Designing a bog filter. Clear water every time!
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- If you want crystal clear pond water then you should build a bog filter! This video will help you learn about flow rates, size and best practices so you can design and build the perfect bog filter for your pond.
You might find my downloadable pdf with the formulas I use when creating my ponds helpful- ozponds.com/po...
And here's some other helpful videos you might like to check out before building a pond or bog filter:
DIY pond| DIY filters, Clean clear water- • DIY POND| DIY FILTERS|...
Cheap pond filter, bog in a barrel- • Cheap pond filter| Bog...
Building a large DIY bog filter- • Building a large DIY b...
Building a mini bog filter- • Building a mini bog fi...
Aquablox alternatives- • Aquablox alternatives
Ozpond DIY filter playlist- • OZPOND DIY POND FILTER...
Nice info! I never would have considered the siphon issue with a power outage; super important reminder!
Happy it was useful 👍
Is it like a check valve?
Stops water from backing up?
Diagrammatic representation is excellent for understanding 👏 👌
Thanks you so much for the knowledge and help me getting my pond crystal clear. That Bog Filter is amazing. Thank you for what you do for all of us. Aloha! Blessings to you, and be safe. Vern
Thanks so much 😊👍
What a lovely thank you gift!!
You’re so deserving! I have learned a lot! You’re so welcome! ❤️🙏🏻✝️
You’ve made my day! 😊
Vern… everything about this comment reminded me of my grandfather down to you’re name. Thanks😌
Kev, thank you so much for these fantastic videos! I built my pond with bog filter to your specs and 9 months later it is going strong. Clear water! Healthy fish! No mosquitos! Just sent you thankyou money on Paypal.
I just received a notification, thank you so much for your generosity, you’ve made my day!😊 Glad to hear everything is going well 😊👍
Hi Kev! Thank you so much for teaching me all about what I need to do to get my pond crystal clear. I built a bog filter according to your ideas...and my pond cleared up in 5 days! I am a believer and wanted to thank you so much for all your info. I am grateful =D
That’s wonderful to hear 👍
An extremely helpful video, especially about the hole at the top to prevent a siphon.
Hey OZ ponds. What a God send to find your library of pond and filter approaches. I have been googling things like bio filter and plant pond filter. Very happy to find your labors!
I am in Thailand so hope to show the villagers how to have a clean pond.
I’m happy you found me too! Great name by the way 😉
I have to say this is the most informative and relaxing channel I've found on keeping eco in ponds here on youtube. I seriously love learning about how to do all this. I am making a pond next month. So excited to try some of these methods.
Thank you so much. I subbed yesterday. God bless you brother xxoo
Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your build. Everyone needs a pond in their life 👍
I'm just at the final stages of building my pond. I wish I had seen your channel BEFORE now!
I’m sure you’ve done a great job 👍
so psyched to build one of these! I just finished building my main pond, and I'm glad I found your channel BEFORE finishing the rest. Now I can incorporate the filter into my pond pretty seamlessly rather than trying to shoehorn it in...
Awesome! Welcome aboard 👍
I'm just rebuilding my 2500 gallon pond that requires a total liner change. Incorporating a bog filter in a one piece liner into this one instead of the external bio-filter tub I used before. Going the 30%+ route because I love my fish. Won't have the large amount of goldfish I had before, just a few large koi.
@@mikejessmax hell yea, that sounds awesome! Haven't done anything with fish yet, waiting for all my plants to establish first so the ecosystem is ready, but I went way overkill on the pump and filter in preparation.
My issue is the pump in the pond can have the cylindical filter plugged in no time. I think I will build the filter and run the pump with no filter and hope I don't burn it out. Also I have an old pressure washer pump I may try to use this to pull water from the pond and pass it to the filer.
@@donvitokoski2846 build a little filter box to keep the pump in, finer filters at the bottom and more coarse ones at the top, leave space for the pump to breathe a bit, and you shouldn't have to worry about debris clogging the pump because it will always have some clean water around it. Just an idea, but it should work
Thanks for a very informative video. I have a small patio pond (132 gals) with a bio-filter and 2 barrel veggie filters. As my fish grew I needed to increase my filtration. Last summer I added an under gravel series of PVC pipe for more bacteria to grow. I pull the water down through the gravel that covers the PVC pipes then back up into my veggie filters. After watching your video I am going to change to a 55 gallon barrel (or 2) for my veggies filters next year. I lost an old koi from a power outage and my pond syphoned dry. I learned a sad lesson. I now have check valves on all my water lines. Thanks again. Love your ponds!
Sorry about your fish.
Wetland filtration best explanation out there. Building my pond as we speak. Thank you
thankyou so much for all ur info i installed a bog onto my pond and lo and behold no more single cell algae and water is crystal clear!!!!
