| If you are going to install a filter to keep your | | | | four to eight weeks and the process is generally |
| pond water clean, you will have a basic choice | | | | a quick one. In fact, if you clean too much you're |
| between a mechanical filter and a biological filter. | | | | going to remove the valuable bacteria that do the |
| In addition you can also use a UV clarifier or | | | | work of keeping your pond water clear and clean. |
| sterilizer to help clear cloudy water. | | | | But there is something you need to remember |
| There are also biological filters that are similar to | | | | about biological filters, and that is the pump that |
| mechanical filters, as well as chemical filters, and | | | | keeps the water flowing through the filter needs |
| even homemade veggie filters. | | | | to be powered all the time. If water doesn't flow |
| So what does all this jargon mean? | | | | through the filter, it isn't going to work. |
| Mechanical filters | | | | Other filters |
| A mechanical filter will trap dirt and debris and | | | | You will also find some combination |
| prevent it from polluting the water in your pond. | | | | mechanical-biological filters, as well as chemical |
| The simplest type has a screen on the inlet side | | | | filters that clean water by circulating it (with the |
| of the pump that traps all the muck. Other more | | | | help of a pump) through some type of activated |
| complicated types are more like the filters that | | | | carbon like zeolite. And then there are combination |
| we use in swimming pools that often use a sand | | | | chemical-biological filters. |
| filter to get rid of all the dirt. | | | | Veggie filters are found in the form of small tubs |
| Mechanical filters rely on different types of media, | | | | or little ponds that are connected to the garden |
| ranging from foam and screens to mesh and | | | | pond. They are well planted and the plants absorb |
| brushes, to literally strain and trap the muck and | | | | the surplus nutrients from the main pond, reducing |
| gunge. While it is true that mechanical filters do | | | | algae. But if there are a lot of plants in the pond |
| tend to clog quite easily, you can also use a | | | | itself, this type of DIY filter isn't going to make |
| mechanical pre-filter between the pond water and | | | | much of a difference. |
| the pump that will stop large bits of debris and | | | | If you are using a reasonably small submersible |
| dirt from blocking the system. | | | | pond pump, you can also make a fairly efficient |
| A disadvantage of mechanical filters is that you | | | | pre-filter by placing the pump in a planting basket |
| will usually need to spend quite a lot of time | | | | that has been half-filled with sand-free pea gravel. |
| cleaning them. But they are generally well-priced | | | | UV clarifiers or sterilizers |
| and therefore affordable. | | | | UV pond filters, which must be used in conjunction |
| Biological filters | | | | with either a mechanical or biological filter, is a |
| The major difference between mechanical and | | | | relatively high tech option. These filter aids are |
| biological filters is that the latter are designed with | | | | made with an ultraviolet (UV) bulb that is encased |
| a filter bed that contains live bacteria that do the | | | | in a clear waterproof casing. Then, when the |
| job of actually breaking down the harmful | | | | algae, bacteria and viruses in the water are |
| substances in the water and converting them into | | | | exposed to the UV light, they simply die. |
| matter that plants can absorb and literally feed | | | | UV light also encourages organic matter to clump |
| from. | | | | together so that it is easier for the filter itself to |
| Biological filters only need to be cleaned every | | | | trap this dirt. |