How to Hide DIY Pond Filters for a Natural Look

One of the best ways to save money on a pond is to construct your own filters. Hi, I’m Kev, and the goal of my YouTube channel and this website is to help you save money on your pond projects.

Over the years, I’ve shared various filter designs, often using cheap, recycled materials like old olive barrels to create effective filtration systems.

Two of my most popular designs are the bog filter in a barrel and a high-flow filter like the one I used for my solar-powered stream.

You can follow the links to these projects or watch the videos below.

Today, I want to address a common question I get: How do you hide these barrel filters, and how do you connect them to the pond liner?

Hiding Your Pond Filter: Tips and Tricks

Example: The Solar Pond

From ground level, the filter is cleverly hidden behind an umbrella plant, making it nearly invisible. The filter barrel is partially buried in the ground with plants like Milfoil growing on top, which not only helps to conceal it but also adds to the filtration process.

Here’s how I connected the filter to the pond liner that creates a stream that carries the water back into the pond:

1. Cutting the Pond Liner: Start by cutting a hole in the pond liner, slightly smaller than the outlet pipe, EPDM rubber liner is flexible and can stretch substantially (uptown 300%) .
2. Installing the Pipe: Use a uniseal to pass the pipe through the barrel, then push the pipe snugly through the hole in the liner. A bit of silicone around the pipe ensures a watertight seal.
3. Finishing Touches: Finally, tuck the liner up and over the pipe, secure it with silicone, and cover the area with rocks or plants to blend it seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

The video below will give you a good visual of how this is done.

Example: Courtyard Pond Filter

In my courtyard pond, the barrel filter is tucked away behind a small berm created from the dirt I dug out to form the pond.

The filter feeds into a stream that flows back into the pond, and the piping is completely hidden from view.

I’ve even concealed the pipe outlet with a piece of wood and some rocks, making it virtually impossible to spot unless you’re specifically looking for it.

Again the EPDM rubber liner is connected to the barrel, same as the previous example. The water flows out of the barrel into the stream and returns to the pond.

The video below shows how this pond was constructed in full.

Final Thoughts

The key to a well-hidden pond filter is planning. By strategically placing your filter and using natural elements like plants and rocks, you can keep your filtration system out of sight while maintaining a beautiful, natural-looking pond.

I hope this guide helps you with your pond project.

If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to check out my YouTube channel and other articles on the website for step-by-stepdetails on these filter designs.

Thanks for reading, and happy pond building!