7. Pond Filters

Gravity Pond Filters

OASE BioSmart

OA139 BioSmart UVC 1600 suitable for ponds up to 1,600 gallons combination of mechanical/biological cleaning with built-in UVC technology OA140 BioSmart 5000 suitable for ponds up to 5,000 gallons can be optimally combined with the Vitriolic 18 W UV Clarifiers OA141 BioSmart 10000 suitable for ponds up to 10,000 gallons can be optimally combined with the Vitriolic 36 W UV Clarifiers • Innovative filter design provides maximum oxygenation • High-surface area filter foams provide exceptional biological filtration capability • Cleaning handles for convenient maintenance • High quality, impact resistant material

Biotech ScreenMatic Pond Filter
Below is a video of the Biotech ScreenMatic which demonstrates how great these filters perform.

BioTec ScreenMatic

Aquarium Life Support Systems Pond Beast

This is the ultimate in pond filtration. Designed for ponds up to 6000 gallons, ‘the Beast’ handles flow rates to 1200 gph. Based on the trickle-type filtration principle, the unit outperforms closed-type units twice its size. ‘The Beast’ incorporates mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration into a unit that will turn your pond into something to be proud of. Additionally, it increases the oxygen content in your pond, helps with algae problems, increases redox potential, and increases your success with animals and plants. Also, Cleaning is performed less often as The Pond Beast has a large surface area in the pre-filter section.

A worry-free safety overflow prevents the unit from draining your pond. Maintenance is performed outside of the pond, not on your hands and knees with your shirt sleeves pulled up. Simply remove the lid and clean or replace what you need. Lastly, There is no need to worry about that plastic media – it’ll last a lifetime.

Trickle filtration allows oxygen to enter the water while the beneficial Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter organisms rid your pond of ammonia and nitrite. In conventional closed systems, inlet water contains less oxygen than water that returns to the pond. This is because the beneficial bacteria require oxygen to convert these harmful substances. This biological breakdown readily occurs with patented plastic media and trickling like the Pond Beast. If you want the best, order the Pond Beast.

Natural Filtration

On large, heavily loaded Koi ponds with few or no plants, the Gravity filters efficiency is increased by adding UV Sterilizers and pressure filters. 

The addition of natural plant filtration will help control unwanted algae and nitrates.  Bog filters or pond designs that use them are types of these.  See Bog Gardens for more information!

Pond Pressure Filters

Choose a pressurized filter if 1) the filter must be installed several feet away from the pond, or 2) the pond keeper wants a good filter that can be cleaned with just the turn of a valve. We recommend a pond skimmer, or other pre-filter, like the Intake Screen, with all pressurized pond filters unless you are using the caged pumps or the Oase debris-handling pumps. In addition, many of these filters have a unique auto back-flush feature that makes them easy to clean. The larger the pressurized filter the longer it will go between back-flushings. (AL2802, AL3000)

Pressurized filters are great for biological and mechanical filtration. They are not as efficient as “open system” trickle filters, like the Pond Beast or Gravity Filters by Oase, for biological filtration. However, in some applications, where filters are harder to hide because of the terrain, they are easy to bury and camouflage in the landscape. Above all, for the best of both worlds and the ultimate system for larger ponds, combine these filters with Gravity filter . See the Ultimate Koi Pond for instructions and information.  

The Pressure filter by Oase are two Models the BioPress 1000, 1600, and 2400 then the more advanced FiltoClear 3000, 4000 and 8000.

Waterfall Pond Filters

Waterfall Filters are designed to be used with a Pond Skimmer. While it is a very effective biological filter, its main feature is providing a natural looking waterfall. The water weir (where the water exits the filter) allows the water to fall naturally. Plant baskets can be placed on top of the biological media creating additional filtration and a natural disguise. Other functions include pond water oxygenation and a stream source. Atlantic and Oase make just weirs that aid in waterfall construction along with models that have added filtration.

Hiding the tops of waterfall filters and making them look natural is often a concern that requires proper landscaping. Other filters are easier to hide at the top of the water feature but do not spread the water as easily, requiring some tinkering and possibly additional plumbing to get the same effect. Making a top pool as illustrated in Solution 3 will solve this problem without a waterfall filter or weir.

