Pressure vs gravitational filter

[hankn]

I visited my LPS (Local Pond Store) today hoping to buy a Fishmate gravitational filter with UV, but the LPS tried to convince me to buy a Sera Pressure filter w/ UV instead.

Can anyone detail the pros and cons of each so I can decide which to get?

Thanks!

[BryceMan]

I'm not going to pretend I know everything but pressure filters can be buried at the base of the pond and be piped up to a waterfall/stream if you so desire and gravitational filters have to be placed at the top of a waterfall/stream or placed at the edge of a pond. I'm sure there is more to know but thats a start.

[hankn]

Thanks, but I now the basics. What I need to know is does one last longer? Are there any specific maintenance issues with either style filter? Or anything else one should know.

Thanks!

[JohnInFlorida]

From the pond/bottom drain it should be gravity feed to the settlement chamber/mechanical filter, otherwise all the leaves/junk gets chopped into smaller pieces and clogs the filter or is harder to filter out. That's the primary benefit of gravity fed filters. The pumping back into the pond, or up to the waterfall or wherever can be before or after the bio or chemical filtration based on WHERE your filtration system goes from open to closed.

Keep Smilin'
John

[hankn]

After using a pressure filter for 4 months I would have to say that I would go with a gravitational filter. The issue is maintenance. With a pressure filter, you have to open it carefully, and scoop out all the water with a large cup/bowl in order to clean it properly. Remember the pressure filter is in the ground so this is on your hands and knees. Also, getting all the "muck water" out involves gloved hands. With a gravitational filter, the water is drained so all one needs do is open the filter and start cleaning the sponges.

Also, I have found that when the filter is not cleaned often enough, it gets clogged and slows the water flow down. At some point the filter may be so clogged as to stop completely; now think what this is doing to your pump. With a gravitational filter, if the filter becomes clogged - the water will just overflow and leave the filter. You might lose water but you won't lose a pump. So a good idea would be to make sure the overflow of the gravitational filter flows back to the pond and not into the back yard.

I intend to build my own gravitational filter next summer to complement the pressure one I have now.