Page 1 of Fish pond pump and or filtration system!

Hope some of you are green fingered!

Got a smallish pond (6ft x 4ft) - at the moment and it looks like pea soup, as far as I can remember has about 10 fish in it! Also contains lots of frogs and spawn.

I want to get it looking nice for the summer so am wanting to get a pump/filtration system up and running. Anybody have any clue on which is a good make to get? Will just a pump do it or do I have to have a filter also?

I know I`ll have to probably clean out the pond first (I remember Simon Groome on Blue Peter doing it), but should I wait until all the spawn has hatched or store it in buckets until its cleaned up?

Cheers

Badboybez
In Madness You Dwell

My neighbour has a fish pond, full of lovely Koi carp. Two generations of `em in spite of nearly losing all of the first generation to a passing Heron. He`s gone through hell with his filtration system.

You need to circulate the water to keep it oxygenated or else it goes stagnant. He`s got some oxygenating plants, and a pump with a filter and an ultraviolet system for nuking the algae. You should wait for everything to hatch, then transfer anything living to buckets or a kiddie pool while you dredge the pond. Be prepared to stink like a badger for a couple of days after doing that. You also have to put conditioning tablets in the fresh water you put in, because tap water will make your fish/ frogs sick. You should be able to get everything you need and advice at your nearest garden centre.

J Mark Oates

my pond is roughly the same size.your biggest enemy is sunlight,this creates the green algae so it helps if you can provide partial shade.i fitted a `green genie` combined filter and uv unit fed from a pump-capacity about 400 litres per hour.site the pump at the opposite end of the pond to the filter to create flow across the surface.don`t site it on the pond floor as it will clog up too fast as it sucks debris up.instead,i place it about 6" to 12" off the bottom depending how deep your pond is.lose the fine sponge filter as you end up cleaning it everyday.i use one of those round nylon scourers instead.oxygenating weed,so i have heard,doesn`t provide oxygen,it actually competes for it with the fish,but what it does is break down the harmful nitrates in the water.lilies provide good cover for the pond.when i top up,i try to use rainwater,tapwater contains a lot of chemicals that promote blanketweed etc.if you have to use it,either add a conditioner or leave it to stand in a container for a day or two.i`m no expert but i hope this is of some use.

Many thanks for the tips - off to a little investigating at the localish waterworld place.

Badboybez

In Madness You Dwell

You need to calculate your water and try to tun it over about 1-2 times per hour. Try on of the online retailers as they have some FAQ`s/guides

www.aquatics-warehouse.co.uk
www.aquatics-online.co.uk/


When you buy a pump get a low wattage one (like oase) as it pays for itself on running costs.

I have been running a pond for about 10 years so if you have any questions please ask.