Pond fish, such as goldfish, require clean water for survival.
If you find your pond water is starting to look more like pea soup than a crystal clear oasis, it may be time to start thinking about some pond filter solutions. If your pond contains fish, it is especially important to keep the water clean. There are a number of ways to filter your pond water, including mechanical and biological, so choosing the right option for you comes down to a combination of personal preference and tailoring your filtration to the issue you are facing.
Aquatic Plants
If you have a small pond that is not located in direct sunlight, you may be able to get by with just a few aquatic plants for filtration. Aquatic plants, such as water hyacinths, will use dissolved nutrients in the pond water to grow while providing additional shade for the pond and inhibiting the growth of algae. A pond with limited direct sunlight for no more than an hour or two per day can stay crystal clear by being half covered by aquatic plants. As an added bonus, plants with dense root systems, like water hyacinths, provide a hiding place and snacks for your fish.
Biological Filter
If you are facing a mild to moderate pond water quality issue, meaning your water is somewhat cloudy and is receiving a few hours of direct sunlight each day, you may want to opt for a biological filter. A biological filter takes advantage of naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms that consume dissolved debris. A biological filter is one that allows accumulated material to remain in the filter and be broken down by bacteria, limiting the need for filter changes and servicing.
Mechanical Filter
If your pond water is moderately to severely suffering from water quality issues, meaning you have had fish die off and the water consistency has changed to a slightly thicker, algae-filled mess, you may want to opt for a mechanical filtration system with a changeable filter for water treatment. If you have fish, make sure the filter and its water treatment components are fish-friendly, and change your filter often for the first few days until your water quality improves.
UV Treatment
The final option to consider for your pond is a UV filtration system. This type of filtration system uses ultraviolet light to inhibit algae growth. The UV light is contained within a filter-like device where water flows by a lamp that irradiates the water and kills the algae. This is a worthwhile method if your pond is exposed to long periods of sunlight and there have been one or more algae blooms. It can take some time for a UV filtration system to completely eradicate the algae, and you should change out the water if your pond does not contain fish or they have already died off.
Tags: your pond, pond water, filtration system, direct sunlight, water quality, your pond water, aquatic plants