Pond in a bucket

My brother asked me to make a new home for his two problematic goldfish that were causing him a lot of headache in a 100lt tank. Basically any plant he tried to grow was torn to pieces and uprooted. Thus he wanted them out.

He wanted something cheap and large enough to accommodate the future growth of the fish (well at least one or two years). The new "pond" will be going in a conservatory behind a couple of pieces of furniture so the aesthetics of the project where not of up-most importance.

So we went to woodies and purchased the following:
One large pvc bin 150lt : 19.99
white pvc piping: 5.00
The rest of the parts I already owned.

The filter is based on a simple sump system (first one I have created). There are three compartments, the first compartment has large gravel, the second will have the blue coarse filter media (juwel) and the third contains the return pump. I am not concerned about water clarity so I will not be including any filter wool.


The circulation system is simple, the gravity fed overflow feeds the sump which is then returned by a 400lph powerhead through a smaller diameter pipe running up the inside of the overflow pipe.

Here are a couple of pics









The only problem I have encountered so far is that the water syphons back out of the bin (emptying nearly most of the bin) through the power head, I think this can be combated if I stick a one-way valve on the end the return pipe. Can anyone see any problem that might arise from the way I have set up the system? Not bad for 25 euro and two hours work.

Comets and suggestions are welcome

Denis

Denis your crazy. But in a cool kinda way 8)
If the return from the pump is not submerged you shouldn't get back syphoning.

Thanks for the complement I guess!! :shock: :shock:

I knew the syphon problem wouldn't be there if the return pipe was above the water line. But I want the return water to go into the bottom of the bin so that it causes maximum amount of circulation. Does anyone know where to get a cheap none return valve? or how to make one?

Some DIY drawings.
www.aquatext.com/images/systemph/nrv.htm

Looks good Denis. However, I think you need a few timer switches. I recommend a mixture of UK and US plugs with dodgy wiring. Then you will have a true frankentank

It should be fine for gold fish. Once the filtration is good, they should be happy.

As I mentionted in an earlier tread, we had one in my parents house in a very basic set up that live for 26 years.

Hi John

I got the large tubing in woodies. It was fairly cheap, the two connectors and double that length of pipe you can see in the picture was only 5 euro. The pebbles I picked up in a florists. I got them a while back and as far a I can remember they where 2.00 euro for a 1kg bag.

Denis if you have a spare self start syphon you could use this for a check valve.
You know the type you shake in a tank to get the syphon going.
If the pump goes off the flap should close stopping the water syphoning back to the pump.

Neat idea, im sure the fish will be quite happy.

thats mad they be on the back of bin lorries next!!