Greg Bickal's DIY Series: How to build a "Trickle-Tower" filter using a 55 gallon barrel.
Trickle Tower filters are very effecient because the bacteria gets more oxygen than in a submerged filter.
One disadvange is they are harder to hide since they need to be above water level. In an indoor pond, this is
much easier to do, that is why I choose to use one in my garage pond.
The following trickle tower is designed using a drip plate rather than a spaybar.
The recommended flow rate for this filter is between 1200-1800gph.
It is recommended that a mechanical pre-filter or settling chamber be used prior to water being pumped to this filter.
Design
Materials
Qty
Description
1
55 gallon barrel
1
10 gallon rubbermaid container with lid
1
Filter Media (about 3 cubic feet).
1
2" bulkhead fitting
Assembly
Cut out the lid of the 55 gallon barrel. Cut as close to the rim as possible.
Cut the rim off the top of the barrel.
Drill 1/4" holes in the barrel lid. The holes should be evenly spaced in a grid pattern and be 1/2" apart.
Cut a hole in the bottom of the barrel big enough to accept the bulkhead fitting.
Install the bulkhead fitting in the barrel. The smooth end should be inside the barrel.
Set the barrel into place where it will reside. The entire barrel must be above pond level.
For my installation I choose a corner in the back wall. I supported the front of the barrel with a peice of deckboard
that is angled at 45 degrees.
Run plumbing (as necessary to connect the trickle tower back to the pond.
Place bricks (or rocks) in the bottom of the barrel to support the lid off the bottom by about 4".
Place the barrel lid inside the barrel.
Fill the barrel with filter media.
Drill 1/8" holes in the bottom of the rubbermaid container. This will be the drip plate which evenly distributes the
water over the media.
Drill about ten 1/4" holes in the sides of the rubbermaid container about 4" from the bottom. These will serve as overflow holes. The holes should be evenly spaced in a grid pattern and be 1/2" apart.
Place the Rubbermaid continer in the top of the barrel. The container should sit low enough in the barrel that the handles of the container rest on the top of the barrel.
Cut a 2" hole in the exact center of the lid of the rubbermaid container.
This is where the water will enter from the pump.
Run plumbing (as necessary to connect the pump to the hole in the top of the rubbermaid container.
