Hi guys, i got a half barrel pond a few weeks ago and it is sealing nicely. Now i've got to think about filtration. i'm not allowed to run any equipment for it off the mains so i was wondering if there are any small solar powered filters on the market?
i've seen solar powered air pumps but not filters, can anyone help?

Depending on what you wanted to keep it in you could use one of those solar powered air pumps to run a sponge filter.

Ohh good idea!!!

I thinking of having a few commons in there, i know that sponge filter wouldn't be the best wy of getting flitrstion but it's better then none. I can holf that in mind as a final option, but i'd love to find a 'true' filter first.

Hi Peanuts, I found this link while googling

http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/Solar_Pumps_Fountains.html

They make solar power pond pumps, although probably better suited for larger ponds and look at the starting price - £285! Although, it could be a good long term investment. Not sure it's appropriate for a barrel pond though, still interesting. I think the smallest one does 700l/hr. Have a look at it anyways.

The battery-powered air pump sponge filter sounds like a good idea, although you may need a large and powerful airpump to sponge filter a barrel pond and that may cost battery-wise. Maybe others can suggest some more options.

BTW How big is the barrel pond? Sounds like a lovely idea

Thanks for the link mrbumblebee. I never thought they would be that expensive!

I may have to think about other ways of getting flitration into the barrel (Which i think is about 20gals+).

The barrel is taking shape though, I've got some nice plants in now and lots of local insects and birds love it. it really has added to the garden.

I also found these. The prices are a little more reasonable, although I think they are designed as more of a water pump rather than a filtration system. It says they have a filter - not sure how big/how much filter media though. It may be possible to modify something like this and add your own media pack to it though?

This is the cheapest one I found and does only 150/lhr...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunjet-150-Solar-pow...VQQcmdZViewItem

This one does 380 l/h
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunjet-380-Solar-pow...VQQcmdZViewItem

This the largest one and is expensive, but does 900 l/h
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunjet-900-Solar-pow...VQQcmdZViewItem

The other thing I noticed with these are that it says they don't store any power, so obviously the flow rate will drop right off when the light goes down! Whereas I think the other one I linked too stores power too