Black Hole Skimmers
Easy Clean Bottom Filter
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4 Inch Diameter
Filter Media
The PondLift’s chamber is 4" in diameter and 5.25" tall, giving plenty of room for layered media.
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Start with coarse pads on the bottom (where water enters).
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Finish with resins, carbon, or floss on top, where water has already been pre-filtered.
This layering maximizes effectiveness while preventing clogs.
The chamber also includes a spacer and filter screen.
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When using particle or floss media, place the screen on top of the stack, then the spacer.
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This keeps fine media in place and prevents clogging or escape.
Water Depth
The PondLift Bottom Filter is designed to sit above the water surface, making the filter chamber easy to reach. You can choose the height:
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Set it almost level with the surface for quiet ripples.
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Raise it higher to create a small waterfall effect as water spills off the sides.
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Filter chamber: 5.25" tall × 4" diameter.
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Overall minimum height: 11.5" using only enough 1" pipe to connect the male adapter to the tee.
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We include a 12" sch 40 PVC pipe that will make it's height about 21.5"
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Use a longer sch-40 1" PVC pipe available at most home improvement stores to place as high as needed.
Stand
The 4" PondLift will be used in larger ponds and aquariums, because its filter chamber is 33% larger than the 3" PondLift. This means that a larger basket and base plate is included.
We include two adapters: a ¾" spigot-to-male and a ¾" male adapter.
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Spigot: Works without any pipe for an 8" minimum height.
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¾" adapter: Allows taller or deeper installations with standard PVC pipe.
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Sturdy 6.5" stand: Has a nipple for a ¾" tee or spigot adapter.
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Tee fitting: Accepts either the included ¾" or 1" hose adapters.
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10" Basket: Included, but optional, helps secure the stand in place.
3 Inch Diameter
Filter Media
The PondLift’s chamber is 3" in diameter and 3.25" tall, giving plenty of room for layered media.
-
Start with coarse pads on the bottom (where water enters).
-
Finish with resins, carbon, or floss on top, where water has already been pre-filtered.
This layering maximizes effectiveness while preventing clogs.
The chamber also includes a spacer and filter screen.
-
When using particle or floss media, place the screen on top of the stack, then the spacer.
-
This keeps fine media in place and prevents clogging or escape.
Water Depth
The PondLift Bottom Filter is designed to sit above the water surface, making the filter chamber easy to reach. You can choose the height:
-
Set it almost level with the surface for quiet ripples.
-
Raise it higher to create a small waterfall effect as water spills off the sides.
-
Filter chamber: 4.25" tall × 3" diameter.
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Overall minimum height: 8" (using the included stand and spigot-to-male adapter).
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We include a 12" sch 40 PVC pipe that will make it's height about 18"
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Use a longer sch-40 3/4" PVC pipe available at most home improvement stores to place as high as needed.
Stand
The PondLift Bottom Filter can be used in aquariums, small ponds, water gardens, and other water features, so the stand is designed to be flexible and easy to adapt.
We include two adapters: a ¾" spigot-to-male and a ¾" male adapter.
-
Spigot: Works without any pipe for an 8" minimum height.
-
¾" adapter: Allows taller or deeper installations with standard PVC pipe.
-
Sturdy 4.5" stand: Has a nipple for a ¾" tee or spigot adapter.
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Tee fitting: Accepts either the included ¾" or 1" hose adapters.
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6" Basket: Included, but optional, helps secure the stand in place.
DIY Model #1 – Plans & Video
Filter Media
The filter media you use will depend on the bucket size. Common options include Matala pads, bio balls, and filter floss. Activated carbon can also be used if desired.
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Start with coarse media on the bottom, where water enters the chamber.
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Finish with resins, carbon, or filter floss on top.
This layering maximizes effectiveness while preventing clogs.
To keep filter media from escaping through the holes in the bucket lid, place a coarse pad or thick screen on top of the media stack. In this project, we use a coarse black Matala pad.
Water Depth
The DIY PondLift filter works as well as the manufactured models.
Provides access to step-by-step build videos and plans for constructing a fully functional PondLift filter using readily available materials.
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Filter chamber: In this project, we use a clear bucket with a lid. The bucket has an 8.5″ diameter opening and is 8″ tall. A lid is required. You may use a different bucket size if it is better suited to your pond.
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For the base, we use a plastic storage container measuring 13″ × 8″ × 6″. The base supports the filter chamber and also houses the pump.
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A 1″ Schedule 40 PVC pipe is used to connect the filter chamber to the base.
Stand
We use two 1″ bulkheads and 1″ Schedule 40 PVC pipe to connect the filter chamber to the base.
In this project, the base uses a 6.5-quart HDX storage container from Home Depot. This container works well because the lid has castellated channels molded into its raised edge. These channels allow water to pass underneath the lid when the container is placed upside down on the bottom of a pond. The lid also locks securely onto the container, keeping the stand stable.
We use a clear container so the interior can be visually inspected, making it easy to see when maintenance is needed.