I just built a skippy BUT I could not find an oval shaped tank for the life of me. So I had to get the boxy one.. I know it said not to on the instructions, but I had to do something. I will keep looking and switch it out for sure. After seeing that picture I am mad at myself for not buying the half barrel and making one that size! Maybe next spring.. Anyway, Does anyone know if I still need to add beneficial bacteria even though my pond has been around and sustaining all kinds of life for a year now? and i have heard two things now, clean the skippy, don't clean the skippy. can we vote on this? does it matter how big the pond is? i have a very mucky pond (but it's pretty like that) and am only worried about the ammonia levels. other than that, i don't care, i dont need it crystal clear, it only makes it easier for the raccoons to find my buddies! So bacteria in an established pond? Clean or don't? I would probably want to get the crap out of the bottom and not disturb the filter media but i forgot to make a drain valve! shopvac? small pump? help? thanks!

I used a rubber sheet cut to fit behind the flange with the hole for the pipe barely large enough to fit snugly around the pipe. Most people cut an X smaller than the pipe diameter since the rubber will stretch to fit. I used a silicon type adhesive/filler to attach this gasket to the filter body although there are a number of products that would work as well. It doesn't have to dry hard. In fact it is better if it remains flexible. It has been in place over 10 years now. The flange can be tightened down to compress the rubber to prevent leaks. Check the plumbing section for DIY rubber sheets. They are usually about 4x4 inches.

"But with plants in the dirt, do I simply rinse the dirt from their roots & place them in the grate in the top of the filter with their roots in the water?" Karen, for your purposes it is best to plant aquatic plants in mesh containers with gravel to weigh and anchor them down. No need to plant in dirt as that will just cloud the water with the brisk flow through the bio-filter. Place the mesh containers with the plant and gravel atop the filter media and grate. If it's like my Atlantic filterfalls, the top of the mesh pots (containers are about 4" to 5" tall) are just about even with the water line. The gravel and mesh also allows the roots to continue to extend into the filter area. You can either cut them back every so often or just let them grow and grow... however, they can tangle-up filter media pretty good.

Hi, I've made a couple. The link below is an old thread with description and some photos. Good luck, They're easy and they work. You can use store bought 'live' bacteria to speed up the process, I never have, just let it run, the bacteria will grow on it's own. S Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Skippy type filter