Keep your pond sparkling clean with this easy pond filter tutorial. Make your own pond filter now and say goodbye to your old muddying pond!

DIY Pond Filter | Tutorial

What you’ll need:

• Filter Container (Suggestion: 30 gallon, plastic food grade drum)
• 1 – length of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe
• 1 – length of 2″ PVC pipe
• 1 – 1 1/2″ PVC slip T
• 1 – 1 1/2″ PVC threated T (the threads are on the perpendicular opening)
• 2 – 1 1/2″ PVC elbows
• 1 – 1 1/2 inch to 1 1/4 inch threaded nipple reducer (or a threaded hose adapter from the pond shop)
• 1 – 3″-4″ closet flange (its a toilet part)
• 4 – 1/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch bolt, nut and washer combinations
• 1 bottle silicone sealant
• 1 – 2″ PVC ball valve
• 1 – 2″ shower drain
• 1 – 3″-2″ ABS bushing
• 1 – length of hose (1″ hose)
• 2 – hose clamps (You’ll only need one but there’s no harm in adding extra, just in case)
• Filter Media or plastic fencing
  

• 1 – length 1/2″ PVC pipe
• 4 – 1/2″ PVC elbows
• 1 – 1/2″ PVC cross (the X shaped one) these are for building a stand to hold the egg crate off the bottom of the filter
• 1 – plastic egg crate style overhead 2×4 light grate (or something similar) you get these in the lighting section of hardware stores.
  

For a more detailed materials, click here.

Let’s get started!

Tip: Clean your barrel so it is safe for fish. Let it soak for a couple of days in clean water.

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The Drain

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Cut a hole so that your shower drain fits tightly at the bottom of the gallon (the grate part goes on the inside of the barrel). Take each part that needs to go through the barrel and trace them onto the side. Drill some big holes around the opening so you can insert the jigsaw. Then play connect the dots with the holes. Trim the holes bit by bit until they fit perfectly.

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This drain must be sealed onto the bucket with the silicone sealant or it will leak. Sealant must be applied along the inside edge. Whenever you seal something like this, make sure to wipe down all the surfaces to be sealed with rubbing alcohol. Don’t be stingy with the sealant — you want it to smoosh all over the place.

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Next, insert a cut piece of 2″ PVC pipe into the 2″ shower drain. The 2″ ball valve goes onto that cut piece of pipe. It all must be glued together.

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Attach it to the barrel.

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Pond Return

Cut the hole for the pond return spout the same way the drain one was cut.

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While holding the flange in place on the barrel, drill the holes for the 4 bolts. The bolts will make sure that the flange stays pressed against the barrel.

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Wipe all the surfaces down with rubbing alcohol. Goop on the sealant and smoosh it into place.

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Wipe down all the washers that will be on the front of the barrel with rubbing alcohol. Goop some sealant into the holes and insert the bolts.

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Now insert the bushing.  The bushing allows you to attach a 2″ pipe to the flange. Put sealant on the inner part of the opening of the flange and insert the bushing.