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The
Basics of Koi Pond Filtration (Page 2 of 3)
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Most koi experts recommend a
filter flow rate
equivalent to displacing
the entire
pond volume within
one hour.
Thus, a 3,000-gallon pond requires a pump that can move 3,000
gallons of water per hour. Note that the height to which the
water is pumped greatly affects the volume delivered by the pump.
Thus, the filter flow rate should be based on the actual rate at
which water is taken out of and returned back to the pond, not on what
the pump is labeled to be capable of.
There are two type of pumps
used in koi keeping, namely, the submersible pump and the
recirculating pump. For small ponds and water falls,
submersible pumps are preferred because they are unobtrusive and
silent by virtue of their being submerged underwater while
operating. For large ponds, however, recirculating
pumps would be the wiser choice because of their efficiency and long
life. Most koi experts recommend setting up two pumps of
smaller capacities than buying just one pump of higher capacity to
meet the flow rate requirements.
Figure 2. The variety of pumps used in the koi hobby
Once the filter capacity and
pump flow rate have been established, the filtration stages must be
designed. Filters work best if they consist of numerous
stages, with each stage specially designed to accomplish a
filtration task that the others can not. Having such
specially-designed filter stages will allow all harmful wastes and
debris to be removed effectively.
A filtration system usually has
a couple of stages for mechanically filtering out suspended debris,
and another couple of stages for biological filtration of the water.
Mechanical filtration
consists of physically trapping the particulate wastes and debris in
the water. Sand, beads, pads, and brushes are the
commonly-used materials for mechanical filtration. Passing the
water through these materials traps whatever suspended materials are
in the water, e.g., leaves, twigs, fish feces, etc. The first
mechanical filter stage usually uses brushes as the trapping medium,
because these only trap the relatively larger debris in the water,
allowing the smaller ones to pass through. The second
mechanical filter stage usually uses Japanese filter mats, beads, or
sand to trap the smaller particles in the water. More
mechanical filter stages may be added, with the trapping size
getting smaller as the filter stages progresses.
Figure 3. Example of a commercially available
4-chamber filter
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See also:
Trickle Filters
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