EA Eazy (easy) Pod koi pond filter (review & setup)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ย. 2024
- Here I review the Evolution Aqua EA Eazypod (Easypod) koi pond filter. I have the AIR model but talk about other models as well including the standard Eazypod, the Eazypod complete and the Eazypod Auto. I also give my thoughts on setting up the filter, optimum flow rate and tips for maturing the filter from new.
This is proving to be a cracking little filter and one I would highly recommend.
If you enjoy the video and find it useful please hit the like button and subscribe to my channel here rb.gy/dp57so for more content on this wonderful hobby.
#koi #koipond #fishpond #dazzlekoi #japanesekoi #qualitynishikigoi #pondbuild #eazypod #easypod #ea #evolutionaqua
Absolutely love this video 📹Darren helped me understand the easy pod system in full thankyou 👏
The two pods I use was hear was a no brainer after having the one on my second pond and knowing how good and easy to clean they are and the space foot print they need plus moving a 320 nexus for a mate that we had to fight like hell to get in the back of my Transit what a monster. To bring them up a notch to the nexus point all you need is to add a moving bed after them and you are in the same ball park
Hi Darren.Just subscribed after seeing your pond on Tim’s channel.Please get as much content out as possible as your clearly very knowledgeable and your experience will only help us new to the hobby.👍
I love your setup! I’m not a fan of bigger is better, lol. This is very appealing to me.
Cheers mate, yeah I found that with a bigger pond the stress, hassle, work and cost go up massively but the enjoyment you get from it is the same 👍👍🍻🍻👍👍
Nice one daz! I know all about the crap getting trapped behind that ridge but the stick dose the job a! 👍
Sorry for the late reply, I didn't realise there where comments being held for review.
Yeah I've been contemplating adding a second waste point just on that dead spot. I reckon I could just crack it open for a few seconds morning and night and it would minimise how long the crap sits in the filter. Not sure I'm brave enough to go drilling big holes in a new filter though.
Hi been looking at all you videos there great lots of invaluable information thinking of building at the smaller pond like your easypod and a tempest, what bottom drain I want to run air of the bottom drain as well and I've noticed in one of your videos your air spins lovely you just have the one return or multiple returns.
Any information would be would be invaluable keep up the good work 👌
Hi there, I just have the one return from the shower. I appreciate the benefit of multiple returns but I prefer to keep it simple and I know I wont miss having more as I have good movement from the spindrifter and the fish themselves. Circular water movement is ideal to keep the bottom clean
nice channel mate, subscriber 22...good luck growing your channel
Thanks Paul, same to you Sir. I've only just discovered your channel so that's tonights viewing sorted, my wife will be pleased.
Great clip, nice pond and set up. Its interesting you mention the fish waste building up the other side of the tunnel, its a pain! I now use a hose on jet to shift it, but only whilst the drain is open.
You also mention that you feed up to 10 times a day at weekends, how many times do you clean the pond filter. On topping up the water levels, first question are you on a meter? Second do you have soft or hard water? Do you add any treatment with regular tap water top ups? Thanks
Hi Graham, yeah I sometimes give the waste a poke with a gardening cane if it builds up there.
I flush my filters every evening after work when I'm checking on the koi and feeding them. It only takes a few minutes to do the pod and tempest. I don't like to leave waste sat in the filter as its still in the pond with the koi, just rounded up in to one corner.
By doing this its very rare I get any waste building up but as I say, if I do I use a cane to push it round.
Nope, I'm not on a water meter. I have a constant trickle in of around 40% a week. This comes straight from the tap, no additives at all.
I have no chloramine in my supply and my pH is 7.6 from the tap.
One area a lot of novices worry about is the drain and getting the waste to somewhere acceptable. My pond id near the end of a long garden and had a real dilemma. Long pie run or like another reader stick a line over the fence in a field!! A mate of mine came up with a brilliant idea bed in a soakaway.. Ihave a seated area, around 2 sides of the pond with white gravel so dug it out before the gravel arrived and put in my plastic soakaway baskets 3ft x 3ftx 3ft put in 5 of these which have yet to create any problem. They sit about a foot under the garden level..Dread to think how much is sat in those?? But in 4 years its been hassle free and saves really long pipe runs..Thought this would calm a few nerves and provide a great drain solution.👍👍
Thanks Graham, that's a nice solution. I've been lucky with all my ponds in having drains close by, except for this one. But I did have a nice solution fortunately. Behind my filter shed is a concrete panel fence and behind that is a field that runs down away from my fence so I put my waste water through a hole drilled in the bottom panel (its 6ft deep in brambles on the back so cant be seen) and the water just soaks away no problem.