It is important to remember that a weir, or waterfall filter, must drain into the stream or pond twice its width to prevent loss of water due to splattering. Cleaning these systems is not as easy as a other external  filters.   All of the units like these on the market are not created equal. The best units, based on quality, feature sets, ease of cleaning, and price, are from Oase and Atlantic. Combining any of these with UV sterilizers increases the efficiency of the units. They may also used along with external filters.

Atlantic FilterFalls

Each of the four FilterFalls models features:
1. Sturdy top grates and support bar allows natural rock camouflage
2. Media Bag for media/bio balls/ bio rocks to provide maximum surface area for beneficial bacteria colonies
3. Dual Bio-Tech filter mats to facilitate mechanical and biological filtration
4. Study bottom grates support filter media
5. Rolled upper rim combines clean lines with great strength
6. One-piece liner attachment flange
7. Heavy-duty 1-1/2” FIPT bulkheads

In addition to the features listed above, the BF1900/BF2600/BF3800 models:
8. 2” or 3” heavy-duty FIPT bulkheads for high flow rates 
9. Bottom chamber accept bulkheads on all sides while bottom cones inside reduce surface area for back flushing

Surface Skimmers

Skimmers are an efficient, convenient and effective way to create a beautiful water garden, and they can be used on any size water garden or Koi pond. Installed during pond construction or added to an existing pond, the skimmer provides complete pond surface cleaning, removing unwanted grass, leaves, etc. The skimmer can also be connected to a Pond Beast, an external pressurized filter, a UV sterilizer, or waterfall filter, for a complete and efficient system. Surface skimmers are slightly more difficult to install than other types of filtration, but the better units shown below come with advanced instructions and often installation videos.

Skimmers are good choices for adding as the pre-filter in sophisticated applications, like the Ultimate Koi Pond. Frequent cleaning is required in wooded areas. Of course the debris is removed from the pond which reduces long term maintenance.
Water level drops due to evaporation or water loss causes ponds to drain quickly. Adding float switches and water top off systems may be mandatory when ponds are left unattended for extended periods. With that said, skimmers do add to the filtration of ponds. All surface skimmers on the market are not created equal. The best units based on quality, feature sets, and price are from Oase and Atlantic. Combining any of these with UV sterilizers will increase the efficiency of the units. They may also used along with External filters in more advanced applications.

OASE SwimSkim Pond Surface Skimmer

Atlantic Pond Surface Skimmers

• Skimmers house and protect your pump and plumbing while clearing surface debris from the pond
• Atlantic’s Pond Skimmers feature more size and filtration options and greater strength and versatility
• All Skimmers excluding PS3000 accept two pumps for increased flow, lower operating costs and multiple spillway options
• Multiple filtration options including net, mats and brushes let you customize to fit every water garden
• Reinforced structures eliminate warping, deformation and callbacks
• Faceplate hardware is black anodized stainless steel for maximum concealment and longevity
• Multiple plumbing, check valve and ionizer options make these Skimmers the most versatile on the market
• PS3000 Satellite Skimmer plumbs to a larger Skimmer (PS7000/PS15000) to draw water from hard to reach areas using an AquaMax Eco Premium Pump, installed inside the liner

See all Pond Surface Skimmers

Other Pond Filters: Mini Beast Pond Filter

The Mini Beast has all of the same great features of the Pond Beast but rated up to 2000 gallons. Easily accepts higher flow internal or external pumps up to 500 gph for maximum oxygenation. Adding the Aquarium Life Support Systems Intake Screen further boosts handling capacity and adds protection for both internal and external pumps.

Easily hidden in landscaping, the durable Mini Beast pond trickle filter is an excellent choice for small to medium sized ponds. Mini Beast AL2801.

Internal Filters for small ponds are suitable for effective and powerful filtering. They keeps the water environment biologically balanced, and their water effects give a touch of originality to whatever pond it is used. Also, various water fountain style are available some models come with UV.

Aquarium Life Support Systems Intake Screen

This intake screen prevents large particles that normally clog a pump from entering the impeller chamber. Approximately 24″ long and covered with a special media to increase its effectiveness, the unit is used with external or high gph pumps that can handle large debris. The larger pumps draw smaller particles to a filter like the Pond Beast or other pad-type filters. Unprotected, these large pumps could otherwise run the risk of injuring livestock. This unit requires cleaning only once or twice each season and increases the life of your pump and pond inhabitants.  This filter is also used for increasing intake surface area and efficiency on the Oase AquaMax Eco Premium in its secondary inlet.

Aeration for Ponds