OASE BioSmart 10000 Pond Filter

As was noted in some other reviews, the 5000 is sold with no way to deliver its output to your pond. There is a 3" outlet port in the box, a 3" flange and gasket, and nothing else. Their instructions refer to the missing components as "not delivered". They imply that you must buy parts on your own, including a 3" connector and a 3" pipe, but they do not specify whether that is inside or outside diameter, and whether it is regular household sewer pipe (PVC Sched. 40) or something else.I called them yesterday evening at about 4:45 PM and got a message that they close at 5:00 and I should contact them via e-mail, which I did. No response yet, but maybe they are busy with other calls asking the same questions.Anyway, I spent some time at Lowe's fitting the provided flange to various types of pipe and connectors in the plumbing department. Here's what I found, which might be useful to others in my predicament:1. Use a 3" Sched. 40 PVC connector collar.2.Glue it to a length of 3" PVC Sched 40 pipe long enough to reach your pond.3. You will need to paint the pipe and connector since they generally come in white--not a great look around the pond.4. glue the provided flange to the connector, inserting the end of the flange opposite the gasket into the connector.5. Before inserting the gasket end of the flange into the box, be sure that the flat side of the gasket faces away from the box, and lubricate the gasket with petroleum jelly, floor/machine wax, grease, or your favorite lubricant.That should do it. I shall update my review when I install the filter and see how well it actually works.UPDATE: The seller's rep e-mailed me the following:"The connections that are needed to hook up the discharge are a 3' Fernco that can be purchased from most home improvement stores. As far as what pipe to use, that is completely up to you, as long as the pipe size remains 3' the entire run. The adapter that is included is slid on to the outlet and then the Fernco is attached to that. This unit can be plumbed differently in many applications so the use of a Fernco gives the user the freedom to adapt it to their water feature."Would have saved them a lot of user frustration and hostility if they had either included this Fernco adapter or at least said in the instructions that you would need it.Also, they said that you must use a 3 inch output pipe. Not doing this may explain why so many commenters experienced overflow when the filter became saturated with dirt.UPDATE 2:I had the filter in operation for the full season of 2024. I cleaned and stored it indoors for the winter, and reinstalled it this April, 2025. I am now prepared to revise my former review. I have never had a pond filter that did as good a job at clearing the water, nor one which was easier or quicker to clean than this one. The initial installation problem was inconsequential compared to the ongoing operational ease and simplicity. It is an excellent and cost-effective filter, and I am delighted to wholeheartedly recommend it.

I have struggled for 5 years never being able to get my pond clear. This filter made it crystal clear in 2 weeks. This is the best pond filtering system I’ve ever used. Starting year 2 and the water is still crystal clear. Highly recommend. I can see all my fish and the full bottom of my pond that is 44 inches deep.

Very good, easy to clean

I have had a pond for koi for over 20 years and used many different filters. This filter you can see a lot of reviews mentioning the connection issue and that is 100% true. Here I provide some of my painful input and finally can make it work. The result is unbelievable good.For the clean water outlet to the pond==============================it is 3". I reduced it from 3" to 2" by using the following parts either from Amazon or Home depot.1. 3" to 2.5" Intake coupler $11.99https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000630B1O?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details2. Charlotte Pipe 2 in. x 2 ft. PVC DWV Schedule 40 Pipe store SKU #276902 $8.87 each3. Charlotte Pipe 2 in. PVC schedule 40 S x S coupling store SKU #232750 $2.11 each4. Charlotte Pipe 2 in. PVC schedule . 40 90-Degree S x S Elbow fitting Store SKU #232734 $4.42 eachFor the dirty water outlet at the back=============================Remove the "D" Sludge drain cover and use the come with adaptor that will become a 1-1/12" can useA. Fernco 1-1/2 in x 1-1/4in DWV Flexible PVC Coupling $8.51 /each at home depotB. 1-1/4 in PVC schedule 40 MPT x S Male Adapter store SKU #294039 $1.76C. 1-1/4"PVC ball Valve IPS Schedule 40, 1-1/4 in. white $6.98 eachAmazon.com: American Valve P200 1 1/4" PVC Ball Valve IPS Schedule 40, 1-1/4-Inch, White : Industrial & ScientificThis PVC ball valve is to ensure the water will not leak from the filter even the slide valve is notcompletely closed inside the filter.D. PVC tube fitting, Adapter, Schedule 40, Gray, 1-1/4" Barbed x NPT Male $6.00Spears 1436 Series PVC Tube Fitting, Adapter, Schedule 40, Gray, 1-1/4" Barbed x NPT Male: Amazon.com: Industrial & ScientificE. Charlotte Pipe 1-1/4 in x 2 ft PVC DWV Sch. 40 pipe $6.57 at home depotP.S. suggest to get a Votmell 1” (W) x 10 ft(L) self-fusing silicone Tape , water proof Rubber Tape.You can use different brand name this is only an example but this kind of tape can easily hold a the pipe together and seal the possible leaking.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X2ZB6K3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsI also purchased a 1-1/4 x 20 ft pond tubing and aquarium hose to connect the pump to the filter and the rest of the tubing to the end of the dirty water outlet behind the PVC ball valve. $37.98 eachAmazon.com: Sealproof Kinkproof 1-1/4 Dia Waterfall, Pond Tubing & Aquarium Hose, 1-1/4-Inch ID, 20 FT, Black, Corrugated, Made in USA : Patio, Lawn & GardenThe total money for these connectors, pipes and fittings are close to $100.00 ***** Not cheap if you compared with what you spend for this filter.Also one more problem about cleaning the filter, I will put a piece of pond filter pad at the outlet inside the filter to minimize the mucky water going back to the pond while cleaning.I have a fish Mate 500GUV Filter (green color box) with a small 8 watt UV light build in. This small filter is power by a 400 watt solar battery system. So in case no power for a few days my fish still have some circulation.Hope this helps.