Filtration
Maintaining balance in our ponds is important. The ponds we create are designed after what we see in the forest or high mountain stream. In the same way that we design our ponds and waterfalls after nature, we want them to function like they do in nature.
The thought behind the filtration on our ponds is based on the natural ecosystem of a pond or waterfall. Water is filtered by flowing over and through rock and sand. Then the water is aerated when flowing over waterfalls. When the water reaches the pond, thats where the natural eco-system thrives. Plants in the pond cleanse the water while drawing nutrients in through their roots. Fish eat algae and mosquitos. Then the beneficial bacteria in the bottom of the pond goes to work. Beneficial bacteria consume fish waste and other organic matter. They convert deadly ammonia into nitrites and then
into harmless nitrates and nitrogen.
After all the biological filtration is done, the water is then mechanically filtered. The water is drawn into a skimmer box from the pond.In the skimmer there is a leaf catch for large debris, and a woven mesh screen for smaller particles.
Here is a list I have created for my clients. It details some options for naturally filtering your pond.
Bead filter:
Bead filters offer a medium of small beads contained in a pressurized tank for filtering natural ponds. They also can allow a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Some options with the bead filter are: an agitating blower and a back flush valve. These features make maintenance easy because you can clean the filter without opening the chamber.
Here is a link to the bead filters we install.
http://tsekoi.com/filters/advanced_bead.html
Bottom Drain/ Settling Chamber :
A bottom drain is always a good set up for clearing debris from a pond. When used with a setting tank, this type of filter can greatly increase water quality, simply by reducing foreign debris. This is an important part of the filtration in a Koi pond.
Skimmer :
A skimmer is a vital part to any natural pond system.
Here are links to two skimmers I recommend.
Savio Skimmer Filter:
http://www.savio.cc/pond-products/C11/
Laguna Skimmer:
http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/filters/pfloskimfilt5000.php?link=150
Aerator :
Oxygen is another important part to the natural pond system. An aerator is a small compressor that runs oxygen to one or more diffusers in the pond.
Here is a link to some aerators:
http://www.alita.com/
Natural Swimming Pond design:
The design of a natural swimming pond can be a long term solution to your water quality issues. This design uses plants as a major part of filtration.
Here is a good link (among many) for more info:
http://totalhabitat.com/P&P.html
Natural Bog Filter:
A bog filter is a great way to bring biological filtration to your system. The bog is built above the pond and has water percolate up through it and then flow into the pond. The bog is filled with different grades of gravel then planted with decorative and filtering plants.
Here is an informative link:
http://stillwatergardensnw.com/BogFilter.aspx