Pond Fountain Info

FILTERS

10. What is a biological filter? I didn’t even know my biology needed filtration.
Any decent pond kit will have a combination biological and mechanical filter. A mechanical filter is usually some kind of matting. This also acts as a biological filter. A biological filter provides lots of surface area that is where we colonize bacteria. These bacteria break down the fish waste and other toxins that become the food for algae or can build up and become toxic for the fish. There are many questions further down covering biological filtration.

When shopping for a pond kit though, the important issue is the filter located in the pond or outside of the pond. Be sure you have good access to the filter. (See Maintenance for more discussion of filter care that includes regular, and often weekly, cleaning of the filter.) If the filter is located in the pond, it will require you, or someone, to pull it out of the pond. Since it can be very heavy, it often spills; dumping the muck back into the water defeating the purpose of removing it. Other filters are in the basin of the waterfall. I find them only slightly more convenient than if it were in the pond.

We prefer filters that are located between the pond and the waterfall. Often they can be dug part way into the back of the waterfall to partially conceal it The best type of filter is one with a back wash valve attached to it. The backwashing is very quick and the refuse goes out a waste pipe to a location of your choosing. I have not found any for very small ponds. The smallest is for a pond about 1500 gallons. The initial cost is more but maintenance is a great deal easier.

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Than you!

Jim Wilder

# posted by Jim Wilder @ 10:05 AM