Filters for the pond are an integral part of it. They are necessary in order to maintain the purity of the water, as well as a sufficient amount of oxygen in it. These two factors are the most important. This is especially true for such a situation when ornamental fish, for example, carps, live in the pond.
Why install a filter?
What causes water in a pond or pond to become polluted? In fact, a large number of different factors affect this. The most significant of these is the location of this site. Since they are most often in the sun, this creates a favorable environment for the rapid growth and development of algae. Since the water in the pond is not cleaned, it also causes pollution.
Another reason is her stagnation. If there is no pump that will replace the water with clean water, then stagnant algae also develop rapidly. There are still many such reasons, but all of them lead to the fact that the pond will become polluted, bacteria and algae will develop in it. All this leads to a deterioration of the ecosystem of the reservoir, and the fish in it may begin to die.
That is why filters for a fish pond are simply necessary. It so happens that there is no way to buy such a device, or there is no suitable model, etc. In this case, you can create it yourself.
Mechanical filters
In order to make a model yourself, you need to know what types exist and how they work.
There is a mechanical or physical way of filtering water in an artificial reservoir. Such pond filters are used to clean it of various debris, such as leaves, plants, algae and other things. The main purpose of mechanical filters is that they should reduce the number of blockages, as well as prevent them.
The principle of operation is quite simple and consists in the fact that the water entering the pond passes through several sponges, nets, etc. All of them have different thicknesses and densities. If you install just such a filter for the pond, you need to understand that sponges or nets also need cleaning. At least once a week, you need to disassemble the filter and rinse it from debris.
Chemical and biological cleaning methods
In addition to conventional mechanical filtration, there are other methods. For example, the chemical method of water purification is that organic and inorganic substances, various toxins, etc. are removed from it. Most often, this method of filtering water is used in aquariums. A filter for a pond with fish of this type will be justified only in that situation if there are a lot of fish in it. In this case, it becomes necessary to remove a large amount of ammonia.
Another option is biological filters. Their main purpose is to preserve the natural balance in the pond. This filtration method is also aimed at removing excess ammonia from water, however, this process occurs due to natural detoxification cycles.
The last method is the use of ultraviolet lamps as filters for the pond. They can be either a separate device or part of a biological system. This mechanism is electrical. Water entering a body of water first passes through it. Such equipment significantly reduces the number of bacteria in the fish habitat, and biological filters bring the purity of water to 100%.
Homemade Filter
Simply make an external filter for the pond with your own hands, using an ordinary plastic basket as a base. In addition to this element, some more materials will be needed. It is important to note here that the size of the basket must be such that a filter element as well as a siphon can be placed inside. You will need an electric submersible pump.
The performance of this device should be at least 2000 l / h. You also need a regular household siphon and elements of a filtration system - sponges, nets, etc. To seal the structure, you need a sealant. Of the additional materials used are PVC hoses, FUM tapes, foam rubber and fittings with brass nuts.
How to assemble a filter?
This design will be located as follows: the filter itself is installed on the shore, but the pump will be lowered to the bottom of the pond. Such home-made equipment is able to maintain the purity of water in a pond with a volume of 2.5 x 3.5 m. Standard pumps ensure normal operation at a depth of 2 m. If the depth is greater, you will have to use a more powerful pump.
Work is underway as follows:
- The first step is the hole for mounting the fitting. It is drilled in a basket, which is a body. The place is the end wall. You need to deviate from the bottom 1-2 cm and you can drill.
- Next, you need to install a drain siphon. To do this, make another hole. It should be located on the side wall, which is opposite to the one where the fitting will be installed. In addition, it is drilled from above, retreating 5-7 cm from the edge.
- The next step is to install the siphon and fitting. Sealant must be used to create a good seal.
- The filter element is placed on the bottom of the basket. As such a detail, you can use a dense sponge, small expanded clay, foam rubber mats. In order to ensure high-quality filtration, it is necessary that the thickness of the element is at least 7-10 cm.
- Next, a makeshift pond filter needs a hose connection. It is attached with clamps to the fitting, and the other end to the pump.
- Next, you need to install the hull on the shore so that the purified water can by gravity through the drain siphon drain into the pond.
- The last step is to work with the pump. It sinks to the bottom, and then connects to an 220 V electrical network. Naturally, since the device is close to water, it may be shorted, etc. To avoid any troubles, it is necessary to use a socket for connection in a waterproof design.
A little nuance. When washing the filter element, it is best to use water from the same pond, since the flora is quite sensitive to changes in chemical composition.
