Backyard water features, like ponds, provide a great place for sitting and reflecting, but they also offer benefits beyond enhancing your property's appearance. Ponds are part of the growing need for sustainable landscaping as they promote aquatic ecosystem health. You can even use the outflow or overflow to irrigate plants with nutrient-rich water.
To gain these environmental benefits and more, you need the right pond pump filtration system for clear, healthy water that can support fish or aquatic life. The following guide will explain how filtration affects water quality and the pump mechanics involved. We'll also look at types of systems and some best practices, tips and frequently asked questions about pumps, filtration systems and their maintenance.
How Pond Filtration Affects Water Quality
Pond filtration systems retain water clarity, keep fish and aquatic life healthy and maintain a balanced ecosystem. To fulfill these functions, they need to do the following:
- Remove debris: Organic debris will cloud the water and disrupt its balance as it decomposes. It will also consume vital oxygen that the aquatic life needs to survive.
- Reduce surplus nutrients: Excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen can enter your pond in many ways, such as through animal droppings, fertilizer runoff or decomposing debris. This surplus can stress animal life, lead to biodiversity loss, and destabilize the pond's ecosystem.
- Control algae growth: Rotting organic debris and nutrient overload can cause algae blooms, which will decimate the ecosystem as the algae will use up all the resources.
How Pond Pumps Drive Filtration
To filter effectively, you need a mechanism such as a pond pump to move the water through it, removing the waste. Water circulation is vital for filtration and maintaining pond health. Water quickly becomes stagnant without movement and provides a perfect nursery for mosquitoes and harmful bacteria. Circulation will also disrupt the surface enough for oxygen to dissolve into the water and allow it to fill all pond areas, leaving no low-oxygen zones.
Choosing the right pump is essential for your filter's efficiency because both products work with flow rates and must be within each other's range. If a pump's flow is too strong, it can overwhelm the filter and cause distress to the ecosystem. When the flow is too weak, debris builds up and algae grows.
Types of Pond Filtration Systems
Pond filtration systems need a pump to operate effectively. However, carefully consider which pump you choose for the best filtration efficiency. You can base your selection on the following factors:
- Flow rate: Your flow rate is how long it takes to circulate the total volume of water once. An ideal flow rate will be enough to turn the water over once per hour.
- Pond size: The larger your pond is, the more water volume it has to circulate, increasing its power. If you work out your pond volume, you can accurately choose a pump that can move that amount of water in an hour by checking the product's gallons per hour (GPH) rate.
- Pump type: Buy a pump advertised for ponds.
Your filtration system will use:
- Mechanical: Mechanical filtration will remove the physical debris from the water.
- Biological: Biological filtration uses bacteria to break down smaller, dissolved waste like ammonia and nitrites from fish waste.
- Combination: Some systems include one option or combine mechanical and biological filtration. It can also feature a UV clarifier, which uses UV light for algae control, and a skimmer, which removes floating debris before it sinks, maintaining clear pond water.
Best Practices for Filtration and Pump Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your pump and filtration system will prevent breakdowns from happening and help stop the loss of aquatic life and expensive repairs. Follow these routine maintenance steps to keep your system in good health:
- Inspect: Check the pump and filter weekly to see if the water flow is normal, and inspect the hoses, fittings and clamps monthly for damage.
- Clean: Remove any waste you see on the surface or around the pond and clear trapped debris from your pump intake. Rinse your mechanical and biological filtering equipment every week or two. Always use pond water, as tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria.
- Observe: Keep an eye on the water level, refilling as needed, and observe your water quality for clarity and aquatic life for signs of distress like gasping for air or sluggish movement. If you notice the water getting a green tint, this is a sign of algae. Remove it regularly using a net or pond rake. You can also add floating plants to starve the algae of the sunlight it needs to photosynthesize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about pond pumps and filters:
Should I Turn off My Pump at Night?
You should run your pump and filter 24/7 to ensure continuous oxygenation and water quality.
What Steps Should I Take if My Pump Stops Working?
If you notice your pump has gone quiet and the water is still, unplug it and check it for clogs and damage. Clear out debris from the intake and remember to check the manual for advice. If clearing it doesn't work, or you notice damage, try calling a professional to come and inspect it.
What Water Can I Use to Refill My Pond?
Tap water has chemicals like chlorine, which will disrupt the pond's ecosystem, so you must treat it with a dechlorinator before you use it. Alternatively, you can collect and use rainwater if it isn't runoff. You can use well water, spring water or lake water, but as they may contain contaminants, testing any water for substances like chlorine, chloramine, pH and ammonia is important before adding it to your pond.
What Should I Do if My Filter Keeps Clogging?
If your filter keeps clogging, it could be due to its size, increased debris from bad weather or lack of cleaning. The first step is to clean it more often and possibly add a skimmer to help. If you still have issues, upgrading to a larger filter is a good idea. Regular maintenance will ensure you know what's going on with your filter system and keep it clear of clogs.
Purchase Your Next Pond Pump With Us
A reliable and correctly sized pond pump is vital, as it works with your filtration system to keep your water features clean and operating smoothly. When you shop with ePumps, you can take advantage of our free shipping, price matching and a free quote for stocked Grundfos products.
Explore our wide range of pond pump products through our online store and find the right one for you today!
