Hi mate! I got the sponge on Amazon, but I think it was being sold by ‘All Ponds Solutions’. I think I bought 2 packs.. although I don’t think I needed as much sponge as I used. The other media is alphagrog, I just used this as I had a bag of it available. I got it from my local Maidenhead Aquatics. Good luck with your filter build!
Hi this is best explanation I’ve seen of all the filters as it was pecking my head! Why is it good to have both filters as I would like to build one with just a pond filter? Thanks
Hi Ginger Fishy, At around 3:30 you were trying to attach netting to your frame to cover the pond. Had you flipped the frame so that the top was on the netting/deck, it would have been much easier to attach to the frame. I do see your wire approach worked, but just wanted to make the suggestion in the event it serves you in the future. Great job though! This is stunning!
Best natural diy pond video. Thank you so much you show and explained everything so well I actually feel confident enough to have a go at my first pond 😁
Hi there, I don’t think they make it anymore, as I can’t find it for sale anywhere. I bought it on eBay but it’s not on there anymore. I’ve done a fair bit of research into alternatives, but basically I think most stains are fine to use around the pond (not inside it) once dried. I tend to stick to water based, but I’ve heard people use oil based without any issue. But as far as a product like p2 that is completely safe even if a few drops go into to the pond, I don’t think there is anything unfortunately. It’s a shame because that was a really good product. Hope that helps!
How often do you have to clean out the mechanical side? Looking to build something similar, but a little smaller, and indoors for a turtle I inherited. They're pretty messy creatures.
Hi there! I haven’t cleaned out the mechanical side since the Spring Clean out, and the flow rate is still all good. Having said that though, I do do a fairly regular vacuum of the bottom of the pond. Also I have since added a little pre-filter, which is basically just a piece of course sponge sat on top of the pump, which i clean weekly, I think this helps keep the main mechanical filter from clogging up as quickly as it might. This probs wouldn’t work in your situation though as the turtle would probably bite holes in the sponge. Hope that helps. 👊
I’d love to make one of these but haven’t got the space to put something above the pond to let water into the pond and it would have to be a small filter at that. We’ve got a small pump/filter built in one. It would be nice if I could show you my set up and see what you recommend if possible?
Great video. One criticism. Your filter pre filter should have been placed on the opposite side of the pond. You’re essentially pulling water that has just been filtered. You’ll find refuse will accumulate at that far end of the pond. Small current will help to remedy this. If your concerned there’s to much current for your liking, attach a reducer. Otherwise awesome job.
Thank you! I’m hopefully going to get a 1 year update video out soon. There’s a couple of small things I would change, but nothing major. Good luck with your build!
Hi, I love the videos. Can you tell me what heaters you use and temperature thermometer you use your whole system your whole heater system can I get that on Amazon?
Hi there, the heaters I used were the Fluval E Advanced Electronic Heater 300watt. They are quite expensive, but I think they are good quality, plus they have the plastic safety cover, which i like. Bear in mind though they aren’t really made for outdoor use, but I have seen a few people use them without any issue. The temperature controller is the Inkbird ITC-308 temperature controller. The heaters and the temperature controllers are available on Amazon. Hope that helps! 👊
Hi love your video just have quick question how come u have the water coming from the bottom to the top and not have the water starting From the top to the bottom
an edpm liner versus that plastic tub would of allowed you to make that entire area a wet land bog and incorporate the filter / pump into the feature even allowing you to put a small cascade or water fall there. . . at this point i'd add a small air pump with a perforated line around the mid depth the entire circumference of the pond, put those plants in looser mesh baskets and look at reworking the plastic tub out and putting an edpm liner in to expand your bog area :) beyond that well done all considering.. .
I tend to get them from an aquatics shop (Shirley Aquatics in Birmingham) that is fairly local to me. They have a really good pond section with lots of different plumbing bits and bobs. Also the staff are very helpful with locating the bits you may need. I do get a few bits from Wickes if I can, but they don’t tend to have much. Hope that helps 👍
Thank you! Yeah, i always try to get rescue goldfish as there is always someone trying to rehome a goldfish or 2. These two are still doing well and getting really big.. They’ve also moved into the big pond now, so they’re having a great time!
Fish in the wild will settle at the bottom and sometimes bury themselves in the sediment to keep warm, would it be better to have a lining of sediment at the bottom in a pond instead of having it clear (like yours?) maybe with more nooks and crannies for them to hunker down in? I have also read that using a ping pong ball in the pond will stop ice forming.
Well impressed by your skills and design, well done! I would leave the bottom of the pond bear to then easily get all that sludge out that will collect each season. The only thing I would of done differently is run the outlet from the mechanical filter into the biological filter to stop the latter from getting clogged up. As you have it the mechanical dirt will get divided equally between the filters which would worry me.
Thank you! Yeah, that was the original plan, to have the water go from the mechanical filter into the biological, but I was struggling to work out the flow rates required, diameter of outlets/ inlets etc.. so decided to to keep them separate. I am in the planning stages of a big in ground pond at the moment though, and I really want the mechanical to feed into the biological in that pond, as I do think it is the best way to have it!
Very nice! This is inspiring, you do deserve better tools, to start with a miter saw. Can you explain why you separated the filters? From my aquarium experience, I had very good results with 1 filter that handled the mechanical and biological filtering. Now you also pump big particals into your biological filter, that should filter pass the mechanical filter first. I love the concept, I might built something similar in my own garden, thank you for the inspiration! Now, let's see how I convince my other half. She is not so much into bodies of water in the garden because they create mosquitoes...
