Clear or clean water

April 1, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Steve

Clear water, clean water and water suitable for your fish are not necessarily the same thing. The fundamental requirement of your fish is that they have clean water. What constitutes clean water for your fish may not be quite the same as your own personal interpretation of the word clean.

Firstly, it is important to separate the notion of clean from clear. The desire for the water to be clear is usually more of a desire on the part of the water gardener. Many fish such as Koi will enjoy a mud pond environment where they can probe the mud banks for nutrients. This inevitably creates unclear water and yet the fish do not mind. Your fish will always live in a compromised rather than a pure water environment. Fish themselves are continuously polluting their water with ammonia. Ammonia is broken down naturally in nature into nitrates that are a ready source of food for aquatic plant life. These very same plants are the oxygen providers to the water environment.

In most fish ponds it will be necessary to use a biological filter to carry out this process of ammonia breakdown as there will be insufficient natural bacteria to do so. A biological filter carries out two functions. Initially the water passes through a mechanical filter which is simply a sieving mechanism to catch the physical muck in the water. This element of filtration performs the primary role of clearing the water. The biological element of the filtering process involves the water passing through a dense culture of bacteria where ammonia is chemically broken down. This is effectively the step where water is cleaned of harmful pollutants.

An important necessity of the bio-filter is to have a continuous flow of water through a pump. Without a continuous flow, the bacteria will lose the oxygen that they require and shortly will die. A new bacterial culture is easily grown again but this does take around four to six weeks. If this should happen in your stocked pond you are potentially risking the health of your fish.

Pond filtration

March 3, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Jake

Pond filters are used to maintain high water quality by filtering out both chemical pollutants and solid waste that can be potentially harmful to fish.

Different pond environments and different fish stock will create differing filtration needs. An ornamental goldfish pond with good planting will be a largely self contained environment with little or no need for filtration. At the other end of the spectrum, a well stocked koi pond, particularly one with minimal plant stock, will require a biological filter.

The biological filter uses bacteria that break down harmful ammonia produced by the fish themselves firstly into nitrites and then a further set of bacteria break down the nitrites into nitrates. Nitrates are compounds that support plant life within the pond environment and are beneficial providing they themselves do not become present in too large a volume.

The need for pond filters fundamentally stems from the desire to create a pond environment with considerably more fish stock than would exist in a similar volume of water in nature. The specific filtering needs of your pond therefore depend on how you intend to stock it. It is generally prudent to install a pond filter with a higher capacity than you may currently expect to need. This will give you an element of future proofing should you decide on further stocking of your pond at a later date.

Choosing a pond filter with a barely sufficient capacity may contribute to health issues and will certainly restrict the opportunity for increasing fish stock without either health risks or the need for further investment.

Once installed, the biological nature of the filter means there is a requirement to allow several weeks for the biological environment of the filter to become fully developed and the pond environment to become stable.

The filters themselves come in different forms with different characteristics such as gravel and crushed clinker amongst others. The filtration system works in conjunction with a pond pump system to drive the water through. The selection of the pump itself from a large range of devices and arrangements also requires careful consideration to ensure that it will meet the requirements of both the current and future pond environment.

The importance of having pond filters

February 26, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Steve

Pond filters are an essential part of a manmade pond. Pond filters are very useful as they break down and reduce the amount of toxicity in the water that is caused by decaying organic particles. In the absence of a pond filter, the water gets dirty and this leads to poor quality pond water which can affect the health of your fish.

There are many different types of pond filters that are available today that vary in shape, size and colour. The size of a pond filter must be selected appropriately depending upon the size of the pond and the number of fish in it. Once you have installed a pond filter, you can rest assured that your pond water is clean from any organic particles causing the water to become smelly, murky or toxic. Moreover, your fish and also your pond plants will benefit from a pond filter and become healthier.

Moreover, pond filters also help in conserving water by recycling and cleaning the original pond water. This helps to reduce the risk of the water becoming stagnant. Out of the different types of pond filters, external pond filters are the largest in size. Having these filters outside the pond makes it lot easier to clean and it can then support a large number of fish in the pond.

Measures necessary to keep your Koi pond attractive and clean

February 8, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Steve

Koi ponds are prized possessions which must be taken well care of to maintain their charm. Koi ponds must be kept clean and the water of the pond should be clear as otherwise no one would be able to see the fish. The easiest way to keep your Koi pond clean and healthy is to install a pond filter and pump.

Some models combine both the pond pump and the pond filter in a single device which offers the benefits of both individual components. The pond filter and pump recycles the water which increases the oxygen content of the Koi pond.

The pond filter and pump also help to clean the water from unhealthy substances and keep the water of the Koi pond transparent. With the help of a pond filter and pump the water in the pond remains toxin free, this means that you do not need to change its water often.

Pond filters and pond pumps are also available separately and in different models. Pond filters are available in two types, they are external pond filters or submersed pond filters, which can be kept outside the pond or submersed in the pond. So if you have not yet bought a pond filter then it is important to check look at buying one to enhance the beauty of your Koi pond.

Pond filters are essential to maintain your Koi pond

February 7, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Mary

Koi ponds are usually artificial man made ponds which need adequate maintenance and repair. Usually people prefer keeping Koi in their pond due to their adaptability to climatic fluctuations, their longer life span, large size and bright colours.

Koi ponds can be planted with different types of water plants to improve the water quality and the look of the pond. Koi have been known to grow up to one metre in length and thus need adequate area to move around in. Pond filters perform many functions and are essential for all Koi ponds. Firstly, Koi require ample oxygen for their growth and filters maintain a high oxygen level in the water.

