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Pond Water Filters Can Add To The Health Of Life In Your Pond
A common misconception about pond water filters is that their sole purpose is to filter out sediment to keep the pond water clear and clean, when in fact they play a much more vital role in pond health. Ponds that contain fish need to have a healthy balance of oxygen and bacteria to regulate the nitrogen cycle. Pond water filters serve three basic functions: Introducing healthy bacteria: Just like aquariums, ponds that contain fish need a filtration system to clean the water of toxic waste material produced by the fish and from decaying plant matter. The difference is aquariums typically use carbon-based filters to maintain water quality, while ponds can be kept in balance using a biological filtration system, which uses naturally occurring bacteria to neutralize toxins and convert them into food for pond plants. Aerating the water: Keeping the water constantly moving is essential for any fish pond, because it introduces oxygen into the water by mixing it with air. Without movement, the water will become stale and oxygen-starved fish will soon suffocate. In any natural environment that contains fish, you will notice there is always some form of water flow - a stream, spring, or even a drainage ditch that keeps the water consistently moving. To keep your pond aerated, you will need to install a pump that will keep the water circulating 24 hours a day. This means that the filter will need to be in the water permanently. It is not something that can be hidden nearby behind the closed garage doors . Filtering sediment: Finally, yes, pond water filters also help keep water looking clear and clean by removing some of the sediment that is floating around in the water. Essentially, a biological filtration system passes the water through filter material that contains healthy bacteria, which acts as a miniature sewage treatment system for the pond. The bacteria feed on the pond waste, converting toxic ammonia into nitrites, then transforming the nitrites into healthy nitrates, which will nourish the pond plants. The filter will need to be in place long enough to develop a substantial growth of bacteria before it becomes fully effective, so it is advisable to create a well-established pond environment before introducing fish into it. It generally takes about 5-6 weeks to build up enough helpful bacteria in the filter to successfully clean the pond of toxins. When choosing a pump for your pond, keep in mind the size of the pond and the number of fish it will contain. When filtering pond water, filters need to be cleaned occasionally, but only if water flow becomes restricted. Rinse the filter with pond water instead of tap water, because chlorine in the tap water will kill some of the beneficial bacteria. A mature filter will work more efficiently than a new or freshly cleaned one, so avoid cleaning the filter too often. To preserve the bacteria in the filter, try not to clean it too thoroughly, or don’t clean the entire area of the filter all at once. The more fish your pond has, the more beneficial bacteria required, so you will need to use a larger amount of filter material to trap more bacteria. If you would like to read more about walter filters, please follow these links:
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