info/www/bejne/anTQi6WFjNZ7o9E

[@07GSXR1G]

💯👍🏿

[@Ozponds]

😊👍

[@pet0r]

"Often PONDered myself"

[@ferret1231000]

I often PONDer myself. Haha

[@Ozponds]

🤣👍

[@TheFXofNewton]

Your intuition is incorrect. Water flowing from a tap with a gap does mix with the rest of the water in the container in a turbulent manner. Pretty basic fluid dynamics. You can try this yourself with a little food coloring and just use a pitcher or whatever instead of the tap. Science is fun. It's visually similar to blowing smoke. Username checking out today!

[@memully]

Can I use a traditional bought filter and a bog filter together?

[@Ozponds]

Definitely 👍