We all know that spring cleaning can ‘spring’ upon us any time of the year. And when you have an actual spring- a pond, or a small or large water feature- in your house, the idea of spring cleaning becomes almost literal and essential. The crystal clear and merrily running water of the warmer months becomes murky and muddy over the winter months. Even when it thaws, it doesn’t clear out. The change in temperature allows bacterial growth to restart in an ecosystem still getting back onto its feet, and renders the pond scummy and green. Not what you’d associate with a happy little pond at all, is it? That’s why we’ve put together this list, to help you find the best pond filter for you.
The idea of pond cleaning brings to mind images of wading through dirty water, a lot of scrubbing and grubbing, and a whole lot of hard work. Taking a quick way out and using chemicals, is not an option for most of us because we have fish in our ponds, or pets who occasionally dip in and stop by, or even plants in the pond. And the DIY methods like Barley straw, or pricey enzyme treatments, are only temporary solutions, and not fully effective in that small period either. A very good option for the careful pond owner is to invest in a solar powered pond pump. This allows you not only to have a clean pond but clean energy powering your clean pond, too. And a good solar pond pump is not very hard to decide upon. This little list will give you all the best options you need, to make your choice.
Best Pond Filter – Our Choices
#5 Best Choice Products 4000 Liter Pressure Bio Filter
This unassuming looking contraption is actually one of the best pond pressure bio filters available on the market. It’s one of the most sensible options for people with ponds with a normal fish load and 2500 Gal, or heavy fish load and 1500 Gal, and looking for the best pond filter for them. This Best Choice Products model comes with an integrated 13W UV clarifier and a UV lamp indicator in the pressure bio filter. Using the pump is ridiculously easy and requires little maintenance since it comes ready to fit and the UV lamp helps keep the upkeep to a bare minimum on its own. And if the pump needs a cleaning, the indicator will show you just that.
The kit comes inclusive of inlet and outlet hose adapters, and Bio balls. This is definitely an option for people who want to hook up a pond filter and forget about having to maintain it for a long time.
#4 TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter
The TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter is one of those rare products that are crafted keeping biologically active and responsible methods in mind. Big enough for ponds up to 1500 gallons, this model has a double action- both mechanical and biological filtration. The mechanical filtration is easy enough understood. The biological filtration is where the wonder is. The inside of the filter has multiple open profile bioactivators, giving the pump massive surface area inside for water to filter through. These bio-activators remove dirt and suspended particulate matter from the water. The filters themselves can be easily cleaned out with the back flush option.
But take it a step further ahead. What makes this model the best pond filter for environmentally sensitive people is, that the filter’s surface has beneficial bacteria on it, which help in clearing the water and maintaining a healthy microecosystem in your pond. When your pond is healthy and grounded to begin with, even summer spikes won’t lead to full blown algal blooms in your pond. Even though the TetraPond model is a little pricier than the Best Choice option, I personally found the change in the ‘health’ of my pond drastic enough to warrant investing a few dollars in it.
#3 Pond Boss FM002P Filter Kit with Pump.
The smallest of the three filters listed yet, this little guy can nonetheless very big things. In addition to being handy for ponds and water features, the Pond Boss FM002P Filter Kit can easily be set up for moderate sized fountains as well. The Kit comes with a diverted switch, in addition to tubing and nozzles included in it, and this switch can be used to cause bidirectional flow of water through the filter and the fountain piping. The amount of water flowing can be adjusted depending on what you like, too. While this isn’t a solar powered pond pump or UV light filter, it’s still the best pond filter for people looking for multipurpose filters for their water features.
The other strong feature of this sturdy little guy is its reputation for being just that- super resilient. Reviews detail the amount of sludge the Pond Boss FM002P Filter can work through, as well as glowing recommendations of the pump’s power and I can see why myself. I can tell you that this is one pump you should definitely consider if you have a water feature that’s exposed to dirt deposition.
#2 Laguna Pressure Flo-Clean 1400 Pressurized Pond Filter
Compared to the filters on the previous positions, the Laguna Pressure Flo-Clean is definitely bigger in size, and a wee bit in price as well. This rock solid pump comes with a dual filtration mechanism like the TetraPond model, and takes the biological filtration feature even further with lava rock medium for the biological exchange filter.
It’s also another pump that is very, very easy to install (even technofools like me can get away with it easily, attested), and comes with another feature that simplifies its maintenance- a Backwash Cleaning System that rinses out the filters with no disassembling required. And the best part is that it can happily handle ponds and water features up to 1400 gallons in capacity. But wait! Before you declare this workhorse the best pond filter for you, take a look at our number one contender!
#1 OASE BioSmart 10000 Pond Filter
The OASE BioSmart 10000 Pond Filter is a lot to take in, on the first look. Sleek and gleaming, this super model is not a solar pond pump, but still unbelievably efficient, thanks to its streamlined biological filtration mechanism, that pushes water through a series of connected filters, and filters it and exposes it to beneficial bacteria.
The OASE BioSmart is the pump of choice for people looking for the best pond filter for their medium to large sized pond, including ponds with a moderate fish load. It also facilitates the conversion of dissolved and deposited nitrites in the water into usable nitrates, which the pond flora can then use. And whether you have string algae or brown algae, one filter and this pump will make you forget your pond ever even had algae.
The simple reason this pump sits on top of our list is its efficiency. Like all customers of the OASE BioSmart 10000 Pond Filter, once you and your pond get this model started, you’ll never look for or to another pond filter.
If you are on the market for a pond pump don’t forget to check out our article.
