In order to maintain good pond water quality you need to create a balanced environment that consists of a good supply of nutrients for plant life and a healthy level of oxygen for your fish. This balancing act is easier the bigger the pond. In a larger pond, any life introduced to the water will have proportionately less impact on the water quality. The smaller the pond, or the more heavily stocked the pond, the more difficult it becomes to maintain this balance.

Fortunately, for the noughties water gardener, there are modern tools that greatly facilitate this pond water management. If you feel like a purist and wrestle with the notion of using technology to manage this environment, then you probably needn’t be too concerned. The use of modern equipment enables life to flourish in a pleasant and healthy environment.

The key technology tools employed in the water garden are the pond pump, the biological filter and the UV clarifier. The latter two components effectively manage constituents of the water. A biological filter removes harmful pollutants from the water through a natural process of bacterial breakdown of waste products. This is not totally dissimilar to the function of bio-yogurts in your digestive system. A UV clarifier is used to tackle algal growth problems in conjunction with a filter system. The UV clarifier causes microscopic algal growth to form into clumps that can then be filtered.

The engine room of these two processes is the pond pump. Without the water being passed through the biological filters and UV clarifiers they quite simply don’t work. A pumps use is not simply restricted to a supporting role though. Even a pump used in isolation of any other equipment will help maintain a healthy environment. Pumps help to oxygenate the water simply by causing movement. Usually this is done in a visually pleasing manner such as a fountain or a waterfall.