Feedback wanted on external pond filters

[lauraleellbp]

I'm beginning the planning phase of a pond. It will be in the 200-300 gallon range, and I know I want to incorporate an external filter as at least part of the filtration system.

I'm just starting to do my homework, and am tyring to figure out if there are real differences between the filters that run $200 and up versus those that are along the lines of the Tetra external filters I can find for about $60.

I'm willing to spend the extra $$ but I want to be sure I understand what it is that makes the more expensive ones "better" than the cheaper?

I'm looking for reliability and user-friendliness (especially cleaning) as high on my list of priorities.

Any recommendations or warnings from anyone with experience?

[kid creole]

I became the owner of a pond when I bought a house. It was around 1500 - 2000 gallons by my estimate. I finally made the decision to fill it in and plant a garden, but here is my $.02.

-The pond came with an expensive pump in the filter. I know this because I looked up the model number and brand, but I gave it away, and I don't remember what it is. I do remember the price of it being >$300.

-I have a wooded yard, the slope of the edge of the pond allowed runoff with silt and debris in, and in general, the pond stayed a mess. This pump kept on pumping, no matter how dirty the water. I assume a lesser pump would have clogged, but I don't know for sure. I cleaned it once, after a few months, and decided it didn't need to be cleaned based on what I saw. It had slits that would only pass debris that it was capable of pumping, so there was nothing to clean out.

-Efficiency is important. Some of the more expensive pumps can pay for themselves. I remember looking numbers like $10 to $20 per month to run these pumps full time, so after a year, you could be looking at savings of $100 on your electric bill.

I hope this is helpful.

[pepper]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

I'm beginning the planning phase of a pond. It will be in the 200-300 gallon range, and I know I want to incorporate an external filter as at least part of the filtration system.

I'm just starting to do my homework, and am tyring to figure out if there are real differences between the filters that run $200 and up versus those that are along the lines of the Tetra external filters I can find for about $60.

I'm willing to spend the extra $$ but I want to be sure I understand what it is that makes the more expensive ones "better" than the cheaper?

I'm looking for reliability and user-friendliness (especially cleaning) as high on my list of priorities.

Any recommendations or warnings from anyone with experience?

What do you want to put in the pond ? A pond that small will end up being a mess and lots of labor to keep it from being a puddle of mud . If you just want to put some plants and a few mesquito fish you dont need a large filter just something to keep the serface moving to keep down the bugs .Fish even goldfish need clean water .They will live in less but will not thrive .DONT put gravel in the bottom it just ends up a sewer pit !!!!! if you are going to put fish get the largest filter you can aford .The sizing on the box is WAY off !!The larger the pond the less work they are .Last year I had a pump on one of my ponds ( I have 2 )that cost about 80 bucks a month 3/4 horse .I changed it to a 1 /15 horse that pumps more water for about 10 bucks a month .DO YOUR HOMEWORK

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm

-Orlando

[lauraleellbp]

Thanks for the feedback guys, but what I'm trying to decide on right now is the FILTER, not the pump.

Orlando- that was a great link, but those filters are much too large for my 200-300gal pond.

Stocking will be with small fish... I don't have my heart set on anything just yet, as I have a feeling there's going to be a "learning curve" involved in finding what species are successful in avoiding predation from the plethora of raccoons, bears, birds, etc that are all in my yard on a regular basis LOL

I'm pretty tight for space; the pond and filtration system all have to fit in this space underneath my office window:



It's not saying a whole lot, but this spot is probably the best shaded in my yard. It is on the South side of the house, though, so does get plenty of sun. I plan on incorporating lots of plants to try and keep the algae in check, but honestly, green water bothers me much less than it does many others. I know many fish actually LOVE green water! LOL

[jjp2]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

I know many fish actually LOVE green water! LOL

I hope this isn't from your tanks.

[S&KGray]

This is the filter I am currently using on my 300g Rubbermaid stock tank "pond" and it does a good job.

http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng...0.php?link=152

I also have this filter hooked up to my pump that runs a fountain for some supplemental filtration.

http://www.pondmaster.com/products/p...&cookie_test=1

[lauraleellbp]

Thanks! Can I pick your brain a little more...?

How large is your pond?

How often do you find yourself needing to clean the filter, and how user-friendly is cleaning with this filter?

[S&KGray]

300g with a decent # of fish as you can see in my sig, but only rocks and a large piece of driftwood and no plants (yet ).

The laguna filter can go for a while without much maintenance, you just need to check the mechanical filter media (not included) to make sure its not getting clogged. It goes in the top tray so its easy to get to, followed by the sponge, then bottom tray with bio-media (both included). If you ever do need to clean all the media its very easy because the top tray lifts out, then the sponge, then the bottom tray.

The pondmaster filter gets clogged faster since its submersed in the pond and you have to remove the whole filter from the pond to clean it. I do that every 2 weeks or so.

[lauraleellbp]

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm trying to avoid internal filters, I'd prefer to stay out of the pond to do maintenance as much as possible.

How customizable is the media for the Laguna? I'm thinking cheap batting from a fabric store is probably what I'll want to use, if I can.

[S&KGray]

Its pretty easy to customize, just put whatever u want in the top tray. I have used batting/filter floss type material and some spare sponge filter material I had lying around.

If you catch most of the debris in the media you place in the top tray, you will rarely have to rinse out the big sponge in between the two trays and the biomedia in the bottom tray.

I put the media that they provide for the top tray into the bottom tray, it works better as biomedia (looks like Eheim Substrat Pro) and I added some cinders (used for growing orchids).

[lauraleellbp]

Do you have the same pump driving both filters, or what pump are you using to drive the Laguna?

[S&KGray]

This is the pump I have running the Laguna filter: http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng...0.php?link=141

I have a Mag Drive 7 running the pondmaster filter and fountain.