A pond filter makes sense to ensure that the garden pond does not "turn over", i.e. you can no longer see the water because of all the algae and dirt. You have various options here, whereby the use of a special filter mat is particularly uncomplicated and does not require any electricity. These foam mats are made of an elaborately manufactured material that filters out dirt particles from the water. How does the filter mat work and what should you look out for when buying one? Our guide will answer these and other questions.
A filter mat is an easy way to keep your pond clean
Our recommendations
our recommendation
AQUARISTIK-PARADIES filter foam filter mat - blue 50 x 50 x 3 cm 'fine' (ppi 30)
9.69 EUR To the product| material | polyether foam |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 50 x 50 x 3 centimeters |
| Pore | PPI 30, fine |
| color | blue |
This filter mat from the manufacturer AQUARISTIK-PARADIES is particularly popular on Amazon and has numerous good ratings. The product is made of food-safe and waterproof polyether foam, which is also very suitable for higher water temperatures. This makes this filter mat not only interesting for cleaning the garden pond, but also for keeping tropical fish in the aquarium. In addition, the foam mat is suitable for both mechanical and biological water purification. Depending on requirements, the product is available in different sizes and in three different pore sizes. You can choose between PPI 30 (fine), PPI 20 (medium) and PPI 10 (coarse).
our recommendation
Pondlife filter foam blue 100 x 100 x 5cm coarse 10 PPI
38.00 EUR To the product| material | polyether foam |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 100 x 100 x 5 centimeters |
| Pore | different |
| color | blue |
Pondlife is one of the market leaders in the field of pond filter systems, which is why this filter mat should not be missing from our list. In addition, this product has also received numerous good to very good ratings from Amazon customers, which speaks for its quality. You have the choice between three different pores between PPI 30 (fine), PPI 20 (medium) and PPI 10 (coarse). Due to its particularly large surface, various filter bacteria can settle on the mat, which, in addition to mechanical, also carry out biological water purification. In addition to the different pores, the Pondlife filter foam mat is also available in various sizes so that you can use it for different pond filters.
our recommendation
Original Japan mat filter mat 120 x 100 x 3.8 cm (29.08 EUR/m²)
EUR 34.90 To the product| material | polyester |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 100 x 3.8 centimeters |
| Pore | k. A |
| color | blue |
The great advantage of so-called Japanese mats is their large surface, which can easily be colonized by filter bacteria that break down pollutants. This Japanese mat from the manufacturer SIBO, which is suitable both as a pond and as an aquarium filter, is particularly popular and well rated by Amazon customers. The product consists of pure polyester fibres, which are connected using water-insoluble and completely non-toxic glue. Since it contains no binders or solvents, the material is completely harmless to fish and other pond inhabitants. Japanese mats can be cut to the desired shape and size with the help of a flex, are robust, durable and do not clog so quickly. Cleaning only needs to be done once a year, which explains the popularity of these filter mats.
Purchase Criteria
purpose of use
When you search for "filter mat", look closely at the results for the intended use as advertised by retailers and manufacturers. This generic term includes numerous other filter media, for example for cleaning air, exhaust hoods, washing machines, etc. However, only special filter mats can be used for use in garden ponds or aquariums, which must not dissolve on contact with water. This means that these cleaning mats must be water-permeable (otherwise the water cannot be filtered) and waterproof at the same time.
material
As a rule, such a filter mat consists of a special plastic that must be absolutely free of toxic substances. The material must not release any toxins into the filtered water, otherwise plants, fish and other pond creatures could become ill or even die. Also make sure that the foam is porous. With these filter mats, the cell partitions are removed by a special manufacturing process called "reticulation", which ultimately ensures particularly good filter performance. In addition, these mats do not clog up as quickly. Filter mats made of polyester fibers or polyether are well suited.
Pore
Basically, you have the choice between three different filter levels, which are specified in the unit PPI. PPI is the abbreviation for "pores per inch" and indicates how many pores occur in one inch of material length. A distinction is made between coarse (PPI 10), medium (PPI 20) and fine (PPI 30) pores, each of which provides different filter performance. In the pond filter, you insert the coarse filter mats in the first two chambers, the fine ones in all others. The filter first removes the coarser and then the finer dirt.
dimensions and shape
Of course, the filter mat must also fit in the space provided, which is why the products are available in different sizes. Before you buy, check which size your pond filter requires and select the appropriate filter material. You can also purchase special filter mats that can be cut to size. However, this does not work with all filter media, since the edges of some products fray and you can no longer use the mat. You also have the choice between flat filter mats and finished filter cubes.
additives
Some manufacturers offer special filter mats with activated carbon, which are supposed to filter and bind pollutants, drug residues and other toxic substances from the water. Normally, this effect is caused sufficiently by filter bacteria, which remove ammonia and other toxins from the water through their metabolic activity and render them harmless. Activated charcoal is not absolutely necessary, but it does no harm either.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Do you absolutely need a filter mat?
Filter mats are used in so-called pond filters or aquarium filters and are intended to clean the water contaminated by dirt and other particles (e.g. fish droppings and other excretions from aquatic life). The cleaning takes place both mechanically and biologically. Cloudy pond and aquarium water is always a sign of pollution, which is not healthy for either the fish or the plants.
How does cleaning with the filter mat actually work?
Place the filter mat in the pond or aquarium filter, ideally using several mats with different pores - this improves the filter performance considerably. Place the coarse filter materials on the outside and the finer mats on the inside. The device first filters out the coarse and then the fine dirt particles. Clean the pond or aquarium mats about once or twice a year. Even if the filter performance decreases due to blockages, it should be cleaned.
Which is better: filter mats or Japanese mats?
So-called Japanese mats are very popular as filter mats. They are usually made of polyester and, in contrast to other filter mats, have significantly larger pores. Therefore, Japanese mats are much easier to clean than conventional filter materials with finer pores, but they also work less effectively. Therefore, you should always place two Japanese mats on top of each other.
What is the difference between biological and mechanical cleaning?
The filter mat works in two ways: It first cleans the water mechanically by simply filtering out dirt particles as it flows through. However, very small pollutants, such as many algae, but also drug residues and chemical substances such as ammonium and ammonia remain in the water. During biological cleaning, these are rendered harmless by settled filter bacteria.
Can't I just use a regular foam mat?
Normal foam mats are not suitable for use in the garden pond or aquarium because they are not waterproof and therefore simply dissolve over time. As a result, plastic particles that are difficult to remove are floating around in the water, threatening the health of plants and fish. In addition, these foams are usually not free of pollutants and do not have the desired filter effect.
Which brands are particularly recommended?
When buying filter mats, you have to make sure that the filter medium and the filter system fit together, as some manufacturers have their own coordinated dimensions. Pondlife is a well-known brand manufacturer of pond and aquarium accessories and therefore also of filter mats.
equipment
pond filter
our recommendation
Pontec 51226 flow-through filter PondoClear Set 4000 | Filters | complete set | filter system | Flow-through filter set | UVC
89.99 EUR To the productWithout a sensible pond filter with a pump, even the best filter mat is of little use. The pond filter is particularly important in fish ponds, such as koi ponds, and reliably filters dirt out of the water. This keeps the garden pond clean and the water clear. Complete sets are particularly practical, as they include all the parts you need and you only have to install them.