Garden Pond Filters

It is a common misconception when starting out that garden pond filters do their job by physically removing dirt and so keeping the water crystal clear. This, however, is not true, even though a small quantity of dirt may caught in your pond when it cycles around the pond, pump, filter repeatedly. The single most vital process of all garden pond filters is to work like a sewerage system. Simply put, the filtration media is a massive area that eventually contains useful bacteria.

If actual detritus (like fish waste, uneaten feed or any decaying substance) finds

its way to the floor of your pond, it immediately begins to decompose and emitting pollutants and effecting the quality of your pond water. When water goes through a filter the useful bacteria breaks down pollutants. Other material of any size are then get stuck in the pond filter.

    There are more complex filter systems that have the ability to remove much more items from your pond, crystal clear water is not necessary good quality water. And so it is crucial to procure a filter and pump, that is suitable for pond fish stocking quantities and water volume in fact its necessary for the pond / filter system to be capable of cycling the complete volume of the water once every hour.

    So then you ask, how does the filter work? Well, as there many types of garden pond filters they all have the exact way of filtering your pond. This is biological filtration. They all have a filter membrane through which water is constantly passed. A new garden pond filter does not start to reduced toxins in your garden pond for approximately six weeks as the bacteria has not developed enough.

    Next question is it necessary for all garden ponds to need a garden pond filter? The answer is no but only if you don't plan to stock any fish. There is a possibility that a pond with very few fish and a lot of oxygenating plants you may get away without having a garden pond filter, but this is not recommended.

    There are two basic types of garden pond filters that can be found and installed by the home pond enthusiast.

Gravity Return Pond Filters

    These garden pond filters are pump fed with a return to the pond via an outlet. A gravity return filter must be higher than the pump service as once the water is sent into the filter its return is controlled by gravity. This is the most common type of filter found in an average home garden fish pond, they are popular also as they are fairly cheap to buy.

Pressure Pond Filters

    Pressure Filters are similar to gravity filters but unlike gravity filters they work under pressure making it possible to locate then underground. These are used for small to medium size ponds.

Copyright © 2010 Complete Garden Fish Pond Guide      Site Map