Building A Waterfall Pond Filter For $19!

For my patio pond, I wanted to have a filter that was either completely in it, or all above it. I also love the waterfalls, so I wanted one on my pond. I also needed it to be cheap!

What I settled on was basically an overhead sump.

Step One: Take your 5 gallon storage tote, and tape off where you are going to drill your 1 3/4” hole for the waterfall. Be sure to leave space for the pipe itself, as the Inner Diameter is 1 3/4”, not the Outer Diameter. My hole was a little to small, so I used a Half-Round to open it up a little more, this can be done with sandpaper.

Step Two: Screw your 1 3/4” ABS male and female piece together, adding a 44mm O ring, or liquid silicone around the seams.

Step 3: Cut your PVC to 14 1/2”.

Step 4: Dry fit your PVC pieces.

Step 5: Cement your PVC Pieces in place and wait 15 minutes for it to cure.

Step 6: Screw your barb adapter in to find out where it’s final tightening place will be.

Step 7: Drill your holes. I opted for 8 holes on each side (Roughly a 20 degree angle, or 5 and 7 oclock), and 3 in the middle pointed straight down. I finalized on 13/64ths”.

Step 8: Cut your Tubing to desired length.

Step 9: Attach to barb adapter and to pond pump.

Step 10: Zip Tie spray bar to box.

Step 11: Fill with filter media. I used Lava Rock.

Step 12: Cut the lid or use something to block the backspash.

Supplies:

HDX 5 Gallon Heavy Duty Storage Tote: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-5-Gal-Heavy-Duty-Storage-Tote-HD5G-1PK/300676888

Tubing: https://www.homedepot.com/p/UDP-1-2-in-I-D-x-5-8-in-O-D-x-10-ft-Clear-Vinyl-Tubing-T10006010/304185142

90 Degree Barb to 3/4 adapter: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rain-Bird-1-2-in-Barb-x-3-4-in-Male-Pipe-Thread-Irrigation-Swing-Pipe-Elbow-SWGE075S/100197963

PVC to Threads Adapter: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-3-4-in-PVC-Sch-40-FPT-x-FPT-Coupling-PVC021020800HD/203811424

PVC Pipe: https://www.homedepot.com/p/VPC-3-4-in-x-2-ft-PVC-Sch-40-Pipe-22075/202300505

PVC Cement: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-8-oz-PVC-Cement-310133/100345577

Pond Pump: https://amzn.to/2IAighr

Pond Filter Pad: https://amzn.to/2IuAJwA