A soak away like your is a great solution of you are not so lucky though 👍👍👍👍
I recently setup an eazypod automatic system and am loving it so far. Thank you for your content. It really helped me narrow down the options and make an informed decision. I do have a question though, would you happen to know how to change the cycle timing? I've found when the cleaning cycle doesn't last long enough to completely drain the tank. It only drains about half way currently. I can't seem to find any instructions on how to actually increase the cycle time. Any insight you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Chris, I don't know to much about the auto model to be honest. I'll see if I can find out though mate 👍
@@DazzleKoi thank you so much for being willing to find an answer. I should have responded sooner to indicate I did find a solution from the support section of the EA website. Thank you again and please know that I enjoy your content very much. Your comparison video of the different filter options led me to EA and I and my Koi have been very happy since.
Hi Chris, no problem mate, glad to hear you got it sorted. I spoke to Tim at Quality Nishikigoi and he pointed me in the direction of someone at EA who could help. Its good info to know anyway in case someone else asks 👍👍
Hey Dazzle, hopefully this is another great video, but I cant hear you. I'll try watching on the TV, its louder than my old laptop. Please consider using a microphone pinned to you ;-)
Hi George, I do have a microphone on but I'll definitely look into that. I think I can increase the volume when I edit the video. Thanks 👍
Great video! Thinking of building a pond about the same size as yours and with a similar set up to yours! Was wondering with you only using your pump a 5k litres an hours have you got a 4in or 3in bottom drain
Hi Neil, its a 3" bottom drain. For the flows the Pod requires a 4" is far to big and will give you problems with settlement and ultimately bacteria issues if you don't put in a means of flushing it out and do it regularly.
Have a look at the bottom drain sizing video on my channel for all my thoughts on this🍻👍🍻👍🍻
Hi, I have just set up a new ez pond very similar to yours. How can I make sure my flow rate is correct?
Hi mate, the easiest way is to get a large container of some kind under your return and measure how long it takes to fill up to a known volume such as 20 litres. Any volume will work but the bigger the volume the more accurate it will be. You can then use these numbers to calculate the flow.
Forgive my ignorance, I'm new to this, but Im hoping to install a pond at a new house and want to use a bottom drain and an easypod. If my pond is in the ground (approx. 1m) then do I have to have a chamber in the ground for the easypod? how would that work? Thanks, Alan
Hi Alan, is the pond all in the ground? So your water level is at ground level?
If so then when you dig down for the pond you need to make the hole bigger as your filter will need to sit lower down as well. The water level in the eazy pod will be the same as the water level in the pond
You can cover the filter area with a lid with decking over it or something like that. You will need to allow room to move around in the filter area to.
Hi Darren great info, I think I need a pod, look good bit of kit. are my eyes going or did you reverse the pod part way through the video?
Hi Martyn, yes really impressed with the Pod, its still going great. I'm going to do a short little update video soon now that I have lived with it for a few months but its still all positive.
I didn't reverse it, no. It was one of my first attempts at a video that one so its probably technical gremlins on my part 😁
@@DazzleKoi Great mate looking forward to your review. I had to watch several times to check I wasnt seeing things, then I noticed the writing on your test kit was backwards also lol.
it looks on one of your vids that you have put a auto fill on your easypod??? if so does it work and which one is it
Hi there, I don't have an auto top up, I have a constant trickle in and an overflow to waste. I've got a video on this system somewhere on the channel. I did put one on for an experiment a while ago so it may be this that you saw. It was only on there for a short time. I just made it using parts I had lying around and a toilet cistern valve to be honest. I'm not a fan of them as its just something else to go wrong. I much prefer a basic overflow to waste.
