Choosing Pond and Water Garden Filters
An essential part of maintaining a healthy pond or water garden is proper filtration. This is accomplished through the use of various water garden filters. There are numerous forces at work that are all trying their best to make your pond water dirty. These forces include decaying leaves/sticks/grass, algae, harmful chemicals like ammonia and fish excrement. Not only is a dirty pond unpleasing to look at, but if housing plants, fish or animals in your pond, clean water is important to their health and survival. The easiest way to keep your pond clean and healthy is to build a reliable filtration system using a quality water garden filter. We’ll start with our recommendations for water garden filters, but keep reading below for more information on what the various types of filters are used for.
BIOLOGICAL WATERFALL FILTERs
Hide the filter in your waterfall!
Waterfall filters provide essential biological filtration while acting as the base for a waterfall making building your pond easier. This makes makes it easier to construct an attractive waterfall while concealing the filter in your landscape.
As a general rule, the flow rate of a waterfall should be a minimum of 100 gallons per hour per inch of waterfall spillway. For a waterfall with more punch, this number could be increased up to 200 gph per inch of spillway. For more information on how to build a waterfall click here.
Savio Livingponds® Waterfall Filters
The Savio Livingponds® Waterfall Filters line is a collection of high-quality biological pond filters combined with the convenience of a waterfall spillway in a single unit. Each unit includes a strong top, which can support rocks for camouflage, and comes with filter media included.
| Model | Falls Width | Flow Rate | Dimensions | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savio 070 | 16" | Up to 3000 gph | 32.5" x 10" x 11" | $209.30 | More Info |
| Savio F100 | 22" | Up to 5,000 gph | 23.4" x 22" x 30.5" | $432.25 | More Info |
| Savio F100 x 2 | 44" | Up to 10,000 gph | 23.4" x 22" x 30.5" (x 2 units) | $864.50 | More Info |
PRO PRESSURIZED POND FILTERs
Professional filters for high fish load
For more professional ponds, or for koi enthusiasts, pressurized filters offer extra filtration and features compared to a standard waterfall filter. Features include an integrated back-flush cycle for easy cleaning and high-quality media that never needs to be replaced. The included air blower aids in the cleaning cycle, and because the filter is pressurized, it can be placed anywhere after your pump in line, even below the discharge in elevation.
Keep in mind that a pressurized filter can add between 5 to 10 feet of head pressure to the pumping system, depending on how dirty the filter is. This sometimes means sizing up your pump. These filters can also be combined with a waterfall filter for double filtration.
Evolution Aqua K+ Advanced Filters
Professional biological filters that can handle a high fish load. Just minutes to backwash without having to get your hands dirty!
| Model | Flow Rate | Diameter | K+ Media Inc | Fittings | Max Pond Size | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K+PF3000 | 1200 - 1500 gph | 16" | 30L | 1.5" | 3000 gal | $1799.99 | More Info |
| K+PF4800 | 1600 - 2400 gph | 20" | 50L | 1.5" | 4800 gal | $2,159.99 | More Info |
| K+PF9600 | 3200 - 4800 gph | 24" | 100L | 2" | 9600 gal | $2,429.99 | More Info |
| K+PF14000 | 4800 - 6000 gph | 30" | 150L | 2" | 14,500 gal | $3,149.99 | More Info |
| K+PF24000 | 6000 - 7000 gph | 36" | 250L | 2" | 24,000 gal | $3,869.99 | More Info |
| Aquascape 12 | |
|---|---|
| Width | 12" |
| Flow Rate | 500 - 2400 gph |
| Dimensions | 20" x 15" x 15" |
| Price | $67.99 |
| Atlantic BF1600 | |
|---|---|
| Width | 16" |
| Flow Rate | 1500 - 3000 gph |
| Dimensions | 21.5"W x 19.5"D x 17.75"H |
| Price | $251.99 |
| Atlantic BF1900 | |
|---|---|
| Width | 19" |
| Flow Rate | 1900 - 3800 gph |
| Dimensions | 28"W x 25"D x 21.5"H |
| Price | $369.99 |
| Atlantic BF2600 | |
|---|---|
| Width | 26" |
| Flow Rate | 3000 - 6000 gph |
| Dimensions | 34.5"W x 25"D x 23"H |
| Price | $450.99 |
| Atlantic BF3800 | |
|---|---|
| Width | 38" |
| Flow Rate | 4000 - 8000 gph |
| Dimensions | 46.5"W x 30"D x 23"H |
| Price | $716.99 |
"Affordable" Pressurized Pond Filters
ProEco EZ Pressurized Pond Filters
While the Evolution Aqua filters above are our top choice for external pressurized filters, the ProEco EZ filters are an excellent option for a pond owner looking for a great pond filter at a more affordable price. These filters are very easy to install and use and include a backwash feature that makes cleaning an easy process. What's unique about the EZ filters is that they include a UV light, which helps kill single-celled algae that cause green pond water. In pro-level filters, a UV light is usually a separate accessory.