Works every time 👍
Finally...someone gives a ratio...Cheers Oz
I have a 30k litre pond, fed up of green water and not able to see my fish. I decided to fill it in but one last shot post into a UK Facebook group before I filled it in. Due to the size of my pond, the members suggested a large bog filter. Your name and channel came up numerous times so here I am watching from the UK.
I no longer wish to fill in my pond! I’m going to design a bog filter thanks to your video.
Great channel bro, I’ll be sure to watch them all.
Wish me luck!
Good luck. I hope you finally get to enjoy the pond.
Did it work? If you did it, it probably did work. Good luck.
@@francus7227 yes it worked, 85/90% clarity within 6 weeks! A lot of work but well worth it, although a heron got one last night now he can see the fish.
Thanks kev
I am planning a large swimming pond (with fish) project that will utilize rain water from my roof with DIY bog filters along the pathway and solar powered pumps to corculate the accumulated water back up through the bog on sunny days.. its a big project but excited to see it all come together..thanks again for your knowledge sharing.. i am looking at many designes and plans before making my own system..
Always a good idea to look at multiple systems and decide what will be best for you 👍
Absolutely gorgeous Pond.
I agree with you. It does the same thing as a Wetland Filter. 👍😊❤️
Thank you for your idea. I used your model and my pond went from green monster to crystal clear within 3 days.
Perfect 👍 spread the word.
i built my own highly effective and inexpensive aquarium filters in the 80's on a variant of this principle. i found that it was better to have a top input, however. the benefit is that you do not need the clean-out valve at the bottom and you create a highly oxygenated water at the output. my filters are sealed and have an aquarium air pump injecting air at the top of the filter. i should do a vid of it someday 🙂
You should 👍
Thank you for this! My pond is much better now!🐠
Awesome 👍
Hey mate, your knowledge and instructions are second to none… well done.
Glad it helped 👍
Hi Kev great timing just about to start on my bog filter in the next week or so just buying all the bits to get started now winter is nearly over 👍
Awesome Sam. Can’t wait to hear how it all turns out. You’ve been an awesome supporter of the channel 👍
@@Ozponds thanks Kev will keep you updated and send some pictures when I’m up and running 👍
Awesome sir
Great explanation not to fast but not slow either
The drawings help alot
Glad to hear 👍
Thanks!
You are wonderful. Thank you so much for your support 😊
Thanks for everything you gave us in this video and your DIY ideas. I was happy to see a fellow "use what you've got" type mentality among all of the "how to pond " sites that use the brand name/high $ products. It was bad enough buying the liners.
As far as "follow these steps and you'll have crystal clear water every time" - I have to say Not Every Time. I've been doing ponds for several years and currently been working on my bog filter for two years. I haven't had even partly clear water yet. I have one pond flowing into another (approx 1200 gals and 1500 gals respectively) - the first has been reduced to half bog filter and half left to flow into the second pond. Lots of rock and gravel in the bog but only a 1200 gph pump for the 600 gals of bog. I live in the desert, full sun, and probably not enough plants in the bog right now. I'm hoping that as the plants develop and a second pump dedicated to the bog flow, the filter will be able to clean up the water. I have also added bio-media to the inflow barrel of the bog. I have a solids filter barrel and will probably add another barrel for a moving bio-media tank. I love the challenge of building ponds with generic products and seeing good results - I'm sure I will get back to a successful, clear, and healthy pond before the summer season ends. Thanks again for your time making these videos.
Is the water being pumped into the base of the bog? I’ve never had a problem with an upflow system.
@@Ozponds Yes, it is a reverse flow from the usual. The water is flowing down the snorkel, into the water reserviour under the gravel, up through the gravel and back to the ponds.It has been set up that way since spring with added bacteria but very few plants. I'm thinking I need to get more plants sending their roots into the graduated gravel.
I have a second theory: I may need to get a better seal at the bottom of the down flow barrel/snorkel and out to the under gravel reserviour to make sure the water is actually being forced up through the gravel and not just coming back up around the barrel. Thanks for your interest. I will get back to you if I am successfully producing clear water.
Oh my Gosh, thank you thank you thank you! We are starting our swimming pond after years of wanting to. We let our small plaster pool go years ago with mesqito fish (basically a swamp) because chlorinated pools are not environmentally sound (as you know). I purchased the bad ass 30 ml. liner and felt last year and have been hand collecting rock. Though I know it can be done the bog filter has stalled my confidence even though I have latitude (books). Not any more though. I most definitely will be back and with pen and paper... and husband! 😂 🙏🙏🙏
Sorry about the typos. I/we will return for another look at your suggestions. It took a bit of time to find you. Question, this will be a swimming pond/no fish will the bog plants be ok with no poop?
Yes they will. They might struggle to start with but don’t worry, it’s the bacteria inside the bog that are most responsible for keeping your pond clean and healthy.