Hi Darren, recently subscribed to your channel. Great channel and very inspiring & educational. I am thinking of going down the easy pod route with a block built pond up to 1500 gallons. Like to go bigger but ‘her indoors’ has set some rules! I do wear the trousers though! ...she won’t read this:)
I am impressed with your filter house and set up, thinking of building one of equal size. Can you give me the dimensions of you metal shed? Also I noticed that you have yours a certain distance from your pond, if I used a 4 inch bottom drain pipe, what would be the maximum distance I could go on a 1500 Gallon pond? I was hoping about 5 metres..
Al, best Darren S
Hi fellow Darren, welcome aboard 😁
Its all about wearing the trousers but having them think they do. Sounds like you have it under control to me.
1500 gallons is getting towards the top of what I'd put a pod on but it will be great if you set it up right and get the flow correct.
Just measured the shed and its only 1100 x 1800. Everything goes in there OK if you want to keep it compact but I'm going to move to a bigger UV soon and that will have to go outside on the return. Not a problem, just on observation in case you want your UV (which will be bigger than mine) inside. It would fit fine if the shed had the door on the end but mines in the middle so its limiting.
Maximum distance from pond is no issue. 4" is overkill for Eazy Pod flow rates so you could put it a LOT further than 5m if you wanted. Just need to allow for it when you choose a pump as the distance you pump water back to the pond increases headloss but not a lot. Definitely go for a variable speed pump.
Dazzle Koi
Thank you Darren for your in depth reply and advice on the bottom drain pipe work. I will definitely consider a Varipump 10000 or possibly go up it to a 20000 to future proof the pond! I shall start my build during the winter, at the moment completing a temporary pond for my fish.
Dazzle Koi hello from the US , I am in the beginning stages of my pond build and it is gonna be 10ftx6ftx3ft deed it is being built right on top of my back yard concrete pavers the ground here in Florida is coral rock so I won’t be able to dig down but maybe 10 inches without heavy equipment, I am going to install a bottom drain removing some pavers then dig down about 10 inches install my drain and 3 inch pipe replace the sand and pavers, is there a drain head that you would recommend, so the drain will gravity feed the eazypod to a Uv then pump it to a spillway filter , thanks and any recommendations would be appreciated, stay safe
Hi mate, welcome to my channel 👍
What you describe sounds good. The 3" pipe, try to use pressure pipe for the underground part of this. Its more expensive but its incredibly durable as you don't want any failings underneath your pond.
I recommend the Spindrifter bottom drain which has a rubber membrane defuser, its the one on my pond. These are made local to me though and I'm not sure if they are available in America. Any aerated bottom drain should be ok though if you cant get a Spindrifter.
Yes gravity feed to your Eazy pod, then fit your pump immediately on the outlet of the Pod (I recommend a 10000l variable speed pump so you can set up the flow accurately), then in to your UV and then back to the pond.
I'm going to be doing a video on the construction of my pond but it will be a few weeks before its ready yet.
Daz
Hi I’m looking to build pond come the spring. Gonna go down the route of bottom drain to eazypod then to homemade bakki. How would you set up the pump and uv ? Tia 👍
Hi David, its a bit tricky this as the Eazy Pod works optimally at around 5500 litres per hour and the shower needs around 13000 litres per hour plus to function properly as a shower.
You need to go bottom drain in to Pod and on the outlet of the Pod I'd recommend a variable flow pump of 10000 litres. Then in to a UV (use 20W per 5000 litres of pond water) and then to shower. Unfortunately without a second means of taking water from the pond (another bottom drain, skimmer etc) your shower wont actually be a shower, just a trickle tower. It will still do some biological filtration and give you extra aearation so its worth having. I plan to add a shower to mine in the future and I'll be in the same boat as you.
Dazzle Koi thanks for the info just getting things together for build in the new year 👍. Just got an eco 15 plus outside 3 way junction box. Hunting round for good deals on sleepers and pods too. Gonna get a eco vari too 👍
Sounds good mate. You wont go wrong with the Pod, its a great little filter 👍
Hi mate, thats a good question, I've never really added it all up. I am making a video going step by step through the construction of this pond which will have costs in but I haven't got to that bit yet.
I'll take a guess at it but don't hold to to it, when I get round to the video it will be more detailed and more accurate.
