It has been a long time that I’ve not post anything in my blog assignment. Today when I was cleaning my pond filter, I thought to myself why don’t I write about the filter system of my pond. Cleaning the filter system is not an easy job to do. The system consist firstly the filter itself, secondly the water pump and lastly Ultraviolet (UV) filter.
The Filter
I have a very simple filter system. It consists of four compartments (each is 1 ½ feet x 1 foot x 1 foot depth) as follows:
i. The water inlet compartment, where the water from the pond will be pump into the filter system.
ii. The second compartment, I install four type of aquarium filter wool (that can be purchase from the local aquarium shop) which will be lay from the fine wool filter, follow by two the medium wool filter and lastly the rough wool filter. The fine wool filter have to change very two or three days, the medium wool filter can last about one week. There are two types of wool filter the washable or non-washable. The washable can wash and reuse but the non-washable just throw it away after use. The rough wool which is imported can be wash and reuse for a few years.
iii. The third compartment I put coral and the last compartment before the water out-let back into the pond I put the charcoal filter for the odour.
The Water Pump
I’m using the magnetic-drive pump. You can also use the submersible pump but with this type of pump if the pump seal rupture it will send its oil coolant into the water (that can endanger your fish).
It is recommended that the water in the pond be turned between ¾ to 1 times per hour, so before purchasing the pump you have to calculate your pond water capacity and also read the pump specification. My pump capacity is enough to turn the pond water around 1 time per hour.
The UV Filter
UV filters needs to be install so that it can prevent the pond becomes very greenish. This is due from the algae. It is recommended to have the UV filter so it can eliminate green water and other harmful bacteria. My UV filter capacity is the 8 watts UV Sterilizer.
Thinking to change the filter system
A few weeks ago I went to pet shop located at some way at the Curve in Damansara. Here I was introduced to the Backwash-Cleaning System, this type of system I did not found at my usual aquarium retail shop. The sales woman gives me some explanation and suggestion about my pond. At home I did some reading about the product from the internet.
The Backwash-Cleaning System is all-in-one filters provide mechanical, biological and UV sterilization and are designed to work in tandem with a solid handling pump. They also feature a revolutionary system that easily cleans the entire surface of the foam filters without opening the filter. Backwash cleaning can be done easily and comfortably in a few minutes without opening the lid. This feature ensures that the filters perform at optimal levels for many days and prolongs the time between full maintenance sessions. An easy-view cleaning indicator signals when it’s time to perform backwash cleaning. This would make my job easier to clean the filter system.
But if I should change to this system, I have to purchase a new pump to cater the system. After doing some reading about the pump, I noticed that now my pump is 270 watts but the new pump that I need for the backwash system is 55 watts (with the same capacity flow of water), so although it is costly but it can save my electricity bill. Till now I’m still saving to buy this type of system (it is a bit costly) and pump for my fish pond where I enjoy seeing and playing with my pet fish.
