DIY 55 gallon drum filter plans?

[Ruthie]

We are planning on building a new filter for the new pond.  Can anybody direct me to some good plans online?   How many gallons of pond with a moderate fish load will a 55 gallon drum sized filter handle?

[Johns]

Start here: http://www.gardenendeavors.com/

Navigate to here: http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/web2.html

Look closely at here:  http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/pool10.html

And also here:  http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/web8.html

Generally, a 1,000 gallon pool should have a filter capacity of between 40 and 80 gallons.  As fish load, etc is different for every pool, an exact answer is difficult.

[Bonnie]

Here is a basic design from Graham Hawkins webpage.
http://www.geocities.com/ghawkins_ca/barrelfilter.html
Don't believe his sketch shows how to drain, that is definately something you want to add in the bottom for cleaning.

All are basically built the same way just some use different media.

[-Greg-]

Monique, below is a link to a thread on Koiphen that outlined the version that I made. The only difference that I did was that I added crushed oyster shell in place of the top layer of sand. Filter works excellent!

http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36550

And a couple of pictures of my build:

http://web.mac.com/gunkel04/Site1/KW_filter.html

Greg

[happyoutsidegirl]

Johns, Love the bad boys! there cute!

[Ruthie]

I knew you guys would point me in the right direction!  Thanks!