How to Care for Your Pond Filter
Posted By Houston Decorator on November 30, 2010
Your pond filter is the primary agent that keeps your pond water – and pond life – healthy and happy. It is responsible for cleaning out the dirt, debris and biological waste that would otherwise build up in your water and make it difficult for life to exist. There are three different kinds of pond filtration: biological, mechanical and chemical. To make sure all the bases are covered, it’s a good idea to purchase a filter that can do all three.
Once your filter is installed, you should not have to perform much maintenance to keep it functioning properly. However, you do need to do some basic cleaning a few times a year, and you may have to replace a part or two if it no longer functions properly.
The Basics of Pond Filter Maintenance
- Don’t overdo it. You actually don’t want to clean your pond filter very often. Over cleaning it is detrimental, because it washes away the beneficial bacteria growing inside of it. This good bacteria is largely responsible for filtering your pond water and removing dirt and debris from it. A good rule of thumb is to clean your filter at the beginning of each new season. However, if you notice your water flow slowing down significantly, you may need to do a mid-season cleaning to remove algae buildup.
- Only clean your filter with pond water. This is another tip that sounds strange, but it makes perfect sense. Tap water has chlorine and other chemicals in it that sterilize it and make it safe to drink. However, these chemicals will kill off your beneficial bacteria and leave your filter virtually worthless.
- Start each season with a fresh slate. At the beginning of each season it’s a good idea to clean your pond filter and test all of its parts. If something isn’t working properly, you can replace it before the season gets underway.
Pond filters are designed to last a long time. However, occasionally a hose may break or the filter media may get to old to function. In the most extreme cases you may even have to replace the entire filter, but that is rare.
The nice thing about pond filters is that they don’t require a lot of maintenance to function properly. Once you have them installed, they should last for quite a long time. Buy a quality product to begin with, and you should have clean and healthy pond water for years to come.
Get the best pond filter for your backyard water garden. There are lots of pond supplies on the market, so take the time to find a high-quality model in your price range.
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