This filter has had several versions over the years, but the current version is
the most effective and easy to manage in that it is light enough to be pulled
out of the pond by one person and needs little attention during the summer months.
It services up to a 1400 gallon garden pond that is stocked with lilies and several varieties
of goldfish. The filter can go into the pond in spring when the water temperature is
around 55 degrees and be removed in the fall when the water temperature drops to
the same level or it can be left in the pond over the winter if you continue to run your pump.
The filter should be cleaned and the air conditioning filter material replaced annually.
The filter provides both mechanical and biological filtration. The air conditioning filter
material helps keep debris from reaching the pump and the lava rock acts as a habitat
for good bacteria providing biological filtration.
Materials
The materials needed to construct the filter are a plastic file crate, 2 sheets of plastic
biodegradeable blue or green air conditioner filter material and some lava rock. The crate can be
purchased almost anywhere. The furnace filter material is available at Wal-Mart, Lowes,
and other places that sell air conditioning filters. Be sure to buy BIODEGRADEABLE filter
material, not fiber glass.
Preparation
Cut the furnace filter to fit the crate. The bottom piece will be slightly smaller than
the top piece. The top piece needs to rest on the rails designed to hold the file
hangers, so it will be an inch or so wider than the bottom piece. Rinse the filter
material in water to remove any dust.
Rinse the lava rock to remove the red dust.
Construction
Place the bottom and side pieces of filter material in the crate. Cover the bottom
of the crate with a layer of lava rock. Place pump in crate. Use scissors to make
holes in the filter material just big enough to allow the cord and discharge hose
to be pulled through. Pull cord through it's hole and attach discharge hose to pump
through it's hole. Fill crate with lava rock covering the pump. Place cover on top
and tuck in so it fits snugly inside the top of the crate.
HERE'S YOUR FILTER, ALL FINISHED AND READY FOR YOUR POND!
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