Can the inlet for the water go directly into the bog container through the bottom side instead of over the top then down?
Not if you are going to add a breather pipe to prevent siphoning.
I have already completed half the construction for a grey water cleaning system .
But this is very useful and still time to integrate.
My first outdoor filter was for grey water. One of the best decisions I ever made 👍
can be used in akvariums too, false bottom and ex airlift that create a slow flow and anoxic conditions just give it time iron fertilizer help it to start work
Yes 👍
It would be good to hear more on why you think bottom up flow works better than top down... because, from what I've seen, top down flow filters never need cleaning out.
I want to do a video on this. I believe it doesn’t matter, so long as the water passes through the entire filter and not just a section of it.
@@Ozponds I can see possible positives to both sides...
Bottom up: More even flow through the whole bog? Filter can also be the waterfall/stream header?
Top down: The bog can also be the skimmer? Debris is removed in the top layers so can feed plants, and never needs cleaning at the bottom? Gravity helps, so less power needed? No risk of back washing/emptying?
Pretty much. But remember a dedicated bog filter is usually substantially larger than a skimmer, even an intake bay. So again the issue is can you be sure the water is moving through the same amount of surface area? You’d think it would, but does it? It will follow path of least resistance. Bottom up flow is being pressure fed. That’s where I come unstuck. On small ponds with small bogs absolutely no real difference, larger bogs possibly a difference, but again maybe not. Just my thoughts.
Great video Kev. I'm about to start building a bog filter for my 700 gallon pond. Does the depth of the bog filters matter. I can build a fairly large one in terms of area. I was just wondering what sort of depth you would recommend. My pond is built out of railway sleepers, so I'm thinking of using the same for the bog filter
I don’t get too concerned with depth. As long as you get the volume and it’s easy to clean/ flush.
super detailed and educational, as well as some beautiful ponds u have there. 10/10
Thank you
Your pond is absolutely beautiful, my dream pond! Thank you for the informative video.
You’re welcome Lillie and thanks.
Thank you Kevin. Your videos are a mine of information... I will keep viewing all your videos and taking notes. I am thinking about what we want to build and you are helping me realize what I am (& not) capable of doing ;o)
I’m so glad you find them helpful. 👍
thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Beautiful ponds . 🥰
I’m glad you find my rambling helpful 😊👍
I love your work. And how seemly is easy for you to show us the how's and why's. Cheers
Thanks 😊
Hi Kev great informative videos I modeled my bog after your sugestions and have beenpleased with the results
Great to hear Mark 👍
Hey keV. Please how to direct the excess water flow? 5:20 ? Do you have a video about the topic? Thanks.
I think this might help Breather pipe for a bog filter
ua-cam.com/video/03Om94Fg5g4/v-deo.html
Great idea on having the skimmer and bog within the EPDM pond liner to prevent leak potential. How do you rout the bog clean out at the bottom if the filter is within the liner and the valve is at the bottom?
Check out the large bog filter video or designing a bog filter video. There’s a cleanout port 👍
Alternately you can make a filter using a 55 gallon water barrel with pea gravel or lava rock and sand. This can also be hooked up to a rain gutter. Very cheap very effective.
I’m all over it 👍Cheap pond filter| Bog in a barrel| Crystal clear pond water every time
ua-cam.com/video/zvoOCq3gcTc/v-deo.html
Your idea for a bog filter is absolutely amazing! We’re planning on implementing a bog filter for our new duck pond, but after using the calculations you gave in the building tutorial vs in this video we’ve come to a bit of a problem.
Using the calculations in the other video we came to the conclusion a 1000l pump would be sufficient for a 250l pond, but after watching this video a 1500l pump would be necessary.
I’d love to hear your opinion on what would be the best course of action in this scenario!:)
Anywhere in between would be fine.
Thanks Bro. I will try it out this spring.
Have fun! 👍
Tyler Jordan Alex - Great Video to start your understanding of pond life.
dear kev wow awesome I was wondering how far down the inlet pipe should the hose from the pump go down the bog all the way or only some of the way ,?you have helped me so much cheers
I find it best if it goes to the base of the filter.
Hi Kev, can u explain in details how to stop siphoning our water from blog and getting it dried.? I did not understand it clearly where I need to put the hole? To have air rushing and stopping water from siphoning out..
I’m working on a new filter video at the moment. I’ll cover the siphon in more detail in that vid 👍
I built a bog filter with the help of your idea. Loving it! But I have never ending mosquitos nesting in it. Any advise?
Make it either so that fish can live in it or completely cover the surface with pebble so there is no standing water.
@@Ozponds thank you. Pebbles cover would be a great idea
Hi Kev :) Loving your channel mate. I definitely want to hear more about running a higher level pump through/over as a stream (mentioned at 5 min mark) and really hope you make a vid on that topic soon. That would mean it was the only filter/pump yes?
