External Pump/Filter box plan

14 years ago

Requesting critiques, suggestions and comments!

Now that I've been at this water garden for a bit, and I've read more and more of the archives here .... I think I'm ready to bite the bullet and plan the install of an external pump/filter box. I looked around at purchase options, and at designs some of you have, and this is what I've come up with.

A few reminders - (1) my pond is currently quite small ~300 gallons and after I rework maybe around ~500 (2) water garden with comet goldfish (3) in-ground space is a premium and gets carved out around oak tree roots and water/sewer pipes and (4) the water fountain is about 40" or so above pond water level

Essentially, I would be using a rubbermaid box in a box that would be setting at the narrow end of my pond. The narrow end of the box to the left in the diagram would actually be part and parcel of the pond side.

The top box will contain all the filters and the pump, with the ability to be fairly easily disconnected from the lower plumping box. The top box will set inside the deep bottom box, with a cut out on the far end for the pump; and for debris to settle to the bottom.

At least, this is the best attempt I've come up with so far to get pumps and filters out of my pond.

I'm hoping that all of you kind and knowledgeable people will pick this apart for me and help make it perfect - at at least on paper!

TIA

~dianne

PS - link below is to a journal post with more pond pictures and details

Here is a link that might be useful: My pond

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

waterbug_guy
14 years ago
I'm not really following too well...is the pump above the pond's water level?

If the RoughNeck is outside of the water...I don't trust polyethylene containers that aren't rated to hold water. They can split. I prefer to use a container built to hold water or make my own with EDPM liner.
sleeplessinftwayne
14 years ago
I agree about the Roughneck containers. They really aren't rated "outdoors".

That is a lot of ball valves! Bulky! Expensive way to go. I would use simple diverter valves since you aren't pulling that much water. Put the money into better pump boxes. They make small stock tanks that can be fitted with a wooden or stone top.
Related Professionals
Dubuque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lancaster Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Everett Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Madison Landscape Contractors · Fort Dodge Landscape Contractors · Portsmouth Landscape Contractors · Toledo Landscape Contractors · Twin Falls Landscape Contractors · Leamington Landscape Contractors · Lagrange Landscape Contractors · Brunswick Design-Build Firms · Topeka Design-Build Firms · Lynchburg Design-Build Firms · Clarksburg Design-Build Firms · Portsmouth Design-Build Firms
gardengimp
Original Author
14 years ago
The Pump/Filter box is going to be in ground, at the narrow end of my pie shaped pond. I was thinking I would use my current liner to go in the area that I dig out for the inground box, and have the new epdm come up the side of one end of the end ground box.

I didn't even realize they made stock tanks that small, so thanks for the tip. I'll go look them over.

Now, about the ball valves. I actually already have them all, in storage after we moved from S. Florida and I broke down my orchid system. And yes, the bulk is a bit of an issue.

But, I'm confused. If I only have one pump to feed four different devices, how to I change the amount of water flow to individual devices?

~dianne
sleeplessinftwayne
14 years ago
Diverters, like the ball valves, allow you to dial the volume of water that passes through. They are intended for low volume so they don't need to be as bulky for strength. There are many types. They are particularly nice for spitters.

You must have had a huge orchid setup. I ran an irrigation system for a 32 foot greenhouse without needing such huge ball valves.