Water Gardening: Fish Pond Filter Options, 0 by jlj072174

jlj072174 wrote:
I have two fish ponds: one is abut 200 gallons; the other is about 100 gallons. In the larger one (my primary concern with this thread), I have two pumps (one feeds a water fall; the other feeds a spitting pelican.) There is a mound by the pond which has a rock/pebble stream, which is fed by one of the two pumps -- 2600 gph ... I wanted a higher flow rate for it. The pelican pump is split off a 500 gph pump. Both pumps are housed in biological filter boxes in the pond. Thus, my problem.

I broke the main blooming branch of my baby manihot grahamii tree cleaning the filter boxes tonight. GRRRR! :( They're practically inaccessible due to the plantings I have around the pond (a failure I acknowledge and accept in my poor planning and over-planting, lol). On the side you don't see is my deck, which means I can't go that route either to access the pond to clean the filter boxes (the little bit of space between the deck and pond is also planted).

So, I'm looking for a more accessible filtration solution to keeping my ponds clean that I can perhaps conceal at the back of the mound where the waterfall is (I have cannas there so I can conceal it easily among them). I don't understand all the different types of filtration systems though, and what they do/don't do; have/don't have. For instance, if I go with a pressurized filter does it have a built in pump, or does it work off my existing pumps (I hate the idea of wasting money not using my existing pumps), and if so, how? I'm also interested in UV options, as the pond is full sun exposure most of the day.

What I need is a "for dummies" explanation of various filter systems, what they do/use, and pictures/drawings would be helpful. For instance, the sun puts off uv rays, so why does a UV system clean the water when the sun's uv is already shining down on it? I'm the kind of person who need to understand the mechanics of details of things like this LOL. If you have pictures of your set-ups to share/explain, that would be most appreciated. Links to "for dummies" type websites/diagrams/comparisons would also be appreciated.

I'm attaching a picture of the pond to help provide a visual of my dilemma. Thanks, in advance, for any help you all can provide.