So off the top of my head:-
bottom drain and pipework £200
Concrete base £100 (mixed myself)
Blocks £200
Mortar £70
Sand and cement render £60
Fibreglass £250 (did myself)
Tiles £130
Filter £450
Pump £120
UV £100
Other pipework & plumbing £110
Window £220
Jump guards £150
Shade sail & poles £80
I have done everything myself so there is no labour charges anywhere in this, its all materials. I think that comes to £2300. I got stuff bit by bit over time so I didn't really notice it so much.
I don't know what it costs to be honest, my wife looks after the utility bills. I have 38W on my pump and a 25W UV so its just whatever they cost to run 24/7. A quick website check has just indicated about £100 a year.
You may be as well having a second filter system if you want to run a skimmer. I used to have them just circulating back to the pond and the strainer basket in them took leaves out but I'm not a fan of skimmers as they bring extra complexity and hassle. It may be possible to T in to your bottom drain feed to the Pod but youd need valves to balance the flows and the Pod really only wants 5500 litres in total so if you split that between a drain and a skimmer it wouldn't leave enough flow through either of them to be effective.
I've tested the new tempest filter which I really like. That may be an option for a skimmer line.
Hi mate really like your setup, is it possible to run the same way you are with the Eazypod automatic?
Hi mate, sadly the automatic eazy pods are only pump fed, not gravity fed. You would need a separate pump for the tempest /shower line.
@@DazzleKoi would I be able to run a bottom drain through it? To be honest I’m not actually bothered about the auto clean, it’s only because I’ve been offered one second hand at a good price, maybe I’m just better off getting the eazypod air or something?
No you cant run an auto version off a bottom drain. You could use a retro bottom drain that is pumped but not a proper gravity bottom drain. I would always recommend a bottom if you can and I've heard of a few reliability issue with the auto's so I generally recommend the air model as the one to go for. I'd be a bit wary of a second hand auto to be honest with you.
@@DazzleKoi top man, thanks for the info and response, will defo take it on board, cheers buddy
No problem mate 🍻🍻
How noisy is the easypod? Sounds quite noisy in your shed on the video
Hi Daniel, the eazy pod itself doesn't make any noise. What you can hear is the sir pump. I haven't mounted it somewhere properly so it just vibrates the metal shed. Can't here it from outside the shed though.
Hello, great video, beautiful setup. Im at the building stage and decided to get the pod air package. Do you mind listing whats in that shed. Also is there are requirements to connect the pod to a sewage pipe? Are you also connected to a hosepipe.
I'm a total novice so sorry if these are basic things I should know. I've subscribed!
Hi Charmaine, yes I'll list everything at the bottom, no problem.
Yes the pod has a waste outlet that you use when you flush the filter out. Ideally it should be connected in to the waste water system. I wasn't able to do it where I am so mine goes out of the back of the shed, through my back garden fence, and on to a large field behind me. Its not ideal but it works fine.
Yes I have a hose running fresh mains water to my shed. I use it as a trickle in / trickle out system for changing water. I have done a video on it but its trickling in roughly 1 litre every 5 minutes to keep the water fresh and dilute nitrates/phosphates.
so in the shed is:-
The Eazy Pod air
An Aqua Forte variable speed pump (10,000 litre model running at about 60%)
A 36 watt UV (I'm going to upgrade this to a 55W over winter as it struggles)
An electrical supply to connect all the equipment.
A 70 litre air pump that comes with the Eazy Pod Air
I think that's it. I plan on doing a video on the construction of my pond but it wont be for a few weeks yet.
Daz
Thanks Daz that was really informative. My pond is just off me decking, so around 3 metres from the house so I might ask the builders to connect the waste to the roof down pipe.
Keep up the good work here!
No problem, Just be aware that you have two types of drain. Foul water and surface water. Your builder will know which he can use and how best to do it 👍
@@DazzleKoi hello again. Didnt realise you've replied. My builder has home AWOL so may use a hose to the outside drain under the kitchen for now.
Can i ask another Q. You've got the pump Airtech 70 and the Varipunp 10000 why 2? Im thinking of 2, one to feed the filter uv route and the other for a waterfall. Thanks again
Hi Charmaine. The airtech 70 is an air pump. It is supplying the air to my bottom drain that you see bubbling up in the middle of the pond. Koi need a good supply of oxygen so an air pump is a must.
