5 Elements of an Ecopond

Element #1 - Skimming

The skimmer is an essential part of an ecopond. Properly installed, a skimmer can trap as much as 95% of the falling debris. The debris is collected in the skimmer basket and easily removed from the pond. The  skimmer also incorporates a center partition that traps the finer debris before it enters the main filter. The skimmer also houses the submersible pump where it operates in a clean environment and is easily accessed.

Pond maintenance begins and ends at the skimmer!

There are 5 elements to consider when creating a true ecopond. Leave one of these elements out, you and your pond may suffer.

Element #2 Over-Filtration

We manufacture the largest mechanical/biological waterfall filters on the market. We are the only manufacturer that include a high surface area filter media with every filter they produce. Oversizing the filter ensures that there is ample surface area for beneficial microbes to colonize during times when you need it most. Skimping on filter capacity may jeopardize the health of your fish in the future.  Filters, when installed correctly and used in conjunction with other requirements for a successful ecopond, should only have to be cleaned twice a year. Bio-max media has a surface area that is much better suited for the culturing of aerobic microbes as compared with the slick surfaces found on other biomedia.

Element #3 High Water Flow

Moving water is Alive! Good Circulation is paramount in an ecopond. The pump is the heart of the system. To keep the beneficial microbes that are now colonizing on your Bio-max media happy, you must have a constant flow of well aerated water over all surfaces of the pond. With oversized filtration, it is essential to have the proper amount of water flow for the filter to work most effectively. We have carried all brands of pumps over the last 15 years and are confident in the brands we carry. Pumps work very hard every minute of the day and in some demanding conditions.

Element #4 Increased Surface Area

Stacked stone side walls and a thin layer of gravel on the pond bottom will dramatically increase the overall available surface area within the pond. In a  properly constructed and matured ecopond, the filter could be by passed entirely and the pond itself would become the filter. This technique works great on ponds that are 20"-30" deep. Ponds that are deeper don't get the necessary water movement across the bottom that keep the microbes healthy and proliferating. Ponds that are too shallow and ponds with plants shelves also suffer from lack of water movement. We recommend in ecoponds to place your plants in bog areas around the perimeter of the pond. They are easier to maintain when there's easy access.

Element #5 Fish and Plants

Fish provide vital Ammonia (poison) which is what the mighty microbes feed on. Fish do this through digested waste (poop) and  excrete it via their gills. You have to produce ammonia before you develop beneficial microbes. It is important to build your fish population slowly to prevent excessive ammonia which is deadly. In an Ecopond fish constantly forage for food in the nooks and crannies of the gravel, aiding in exposing sediment to digesting microbes. Plants absorb nutrients which keep the algae in check. Plants also absorb nitrites and other toxins from the water as well as aerate and shade the pond.