A Beginner’s Guide To Pond Filters

Here at Pond Planet, we’re here to help beginners understand all they need to know about pond filters. From choosing your pond filtration system to understanding how pond filters work and even to the basics of cleaning your pond filter; this guide has it all.

Once you’ve given our guide a read, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to know to implement your pond filtration system and be on your way to having a healthy pond.

Why Do You Need A Pond Filter?

A pond filter’s main aim is to create healthy pond water for your fish and pond plants to inhabit.

Pond filters are essential for ponds that have livestock as they help remove waste and stop the water from becoming contaminated for the fish to survive in it. Pond filters not only clear out the visible debris from the water but can also eradicate toxic chemicals that may cause your fish and pond plants harm.

Pond Filtration Systems

If you’ve had a look at our great range of pond filters here at Pond Planet, then you’ll be able to see just how many types of pond filter you can get. That’s because pond filtration must happen via two different levels:

Mechanical Pond Filter

Mechanical pond filters help remove the physical waste and debris from the pond water; they can be sponges, brushes or vortexes that help eradicate it from the water. Every garden pond needs this basic filtration level to stop the build-up of leaves and fish waste within the pond water. But, it cannot be the only type of filtration the pond has.

Biological Pond Filter

Biological pond filtration includes media that houses beneficial bacteria that can break down the harmful waste created by pond inhabitants. This breakdown helps decrease toxic levels of nitrite and ammonia in the pond water and make it a safer environment for the ecosystem to live in.

(OASE BioSmart UVC 16000 Pond Filter, Hoselock BioForce Revolution 6000 Pond Filter, Evolution Aqua EazyPod – Green)

What Type Of Pond Filters Can I Get?

Now you understand the levels of pond filtration, what types of filter are available to you?

All-in-One Internal Pond Filter

Perfect for smaller garden ponds, all-in-one pond filters do it all. They provide mechanical and biological filtration of the water, they are installed directly into the pond; incorporating a pump, filter and ultraviolet clarifier into one system. These systems are great for small, lightly-stocked ponds but will not be sufficient enough to keep larger ponds clean.

Pressurised Pond Filter

Pressurised Pond filters are one of the more popular types of pond filter. They sit externally from your pond and are ideal for light to medium stocked ponds. Your pond pump delivers the water to the pressure filter, which is then passed through the filter media and UVC. The water leaving the filter is still under pressure meaning that you can place the filter anywhere outside of the pond, and it can feed a waterfall or water feature.

Box Pond Filter

The box filter is a more traditional style of pond filter that you may be more familiar with. Your pond pump carries water to the filter; it then flows through the filter media and then returns via gravity. This means that the outlet must be above water level, to ensure the filtered water falls back into the pond.

Koi Pond Filter

Koi ponds are renowned for the excess waste koi fish produce. Pond filters made with the koi pond in mind are designed to handle this waste without much maintenance, to avoid pond-owners from spending all of their spare time cleaning their pond filter.

What Do You Need To Consider Before Buying A Pond Filter?

How can you decide what type of pond filter is best to suit your specific pond? Well, there are a few things to consider before jumping in and buying your pond filter.

Will The Pond Filter Work With Your Pond Size and Shape?

Your pond filter needs to be big enough to handle your pond’s water capacity whilst still factoring in the livestock and pond plants you have in your pond too. These and other factors need to be accounted for when choosing the correct sized filter.

Factors to consider that you may need to account for include:

• Size, type and number of fish stock
• If the pond will be in direct sunlight
• Will the pond be planted
• Is the pond is situated in a warmer climate
• Is the pond less than 75cm deep

Does The Pond Filter Require A Lot Of Maintenance?

Another thing to consider is how much maintenance your chosen pond filter will require. If you don’t want to be spending all of your spare time cleaning it out or changing the media, then you need to think about the pond filter you’re buying before you do so.

How To Clean Fish Pond Filters

Once you’ve purchased your pond filter and installed it, unfortunately, the job doesn’t end there. Just because it’s your pond filter’s job to keep your pond water clean, doesn’t mean that it won’t need cleaning too. Pond filters require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to run smoothly and effectively.

How To Clean Mechanical Pond Filters?

Purely mechanical filter media such as brushes needs to be cleaned by removing it from the filter and rinsing it until the water runs clear. This can be done with the garden hose for a more efficient clean.

How To Clean Biological Pond Filters?

Biological or twin purpose pond filter media such as foams should be cleaned regularly until there is no longer visible sludge or waste on it. Tap water or any potentially chlorinated water should not be used to clean your biological pond filter media as it can kill the good bacteria and stop the pond filter from working. Therefore pond water is best suited for this job.

If cleaning isn’t doing the job and it looks like it may be time to replace your pond filter media, check out our spares range, including everything you need to have your filter back up and running.

Following our guide, you should hopefully have a better understanding of how vital a pond filter is for the health and well-being of your pond and its inhabitants. Not only is a pond filter a crucial aspect of cleaning waste from the pond’s water, but it also ensures no toxic chemicals can harm your fish either.Check out our complete range of pond filters available at Pond Planet and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries to find the best pond filter to suit you.