| When you're setting up your pond, one of the | | | | pond filters is that they are difficult to reach for |
| most important pieces of equipment you'll buy is | | | | cleaning and maintenance. To clean the filter pads |
| your pond filter. Your pond filter is the next best | | | | (recommended once a month or more) you will |
| thing to Mother Nature when it comes to keeping | | | | need to physically enter your pond to reach your |
| your fish happy and healthy. In fact, the more | | | | filter. |
| money you invest in a well-designed large pond | | | | A standalone submersible pond filter (no attached |
| filter, the easier your pond maintenance over the | | | | water pump) can run as low as $40, but you will |
| years. | | | | have to buy a water pump. An all-in-one |
| For effective pond filtration, you need three | | | | submersible system (pump included) starts around |
| types of water care: biological, mechanical and | | | | $180. The best part about a submersible filter is |
| chemical. The biological portion of your filter is fine | | | | no external plumbing, so installation is a snap. |
| filter floss or bio-balls that house beneficial | | | | External pond filters are housed above ground |
| nitrifying bacteria. The mechanical portion is coarse | | | | near the pond, receiving water from a pump |
| filter floss that separates waste debris from the | | | | inside the pond. External pond filters offer very |
| pond water. Finally, the chemical portion of your | | | | easy maintenance and cleaning routines. There's |
| pond filtration is entirely up to you! You can add | | | | no need to get wet when you're cleaning an |
| ammonia chips, carbon or any sort of chemically | | | | external pond filter, since everything is above |
| treated filter pad to improve your water quality. | | | | ground. They are excellent for ponds over 2000 |
| A pond filter can house all three of these | | | | gallons. A common drawback to most external |
| components at once for easy maintenance and | | | | filters is that they are hard to hide. Some pond |
| cleaning. | | | | owners overcome this by building attractive |
| When looking at filters, you'll find that there are | | | | housing for the filter or by burying the bottom |
| two basic types: submersible and external. | | | | half of the filter in the ground. External pond filters |
| Submersible pond filters are placed directly in the | | | | also need to be properly plumbed to the water |
| water, while external filters are placed outside of | | | | pump inside the pond. This can be intimidating for |
| the pond. Both have a water pump that must be | | | | new pond owners. |
| placed under the water in the pond. Submersible | | | | An external pond filter can start as low as $80. |
| and external filters offer unique features and | | | | Larger ones with built in UV can run much higher- |
| advantages that you'll have to consider when | | | | over $250. All external filters need to be plumbed |
| deciding which one you want to purchase. | | | | to the water pump inside the pond and the |
| Submersible filters run entirely under water and | | | | return, so you have to factor in plumbing costs |
| sometimes come with a water pump connected | | | | too. Plumbing includes the cost of clear tubing, |
| to the housing unit for easy installation. Most of | | | | PVC and metal bracers. Generally it costs $50 - |
| them have attractive fountainheads that help | | | | $80 to plumb an external pond filter. |
| aerate the water, and some high end models | | | | No matter which filter design you decide on |
| even come with built-in UV sterilization. A big | | | | buying, remember to carefully match your filter |
| advantage of a submersible pond filter is the fact | | | | with your pond size. You never want to "skimp" |
| that it's hidden under the water. Generally, | | | | on buying your pond filter. We recommend buying |
| submersible pond filters are ideal for smaller ponds | | | | the largest pond filter you can afford! |
| under 2,000 gallons. A drawback to submersible | | | | |