HI Robyn,

I have a question about filtration. This is my set up. I have awhat looks to be a huge pitcher with dimensions 2 feet in depth and 2 feet in diameter. This is filled with gravel. A hose pumps pond water i through the TOP of the filter the hose is placed mid depth [into the gravel] and the the water exits from the TOP of the filter [pitcher]. I don't think the filter is very effective but the fella that owned the home before me had the pond for 5 years. Either he changed the filtration system before he left or used this one for 5 years.
I have tried the created a multi layer filtration system using the sponge-like filter but I had trouble sizing the round pitcher/filter. So now this is what I have done. Tell me what you think.
Remember picture a big pitcher.
[1] I placed the sponge-like filter in eggcrate on top where the water enters. Therefore water passes through the sponge then fall into a pool of water.
[2] I have added lava rock [2 onion bages full] and charcoal [from a pond store] and place it at the exit point [to a water fall] and removed some of the gravel , cleaned it and placed 1/2 of it in the filter at the base.
I hope you understand what I mean as it is tough to describe.

entry by hose
[ sponge filter __
[ lava rock __ waterfall [exit]
[ ]
[ ]
[ gravel ]
[ ]
[ ]
_______________
My concern is that the water doesn't travel from bottom to top or top to bottom. It enters and exits though the top. It passes through the sponge fall in the water then passes through lava rock on out to the water fall. The heavey sedament fall to the gravel at the base and sits there until I clean it [frequency?].
Do yo think the is efficient enough? The previous owner just used gravel for 5 years. I am torn between buying a new filter or back filling the pond and placing a swimming pool. If the previous owner would have done things right it would be much easier on me.

Also he has a clear tube that is unrelated to the pump or filter in the pond. It is not hooked up to anything that I have seen. Could it be and aerator? Or a bubble that the owner has taken with him?

Ok finally done. Can't wait for your opinion.


Mux

How is the pond doing with this setup? Does it look clean and clear? What's in the pond itself and how big is it?

It sounds like the filter was not setup well at all before you got it.

Filters where water enters and exits at the top should have a pipe that feeds the entry water all the way to the BOTTOM of the filter. That way it's an upflow filter and all water has to go up through the media. I have an upflow filter but the inlet is in the bottom. Take everything out of the filter. Attach a PVC pipe to the inlet pipe and extend it to the bottom of the container/filter. Create a void space in the bottom by putting some sort of grating in the bottom that is supported by something. My filter has a PVC grate setting on 3 bricks. This prevents restriction of the flow upon entering the filter. You'll have to clean down to that level probably once every 1-2 months depending on how big the pond is and how crowded. Then, what I have is bioballs in mesh laundry bags on top of the that and then a few mesh bags with lava rock (needed to keep the bioballs from floating). I add a bag of carbon (actually Ammocarb) and a bag of oyster shells on top of all that. If you want a sponge-type filter, set that into the very top. It might require cleaning every week or more often but it's right on top. If you want to keep the pea gravel, you can also put that in mesh bags for easy cleaning. If you leave it loose, then it will fall into the void volume at the bottom. In that case, it would probably clog down there if anything large got pumped in but also from general accumalation much faster. If you just want to continue using the system you have, I do suggest extending that intake tube down to the bottom at least. Anything (gravel, etc.) below where the water comes in is just stagnating and good bacteria won't grow well there at all.

Your other option if you have the time and money is to buy another filter entirely but I think you can salvage and improve the one that you have. I was in a similar situation when they built my pond and put in the biofilter. They told me to just fill it up with lava rock. Not only was it heavy but almost impossible to clean. Once I bagged everything and used bioballs, things were much better. A cheaper version of bioballs (they are expensive so I bought mine in bulk) would be something like hair curlers.

Ponds are much more interesting than swimming pools! We have both but I spend more time in the pond!

I have no idea what the spare piece of tubing is for especially without seeing it. Maybe you could use it to extend the intake to the bottom? It sounds like it's some sort of airline tubing. You'd have to ask the previous owner what it was for I guess.