I am so glad I am not the only one completely out of my mind. This is my "grey water" reclaimation system. So far, a two year project. The water comes from the laundry (biodegradable soap, Oxyclean, and only peroxide - no bleach ever), and also from my bathroom shower and sinks. We use regular soap and shampoos in there even though I'm not thrilled about that.
I'm not sure what order the pics are in so I will as briefly as possible explain the systems cycle.
Grey water comes out of the house and into the top of the bog. The bog with catstails and papyrus filters the water and then drops into a biofilter (just below the bog). Can't see the lower biofilter as it is cover with rocks. The hoses drain out of the top of the upflow biofilter and into the lower pond. I will be changing this next year to a lovely waterfall.
The lower pond has a trash pump that pumps the water up to the top of the upper biofilter that has a feed into the bottom of the biofilter. The upper biofilter is the one in the 1/2 barrel on top of the "water tower". If you want designs and specifics, feel free to PM or email me. The clean water then drops into the upper pond which drains back into the bog.
I have had two gold fish and two koi living in the upper pond for over a year. I have a very large happy bullfrog living in the bottom pond. That was by accident when I was getting river plants I also got a pollyfrog - oops. Now I'll have to get him some company.
As far as a blacklight filter. Only if you want clear water all the time. It also kills the good stuff. But without it the ponds sometimes do get really green particularly in spring.
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By the way, this is square foot gardening. Awesome concept. No rabbits, squirrels, etc to worry about and grows faster than anything I have ever had. Yup, pond water and duck water. One thing, don't ever let your land animals eat string algae (wet or dry). It almost killed one of my dogs.
Happy ducking and ponding.