| Model | Max Flow | Pond Size with Fish | Pond Size no Fish | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProEco EZ-2000 | 2400 gph | 1000 gal | 2000 gal | $369 | More Info |
| ProEco EZ-3000 | 3200 gph | 1500 gal | 3000 gal | $429.98 | More Info |
| ProEco EZ-4000 | 3700 gph | 2000 gal | 4000 gal | $619.98 | More Info |
Large Pressurized Pond Filters
Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima II for High Flow Rates
While the Evolution Aqua filters above are our top choice for external pressurized filters, the max flow available is 7000 gph. While you can run two or more filters in parallel to increase the flow rate, another option is to get a larger filter, like the Ultima II filters, which allow for flow rates up to 20,000 gph, and ponds up to 60,000 gallons.
| Model | Flow Rate | Pond Size | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultima II 30,000 SMV | 10,000 - 20,400 gph | 20,000 - 30,000 gal | $6,572.93 | More Info |
| Ultima II 60,000 | 15,000 - 20,400 gph | 30,000 - 60,000 gal | $9,329.95 | More Info |
| Ultima II 1000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 500 - 1200 gph |
| Pond Size | 500 - 1000 gal |
| Price | $623.99 |
| Ultima II 2000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 1000 - 2500 gph |
| Pond Size | 1000 - 2000 gal |
| Price | $821.99 |
| Ultima II 4000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 2000 - 4500 gph |
| Pond Size | 2000 - 4000 gal |
| Price | $1,239.99 |
| Ultima II 6000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 3000 - 7500 gph |
| Pond Size | 4000 - 6000 gal |
| Price | $1,657.99 |
| Ultima II 10000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 5000 - 7500 gph |
| Pond Size | 6000 - 10,000 gal |
| Price | $2,074.99 |
| Ultima II 20000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 7000 - 7500 gph |
| Pond Size | 10,000 - 20,000 gal |
| Price | $2,493.99 |
| Ultima II 30000 SMV | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 10,000 - 20,400 gph |
| Pond Size | 20,000 - 30,000 gal |
| Price | $4,499.99 |
| Ultima II 30000 TMV | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 7000 - 7500 gph |
| Pond Size | 20.000 - 30,000 gal |
| Price | $3,309.99 |
| Ultima II 60,000 | |
|---|---|
| Flow Rate | 15,000 - 20,400 gph |
| Pond Size | 30,000 - 60,000 gal |
| Price | $6,225.99 |
Need help choosing pond equipment?
Helix Waterfall Filters - Professional Option
The Helix Waterfall Filters offer superior biological filtration through the use of large filter bodies and built in aeration. The filters are designed to be easier to clean than traditional waterfall filters. The built in backwash feature means no hands-on scrubbing for a quicker, simpler cleaning process that does not damage beneficial bacteria.
The Helix Moving Bed Waterfall Filter is a zero maintenance filter designed to be paired with a mechanical filter. Commonly used on swimming ponds that have an underwater suction grid, wetland filter, bog, skimmer or some other source for mechanical filtration.
