Matala filter in action

Do It Yourself Matala filter

Here are the parts for my new mechanical filter. 4 sheets of matala filter, a rubbermaid truck box and various fittings. It took a day to put together and get working. This filter is now the first after the pump. It drains into a 40gal brute can full of plastic scrubbies and left-over matala bits. This filter will work for the next year, until I build some fiberglass boxes.

On the left (inside the box), you see a flex hose. That's the water input. I put the hose on there so I can easily clean the filters with pond water and back flush the box by moving the end of the hose to the other side. If I need to drain the box to work on it, I just stick the end of the hose into the drain pipe on the right and open the drain plug. That way I can keep the rest of the filtration system running.

All tucked away under the stairs. Next year, when we build the deck this will be hidden away.

A Ray of Sunshine

Despite a record cold June so far we still enjoy watching the pond plants bloom.

We have fish!

It's been a slow week pond-wise but the electical is all wired up. Kari is happy that she doesn't have to mow around an extension cord anymore. :) We picked up ten koi today from a local guy who had a good spawn 2 years ago. So far they're sticking together and exploring every corner of the pond. They play follow the leader. If one swims into the skimmer then the other nine follow suit. At least they all follow the first one out again a minute later. Three of the goldfish have decided to join the koi but they have to really hustle to keep up!