Well it only took me 10 hours to complete, but.....the new filter is done. I didn't get to test it as the silicone has to dry for 24 hours. IF I have a leak tomorrow I am going to FREAK OUT!! I am so darn exhausted I can barely make it up the stairs. LOL. I got a new air stone for my aerator. I can't see why an air stone would cost 60$, but the thing is great. The bubbles are fine and they are quite, which is nice. QUESTION: Is there a thing as too much aeration? I wouldn't think so but it bubbles!!!!!!!!!!! Got a few new pond ornaments too, and some solar lights for around the clay pond as I really need to spiff that thing up!

Know how you feel had to go back to work today to rest up. What type of filter did you build and where did you get the plans? Do you think your old filter was undersized?

Fm3

Yes, my old filter was undersized. It was just 2 - 55g barrels. This one is 180 gal stock tank. I have lava rock, bio balls, matala sheets and I am going to throw in some quilt batting this morning too. Well I am going out to plug in the pump and see what happens :blink: BETTER NOT LEAK! I just got the plans from looking on the net. It's kind of a "skippy filter" but with more goodies inside :D

KK

There is such a thing as too much aeration. It can cause a disorder called "gas bubble disease" which is often fatal to fish. However, it is highly unlikely to occur from anything you will do in a pond. It occurs when the water becomes supersaturated with gases--oxygen and nitrogen. It can occur at the bottom of dam spillways where the water is churned excessively or when air is pulled into a pump at the INLET side and the pump "chops" the air into extremely fine bubbles. You can see examples of supersaturation when you put cold water from a pressurized water system (tap water) into a container and as the water warms, air bubbles form on the sides of the glass. It does this because cold water can hold more oxygen that warm water. I wouldn't worry about creating any such situations in a pond, small or large. The water has to be saturated with air to 110% before a problem starts. I'd always be more concerned about not having enough oxygen, especially as the water gets warmer in the summer.

Don

I mention the gas bubble "disease" on my water page. Fish can get it when you change out too much water in aquariums if the water isn't pre-aerated. That's one reason I say not to change more than 50% at a time. I get lots of little bubbles on the tank and try to aerate well. If those dissolved gases come out of solution inside of a fish, that's gas bubble "disease." It's not really a disease. It's kind of like the "bends" that diver's get.

KK's pond is so big, unless that air stone is more than a few feet in size, it shouldn't be a problem. How big is it?

KK, what took so long with the filter? Was it cutting holes, attaching bulkheads, and such? I've never built my own filter; 10 hours just seems like a long time!

KK,
Since I did another post about types of filters can you post some pics so that I can get an idea of what yours looks like?

Thanks
Christina

C, I am sure that KK has some pics of the new filter. If she isn't on the forum later she will be tomorrow and I bet you will see them then cause she KNOWS we like pics. :)
Tia