Pond filters also help in keeping the water clean and free from toxins which may adversely affect the health of the fish. Pond filters clean the water in the pond so the pond does not stagnate. This also keeps the water clear which enhances the view of the fish.

So if you want your Koi fish pond to look clean and clear and keep the Koi healthy, then you must install a good pond filter.

A well maintained garden pond adds to your garden’s beauty

February 6, 2009
Posted in Pond filters,Pond maintenance,Pond pumps — Written by Jake

Garden ponds have been a popular feature in many gardens for a long time. These ponds add to the beauty of your garden, making it a place of relaxation and tranquility.

A garden pond is a beautiful feature that needs to be maintained correctly so that they can be kept beautiful for years to come. The plants and fish in your pond can help to create a natural balance thus keeping your pond healthy and good looking. Clean water is an important feature of a healthy garden pond. Therefore pond pumps are very important as they ensure the constant recycling of the water in your pond and so prevent stagnation, eliminating the toxics in your pond to give you clean and healthy water. Some pumps also have filters included that remove impurities from the pond water. This improves the water quality and so gives a better quality of life for the fish in your pond.

As there are a variety of fish in your pond, you also need to make sure that the dimensions of your garden pond suit the requirements of all these fish, so make sure the number of fish in your pond does not exceed the space you have. This will help your fish to live longer.

The importance of pond pumps

February 3, 2009
Posted in Pond filters,Pond pumps — Written by Mary

In any type of manmade pond, a pond pump plays an important role. In a pond, water usually stands still for a long period of time which can cause the water to become stagnant.

A pond pump drives the filter which helps to keep the water fresh. At the same time, a pond pump can be used for several other water features like pond fountains or waterfalls. Depending on your requirements, you should select a pond pump carefully. If you fail to purchase a proper water pump, it can result in the improper filtering of water or it may provide an insufficient flow of water for the various water features.

There are several water pumps that are presently available. You can select any from a wide range which can provide you with real benefits. Pond pumps are usually categorised by the amount of water that they can pump. The amount is based upon the gallons of water that a pump can move in an hour.

Water garden pumps are perfect for water features like filters and running waterfalls. If you choose a quality pond pump, it can provide you with the high performance which is required for pressure filter systems that run stunning waterfalls.

Pond filters – Does your garden pond need one?

February 3, 2009
Posted in Pond filters — Written by Jake

The pond in your garden may look stunning and natural with its clear water, happy and healthy fish. You may assume that everything is fine, but as the water in the pond is circulated repeatedly, there is no thorough way of cleaning it except by changing the water.

As it is not possible to change the pond water everyday, it is essential to have an effective pond filter in your garden pond. With a pond filter, you can keep the water in your garden pond clear, clean and healthy. The simple rule for pond filtration is that if you have fish in your pond, your must have a pond filter. Fish generate a lot of waste and other undesirable elements such as nitrates, carbon dioxide and ammonia. It is necessary to clear this waste before it dissolves and dilutes in the pond water. Nitrates are the main source for algae. Fewer nitrates in the pond’s water mean fewer algae in the water.

It is crucial to keep the water in your pond clean to prevent your fish from contracting illnesses. There are many different brands of pond filters available for all types of garden ponds. If you are unsure on the type of pond filter which will best suit your pond, you can browse through a wide range of pond filters on the internet.

What are pond pumps?

January 31, 2009
Posted in Pond filters,Pond pumps — Written by Mary

A pond pump plays an important role in an artificial pond. If a pond pump is not used in artificial ponds, the water will remain still and this may ultimately result in stagnation and the formation of a marsh. A pump is essential to filter and circulate the water in a pond.

To maintain the quality of water, it is very important to circulate the water at least once every two hours. This will avoid the accumulation of mosquito larvae on the stagnant surface of water. It is important to find out the amount of water that is present in the pond and then purchase a pump which can pump a minimum of half the volume every hour. In simpler words, the GPH or ‘gallons per hour’ ratings should be about 50% of the complete pond volume.

A pond pump is an electrical device which requires a water-resistant cord. The cord can be covered between an outdoor electrical outlet and a pond. Pond pumps are generally installed underwater, and they do not create any distracting noise. If the pump is used for a waterfall, then the GPH pump ratings must be increased.

It can be extremely difficult to find a suitable pump for waterfalls, as these pumps usually have two ratings. If unsure as to which pump should be purchased, a multi-purpose pump can often be the best choice. In order to allow the maximum amount of water circulation, it is always advisable to place pond pumps at the opposite end of the pond to a waterfall.

Fish pond supplies that you may need

January 28, 2009
Posted in Pond filters,Pond pumps — Written by Jake

If you have seen fish ponds at local gardens or in garden centre’s then you must have realised how beautiful they appear. Every attractive fish pond needs timely maintenance and proper care, so that the fish can thrive.

Garden ponds can be prone to negative effects like stagnation of water, formation of algae and presence of foreign particles. All of these can be quite dangerous for the fish within the garden pond. This is why garden ponds require additional features so that the fish remain protected and the visual beauty of the pond stays intact.

Filter pumps are ideal for fish ponds or garden ponds because they prevent the water from clogging. Pond filters with UV, sterilize the water and prevent the formation of excess algae.

Other than these products, some chemicals are also required to balance and monitor the pH levels of the pond water. For large garden ponds the quality of pond filters and pond pumps needs to be high due to the amount of water they need to deal with. If the fish pond is small in size then basic pond pumps and pond filters are ideal. A quick search on the internet can reveal plenty about fish pond supplies.

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