One of the most important aspects of a successful pond is the filtration system.  It’s the heart of your pond.  A proper filter system will keep your pond clean, healthy, and clear.  DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR FILTERS!  This should be a large part of the overall financial investment in building your pond.  There is no such thing as “over filtering”, so I always suggest to buy a filter that is recommended for a pond larger than what you have.  There is no harm in going bigger, it will only be more efficient.  But, getting a filter that is too small will just be a waste of time and money.  

     What filter to buy is a hard decision for many people.  Mainly because they don’t know enough about it.  You could rely on a local stores suggestion, but if you’re serious about your pond, you should learn as much as you can about the different types of filters, and how they work.  This can really make a difference in choosing what will be the best option for your pond.  Understanding filtration is important, and I have several videos on my YouTube Channel exploring  filtration to help you out.  Some of them are shown on the right side of this page. 

     Another bit of advice is to figure out what type of filter system you want to use, and get prices on it before you begin construction.  Too often, I see people who build a pond, and then try to fit a filter in later.  Bad Idea!  It’s like buying a car, then buying a motor for it later.  Or, I’ve seen people build a bigger sized pond, and then be shocked at the price of a filter to fit it.  Do your research first!  It makes so much more sense to design the pond with a proper filter system right from the start.  This way everything will fit, and there will be far less problems.  I hear too often the phrase… “I should have done ______ different”.   (Fill in the blank).

     Choosing the right pump is also important.  The pump should be sized according to the size of the filter, which in turn is sized according to the volume of water in the pond.  If all is planned out, it should all fit together nicely, and keep the pond running smoothly. 

     Other filtration options to consider are a skimmer and a UV sterilizer.  A skimmer helps to pull all kinds of debris off the top water surface of the pond.  I look at skimmers as a secondary addition to your main filters.  But for a smaller pond, they may be a decent little filter.  

     The UV light is a unit that has a ultra-violet bulb that is used to kill algae cells that can turn your water green.  They are also commonly called clarifiers, as they will keep your water clear.   I use them on every pond that I build.  They are worth every penny that you spend on one.  When your pond water is clear, you can enjoy it so much more.  Chemical algicides can be dangerous, and you may constantly have to keep adding them, which can get expensive over time.  The UV light is a one time purchase, and your pond will be set.  No fuss!  The bulbs should be replaced at least every other year, if not every year.