Choosing the Best Pond Filter

A pond filter is absolutely essential for a healthy and attractive pond. Pond filters protect pumps, break down particles, and significantly reduce algae growth. Clean water is probably the most sought after objective when purchasing pond supplies. If the water quality is good, then planning and executing the design falls into place. A pond filter ensures this.

There are several different kinds of pond filters available. The simplest type is an intake filter. An Intake filter is a small blocks of large-pore foam that are often included with the purchase of a pump. They are inexpensive and easy to remove and clean. However, they only stop debris from clogging the intake; they do not significantly change water quality, and they need to be cleaned every day.

An in-line filter is a resealable canister that can be filled with different material for different types of filtration. They are usually installed on the output side and they can be operated either on ground or below water. External filters are generally the largest of pond filters and they are the most efficient biological filtration type of pond filter. Both in line filters and external filters are superlative in improving water quality. Their disadvantage is the large, bulky size that makes it difficult to conceal.

A submersed filters is larger than an intake filter. Although some units can be installed on either the intake or output side of the pump, it is generally best to connect them to the intake side so it can protect the pump as well as clean the water. This type of pond filter also has different filter media for various filtration needs. They can run days or even weeks without being checked or changed. There are drawbacks to a submersed filter, however. They're hard to retrieve when they do need cleaned, and they take up a lot of valuable space in your pond.

The larger the filter, the more fish you can put in a given area, and the less time need be spent on cleaning. The trade off is, of course, more expense and more space taken up by the filter. It is important to assess the function of the pond in order to choose the pond filter to do the best job possible.