Pumps vs filters in ponds

[FishLover4+1]

Hi everyone!
We were thinking of adding some fish to our pond, but I don't know what the difference is between a pond filter and a pond pump. Do pond goldfish even need a filter? The pond is about 2000L and its approximately 4m x 1m x 0.5m. It has been there for years and has supported newts, frogs etc. We would like to keep it wildlife friendly if possible, although I am aware the goldfish are likely to try to eat everything. The pond tends to get very full of plants and the water is quite murky.
Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

A pond pump is simply a water pump like what you would use in an aquarium, just bigger. They usually have a pre-filter on the intake that is pretty crappy but stops fish, leaves and other larger items being sucked into the pump.

A pond filter is an actual filter that normally runs off a pond pump. The two main types of filter are big sponge pre-filters that go on the intake of the pump, and an external trickle filter that sits outside the pond and water is pumped up into the filter where it flows through filter materials and drains back into the pond. It's a good idea to have both if you want nice clean water but if you have a choice of one or the other, then get a large sponge that goes over the intake of the pump and acts as a pre-filter for the pump and also a biological filter.

If you have a filter on the pond the water will stay cleaner for longer, you will be able to keep more fish in the pond, and the water will have a more even temperature and hold more oxygen.

A lot of people get a water pump with a big sponge to act as a pre-filter/ filter, and then run the outlet of the water pump up to the surface and have a fountain head on the outlet so you get water spraying up in different directions.

To clean the pre-filter/ filter you simply get a bucket of pond water and squeeze the sponge out in the bucket of water. When it's clean, grab another bucket of pond water and do it again. Then put it back on the pump and turn the pump back on.

If you go for an external trickle filter, it will have layers of filter materials like sponges and plastic bio-balls in it. You simply remove the sponges, squeeze them out in a bucket of pond water, rinse, repat and put back in the filter.

Pond pumps should be run continuously for optimum fish health. The filtration on a pond filter is exactly the same as a fish tank.

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If you have water lilies in the pond, they need at least 6 hours of full sun per day to flower, and they don't tolerate water splashing on their leaves. So if you have a fountain head on the water pump, make sure it doesn't splash onto the water lily leaves.

 

[FishLover4+1]

A pond pump is simply a water pump like what you would use in an aquarium, just bigger. They usually have a pre-filter on the intake that is pretty crappy but stops fish, leaves and other larger items being sucked into the pump.

A pond filter is an actual filter that normally runs off a pond pump. The two main types of filter are big sponge pre-filters that go on the intake of the pump, and an external trickle filter that sits outside the pond and water is pumped up into the filter where it flows through filter materials and drains back into the pond. It's a good idea to have both if you want nice clean water but if you have a choice of one or the other, then get a large sponge that goes over the intake of the pump and acts as a pre-filter for the pump and also a biological filter.

If you have a filter on the pond the water will stay cleaner for longer, you will be able to keep more fish in the pond, and the water will have a more even temperature and hold more oxygen.

A lot of people get a water pump with a big sponge to act as a pre-filter/ filter, and then run the outlet of the water pump up to the surface and have a fountain head on the outlet so you get water spraying up in different directions.

To clean the pre-filter/ filter you simply get a bucket of pond water and squeeze the sponge out in the bucket of water. When it's clean, grab another bucket of pond water and do it again. Then put it back on the pump and turn the pump back on.

If you go for an external trickle filter, it will have layers of filter materials like sponges and plastic bio-balls in it. You simply remove the sponges, squeeze them out in a bucket of pond water, rinse, repat and put back in the filter.

Pond pumps should be run continuously for optimum fish health. The filtration on a pond filter is exactly the same as a fish tank.

----------------------
If you have water lilies in the pond, they need at least 6 hours of full sun per day to flower, and they don't tolerate water splashing on their leaves. So if you have a fountain head on the water pump, make sure it doesn't splash onto the water lily leaves.

Thank you! I think I'm going to go for a filter, will definitly be getting a net for the top as well - there are herons around.

 

[seangee]

Do yourself a favour and get a pressurised filter. Outdoor ponds are definitely a good case for over rather than underfitering, so probably go for a filter / pump combo that will support at least 6-10k litres. If you get one that includes a UV light you will spend more time looking at your fish instead of looking for them .