Why you need an external filter for your fountain pump

Why you need an external filter for your submersible fountain pump and how to make a diy version for $3! Submersible fountain pumps are prone to clogging and getting gunked up. So here's a solution for creating a diy pond pump filter box out of some dollar store materials. It will keep your pump from blocking up, last for a whole season and give your pump a longer lifespan.

If you have a backyard water feature and your pump isn't working right, it's likely an issue with the filter getting clogged and slowing down the pump's flow. This is why you need an external filter for your pump that wraps around the actual fountain pump and protects all that debris from getting inside the pump.

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[fortierdawn]

I'm been watching videos of easy diy fountains for almost a week now. I just found yours and don't need to search any further. You have so many helpful videos. Thanks for sharing!

[suevaneaton]

I did this and it was fantastic! I didn’t need the plastic buckets, I just wrapped 3 scrubbies from dollar tree around the input slots and rubber banded them . This was after I dug gunk out of the clogged grooves with my trusty hibachi stick and toothbrush. Cleaned out the bowl and reassembled. Rock on, it works! I am so proud of myself. You are a queen!

[anthovidal]

Another option that might be a little easier is getting a dollar store shoebox container that has a lid, drill some holes on the sides for water flow and hole big enough for the hose or outlet tube, then seal it up. Gives you more space for filter material and gives you a more rigid and easier basket to pull out and service. Just a thought. Great idea though!

[judy_]

We tried it and it does work instead of cleaning the fountainheads every day we are now down to every couple of days thank you!

[kalinystazvoruna]

I did something similar using those pond plant baskets, which I already had, to surround my bilge pump which I put in the creek to help irrigate my veggie garden. I covered the whole thing with leftover garden weed suppressor, but I think you could use old pantyhose as well. Worked great for about 8 years until the place where I had the pump got silted up and now I have to move it somewhere else.

[roberttassone]

Great idea! I made mine using an empty ice cream bucket and a blue cut to fit furnace filter. I have been getting over a year before servicing.

[starshipgus]

Making a round hole on the top half section in the middle for the pipe to go through will make the two halfs fit together better, another small hole for the wire to go through the side and split the basket to the wire hole to pass it through it.

[ghostface]

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to share this great idea...for mother's Day I decided to make my mom a unique birdbath/fountain using an outdoor water pump/faucet from her childhood home and a rock from her current yard as the basin...here we are THREE months later and it's still not done!I have narrowed my latest and hopefully last troubleshooting to this dang filter and the debris which I could not fathom how to prevent...I'm so frustrated by my lack of ability and know how but through your kindness i now have hope! I will do something nice for a stranger in your name

[joydennis]

I tried this yesterday on my concrete fountain and so far it is working great! Usually after one day of clearing some debris the water is not flowing very high.

[Gottijr_]

I really think this will help the life of my pump. Thanks for sharing!

[shaunazar]

great video, thank you! I'm going to try a variation using a flower strainer. Not sure it will work as well as yours which seems pretty full proof but just wanted something that is easy to disassemble for cleaning.

[AuntieRainbow]

My pump kept falling over but if I do that, then I can probably put a rock on top to keep it secure. Great video. Thanks.

[SouthMiamiMartialArt]

Cool! Just what I needed for my iguana habitat pool!

[dealinginfeelings]

Thank you so much for this simple and great tip! It saved our pond.

[ic]

Seen variations of these in 5 gal buckets. Great solution; $3 and rubber bands a bonus 👍🙂!

[a.claudiasilva]

Thank you so much. I used this principle for my pet's fountain filter.

[jimbruce]

awesome idea, thanks. Our apartment fountain pump keeps getting clogged with pine tree stuff. I'll give this a try.

[egg]

Great video. Love your "some random girl on you tube". Anyway, I am an engineer so my version might look better, but take 20 times longer to create and cost twice as much to make, but won't work any better. I see someone sells a 24 watt fountain pump with separate filter about about your size for $100 on ebay...

[rensm]

Awesome thank you so much, I'm gonna give this a go
I want use it in my barrel fish pond !

[CaptainsGarage]

That's a great idea I was looking to buy something on the jungle website and things were getting pretty pricey for a small pond pump