How To Filter A Pond

In that location are 2 main types of successful swimming filtration. AnUltra Violet Clarifier filter kills green water to continue the h2o clear, while aBiological Filter looks after the water quality to continue the fish healthy and happy. Most modern filters combine these methods into 1 unit for convenience and ease of installation.

Do All Ponds Need Filtration?

No. If you are intending not to take any fish, or y'all're creating a wildlife swimming with high plant stocks and just a few fish you lot may choose not to have a filter, and try to create a natural remainder instead.

Information technology is a relatively unproblematic process only can take a very long time to get a counterbalanced nitrogen cycle within your pond, hence why about people still opt for a filter of some kind.

The principle is very uncomplicated. You volition need plenty of plants, probably covering 2 thirds of the swimming area. These plants, along with naturally occurring helpful bacteria in the swimming, will then apply and assimilate any toxins left past fish and rotting organic waste, hopefully providing a good natural balance and a clear pond. It is important to remember that the plants should be well established before gradually introducing fish, and information technology could take at to the lowest degree eighteen months to create a naturally balanced pond.

Biological Filtration

Most beginners believe a swimming filter works past removing physical clay and information technology is this which keeps the water sparkling clean.

In fact this is non the case, although a small-scale amount of suspended particles are strained out by the biological filter.

A biological filter works like a mini sewage system for the pond. In simple terms the media within the filter creates a huge surface expanse, which becomes home to many millions of helpful bacteria. Information technology is vital to keep these oxygenated by passing swimming h2o through the filter 24 hours a day.

These helpful bacteria break down invisible toxins produced direct from the fish and the decaying of physical waste material such every bit fish faeces, excess food or organic fabric at the bottom of the swimming. This is washed past the helpful bacteria breaking down the initial toxin Ammonia into Nitrite. A unlike type of helpful bacteria so breaks this dangerous Nitrite down to Nitrate which then can be absorbed by plants as they grow and is harmless to fish except in loftier concentrations. The bigger the pond or the more fish the larger the filter will need to be. Hence it is vital to purchase a filter which tin can easily cope with your pond volume and predictable fish stocking level.

Please always check the capacity of your chosen filter with a fellow member of staff.

Some advanced filter systems tin can strain out more than solids from the water, merely it has to exist remembered that these nonetheless have to be biologically broken downward unless physically removed by flushing or draining.

It is important to know when outset starting a biological filter information technology tin take upwards to half-dozen weeks for helpful bacteria to colonise the filter. During this period care should be taken to go along feeding down and to monitor your h2o quality regularly with a examination kit.

Which Biological Filter?

All the filters been given two ratings on worldofwater.com.

Depression Fish Stock: For ponds which are mainly plants with a no or few fish and with normal sunlight levels.

High Fish Stock: For ponds with less plants and a college stocking level of fish or exposed high sunlight levels.

Please Note: If yous have a pond with extremely loftier fish stocks or just koi it is worth considering a larger filter equally it is incommunicable to over filter a swimming biologically.

If you don't know your pond book, utilise our online calculator
Pick the symbol from below that most represents your pond & stocking level.
Decided on the filter location etc and decide on the best type for your needs.
Find one which easily handles your swimming book.

E'er go up one model if it only just copes with your pond book or your pond is in direct sunlight. Also remember fish grow and breed!

Remember: the more fish in a pond, the more than waste generated, and the more helpful bacteria needed to break it down - therefore the bigger the filter the better.

Ultra Violet Clarifiers - Eliminate Green Water

Ultra violet clarifiers are available as a standalone unit to be added to existing biological filtration units or more unremarkably they are combined with a biological filter.

An ultra violet clarifier is an electrical unit through which water is pumped earlier information technology enters the biological filter, and its purpose is to eliminate green water and reduce harmful bacteria in the swimming.

Equally the h2o is passed through the unit, information technology is subjected to high levels of U.5. light. This U.V. light causes the microscopic single cell algae to be clumped together allowing them to be collected and broken down by the biological filter, thus eliminating the problem of green water.

Think: CLEAR H2o ISN'T ALWAYS Good for you WATER!

None of these toxins tin exist seen by the naked middle. However testing the water periodically can hands monitor their levels.

Which UVC Filter?

You will need to know your pond volume to choose a suitable UVC
To discover the right UVC for your pond consider the stocking and sunlight levels. If you either of these are loftier ever pick you UVC based on the High Fish/Sunlight Level rating.

Always go up a model if in whatever doubt, yous are unlikely to cause any issues as long as you take adequate biological filtration.

Different Types Of Filtration

There are 3 common types of filter, mostly available with combined Ultra Violet Clarifiers. It is important to carry in mind installation options earlier purchasing.

Gravity Render Filters

These filters are pump fed and gravity return. These will require a pump in the pond that feeds the filter. Water will then simply pass through the filter and render to the pond under gravity. This ways the filter outlet must be higher than the point at which you want the water to return.

Pressure level Filters

Ideal for minor to medium size pools and are directly fed from a pump in the pond. However since the filter is a sealed unit of measurement the water is notwithstanding under pressure when leaving the filter, allowing much more flexibility in the positioning of the unit.

Gravity Feed Filters

Normally used for larger Koi ponds. They are complex units to install and proficient advice is available in our stores.

Filter Maintenance

Biological filter: Simply clean the filter media every bit instructed by the manufacturer or when absolutely necessary. It is usually obvious when they need cleaning past either water catamenia reduction through a pressurised filter or by some water passing over media in gravity filters.

When cleaning is required always rinse the media in saucepan of pond water rather than tap h2o, as tap water contains chlorine that will kill the benign bacteria. Do non clean all the media at once, but stagger cleaning to continue a high population of the helpful bacteria.

Bacterial supplements are now readily available and can be used to boost the functioning of the filter during the grade of the flavour. They are too peculiarly useful to use when yous have but installed a new filter, or cleaned an established one.

Ultra Violet Clarifiers: Always isolate the power supply earlier starting any work and never look directly at an illuminated U.V. bulb. Consult the manufacturers instructions for individual unit requirements.

The U.V. bulb will generally need replacing after six months work. When replacing the bulb, it is a good idea to modify the "O" rings and seals. The quartz sleeve is very fragile, and then handle with intendance. Remove any hard water residual or dirt from the Quartz sleeve as necessary. Bleed and shop in the winter if non being used.

Tips On Installing A Biological Filter

Gravity return Biological filters (Box Filters) accept a gravity outlet therefore the outlet must be higher than the point of return.
Gravity outlet filters, go on the return piping total bore, gently angled downwardly and as short as possible.
To maximise h2o flow ensure the largest possible inlet hose is used.
Almost top outlet filters will work better if partially buried keeping the sides tight around the media when full of water.
Always follow manufacturers instructions for individual model requirements

Tips On Running A Biological Filter

Filters must run 24 hours a day (Certainly from March to October).
Pass your pond water through the filter at least every ane-2 hours.
Regularly check pump pre-filter to ensure skillful flow.
Remember a filter will take weeks to go biologically active.
Articulate water does non mean healthy water. Examination your water regularly.
Use a bacterial supplement to kickoff and ameliorate filter operation.
Always make clean filter textile in a bucket of pond h2o not in tap water.
Only clean media when period is being inhibited.

Always test water and seek advice if fish of a sudden look lethargic or unwell.