The varipump is the water pump that is pumping the water from the filter (which is fed by gravity from the bottom drain) back to the pond. This water goes back over the side of my pond but you could have it going to a waterfall. Its quite a big flow though so you may need to divert only some of it to the waterfall.
hi mate just a question do i need to have a consumer unit for pond or can i just use Blagdon 5 Way Switch Box has i don't no how to wire a consumer unit thanks
Hi mate, its hard for me to offer advice on electrics as I'm not qualified and any outdoor electrical work has to be done by a qualified electrician now. That said, I would always advise a proper outdoor consumer unit in your filter shed and you can then run the switch box off that. You need the breakers in the CU for protection.
@@DazzleKoi thanks mate yeah I’ll probably try get a electrician one more thing we’re did you get the fibreglass kit from for your pond as I’m thinking about fibreglass in my pond
Hi mate, I got it from here mate, great price and service 👍
www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/fibreglass-pond-kit.html
@@DazzleKoi thanks pal how do i know how many square metres i will need im no good at the maths lol my pond is 9ft by 5ft 5ft deep its not massive but i only have a small back garden
Hi mate, 2.8m x 1.6m x 1.6m
so base is 2.8x1.6 which is 4.5sq m.
the two long walls are the same so another 9sq m
the two short walls are 1.6x1.6 which is 2.6sq m (x2)
So total is 4.5 + 9 + 2.6 + 2.6 which is 18.7 sq m
You should always add at least 10% for wastage so order 21 sq m
If you have a window you can deduct that but to be honest I wouldn't bother. Better to have too much than too little. Particularly with resin, I would order a lot more than it says you need as you will use a lot more if its your first go.
Need to set up a pump fed easy pod ... need help daz
Yes mate, no problem, what is it you need to know?
Where do you get your glass from please
Hi Rob, mine came from a glass merchant close to where I live called Specialised Glass. Any local glass processor will be able to make it for you. I think it cost around £250. If you get one make sure to ask for a high transmission glass such as 'Pilkington optiwhite' or equivalent. This is low iron glass which does not have the usual green tinge associated with standard float glass. Its a bit more expensive but not a lot and it makes a massive difference. 2 pieces of 10 or 12mm laminated is fine depending on the size of the window and whether it is 'infinity style or fully surrounded.
Hi, catching up with your videos, may I just ask, if you are cleaning the pod everyday, does that mean that 80 litres go in the waste? Just asking as I am trying to add a filter to my existing multi bay and in two minds between a pod, a screenmatic or a small drum.
Hi Lau, yes each time I flush the Pod 80l goes to waste. I have a trickle in/out running all the time so it doesn't really change anything as that water would trickle out anyway. I flush it in the evening and by the morning the trickle in has topped the level of the pond back up 👍
@@DazzleKoi yeah perfect. Had similar conversation last night with Kevin 'a koi enthousiat' who uses the Oase compact drum, but same system as your with the trickling in. I have a multibay but want to add another filtration and I am really in two minds with what to get. Of course there is a massive difference in cost between the drum and pod, but with the bigger pond which I have started building (3.2 m x 2m x 1.2m), I want to achieve the same water paramètres and clarity.
Hi mate, I'm a big fan of the Eazy pod, its a great little filter, but if I had the choice of Eazy pod or drum and money wasn't an issue, I'd choose the drum. There is nothing to beat a drum for mechanical filtration. Of course you also need some kind of biological filter to go with it though. If you can afford it, I'd go for a drum and moving bed plus a shower. That's the ultimate filtration setup for me 👍
@@DazzleKoi yes, moving bed and shower already in place. Ok, something for me think about... Thank you so much, you have been a great help.
Drum in your next pond, in the next house 😉
I hope so mate, yes. It will all be down to how well my business goes over the next year or so to determine if I can afford it or not 😁
Hi I thought the pod has to be higher than pond
Hi Steven, the pod can be either gravity fed or pump fed. If its pump fed it needs to sit higher than the pond as the water exits the filter and returns to the pond via gravity. If the pod is gravity fed it sits so that the water level in the pond is the same as the water level in the pod and when the water exits the pond it is pumped back to the pond
Come build me one please! 😁
I wish I had the time mate. I'm going to build another one myself if I ever find the time 😁