Bucket filter
You can make a filter for the pond with your own hands and using another technology. In this case, an immersion device from a bucket will be made. It will be installed at the bottom of the reservoir. It is worth noting that the material costs of assembly are quite small, and the performance is almost the same as that of industrial models.
What is needed for assembly
As a frame, a plastic bucket of 10 l is used. It must have a cover in the kit. So that the filter does not stand out against the background of the pond, it is advisable to choose a color for the body that matches the bottom shades. Such colors include dark green, gray, sand, etc. In addition to the bucket, you will also need a submersible pump, as in the first case, to assemble a filter for a fish pond with your own hands. A PVC hose is required to connect the elements. Foam rubber will be used as the main filter element. Its advantage is that it is easy to clean, collects dirt well, and does not allow large particles to pass through.
Filter Making
The filter for cleaning water for a pond from a bucket is assembled according to the following principle:
- First you need to drill a few holes in the bucket itself. It is necessary to retreat from the bottom edge of about 5 cm and you can drill. These holes will be used to supply water that needs to be filtered.
- Two holes must also be made in the lid of the bucket. One of them will be used to mount the pump, the second for ventilation.
- The pump must be secured on the inside of the cover. Either silicone sealant or waterproof glue is used for fixing. The outlet hose passes through one of the holes in the cap.
- At the bottom of the bucket along the walls where the holes were made, foam rubber filter elements are laid. Also on the bottom you need to put a weighting agent, whose weight should be equal to about 5 kg. You can use the most ordinary stones. The empty space after that is also filled with foam.
- In order for the lid to not fly off the bucket, it is fixed with a few clamps.
It is important that the do-it-yourself pond filter is lowered to the deepest place in the pond. The installation site must be pre-prepared. The placement of the hose, as in the first case, must be such that the water itself constantly flows back into the pond after cleaning. The filtering process will begin immediately after the power is connected.
How to choose a filter
Just taking and assembling the filter is not always the right decision. You need to know what criteria play the main role and according to them, select components for assembly. Basic options for selecting items:
- Naturally, the size and depth of the pond are key indicators.
- An important role will be played by weather conditions.
- An important factor is the presence or absence of fish in the pond.
- Pump power and the required filtration quality are also important.
Decorative cascade
In addition to the presented methods of assembling the system, there are many more options. For example, it can be pressure filters for the pond. Since assembly is done with your own hands, the main advantage is the possibility of arranging almost any appearance that will suit the site as much as possible.
One of such interesting ideas was a filter in the form of a decorative cascade. It is made of a metal basin. The bottom of the part is completely cemented, and then processed with any waterproofing composition. The external walls of the basin are covered with decorative stones, pebbles, etc. Small rubble, sintepon, used as the main filtering element, is placed inside the element. Laying is done in such a way that it turns out several levels. The hose leading to the pump is mounted in the upper part of the basin so that the water flows through the drain hose into the reservoir.
Hardware Replacement
In this case, the idea is to use an air aquarium compressor instead of a pump. In this case, you will also have to replace the electric cable that supplies power to the pump, to the air hose. Air bubbles should be directed vertically upwards where the tube with filtering elements is located. In the role of such an element, foam rubber is usually used.
It is the movement of air bubbles that will ensure the water cycle in the filtration system. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting that the performance of the air system is quite low. However, there are positive qualities, which are, firstly, that there will be no electric elements in the water, and secondly, this method perfectly aerates the water in the pond. Naturally, any system - electric or air - needs care.
How filters work
If we talk about mechanical filters, then they work as follows. By mechanical force, water is pushed out of the pond through a filter. Here it is cleaned of debris and other unnecessary impurities. After that, she returns. Use of such devices, especially home-made ones, is advisable only if the body of water is small or medium in size. In addition, it is best that there are no fish in the pond or there are very few.
Equipment may be submersible. In this case, it is installed at the bottom of the site, which makes it completely invisible, while maintaining the attractive appearance of a living corner with a reservoir.
You can install external filters. It is such models that are suitable for those cases when the pond is large enough and a large number of fish live in it. The presented video will help you better understand this.
Useful Tips
Just assembling a fixture is not all. You need to know where to put it, what is a skimmer, etc.
As for the installation site, experts agree that they should be the deepest place in the pond. In addition, it is recommended that the pump and filter systems are located in different parts of the reservoir. In this case, water can circulate throughout the area, and not just in one place. It is also worth adding that do-it-yourself sand filters for the pond can be assembled.
Not everyone knows what a pond skimmer is. This is an external device performing pond filtration work. Its design is very similar to that used to treat pool water. They are used if the size of the pond is medium or large, and also if there is fish inside.