Putting in an 800, want to put one of the bog filters on and trying to work out the best way to do it. A 250 bog should make it a reasonably stable size for goldfish I'm hoping :)
I’m not sure I understand the question. I used a high flow filter as the start of my stream on the dream pond (there’s vids in that).
@@Ozponds sorry :) I'm talking about the moment at 5.23 where you are talking about using oversized pump in your bog in a barrel build. I notice in the dreampond inground bog build you solved the problem of keeping the water for the bog slower underneath a faster stream by using two pumps - one for the bog and one for the stream head. You've made reference to the same problem here, and said it was a topic for another day, and I'm sure hoping you did put it in one of these lovely talks. My question is, in that barrel build you mentioned, was the bog filter the only pump/filter or did you end up using 2 pumps like with the large build?
Ah I see why I’m a bit confused. The bog filter inside the stream is a seperate system to the dream pond, although the same style of filter. The dream pond has 2 dedicated bog filters and a stream with a high flow filter. I have talked about sending excess water over the surface of the bog if the pump has too much flow. I can’t remember the best videos but I would imagine I mention it in this one - What is the minimum flow rate for a bog filter?
ua-cam.com/video/n29ev7xEvy4/v-deo.html
In regards to the pond with the barrel bog, yes the bog is the only biological filtration and there is only one pump. The pump sits inside a diy skimmer I made using a bucket. There is a sponge over the top that provides a little mechanical (catching larger debris) filtration.
Does it matter where in the pond the pump is? Could you place it in the opposite end of the waterfall.. like the way you would in an fish tank. Or does it become negligible after a few turn overs?
I’ve got vids on pump placement. Opposite side is good. You also want it protected so your maintenance is minimal.
Still totally enjoying your video's! This question pops up: would I need a bog filter if I make a 25 m long stream? It's going to be about 30-40 cm wide. about 20 m of the length is made of rock and pebbles and the pond (6000 ltr) too.
I would still add one. My very first pond was similar to what you describe. The water was perfect for 2 years then I started having issues.
Hi Kev, totally agree with bogs and mine worked amazingly until I did my back 7 years ago and couldn't remove excess plants. The fish population increased from about 20 fish to over 300 that summer because the babies could hide in the mess. I have the bog about 3rd size of the pond and a bio filter too which also worked brilliantly until this summer. The fish got big, some over 30cms. I can't cull them, I don't know who I should murder, lots of them have names and some are over 17 years old. Any ideas? I thought about adding an intake bay but would need an excavator as we are all rock here. The free rock was great but digging next to an established pond scares me and there's not much room. I'd like another pond but that won't go down well with the other half. Water changes and splosht is keeping the water within parameters but not for much longer as the fish get bigger. They are eating all the plants now too.
If you are on Facebook or gumtree offer the fish for free. Or better yet fish and plants for people that will help you with a bit of maintenance.
I'm curious about how you top up a slightly empty pond or when you clean out the bog filter with a hose. Won't the chemicals in the tap water used for topping up or cleaning out The Bog filter kill all the bacteria that has grown on the rocks? And therefore you would have to start that entire nitrogen cycle again like a fish tank?
Depends on how much you top up. I know I’ve made a dedicated video on the topic. Think it’s called something like topping up your pond.
@@Ozponds Thanks so much I will take a look
Omg can we talk about the moss tho! its so amazing. Do you have any tips to get your moss looking so amazing?
Just build it and it will come
Great video. If the bog is made just using pond liner (in sunken dirt) do we need a clean out valve? Thanks
The barrel acts as a clean out port.
Great Job !! I bought a home with a pond(man made) It has no circulation and it is green on top can't see in water at all. I'm putting a waterfall in. Any suggestions to clear the green bacteria?
Many options. Watch a few more videos. Moving water through a good biological filter (like a bog) is the easiest way to improve overall health and appearance.
I want to have a bog filter by using a liner instead of a container. Do you have a video that shows this please? Thanks, Mark
Yes you’ll find it in previous uploads. One I did in a stream and two on my dream pond. 👍
One thing I've discovered that I hadn't thought about; A single outlet from the filter, back into the pond, makes a much nicer sound for several small outlets. The noise you get from several small outlets, makes me need to pee 🤣
😂 I have a pond like that. For me it’s more the volume of the pump. It’s that trickle noise that triggers me.
Do you need to inoculate the rocks? Or is it sort of a "if you build it, they will come." kind of thing
The later 👍
Thank you. Much appreciated information
Glad you thought so 👍
Very nice, thank you for sharing the knowledge! One question, would this kind of filter be suitable for a turtle pond? I know turtles are way messier than fish, so would this filter handle cleaning the water?
