Before I could begin making the filters I had to do more digging!  Oh boy was I happy about that, after all I really love digging holes in rocky compacted clay soil!  ...I feel better now, thank you.

The vortex filter for this pond is essentially a plastic trash can sunk into the ground with three 2" PVC drain kits allowing for an inlet, outlet and drain.  The flow of the water is controlled by two 90° PVC Street valves that were slightly modified. See "Completed trash can vortex chamber" picture above and/or click here for a schematic.

The drain is controlled at the base of the trash can by a 2" gate valve that I found at a pool supply store.  I used some treaded rod, a cheap closet door handle, a piece of 4" 20 gauge PVC pipe and a cap to allow easy access to the valve at the base of the vortex.  Click here for a schematic.

Does your garbage can vortex chamber really work?  Yes it does! ...and very well I might add!

	Most Koi ponds have either a vortex chamber.  Vortex chambers usually come first in a filter system.  In a vortex chamber the water moves in a circular motion creating an area of friction along the sides allowing solids to drop out of suspension and to the bottom of the chamber where they can be easily removed by flushing the drain.
	A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction: This is a very good article on how vortex chambers work.
	A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction: Vortex Chambers - part 2
	PVC -the stuff filters are made of. Here is a basic guide for PVC