biological filter

Ponds are one of the most beautiful features to have in your backyard. Regular cleaning together with the proper filtration would provide clear and clean water for your fish pets. Most dealers of water-garden supplies suggest using a pre-filter, a mechanical filter, or a biological filter.

Pre-filter- is the first in the line of filtration, it collects the large particles through the fiber filters or sponge in it before the water reaches the pump. It must be cleaned and rinsed regularly. The bag where the debris is deposited must be emptied regularly to prolong the life of the filter.

Mechanical filter- is an electrical filter that operates using mechanical elements such as ceramic resonator or crystal. It removes debris from the water like sand, silt, clay, or organic matters, but not the very fine impurities of the water.

Biological filter- is a filter composed of a fixed bed of rocks, gravel, slag, polyurethane foam, or plastic media where water flows and causes a layer of thin-film or beneficial bacteria to grow and cover the bed of media. These bacteria remove harmful pollutants from the pond water.

The growing industry of pond and pool filtration advances to new models and designs every year. New products for filtration are too good and expensive. You need to think twice before using one of these expensive filters for a naturally well-designed pond which does not need so much filtration. For water that needs to be crystal clear like formal pools or koi lagoon, there are specific filters that should be installed.

It is not necessary to use bio-filter that generates beneficial bacteria in a natural pond. The water plants, stones, plants, and other fauna around will provide a good place for these bacteria to accumulate in no time. Of course, business-wise, the pond experts would suggest a bio-filter to ensure the growth of beneficial bacteria, to have the cleanness water possible. To control fish diseases it is the most effective way of filtration according to them.

A pre-filter comes in with sponges and fibers as filtering layers and definitely maintains clean water but frequent rinsing is required to make it free from debris. A carbon canister filter removes toxins and purifies the water. It is easier to maintain, but it is not a necessity for a pond. The water is not for human consumption and does not have to be perfectly clean.

Another pre-filter is Algae-Zapper equipped with UV light to kill harmful bacteria. The correct plants around and in the pond would help grow the helpful algae, while the fish, snails, small creatures, and water plants would provide the balance to prevent the harmful algae from dominating the pond area.

For a large amount of fish, there are other means of filtration to manage the bulk of pond waste, like the Vortex or Bead. For most backyard ponds that hold about 20 fish in an average area of 6′ x 4′, pond filtration is fairly simple.

If you have an average-size pond there is a simple way of filtration which makes use of a fine mesh plastic basket that can be integrated with a pump-sack. The pump-sack is made with a mesh liner. The pump must be placed inside the sack, which is placed in the plastic mesh basket. If there is a large number of sediments and fallen leaves in the pond the sack and the basket should go together. Using the fiber mesh liner in the sack is optional. Using the mesh basket alone is enough filtration if there is only a small amount of sediments in the pond.

In choosing the right filter you must assess your pond size, location, type of pond, and the living things there. A big population of fish will require a bigger pond filter. A smaller filter is enough for a pond with a balanced proportion of plants and fish. Getting the right type of filter is necessary. There will always a store attendant in specialized stores of water and pond equipment to guide you in the process.