For mechanical and biological filtration use the Helix Bio-Mechanical Reactor.
| Model | Falls Width | Max Flow Rate | Dimensions | Price with Aeration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helix Moving Bed Waterfall Filter Small | 15" Wide | 3,000 gph | 18"W x 18"L x 35"H | $770.00 | More Info |
| Helix Moving Bed Waterfall Filter Large | 24" Wide | 4,500 gph | 32"W x 32"L x 32"H | $1,599.99 | More Info |
| Helix Bio-Mechanical Reactor Small | 15" Wide | 3,000 gph | 18"W x 18"L x 35"H | $999.99 | More Info | Helix Bio-Mechanical Reactor Large | 24" Wide | 4,500 gph | 32"W x 32"L x 32"H | $1,499.99 | More Info |
Filtration systems can vary in size and complexity quite a bit - ranging from quite simple and small to very complicated and large in the case of dedicated koi ponds. On this page, we’ll mainly focus on filtration for ecosystem ponds, which relies on a good biological filtration system, but still makes use of plants and water garden principles to help balance the overall ecology of the pond.
There are a few types of pond water filters that are commonly used in a pond. Let's go over them one by one:
1) Skimmers
The first type of water garden filter that is needed is known as a skimmer. A skimmer is a type of mechanical filter that captures floating debris off the top of the pond. To read more about skimmers, please see our page dedicated to Pond Skimmers.
2) Biological Filters
A biological pond filter contains helpful bacteria within the filter itself that cleans the water on a molecular level. You pond water will naturally build up with ammonia from fish waste or decaying leaves, sticks and grass. A biological filter is used to breaks down the harmful Ammonia into Nitrates, which become a source of food for plants in the pond. Here at Everything Ponds, we would recommend one of two types of biological filters:
Biological Waterfall Filter
many ecosystem based ponds will include a waterfall or water feature of some kind into the design. In our opinion, the best way to incorporate biological filtration into a pond with a waterfall is to use a biological waterfall filter. Not only do waterfall filters provide the biological filtration we need, but they also act as an excellent base for building a great looking waterfall with less effort. The filter acts as both a water collection pool at the top of the waterfall, as well as a waterfall spillway to provide an even cascade of water. It’s important to note that a waterfall filter requires a bit of care to properly conceal into the landscape.
External Biological Filter
If you’re not planning on building a waterfall at all, or are wanting a waterfall that is perhaps a different design than a waterfall filter can provide (such as in the case of a formal water garden), then you can install a stand alone biological filter that sits outside of the pond. The filter has an inlet and an outlet, so it’s your choice what to do with the water from the outlet. You could simply return it to your pond in a low-key way if you want a more tranquil pond. You could also hook it up to a fountain or create a clean waterfall design with a piece of equipment like the Atlantic Colorfalls.
Filtration for Fish
Depending on the size of your pond, the type and number of fish you intend to keep, and the amount of plant life in your pond, the filtration requirements of the pond will change. Generally speaking, the more fish you have, the more important biological filtration becomes to keep the ammonia levels in your pond within safe levels for your fish. For more information on the specific filtration requirements for fish, please read our sections on fish pond filters, or see our overview on koi pond filter media.
Biological/Mechanical Combination Water Garden Filters
Many manufacturers have created filtration systems that are a combination of biological, mechanical and/or UV filters, making it much easier to use a combination of filtration systems in single package. A couple examples of such systems are the Ultima II filters by Aqua Ultraviolet, the ProEco CPF filters or the Tetra Bio-Active pressure filters which both combine mechanical and biological filtration into a single unit.
Submersible Pond Filters
If you have a small water garden or fountain and are looking for a quick and inexpensive way to get some filtration, you can have a look at a submersible pond filter. Although these filters aren’t going to give you the level of a filtration a waterfall filter, or pressurized filter will give you, they will give you some mechanical filtration for filtering out solids from entering your pump. You will also get a small amount of biological filtration as well, although not as much as a dedicated biological filter. Click her for help choosing a water garden pond filter.
It is also possible to build your own water garden filters to a certain extent, please see our section on homemade pond and water garden filters for more information (coming soon).