Confusion about Filters and a Few Other Things

15 years ago

Hi All :)

I have read here and on websites reading up on ponds like crazy and feel like I am going crazy!!!! There are so many conflicting stories of what I need and what I do not need....

First of all, I purchased a 145 gallon prefab McCort pond. This is what I wanted for my first pond. It has a plant shelf. I want a small waterfall OR one of those tubes that brings the water straight up from the pond and forms what I would call umbrella water.

Filters: I have heard of Skippy, Mechanical, Biological, Adams, Pre-Filter, Homemade, Big Box Store Brands.....I know that there are many more but I cannot remember them all. Can somebody please help me to understand some of these and what would be best for my pond.

Pumps: What is a good sized pump for my pond gph (whatever else is needed to know) and if my best route is making a homemade filter that will clean the pool well how would I attach an (umbrella waterfall to this)?

Thank you all so much :) I think everything else I have figured out from reading.

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Comments (3)

annedickinson
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
There will be others responding who can give you detailed (and more educated)answers to your questions. All I can do is tell you my experience, which is much like yours.

I read, researched on line and at the library, got terribly confused and stalled putting in a pond because I was so confused.

However, once I bit the bullet and put in a 160 gal preformed pond with a PondMaster 1350 pump, things became less confusing. This size pump is adequate for 160 gals and is strong enough to run water to a waterfall as long as you aren't going too high - mine was about 2' above the surface of the water. It also has different fountain heads (including the bell /umbrella type). If you want a waterfall you will also need to buy a hose to run from the pump to the top of the waterfall.

My understanding is that the bigger the pond and/or the more fish you have, the more filtration you will need.

I have found that the PondMaster pump I have is adequate for my needs for now, but I would like to make a skippy filter next - mostly for the fun of it and because I have a better understanding of it now (thanks to the great people here on this forum). There are all kinds of instructions in this forum for making them and also in other sites on line.

A prefilter is necessary. It protects the pump from sucking in stuff that will clog it. The filter will gunk up [very technical term :-)] and need to be rinsed from time to time. You can buy a pump with a manufactured prefilter (my preference at this point) or make one yourself using a container with holes and filter material through which the water has to travel prior to reaching the pump.

The prefilter is between the water and the pump while the skippy filter is between the pump and the water source for the pond: ie waterfall.

I like the prefilter that comes with the PondMaster pump I have. It has a charcoal filter and a synthetic type filter similar in composition to what air conditioners use. They aren't expensive and come in a packaged set or as single items. I usually change them once or twice a year.

Biological filters mean that helpful bacteria do some of the work of cleaning the water (along with plants). The bacteria need a surface to attach to. People use scrubbies, plastic strapping tape, manufactured balls with lots of points, lava rock, etc. LOTS OF SURFACE!! A skippy filter is one example of a home made biological filter. A prefilter also harbors the beneficial bacteria, but doesn't have as much surface area as a skippy.

I also add bacteria to the pond. I believe they help keep the pond bottom crud-free. There are a number of different kinds: Microblift and Pondzyme are two that I have used.

I am only familiar with a PondMaster pump, so others will have to tell you about different brands.

If you were going to have a homemade filter AND an umbrella type of foundtain head, well, I'm sure it could be done, but it would be an interesting challenge to do it.

I hope I have helped rather than confused you more. And I know that more experienced people will help even more.

Good Luck and TAKE PICTURES to post on the gallery!!
Anne
lovefornature
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anne, thank you so much for responding to my post :) I understand better now. The Pondmaster sounds pretty good.
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You don't need 3 separate faucets. I have two: the main faucet I use for washing (which isn't filtered) and then a small hot/cold faucet that's hooked to the filter and the instant hot. I left the filtered cold dispenser out of my original description because it's integrated with the instant hot system. The filter faucet I have is this one, I think. The only thing I don't like about it is that the hot lever is spring-loaded as a "safety" feature, so you have to hold it down to keep the water flowing. (I put "safety" in sneer quotes because I think it's less safe to force me to keep my hand near the hot water.) I actually have a ice/water dispenser on the fridge too. It dispenses chilled water, but it comes out quite a bit more slowly than the non-chilled water from the hold/cold dispenser by the sink. I tend to use the one on the fridge for a quick glass of ice water and the one by the sink for filling pitchers and other big stuff. I didn't try hooking the main faucet up to a filter because I think it would take a big filter to maintain the water pressure and flow rate you'd want from a faucet used for washing dishes, rinsing vegetables, etc. If I have time I'll try to post some photos of what my set-up looks like from above and below the sink. I may have to do a bit of cleaning first, though. :-) Depending on how carried away you want to get, a whole-house filter is an option. My next-door neighbor the plumber re-piped his house and put a big whole-house filter and softer system in his garage. It's two sealed units about 1 foot in diameter and 4 feet high each. He says they have to be changed every 5-10 years depending on how bad the city water is. I can ask him for the brand and model number if you'd like. It looked like a big job to install, though, not a DIY project. (Even for me, and I'm not afraid of sweating copper pipes.) And I'm sure we're talking at least a couple thousand dollars for the equipment and labor. Laura
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mammasue
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I know nothing about KOI ponds. I only have stock tanks above ground. What I do know is:

1. What works for one person in one area will not necessarily work for another.

2. Work with what you have and see what happens.

3. Don't let others dictate what you can do in the end.

Our weather here in Zone 6 of the Texas panhandle runs from 0* or a little less in the middle of winter to 100*+ in the summer. Our humidity on most summer days is 10% or less. What works or doesn't work for me might or might not work for you.

I have 5 20 gallon tubs that are clearer without any air or filters than my 750 gallon tank that is 8' x 24" of water with 2 pumps, filters and a skippy. Why...probably because the large tank gets more sun. Have I tried to get the water to clear up...of course...but I haven't bought a UV and don't plan to. The goldies don't seem to mind. I have a feeling a shade cloth would help.

I also have another tank that is 8' x 18" without pump or filter in full sun also where I can see the bottom. Both tanks are full of lilies. Why is one clear and the other not? I have no idea.

You say you have done research...so put your pond together to the best of your ability and see what happens.

Good luck.

Confusion about Filters and a Few Other Things

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annedickinson

lovefornature
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Confusion about Filters and a Few Other Things

Comments (3)

annedickinson

lovefornatureOriginal Author

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lovefornature
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