Yes 👍
Mega helpful video 🙏🏻
My pond is 3/4 acre with no real movement. Hoping something like this can help😊
Large unlined ponds are a bit different in my opinion. This video might be a good starting point- Liner pond vs natural pond
ua-cam.com/video/rZVM3E2_9VY/v-deo.html
@Ozponds
Unbelievable that someone could ask you for help AND you deliver help promptly. Then you don't even get a 👍or thank you.....
People?
@Ozponds thanks. We plan on fixing it but this video helped me come up with ideas.
With fish, or not, have you done any experiments with a bog filter where the pump doesn't run 24hrs/day? Certainly, without fish, it stands to reason that a solar pump running water through the non-draining system, ought to be completely sufficient.🤔
No I haven’t personally done any experiments.
I have had great success with my small-scale stocked enclosures running only every few days/once a week. But I have mine all set up to filter their own water with plants and sand, so your own mileage may vary!
can I have the inflow of water connected in the bottom?
I don’t recommend it as it’s to hard to prevent siphoning. Check valves have tended to fail for me in the past. I think it’s due to the low back flow pressure.
Could i possibly use the aquarium filters using materials such as fiberglass hollow perbleles and carbon, in addition to this in order to accieve an even better effect?
And one more question.
How hygienic safe will be for a person to swimm in it?
Just in case.
I wouldnt like to use the usual pool chemicals if possible. Can i have the same result?
You can always enhance the filter 👍. Swimming is a personal choice.
Interesting video
Still working on digging out garden fish pond.
I have 4 good sized raised beds approx 90’ long
The pond is between 80,000 and 100,000 litres depending on how deep I go. Thinking how can I use the center of the beds as the bog. Also incorporating the water flow in the overall watering of the gardens.
Sounds like you want a supersized aquaponic system.
@@Ozponds lol for sure will grow water spinach on a raft like structure. But mostly want to feed soil with the nutrient rich water. Talked to the guys building the pond we decided to build up two sides by extending the retaining block walls. But good timing seeing your video as I’m at that moment where decisions will have to be made.
Cheers
Sounds like a really fun build 👍
Question. You said the plants we should put in are "marginals". I don't know what "marginal" plants are, how many of these plants do you put in the filter, and where do you put the plants? Do you just float the plants on top? I presume these plants don't grow in soil? Thank you!
Marginals are aquatic plants that like their foliage outside of water, but their roots in water. These plants are planted into the rock and pebble on the margins of the bog or throughout if it is shallow enough. This video might help How to plant pond plants
ua-cam.com/video/oFg_w2fc1AY/v-deo.html
Is adding sand or charcoal to bog filter a good idea 💡???
Ive never done it. I get great results without it. Sand would concern me a bit as there wouldn’t be any void space (too compact).
Thanks so much for your knowledge ❤
I hope it helps you create something that brings you lots of happiness 😊👍
1:58 what if the pump would suck water from the bottom of that gravel/plants filter and pumping it up to a waterfall ? Will it still do the job?
I also have to mention that my gravel filter is in the pond itself, arround the deep swimming area
It will.
My pump sucks a portion of the water from a swimming pool skimmer and another portion it is supposed to be sucked from below the gravel (pea gravel size) through 3 separate pieces of drainage perforated pipes (24 meters of them) water quality it's not great, i have string algaes. I believe the skimmer takes to much if not most of that inflow which means not much happens under gravel.
I turned off the valve that comes from skimmer and wait a few days to see.
I also have a bottom drain that feeds into a biological concrete multi chamber up and down filter with all kinds of filter media. The water was crystal clear, than it was a heavy rain ,but also it's been added 9 small koi 3 weeks before the rain and i can't figure it out where the trouble comes from.
I haven't got the time or mood to edit a video with building process so that you could see what i have here...
It’s obviously not how I set up my ponds. You can see how I do it in the many videos I have. I always want it to be easy to clean. That way you can remove the build up of nutrients easily.
Start to put into place building a wild life pond in our front yard food forest and your videos pop back up with a mountain of information.
I might have a place for a bog filter, and wanted to try a "flood plane" as the upper pond. Be cool if a I can find a variable pump that can cycle between volume.
The pumps in my dream pond have variable flow settings.
@@Ozponds only issue is I can't find one that I can cycle up and down automatically.
The guys at aquapro gave the idea. Use two pumps, one on, one you can turn on. I can use an arduino to control the second pump.
Well unfortunately, I didn't find this video until after the fact. With that being said how can I utilize what I have. A 10000 gallon skimmer pump and bio falls at one end. A 3000 gallon skimmer and biofalls at the other, along with a 24000 oase screenmatic gravity filer with uv light. Which I recently purchased. Question is can you possibly have a video for those who already have a system like mine and how to set up your waterfall bio. Should you just add a bunch of gravel to it instead of bio balls and go from there.
All I can do I show how I set up my ponds and what works for me. There’s plenty of methods that are successful at keeping clear, healthy water.
