LOL! Yep you have the concept down pat. Is there any way you could build
it next
to your pond? That way you can have a small waterfall from the VF into the
pond. The pink colored styrofoam is the same stuff that you put in your
attic
to act as a ...a... a... why does that word escape me?? lol You'd only
need this
if your in a cold winter area... just keeps the VF from freezing clear to
the bottom.
And you buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot ....back in the home building dept.

Congrats on starting the plants! My pond of 3,000 gallons cleared in 2
days...
from pea soup to clear in TWO DAYS!! Wow... was I ever impressed.

Good Luck, Dale....

Nedra in Missouri
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"news.pcisys.net" wrote in message
...
Ooooooo! OK! That sounds very interesting and probably a lot cheaper
that the rubbermaid tank. And it can probably be landscaped much more
nicely. :-) My mind is running already! Long and narrow and I could
probably just build it next to the patio and let gravity return the
water to the pond. So, for 40 square feet, long and narrow, maybe a 10
X 4 or 16 X 2.5. That should do it, and you say 18" deep? What is the
pink colored styrofoam stuff you are talking about? Will pond liner
suffice?

I took the tops off my bio/mechanical filters and stuck some mint
leaves, with stems and the root of an arrowhead, dug up by the kio, in
the tanks and the arrowhead seems to have taken root as a tiny new leaf
has grown above the water! VF starting? :-))
Thanks, Nedra, for you help! I will post some pictures as soon as I get
them.
W. Dale

Nedra wrote:
Hi Dale,
I think I'd build a VF - rather long and narrow if you can ... It seems
to
work better in
that configuration. Most people use the landscape timbers. Also, line
the VF
with that
pink colored styrofoam stuff.

My VF is fed by a 500 gallon pump that sits on a shelf Across the
Pond from the VF. I attached a black hose to the pump and laid in on
the
bottom
of the pond. It goes along side the VF and up the back. The hose is near
the
bottom of
the VF which is about 18" deep ~ just hanging onto a milk crate.

If you need more info just let me know.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"news.pcisys.net" wrote in message
...

Ok, I calculate my surface area around 399 sq. ft (19X21). 10% would
give me 39.9 or 40 sq. ft or 7 X 6. What depth and should the water
remain in the filter for 20 minutes prior to egress? That would be a
pretty slow flow, yes? I guess I could use the un used out flow on my
Silent Giant 4300 GPH and restrict the flow with a ball valve to achieve
the desired flow.
A rubbermaid 300 gallon tank would give me 362.25 ((63"L x 69"W)/12" =
362.25) sq. ft of surface area. Do you think that would be sufficient?
Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

W. Dale

Nedra wrote:

The veggie filter is 10% of the surface area of the pond... about 4 x

6.

I say it's almost never too late to add a veggie filter. I'm sure it

will

clear your pond in 2 to 3 days. Not only that, but the water
hyacinths, water celery, etc will be easy to come by. Alot cheaper

too!

Good Luck.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"news.pcisys.net" wrote in message
...


How big is your veggie filter? I am contemplating adding a veggie
filter to my system, even at this late date in the season, to see if I
can clear up my water.
Thanks!

Nedra wrote:


I've been reading for years about having loads of plants in the pond
to

keep


it clear.
My answer has to be my veggie filter. I don't have 'anything'
growing

in


my koi pond ....
- not one thing except for tiny survivor lily. I guess there has to
be

one


in every
crowd ;-)

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" wrote in message
. ..



Nice that your pond cleared. We hear a bunch of different
suggestions

that



all seem to have proponents and most have reasonable explanations.

Here is our status:

Our pond has been clear for several years now. Loads of plants

growing

like



mad seems to be the key for us. No icides. No bacterial enzymes.

Just

plants and more plants and circulation. The berm ponds collect
loads

of

much each year and get drained once a year.

Jim


"John" wrote in message
. com...



hey everyone. ive been working on my pumps and filtration methods.
i

used



to pump about 8 gallons a minute through a somewhat thick filter

material



and within a week my pond was pretty clear. at the time the
filtered

water



went directly into the pond from the filter material. now, i have

about

10-15 gallons per minute cascading down a waterfall and the top is

filled



with hyacinth. there is no filter material now... when i use
filter
material (even with the old set up) i was cleaning the material

almost

everyday. i havnt had to change it all now with the hyacinth as my

filters,



but the pond is completely green now. what should i be doing in
order

to


not



be cleaning my filters everyday and get my pond back to being
clean.

The



filer is about 1 foot off the bottom of the pond so it doesnt pick
up

any



muck.. is this correct? any help is appreciated
thanx!
John