World of Water

The UK's Leading Aquatic Superstores and suppliers of pond pumps, filters and liners

Main Site - Online Shop - News - Brochure Request

Main Site Home

Text Only Site Home

Guide To Pond Filters

What do pond filters do...

Most beginners believe pond filters remove physical dirt and keep the water sparkling clear. This is not quite the case. Pond filters will certainly remove some physical dirt but only dirt that gets pumped into them by your pond pump. Most physical waste such as fish waste, excess fish food or decaying organic material will fall to the bottom of the pond where it will start breaking down into toxins. This is where pond filters start doing their work as a mini sewerage system for the pond.

The importance of Pond Filtration....

The major function of Biological pond filtration is to break down the invisible toxins in the water. Toxins are a by-product of decaying organic matter, which, if left unchecked can cause poor pond water quality, sometimes resulting in health problems in fish. Although Biological pond filters are part of a system to keep water clear, their primary function is to keep the water healthy by digesting the toxins. Remember, clear water is not necessarily healthy water and could still contain dangerous toxin levels.

Biological Pond Filtration; How it works.....

Although there are many different designs, the principle behind all biological pond filters is the same. They contain filter material through which the pond water is pumped 24 hours a day. When first starting up a filter it will take a period of five to six weeks for helpful bacteria to build up in the filter material. These bacteria will break down Ammonia, which is caused by dead and decaying organic matter, into Nitrite. A different type of bacteria then breaks this dangerous Nitrite down to Nitrate, which is harmless except in high concentrations, and will be absorbed by plants as they grow.
None of these toxins can be seen by the naked eye. However testing the water periodically can easily monitor their levels. (Pond Test kits)

Do all ponds need filters.....

No. If you are intending not to have any fish, or you’re creating a wildlife pond with high plant stocks and just a few fish you would probably choose not to have a pond filter, but try to create a natural balance instead.

Natural Balance.....

Creating a natural balance is simply creating a complete eco- system or balanced nitrogen cycle within your pond. This will take much longer to establish than using a filter.
However, the principle is very simple. You will need plenty of aquatic plants, probably covering two thirds of the pond area. These pond plants, along with helpful bacteria occurring naturally in the pond, will then use and digest any toxins left by fish and rotting organic waste, hopefully providing a good natural balance and a clear pond. It is important to remember that the plants should be well established before gradually introducing fish and it could take at least eighteen months to create a balance.

How to choose a filter......

At World of Water you will find a huge range of filters. On this site and in our stores you will find all these pond filters have been given three different ratings for varying pond conditions as follows

Pond Filters at World of Water......

World of Water stock all the major makes and brands of pond filters. including Laguna, Hozelock Cyprio, Cloverleaf, Oase, Oasis, Fish Mate and Lotus.

Hozelock Cyprio: Ecocel (Buy Now) pond Filters, Bioforce (Buy Now) and Ecoclear (Buy Now) pond filter packages including Pump, UVC and Pond Pump.

Cloverleaf: CL Range Professional Pond Filters

Oase: Biotec (Buy Now) pond Filters, Filtoclear (Buy Now) Pond Filters and Biosys (Buy Now) pond filter packages including Pump, UVC and Pond Pump.

Oasis: Green2Clean (Buy Now) Combined Pond Filter and UVC, Green2Clean pond filter packages including Pump, UVC and Pond Pump (Buy Now). Vor-tec Professional Pond Filters, Specialist Professional Pond Filters.

Fish Mate: Powerclenz (Buy Now) combined pond filter with UVC.