Types of Pond Filtration
To understand what type of pond filtration, and how much you need for your water feature, you should have a clear grasp of the nitrogen cycle first. The nitrogen cycle is like Mother Nature’s method of filtration.
Fish eat food that they can find in the water, and digest it. The fishes waste contains nitrogen in the form of ammonia, which gets broken down into nitrites and then into nitrates, which in turn gets used up by the plants, only to be eaten by the fish once again.
Too much ammonia and nitrogen in the water can be deadly to fish; the easiest way to prevent this from happening is to minimize the number of fish you have, and to maximize the number of plants, but that isn’t always preferred. Remember to test your pond regularly; especially in new ponds where ammonia and nitrogen levels are likely to fluctuate until their eco-systems are stabilized.
That is where Biological Filtration, Mechanical Filtration and UV Clarification come in.
Biological Pond Filtration
Biological Pond Filtration occurs naturally in water features. In the case of a product like a Skimmer, it is where there is an area that traps suspended debris in the water – leaves, branches, etc. Biological Pond Filtration also includes beneficial bacteria that break down any fish waste or other organic material, as well as removing ammonia and nitrates from the water.
This type of filtration is really easy to care for; every couple of months (or when the water flow is slowed to 75% of its original amount) rinse it out with water from your pond. The biological filters must be run full-time in order to keep the bacteria colonies inside alive.
Mechanical Pond Filtration
Mechanical Pond Filtration is the filtration that occurs when water is forced through removable pond filters that traps large particles. One type of mechanical pond filtration is the Pump Intake pre-filter. These are typically a small block of foam or sponge that is provided with the pump. The filter keeps out any debris that may clog the pump, but does not clean the water. These filters typically have to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Submersible Filters are typically larger and more all-purpose than pre-filters are. This filter is usually connected to the pump, but unlike the pump intake pre-filter actually do remove debris and waste from the water. This pump, because it is larger than the pre-filter, it needs to be cleaned every few weeks.
The In-Line Filter (or Pressurized Pond Filter) usually contain both mechanical and biological filtration. They are installed at the out-take of the pump, and filter the water before it goes back into the pond. Depending on the type of In-Line filter you have, it may need to be installed inside or outside of the pond.
The External Filter cannot be installed in the pond. It is the largest of the pond filters, and is necessary for any pond that is larger than 1000 gallons of water, or in ponds with a lot of fish. These filters normally include large sheets of foam, as well as some form of biological filtration.
UV Clarification
UV Clarification is the only kind of pond filtration that actually kills algae. It also uses Ultraviolet light to clump suspended particles together to make it easier to be caught by mechanical filters.
The best types of filters are ones that combine more than one type of filtration.
Depending on what kind of filter you have, your maintenance will vary. Some filters require to be cleaned once a day, whereas others can be cleaned once every few weeks. In order to make cleaning as easy as possible, keep your filter in an easy-to-reach location.
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