Thread: Filter upgrade/winter project

I've struggled with water parameters this season. The nitrite level has been slightly elevated and I've therefore, had to hold back a bit with feeding and keep a the pond salted. Given that the fish are growing well, the situation isn't going to improve. So my options are to move some fish on or improve the filtration. I've decided to go with the latter.

I currently have a Filtreau Combi drum unit and although the drum section does a great job, the bio unit does not seem to be sufficient for my stocking level.

With limited funds I've decided against purchasing a bio unit and will be repurposing an old two bay unit that I installed on my Dad's pond about thirty years back. The pond was shut down around twenty years ago, so it was hell of a job but I got it uninstalled and wrestled out of his shed a week or so back.

It's now back at mine and ready to be leak tested. At the weekend I capped off the inlets/outlets/overflows and filled it up. So far all seems sound. I'll leave it a few days and if the water level remains where it currently is, then I'll start the install.

My plan is for one chamber to be a moving bed of Helix 13 (as I have some in stock) and Mountain tree ceramic media in the other.

I'm too decrepit to do the necessary excavation works, so our gardener has agreed to do that. Then I'll carry on with the plumbing and boxing in/cladding etc.

First off, I need to remove the little grow on/quarantine set up that I built a few years back.

Progress pics to follow. It might be of interest or at the very least help someone else who is thinking of a similar filter extension.

Originally Posted by dbs

If you have the stuff available mate it's a great solution, and to be fair it should work very well too, I look forward to seeing how you get on with it!!

What are you going to agitate the moving bed with, are you going to make a perforated pipe?

Thanks dbs. Thinking of building a grid out of push fit connectors and drilled pipework.

Sounds good mate, I'm probably more decrepid than you and likewise have to rely on help to get anything major done. Luckily my lad Adam had some holiday time from work spare and he kindly did all the heavy stuff, stripping my shed of the EazyPod pond filter, grow on with mini EZpod + mini baki shower and getting the Burtons combi in, plumbing, electrics and all.

Good luck with the project, keep us posted.

Originally Posted by KiOgon

Sounds good mate, I'm probably more decrepid than you and likewise have to rely on help to get anything major done. Luckily my lad Adam had some holiday time from work spare and he kindly did all the heavy stuff, stripping my shed of the EazyPod pond filter, grow on with mini EZpod + mini baki shower and getting the Burtons combi in, plumbing, electrics and all.

Good luck with the project, keep us posted.

Whole reason we have kids aint it ?? Haha

Sounds a good plan of you have the room,you cant have too much bio filtration.
I was once going to do a 1000ltr ibc as a bio but room was a bit tight and it would mean moving the drum and pipework.

Not much progress as yet.

The leak test highlighted a couple of problems, although fairly easily sorted with an application of MS300.

I've got a skip ordered and being delivered next Friday. The excavation and concrete base should be done over that weekend.

At last a little bit of progress. The hole is dug (not by me) and the slab is in. When I was planning this little project, I really didn't think that the excavation would be quite so large given the size of the filter. However, I wanted enough room for pipes/valves etc. with a bit to spare.
Pretty much filled a 4 yard skip with the spoil.

excavation and slab for moving bed 2.jpg

Don't know why I picked the worse day of the year to start the block laying

It stopped raining here at about midday, so I got out there and made a start. 'kin hell those blocks are heavy.
Anyway, my back and shoulders held up long enough to get six blocks laid. Resting up now and back to it tomorrow, when I'll hopefully have a progress photo to add.

Dont envy you laying blocks this time of year g mac.

What sort of blocks you useing?

I think the blocks are 73N, suitable for below ground.


I might wimp out today, it's a day for staying indoors I think

A combination of health problems and the weather has slowed progress to a snails pace
I did get all the pipework done a couple of weeks before Christmas though. Then discovered a fairly substantial leak, which at first I thought must be somewhere within my new pipework. Anyway, it wasn't. The leak is somewhere in the main pond liner. I should have twigged earlier, when our water rates jumped. Think it's losing around 150-200 litres per twenty four hours.

Originally Posted by g mac

A combination of health problems and the weather has slowed progress to a snails pace
I did get all the pipework done a couple of weeks before Christmas though. Then discovered a fairly substantial leak, which at first I thought must be somewhere within my new pipework. Anyway, it wasn't. The leak is somewhere in the main pond liner. I should have twigged earlier, when our water rates jumped. Think it's losing around 150-200 litres per twenty four hours.

Nowt worse mate couple months back mine was dripping about 6 inch every 24 hours looked at all pipe work filter pump window checked the lot as its a new liner started worrying about the bd seal or return seal then as I was checking my return seal I put my hand on the top corner of the pond to find a hidden whole looked to be chewed to bits by a rat , still havent fixed it tbf but a few bate boxes later no more mr ratty (for now )

Originally Posted by Ajm

Nowt worse mate couple months back mine was dripping about 6 inch every 24 hours looked at all pipe work filter pump window checked the lot as its a new liner started worrying about the bd seal or return seal then as I was checking my return seal I put my hand on the top corner of the pond to find a hidden whole looked to be chewed to bits by a rat , still havent fixed it tbf but a few bate boxes later no more mr ratty (for now )

Hope you get it sorted mate. I need to get mine fixed but it will have to wait until the temps rise a bit.

Am waiting till spring aswell need to temp to let the sealant cure properly

Best of luck sorting it Gary, I'm so pleased with the Burtons my water use must have gone down by 80%, I think the next bill is due in March, we'll see!