Filter Advice

[philljp]

Hi all,

Nice forum here. I only just bought a pond with some fish, and its all going good. However, I need to sort out the filtration, as the water is currently turning a shade of green.

The pond is only 250 litre with 3 small gold fish, and 4 oxygenator plants.

I have a waterfall and fountain run from a Blagdon Minipond 3500, which is about 3000lph.

As the pond is so small, im not sure if i need UV, but as its going a bit green, maybe I need it?

There are 3 filters ive been considering:

BLAGDON HYDRATECH CYCLONE 3000
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250618919106&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

HOZELOCK BIOFORCE 3000
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380229082443&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A small Blagdon 3 in 1 without UV:
http://www.blagdonwatergardens.co.uk/Blagdon_3_in_1_Filter

It's my first pond, so wondering if anyone has any thoughts? Also does anyone know if these would drastically reduce the water flow going through it, and up to the waterfall?

 

[koikeepr]

You don't have your location listed in your CP, but I'm assuming you're in the UK based on the brands you are listing. Not sure if any of our UK'ers can help you with their thought on these.

Keep away from the Blagdon, they have the same filter here in the States made by Tetra and it's awful. Leaks and hard to open.

They cyclone and the Hozelock are pressure filters. I've always heard wonderful things about the Hozelock brand, so if those were my choices, I'd likely lean toward that one.

Let's see if our fellow Brits can assist you here.

 

[philljp]

Thanks for the response. I am indeed from the UK

I have heard good things about Hozelock as well, so may go for that one. I dont want to overpay for something I dont need, when it would need electric as well.

Anyone with ideas how often these presurised filters would need cleaning?

 

[koikeepr]

Kaldness media is an excellent media, so that is one of the best things that the Hozelock can offer. You simply backwash a pressure filter every two weeks. In the heat of the summer, you might want to backwash it every week as there is typically more waste.

Of course, you need a pump suitable with enough force to be able to do the backwashing. So, ask the vendor what the filter requires to backwash effectively.

 

[philljp]

Thanks again!

Do you know how long a UV light typically lasts? and are they expensive to replace?

 

[koikeepr]

If you use them 24/7, a UV will last one season and should be replaced each spring. They can be expensive as they get bigger. If you just use it as necessary when you see the green water creeping up, you can potentially get 2 seasons out of it. I use mine all season long, so I replace mine as part of spring maintenance every year.

 

[koiguy1969]

i use mine 7-10 days a year....in the spring it clears my water in 3 or 4 days. i run it a few extra days...after that my KOIGUY 70 gallon filter keeps my water crystal clear till fall when my guys go into the basement pond.... bulbs are rated for 11 months continuous use and are said to start fading after 8.

 

[stroppy]

philip the hozelock are good ...but go for one bigger than the size of your pond and yes you can backwash them but i still found i needed to rinse the sponges in pond water during the summer months but it only takes a few mins, i used one untill this year i now have a barrel, but have my hozelock as a prefilter

 

[philljp]

philip the hozelock are good ...but go for one bigger than the size of your pond and yes you can backwash them but i still found i needed to rinse the sponges in pond water during the summer months but it only takes a few mins, i used one untill this year i now have a barrel, but have my hozelock as a prefilter

Thanks,

As my pond is only 250 liters I think their smallest 3000 series should be fine. My concern is if it will reduce the pressue of the pump, and waterflow to the waterfall.

 

[stroppy]

it shouldnt do, if you put a big enough hose on it