Natural Pond Filters!
Natural pond filters can perform total filtration job, not just the part of it. However, in the beginning, while building my pond, natural pond filter never crossed my mind. If you wonder why, the answer is very simple. At the time I didn’t know enough about.
I am glad to have a mentor like Dick Schuck, who is an expert. I am sure you would prefer to learn from him as well. Dick has built his own and I am going to tell you his story.
Look closely at the benefits of plants filtration:
- Aquatic plants consume toxic compounds such as ammonium, nitrite and nitrates. This protects your fish.
- Aquatic plants remove toxic heavy metals and other pollutants from the water. This protects your fish.
- Aquatic plants provide surface areas for biofilms and all types of beneficial bacteria. They improve water quality.
- Aquatic plants help control algae. Not only do they consume nutrients but also they emit allelopathic chemicals that inhibit algae.
- Aquatic plants oxygenate the water. They provide more oxygen than they consume.
- Aquatic plants remove CO2 from the water. Excess CO2 can cause fish distress.
This is why I mentioned before that plants in natural pond filters perform the total filtration job, not just part of it. They contribute to all aspects of water quality. It would be foolish not to take advantage of all these wonderful benefits plants offer.
If you decide to take advantage of it, plan to build a filter above grade so it will be easier to drain and clean. The re-circulated water easily returns to the main pond via stream or waterfall.
Natural plant filters can be any shape, but rectangular is the easiest one to build, and it only needs to be anywhere between 10” and 18” deep. First calculate total surface area of the main pond you are going to filter, estimate 10% of surface area or more. And that is the size of the plants filter surface area you will build.
To frame the filter up, you can use pressure treated lumber, block or railroad ties. Rubber or PVC liner is excellent liner material for the filter. Shape the bottom to form a low point where the bulkhead drain will be installed. The drain will help to flush sediment from the natural pond filter. Face it with stone, or conceal it by dirt and plantings and are ready.
After you fill it with water, add floating and potted plants. You want plant roots escape the pot and form a root mass for removing nutrients from the pond water. So you need to make holes or slots in pots. Use a knife or a screwdriver.
And for best results, clean your natural plant filter at mid-season and also at the end.
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