Proper Pond Filtration allows  ecosystem pond to look their best

While ponds are beautiful on their own, they really shine when they are perfectly balanced. via proper pond filtration.  It is easy to relax and enjoy nature while sitting by a beautiful, clean pond.

When thinking of ponds, perhaps plants, rocks, gravel, fish and aeration to come to mind. But what people don’t necessarily think of is pond filtration.  But to ensure a low-maintenance ecosystem, a pond must have adequate filtration to keep the water healthy and beautiful.  There are two main types of pond filters: biological and mechanical.  Biological filters use bacteria to break down pond wastes, converting them into less harmful compounds that can be used as aquatic plant fertilizers.  Mechanical filters catch and eliminate debris and sediment.  Water sterilizers send water through a tube that has an ultraviolet bulb, killing living particles in the water.

A biological filtration system with a proper mechanical filter is the most effective way to filter water.  This method eliminates the need for sterilizers and guaranteeing a natural ecosystem pond.

Mechanical Filtration is the Place to Start

Mechanical filtration, also known as a pond skimmer, is used to remove debris before it decays. The skimmer also stores and conceals the pump and plumbing.

There are two main types of skimmers: box skimmers and floating skimmers.  Both filter the water by removing debris and waste before it makes its way to the bottom of the pond.  In general, the box skimmer is popular because it’s easy to maintain.

How does it work?   When water goes in the skimmer, the debris is trapped in the skimmer basket and the water is again filtered through the mat.  The water then journeys through the underground plumbing and back up to the biological filter where it’s treated once more before arriving back into the pond.

Biological Pond Filtration

The biological filter is typically placed on the opposite side of the pond and receives water that has already passed through the mechanical filter, or skimmer.  The water enters the biological filter via flexible pipe located near the base of the unit.  The water then flows from the bottom to the top of the filter, traveling through filter media housed inside the unit.  The filter media helps with the removal of fine to medium-sized particles.  The larger debris was already removed by the skimmer.

As the biological filter fills, it will overflow and cascade over its waterfall lip, cascading down rocks that have been set to create a beautiful, natural-looking waterfall.  The waterfall creates aeration for the pond, assisting in the circulation and health of the water

Biological filters on the market today range in size and can filter ponds up to 10,000 gallons.  For larger ponds, multiple biological filters can be incorporated into the design.

Putting it all together

When combined, mechanical and biological filtration are vital to managing the many nutrients found in a pond’s ecosystem, including fish waste, uneaten fish food, leaves, and runoff from lawns to name a few.  High levels of ammonia (a form of nitrogen) are extremely toxic to fish and are a chief provider of algae growth, and so they need to be thoroughly regulated.

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