Pond filters are important, are even considered the heart of a pond, because they filter, aerate, and keep the pond water clear. Water garden filters are the key to water balance and water balance is the essence of clear water. A larger pump than you need may be better than a smaller pump. Leaves from a tree can contaminate the water feature and require a larger filter to do the job.
How to Choose Pond Water Filters
The amount of water to be taken care of must be considered. Water spitters, fountains, and mini ponds require the smallest pumps and filters, and these can be found in almost any drug or pond store.
A small outdoor water garden will require a mechanical bacteriological system with a UV light fixture to keep the water free of algae. The UV part works by letting the water under the UV light killing the bacteria which can then be cleaned away leaving the water clear. The biological part allows good bacteria to grow and kills bad bacteria. The water needs good bacteria nutrients. The mechanical gets the muck out.
The filter needs to be cleaned about every week. Go by the manufacturers’ instructions. Cleaned too often, the good bacteria may get cleaned away.
A little larger pond or a pond with a waterfall will require an internal pressurize system and this system must be calculated because it requires more pressure to move the water. The amount of water and the type of waterfall must be calculated. The water must pass over the filter about every two hours.
Each product has its own filter and the filters must be cleaned to maintain clear water. Some filters have an arm on the filter container lip that turns to clean the filter. With these, the hands do not get wet. For others, the lid must come off and the filter removed and cleaned. Some have reusable filter pads.
How Pond Filters Work
Outdoor filters keep the water in a pond or water feature clear. They are mechanical and biological. A UV filter helps clear the algae and should be included in any pond or water garden. The filter allows the good biological bacteria to grow which in turn kills the bad bacteria that throw your water feature out of balance. The water must remain in balance.
There are two types of filters; in pond and external filters. Smaller water features, 5 gallon, 50 gallon, or even 500 gallon ponds usually use a submersible filter, one that is hidden beneath the water. Larger ponds, 1,200 gallons or if the water garden has a waterfall, it will need an external filter, one which will be hidden around the larger pond. The filter will be more easily cleaned and taken care of outside.
Required for fish pond is a standard density mechanical and biological filter to remove fish waste, ammonia, and debris. The filter is for fish pond sewage systems for the pond.