When it comes to the garden pond, the question arises again and again as to whether every pond really has to have a pond filter. You can find out in our article whether this is actually necessary and what advantages a pond filter can have.
Smaller ponds without fish do not need a pond filter
Need for a pond filter
Pond filters ensure clear water. However, this is not absolutely necessary for every garden pond. Normally, a pond regulates itself through the microorganisms it contains and thus prevents it from "tipping over" - i.e. complete algae growth.
The plankton and small aquatic creatures ensure that the water stays clear and all organic matter is broken down. A pond filter would also remove the plankton and aquatic life here and thus harm the water quality rather than benefit it.
Fields of application of the pond filter
Pond filters remove all substances from the water that damage the water quality and make the water cloudy:
- dead and decaying plant parts
- dirt
- leaves
- algae
As already mentioned, you also remove useful microorganisms that perform the same task in a natural way. This applies above all to filters with UVC inserts.
In some cases it may be necessary to clean a pond more often. However, basic cleaning of the pond in autumn and spring should be sufficient in most cases.
fishponds
In many fish ponds, pond filters must be installed. This is because the water is additionally polluted by the necessary additional feeding and the fish stock. With many smaller fish, however, the food supply is usually sufficient due to the microorganisms present and it does not have to be fed. This means that cleaning is not necessary.
This contamination can no longer be removed by microorganisms alone. In order to keep a reasonably clean pond, pond filters are essential here.
The performance of the filter system must also be adapted to the degree of pollution and the pond (amount of fish, pond size, amount of feed).
Other disadvantages of pond filters
In the case of ponds without fish stock, which are designed solely as natural ponds, in addition to the disruption of the natural water balance by the filter, additional, avoidable disadvantages also come into play:
- Acquisition costs for the system
- power consumption of the plant
- Maintenance costs and maintenance effort for the system
tips
It is essential that you plan the size of the pond to match the number of fish and the type of fish that you intend to use. The depth of the pond must also be greater in this case: a depth of at least 1 m is required so that fish can be introduced.