Great video, informative and concise, thanks
Curious if when filling a bog filter if I can use batting in addition to lava rock or other rocks? Also what about using sand ? So I was thinking large rocks, stacked to smaller, then a layer of batting and maybe the sand on the very top. Wasn't sure if that would function correctly though. I'm asking because I already have these materials on hand. And if I can use sand does the type matter? Play sand or construction sand?
I never tried it that way. You would be experimenting.
Hello, thanks to your videos I have built a simple bog filter though I have another problem with floating debris falling into the pond. Do you happen to have a design integrating both a bog filter and a skimmer using one submersible pump?
Yes. Many of the build vids talk about this and show it. If you look at the ecosystem pond on a budget, it should give you some ideas.
@@Ozponds cool, i guess i just needed to watch more of your videos 😅. love your videos and i REALLY appreciate your replying. thank you. you'll make my turtles really happy
Hi from Spain, thanks a lot for all your videos. I have a cuestion, I´m gonna do a 5x4x1m pond with more or less 10.000L. I´m going to use your instructions for the bog filter. So i will need a 3,333L bog filter, i will use 4000L and i need a 24000L/H pump??? is not too much L/H? thanks and keep going with the videos they are great!!
For a 4000L bog I would buy a pump around 24,000L per hour, correct. Preferably variable speed.
@Ozponds thanks, I thought that was correct but also that perhaps it will be too much flow if I need a low flow... no?
This is just a simple way to do it. It can have less flow absolutely. Remember you’ve got the breather pipe, an intake bay, skimmer or some other kind of mechanical filtration. Then you’ve got head height, back pressure from the bog. The pump cage or sponge will become semi clogged overtime. This is how I do it but it’s not the only way. There’s lots of ways to filter water. I just find this simplified version works for the vast majority of situations. Hope that helps 👍
If you live in an area with clay dirt, and have 1 duck, would the dirt and mud clog the bog filter?
I think it would be quite problematic. I don’t really recommend bog filters for clay lined ponds.
Do I need to remove my UV bulb from my pump in order for the science behind a bog filter to work?
The UV will kill bacteria that passes through the pump. There will be plenty of bacteria inside the filter clinging to the media. But I don’t personally have any ponds with UV.
@@Ozponds Thanks Kev.
Question. I have a 3.3 acre pond (a lot larger than the pond you have shown. We have added bottom aerators to add oxygen. However, we have string algae issues and some unwanted plant growth issues sub surface.
I have been debating on dying the pond to help with the algae issues. Then add in some beneficial bacteria several times.
The water is a greenish/brown color. There are carp and bullhead catfish, along with many other types of fish. I know those two specific fish can cause turbidity issues.
Thought about adding gypsum also for that.
Am I on the right track? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you
Large unlined ponds are much different to backyard fish or ornamental ponds. If there’s muddy sediments and wildlife constantly churning up those sediments I think you need to accept that the water will never be crystal clear. For water quality, aerators, plants, maybe floating wetlands would be my starting point.
Thanks for your video , I have a question. I don’t have electricity outside ! I live in an apartment. I’m making a pond in a barrel, how can I filter the water ? Thanks again .
Wine Barrel Pond| No Pump
ua-cam.com/video/kzBVcdPaZL0/v-deo.html
Get a solar air pump for an air stone and rely on vacuuming the bottom as needed.
I am looking to make one in Southern Wisconsin, how to I decide and find what plants to use?
Bog filter plants| Selecting the right ones
ua-cam.com/video/leHm1BT_WrU/v-deo.html
Gday Kev, love your videos- so informative! am embarking on my second creek/pond and this time going to put in a bog filter. Does it need to have continuous water flow or can I turn it off overnight? Was only planning on running 1 pump (I know you recommend a separate one) to circulate through the bog filter and also return the water to the head of the creek?
Better results running continuously.
@@Ozponds awesome, thank you. I thought as much to keep the biologicals from starving. Love ur work!
Is the pump placed in the pond?if so how do you not get electrocuted?
So far I’ve just been lucky. No submersible pumps are made to specific regulations so that they are safe. I think I talk more about it in this video. Submersible pond pumps|Installation|Maintenance|How they work
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I have an idea to pump the water up to the little hill that surrounds the pond then create a bog filter channel/artificial stream which does a few switchbacks down the hill then goes back to the pond.
Any feedback on this idea? Its a pretty big pond so I figure I need max surface area.
Sounds like a good idea. 👍
Hi Kev i am big fan of your videos and has helped me a lot. I have a 3500 g pond constructed with stone and cement with concrete flooring. And we have a fish load of about 20. Due to space constraint i cannot have the bog outside the pond so can i have it inside the pond and lesser in size than 10% recommended ? Please advice
Instead of a barrel can i use a rectangular tank which i can keep outside the pond ?
You can use anything to create the bog. The important things are the size, flow rate and making it easy to clean. And yes you can build it inside the pond.
