In my last article I discussed the revolution in the way backyard ponds are built and managed, which began about a decade ago. Up until that time, ponds were kept clean using filtration systems very similar to those used in pools.
A biological filter is a revolutionary concept that has begun to be used more and more and has become an alternative to the traditional pool type filter systems. The theory with biological filters is a bit different from the pool filter concept.
Algae in its various forms, pea green soup, string and surface algae to name a few, is very unsightly in a pond. Pond owners don't like algae and are constantly fighting the problem. Biological filters have been extremely successful in removing algae. Algae need food or nutrients to grow. Biological filters remove the nutrients in the water which in turn starves the algae and prevents its growth.
How does a biological filter remove these nutrients? It's done by adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes into the pond environment. The bacteria then consume the nutrients and starve the algae, just like in nature. A biological filter really provides a place for the bacteria to live and grow. We usually refer to it as colonizing the bacteria. Beneficial bacteria colonize in the media provided in the pond filter. This is most often a filter box that is at the top of the pond. The result is a crystal clear pond.
Rocks & Gravel
With the traditional pond filter systems of yesteryear, pond owners considered that rocks and gravel should never be put into the bottom of the pond. The fear was that the muck from the plants and fish would get mixed up in the rock and gravel and be difficult to remove and could not be vacuumed out periodically.
With the new biological filter system, experiments have been made where rock and gravel have been added to the pond and stream bottom, which makes them look more natural. Rather than the muck from the plants and fish getting mixed up in the rock and gravel and complicating the vacuuming process, the rock and gravel becomes another area for beneficial bacteria to colonize which consume the debris before it gets a chance to turn to muck.
Pond Skimmers
A Pond Skimmer is similar to a pool skimmer except that it is about 10 times the size. A submersible pump is placed in the back of the skimmer that pulls the top layer of water with all the debris that may be floating on it into a net and filter pad in the skimmer. The net can be easily emptied on a routine basis. Since the pump is housed behind these filters it is protected from any large pieces of debris. A pond that has a skimmer and one that does not can be immediately detected. One not skimmed has a layer of film on the top that detracts from the clarity of the pond.
In the next article, I will summarize how all the elements of the new biological filter pond systems work together to give you a crystal clear pond.
California Waterscapes (now a division of Pacific Outdoor Living) has been installing beautiful and biologically balanced ponds, streams and waterfalls since 2001. These new types of water features are easy to maintain and gives years of enjoyment and increased home value.
Terry Morrill
Founder
Pacific Outdoor Living
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