My hubby and I have "borrowed" an idea for a filter system and made our own in a similar set up. Amounts to a 2.5 gallon bucket with tons of little holes in the lid and a hole in the side toward the bottom for the output on the filter and layers of quilt batting, lava rock, and swamp cooler pads to filter out the ickys. Its only been up and going for about a week but from the amount of gunk we clean out every other day or so its doing a pretty good job.
My hubby's been researching a skippy filter set up and was interested in doing one of those when we build our new pond.

Does anyone have much success with either type of filter, how long it takes to cycle, and what have you found works best for you?

Thanks,
Christina

Hi Christina, I have plans for several different DIY filters including a skippy that I will be experimenting with later this summer since I want to eliminate the in pond filter I have in my small preform pond. One thing that I would recommend is taking out the Quilt batting. It's great if you are trying to clear your water in combination with a UV to clean out the dead algae but otherwise it is too fine of a media and clogs quickly. Probably why you have to clean it every two days. If you can find pot scrubies cheap they work well in a draw string netting bag. Stay away from lava rock which are heavy and the pores also clog. You don't say how large your pond is or how large your future pond will be but it's my understanding that skippy's work pretty decient for small ponds only. Don't believe the hype on the skippy web site that you will never have to clean the filter. How long your pond takes to cycle deponds on a lot of factors for your pond to balance. Most experienced ponders add some start up bacteria to a new pond. Hope this helps.
Have fun! :)

FM3

Hi Christina! Well I am doing pretty much what Froggy says not to do, LOL LOL, so I will keep you posted, as I am just turning on the filter for the first time today. I am using the quilt batting as I have tons of dead algae I need to get out!
I'll keep you posted!

Cost wise my filter goes like this: 180g stock tank $235.00
2 bulkhead fittings: $55.00
Lava Rock: $50.00
bio balls: had them already can't remember $
Quilt batting (4 bags): $40.00
Plumbing stuff: $40.00

Our current pond is about 100 gallons, and we're working on building one that runs about 900-1100 gallons, depends on the block we use for the walls.

We are not using a UV and am not sure if we will get one. We're not looking into any big stuff for the little pond only because we want to invest it all in the bigger one.

I'll haveta look at what type of "good" bacteria we're putting into it when I get home tonight. Unfortunately my lovely DH put the icky blue stuff into the little pond last night at the suggestion of the pond guy at the local greenhouse nursery. UGH what a mess and ugly color. But I told him it wasn't such a good idea and now he's confirmed it with our blue water and his blue stained fingers from touching the stuff.

Never understood the use of coloring agents for a pond if you have fish. Makes it tough to see them. Might as well let it go green with algae better for the pond residents. You definitly need floating plants to cut down on sun light which also competes with the alge for nutritents. Most if not all are "not hardy" and will not be available untill the weather warms. I personaly will try to never use a UV which sterizes the water that runs through it. <_<

FM3

Sorry KK, There are so many different types of bio-media that people use that work (some better than others) It's all about surface area for the bacterial to adhere to in a given space. That's why lava rock is not so good after a period of time, clogs too easy. Some use plastic strapping that's used to strap materials to skids for shipping, which is a great way of recycling plastic that would normaly go to the dump. Where I purchased my filters and skimmer they sell one replacement 2.5 cubic ft of the scrubbie material in the draw string bag for $35. They have the best prices in the industry on the skimmer and filters since they are the manufacture. It's Paradise at Home if anyone is interested. :)

Fm3

Most ponds really take one or two years before they settle in. Those first few years, algae blooms are normal and to be expected. As long as the water is filtered and aerated, the fish should be fine. I would be more worried if a new pond didn't have an algae bloom. That would mean either there's not enough light, or the water is not even good enough to grow algae (not a good sign). My 1800 gallon pond is now 11 years old and hasn't had a real suspended algae bloom for probably 7 or 8 years. I'll get transient minor blooms for a day or two usually when the goldfish spawn and make a huge mess.

The actual nitrogen cycle in a pond that's stocked will take a few months to get through. If you stock lightly and build from there, you'll never have readable ammonia or nitrite ever (I never did or have).

I've never built a Skippy filter myself but many have had good look. Like Frogman3 said though, the filter does need regular cleaning like any filter to work well. I've also never used quilt batting.

My algae page at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/algae2.htm lists ways to control algae. Basically, lots of plants, good filtration, lots of plants, some shade if needed, good bacteria, perhaps some barley straw, and, did I mention, lots of plants?

Good luck with your new pond project!