@@Ozponds Thank you
If the bog filter is inside the pond draining the solids would have to be done by cleaning the bog taking out all the rocks as we cannot have a drain outlet ?
Not at all. Look at my bog in a stream video or building a large bog filter video. You can drain them without having an actual drain.
@@Ozponds Saw the videos lot of good info I like the way you drain without actual drain but the drainage trench liner isn't available here so is there any other way that I could do it ? Please help
You can use anything that’ll create the void space.
How did you keep the your fish from eating the water lilies in that pond? My goldfish decimate them.
Not sure. I’ve never had a problem.
Hello Kev. I just found your channel today and I am interested to your opinion.
I am looking to do a pond as a natural holding tank for the rain water and my grey water to be used for watering vegetables garden and the swimming pool...
Can a bog filter will work with the small amount of nutrients?
Does your system have a musquitos problème ?
I see the bog filter as a decorative features in my yard.
What do you think of this application?
Thank you for you help.
There’s usually rules around how long grey water can be stored for (at least there is where I live). I’ve built myself a grey water wetland/ bog but I certainly don’t swim in it, I’ve built other ponds for that. I don’t have issues with mosquitoes, I recently made a video on that.
Hello. Do you use pvc or vinyl to connect the pump to the bog input? thanks
I prefer flexible pvc, but I also use rigid.
I think you have got it figured out. Totally love all your bog filter pond systems.
That’s great to hear Ken 👍🍻
Hi Kev, I am creating a 350 liter indoor pond. My idea is to use a small child’s pool. Do you see any problem with that? I love the idea of a bog filter.
Only thing will be evaporation inside the house. I keep my fish tanks covered because I don’t like the extra condensation inside the house.
What about for people in very cold climates? Won't all the plastic pipes freeze and crack?
I have no personal experience with that. My guess would be either drain the pipes before winter or bury everything below the frost line. But I’m just guessing, we get frosts where I live but nothing extreme, i run my ponds and filters year round.
In your dream pond is the big filter level with the pond it’s self or did you build a burm area
There was an existing slope and I built it up a little. Both bogs are a higher elevation than the pond.
@@Ozponds thank you
Thank you very much for your videos! Please, so if my hose from the pump coming into the filter is 1/2 inch, I can still use 1 inch for all the filter pipes like you do in the video right? Then I just put the hose from the pump into the bigger pvc pipe from the filter and all goes well right? Haha sorry i am still a little bit confused, and about to start my build. Thanks again
That will work, although you probably don’t want to push the 1/2 inch pipe all the way into the filter. Or if you did you want a little hole in that pipe to prevent a siphon if the pump shuts off.
@@Ozponds thank you so much for your answer! Ok I see. Still wondering what is the proper way to connect the pump hose to the vertical pvc pipe in the filter? Do you have a video showing this?
Have you watched the videos I placed in the description?
I have a 5 acre pond about 5’ deep. Can I use a 500-1000 gallon tank as a bog filter setup? 😅
Just look into floating wetlands if you have water quality issues. Much better option for a lake that size.
Hello Kev, how many inches of rock/gravel do you recommend?
Depends on the bog size. I’ve used shallow bogs and deep bogs they all work.
What about a larger pond? Mine is closer to 1.8 million liters. Just filter what I can and forget the rest?
Depends what your goals are, if the pond is lined (pond liner) or unlined (clay). Putting a bog filter on an unlined pond is a costly exercise and it’s going to be hard to get crystal clear water.
Great Channel Kev !
Love your work !
Just a question tho ; if I was to design a bog or a barrel filter ; am I able to use Sandstone as oppose to bush rock ?
Possibly. It’s not a type of rock I’ve used. My only real worry would be if it’s so soft that it creates a lot of sediment that then clogs the filter. Otherwise I don’t see an issue.
Whatta legend u full replied ! That was my original thoughts . Bush Rock it is
Hi kev, wonderful video as always. I learned a lot from watching your video as well as reading from your website. Just one question stuck in my mind, do you need to have a separate solid filter when you have a bog filter in place? Especially when dealing with ponds with lots of fish in it.
You can design the bog so that it has plenty of space to capture solids. But if you prefer to seperate them before that is ok also 👍
@@Ozponds thank you so much for the fast and wonderful response.
so the bog worked great but know i have parasites and its hard to kill them because of bog its hard to get them all any suggestions?????
But the bog should always be easy to clean and flush. It’s one of my design principles.
Hi Kev is it possible to use a layer of river sand in the bog filter to trap finer particles or will it compromise flow rate, I was thinking about layering sand between two courses of 9.5mm gravel
Ive never tried it so I can’t give you a definitive answer.
