Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:15 pm Re: Outdoor tank with 2 Fluval 306's
I made my own pond filter out of a large 25gal plastic planter pot. Added a screw capped drain near bottom (on the side), and then filled with various media.
For the large media I used golf ball sized whiffle balls. Next size media I used coconut fibers. Then topped it with sand.
I ran PVC down the middle and added a "T" split at the bottom of the hose. On each end of the "T" I added a 45 degree turn.
Then to top it all off (literally) I added the plant water cress (grows like a weed when feeding off all the "funk").
The pump is at the deepest portion of my pond. It feeds through a UV sterilizer system, then on to the filter.
The water filters from bottom to top. When it reaches the top it waterfalls over the side of the pot.
Every other month I empty out the large funk via the drain. I do not change out the large media as I want to keep the good bacteria going (plus the red worms that are living in there are another good food source, but this time for the fish in the pond).
I've had this filter system going for about 18 months now. Works great!
The RES loves to eat the water cress that grows over the side.
Oh, and not only does the water cress work as both a filtration, and food for the turtle, but it also makes it so mosquitoes are not able to breed in any of the standing water (about 3") at the top of the filter.
From pump, to UV sterilizer, to materials making filter, all totaled no more than about $175. Look around on the internet for the UV sterilizer, and the pump. You can get way better deals than walking into a pet store.