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Filter Questions Filter questions, we have the answers Installing A filter We had a question about installing an external "box type" biological filter, the person wanted to have it buried in the ground near the pond. That is all very well until you realise the pond was slightly raised. That would mean that the top of the filter would be lower than the top of the pond. This would mean that as water always "finds its own level" the pond would empty via the filter until both were at the same height. If you want to hide your filter yes you can bury it but the top of your filter must be at least level with the top of the pond. That said it is now possible to get "pressurised" filters which can be lower than the pond. Filter not as good? Every year (spring) I turn my filter system back on and it doesn't seem to be as good as when i first got it. Any suggestions? I should guess that your filter system has a uv light? when was it last changed? the average life of a uv lamp is 6-9 months. Also when was the filter media last cleaned? (use pond water) The other point of concern is that you switch your filter system on every year, that means you must turn it off every year (end of season?) that is a bad thing to do, since every year you have to wait for your filter to mature again, I suggest that at each season end you turn the flow down, this way the filter will keep ticking over, and more importantly every spring you will no longer be dumping a load of dead bodies (bacteria) into your pool 22 07 06 Filter sponges Like any sponge your filter foams will become clogged over time, so these will need changing, you can clean them (in pond water) but after a year or two you may need to change them. They should always be fitted smooth side down. Contractor says I do not need a pond filter I am shortly having some landscaping done by a professional contractor and part of this will include a pond. The measurements of the pond are thus: approx 10’ diameter and 30” deep. The contractor has made provision for a pump to power a rockery waterfall but suggests that I do not need a filter. Please see our pond filtration page here 21 10 07 Gravel Filter As the name says, it is a filter using gravel as the medium. Water is drawn down through the gravel via a pump. There are several ways this can be done, but all work the same way. Good bacteria colonise the gravel and make the water "suitable" Gravel filters are often used in freshwater fish tanks because they work very well but are really cheap. The down side is after some time the gravel will become clogged. One solution is to take it out and clean it. This is not too bad where a fish tank is concerned but a lot of hard work for a pond, (Several tonnes of gravel) so is not often done. The other solution is to backwash them, in that water is pumped backwards through the filter clearing all the debris out...................out to where it came from. There is still available a filter which uses this principal. A central circle with plastic pipe "spokes" emanating from the central circle. Each "spoke" has slits cut at regular intervals along its length and the far end would be capped off. The central circle would have a connection for your choice of pump. As previously detailed, this type of filter needs to have all the pond gravel removed and cleaned, since this requires a total strip down of the pond, all plants, livestock etc removed, gravel to be carefully removed (avoid damaging the liner) they are seldom seen in ponds. Don't forget to send in your questions, contact us
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