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Pond filters are an integral part of any water feature. They
range anywhere from a simple sponge block attached to your pump or
an elaborate ultra violet light system.
There are various methods and products to filter pond water to
give you that clear look all year round. Pond size, fish type in the
pond and water quality will really determine what filter will best
suit your needs.
A pond filter can be best described as a miniature sewage
treatment plant, working continuously to purify the water. It has
two functions:
The physical removal of free floating algae and other suspended
particles which would otherwise cloud the water. This is achieved by
straining the dirty water through the filter medium. Brushes and
filter foams are the most effective mechanical filter.
This is the process whereby toxic wastes produced by the fish,
decaying plants and uneaten fish food are broken down into harmless
products that are subsequently absorbed by pond plants. This process
is performed by millions of naturally occurring bacteria which live
on the surface of the filter media. It follows, therefore, that the
larger their population the greater the efficiency of your filter.
Filter bacteria need a good supply of well oxygenated water to do
their job, so you should only ever turn your pump off for a short
period of time. If filter bacteria die, or in new filter set-ups an
inoculation of dormant bacteria such as Pondsafe BioStart should be
used to ensure a quick start-up.
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