A few comments on what I'm doing on a similar project and some ideas I've found on how to expand this idea. What he built here is called an 'Aquaponics' system, the fish drop fecal matter and pee in the water which provides the minerals/nutrients the plants need with the help of the bacteria (see below). A perfect symbiotic system. It works better if there is rough (3/8" gravel) in the area the plants roots grow into. That way the Bacteria can grow on the rocks and stay bio available to the plants. This process is called Nitrification (see reference below). I am building a 26' Dome Green House on my property in August 2022, and will have several Aquaponics setups in it along with normal organic soil beds. I will grow lots of different edible plants, including vines on raised lattices, cucumbers, beans etc. and a few fruit trees as the dome height will be 16'. The Dome will also have a pond with waterfall for a great place to relax, especially in the winter, as it will be like summer inside. I will have an air cooling system by running a tunnel under the dome to pull air through, thus cooling the air to regulate temperature inside the growing area.
One thing that can also be done in soil, to make it much more fertile, is mixing hard wood charcoal, chipped up into the soil at a 15% ratio Biochar to Soil. That creates a home for the mycorrhizae fungi that makes the soil more fertile. That system was first known to be developed in the Amazon jungle by burning plants to clear jungle for growing food. The Biochar was then called Terra Preta and makes plants grow faster, bigger and produce much more fruit/vegetables. My plan is to have plenty of organic food for the family as well as enough to sell to organic restaurants, that way I can write off all the expenses.
I will also have a large pond on the property with a bio area (place for water plants, some edible) will grow and when I pump water from the pond into the bio area the water will be filtered by the plants roots and cleansed by the bacteria. All totally organic, no chemicals. I'll have Bass, Crappie, Perch and Catfish in my pond for food we eat. I will have a cable running over the pond with a feeder so I can set it up to be easily fillable and a motor to spread the food pellets on the pond. The pond will also have spawning areas for the fish to keep the pond in balance. With the clean water the pond will also have a sectioned off area for swimming.
Most people use Tilapia in Aquaponics systems for that very reason. The Tilapia is a great food fish. Some people create a food trap to let the fly's lay eggs that turn into larvae and then those can be fed to the fish. I have seen a few examples where the table scraps are tossed into a 4" deep tray/bucket, and the flies lay eggs in the food. The larvae crawl up an escape ramp (a bit rough for traction) the ramp goes up, then down. The down side is smooth so the larvae then slide down into a collection jar. Free food for the fish...
I will make a video once I get all that up and running.
I also will be 'trellising' my fruit trees in another area, similar to grapes, by tying limbs on the fruit trees to heavy wires to run horizontal instead of growing high. That way the fruit is easy to pick because the trees will be wide not tall. The trick is to run the trellis' north/south so the trees fruit will get even sun east/west and have the best flavors... But that's another story.
References: www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/ and mycorrhizae.com/how-it-works/ and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_preta en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification For more information on the Bog Filter Nitrification check out this video that discusses that issue: ua-cam.com/video/3d_dx0Drn04/v-deo.html
ll also have a large pond on the property with a bio area (place for water plants, some edible) will grow and when I pump water from the pond into the bio area the water will be filtered by the plants roots and cleansed by the bacteria. All totally organic, no chemicals. I'll have Bass, Crappie, Perch and Catfish in my pond for food we eat. I will have a cable running over the pond with a feeder so I can set it up to be easily fillable and a motor to spread the food pellets on the pond. The pond will also have spawning areas for the fish to keep the pond in balance. With the clean water the pond will also have a sectioned off area for swimming.
Most people use Tilapia in Aquaponics systems for that very reason. The Tilapia is a great food fish. Some people create a food trap to let the fly's lay eggs that turn into larvae and then those can be fed to the fish. I have seen a few examples where the table scraps are tossed into a 4" deep tray/bucket, and the flies lay eggs in the food. The larvae crawl up an escape ramp (a bit rough for traction) the ramp goes up, then down. The down side is smooth so the larvae then slide down into a collection jar. Free food for the fish...
I will make a video once I get all that up and running.
I also will be 'trellising' my fruit trees in another area, similar to grapes, by tying limbs on the fruit trees to heavy wires to run horizontal instead of growing high. That way the fruit is easy to pick because the trees will be wide not tall. The trick is to run the trellis' north/south so the trees fruit will get even sun east/west and have the best flavors... But that's another story.
References: www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/ and mycorrhizae.com/how-it-works/ and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_preta en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification
Sounds awesome Milton. I never had success with my aquaponics. Now I just grow impatiens and ornamentals in there. I will follow your channel 👍
@@Ozponds Lots of Aquaponics systems fail because they don't have sufficient oxygen in the water. I will use a pump that runs off a battery that has a charger. If the power goes off you lose no oxygen generation. The other thing is the water has to be kept at about 78 F or the plants don't do well.
The temperature would explain my failure. Now it makes sense when I see that most of the successful aquaponics in Australia is in warmer climates.