Pond Filters
Pond filters are needed to freshen pond water and strain debris. If a pond contains fish, like goldfish or Koi, more filtering is required. Pond filters that combine biological and mechanical filtration are good pond filters, as the two processes will provide more effective filtration.
Biological filtration will break down organic matter and fish waste through the use of beneficial bacteria, while its mechanical filtration will capture particles and physically filter it for removal when the pond is being cleaned. Good pond filters must be able to accomplish both of the processes, and must also be well-matched with UV Clarifiers for better algae control.
Functions Of Pond Filters
A pond filter can provide various functions, including safeguarding the pump from possible debris, trapping floating particles, breaking down hazardous fish waste, removing certain dissolved waste, and reducing the growth of algae through removing nutrients.
What They Don’t Do
Unfortunately, conventional pond filters are not designed to single-handedly provide crystal clear water. In fact, water filter for ponds that are adequate enough to maintain clean water in a 200-gallon pond, must push approximately 1500 gallons every hour, and utilize about 4’x6’ filter cartridge.
Pond Filter Types
There are three common types of pond filters, namely intake filters, submersed filters, and in-line filters.
Intake Filters
These types of filters are typically small blocks of foam that are open-celled, which often comes with the pump. Intake filters are considered to be very small to effectively perform waste reduction or removal, and only serves as a strainer to avoid debris from being sucked into the pump and damaging it.
Advantage of this type of filter is it’s inexpensive, easily cleaned and removed, the pump’s output can still be utilized to run waterfall or fountain. Its disadvantages include: has a small-surface area that can easily be blocked by debris; does not significantly improve the quality of water; and it frequently needs to be cleaned.
Those choosing these types of filters must look for: an extremely coarse foam to have a good flow, a firm attachment to the pump, and multiple surfaces of filtering so that a single leaf can’t block its flow.
Submersed Pond Filters
These types of filters are generally bigger and more flexible compared to intake filters. A good unit for small ponds may have a surface area that’s a square foot or even more, and can utilize various filter media such as fine pads and coarse foam for its mechanical filtration. Its chemical filtration can use zeolite or carbon, while its biological filtration can utilize probably some type of porous stone media or plastic.
Lots of units of this type can be set up on either the output or intake side of the pond pump, but are more commonly attached to its intake side where it can protect the pump while cleaning its water.
In-line Filters
These types of filters are the resealable canister ones, which can be filled with various media for chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration. They can also be used either above ground or submerged. Since they’re sealed and function under pressure, pond water may be directed from output to water run or fountain.
An advantage of this type is it improves the quality of water, as well as protects the pump if it’s used on the intake side, and can go for weeks between cleaning. Those choosing this type must look for reliable closing and seal mechanism, big surface area, trouble-free disconnection from the pump, room for different media, and heavy-duty construction.
Pond filters are essential for maintaining clean and debris-free pond water. It is important to choose a pond filter that best suits the type of pond and its size.