Hi,
I am new to this forum. I am currently planning to install a 11'x16' pond and looking for some recommendation to which filter I should use. I have talked to several contractors and retail store salepersons. I get different answers. So, I really appreciate someone can help me to sort this out.
My goal of course is to use a filter that requires the lowest maintenance. I don't mind small monthly task but not a yearly full water change especially if my pond is around 2000 gallons.
Here are the 2 different sale pitches:
1. Aquaescape Product: use waterfall filters with skimmer without the bottom drain. Also, will add rocks on the bottom of the pond. According to the pond installer, this is the natural way of keeping the pond balanced. If the water is maintained properly (e.g. partial water changes periodically), I should not need to do a full water change for many years.
Counter argument: you need to change the filters and a complete water change yearly because of the junk depositing between the rocks on the bottom.
2. http://koiofdistinction.com/common/getimage.php?id=229&width=520&height=520
use aquabead filter with both skimmer and bottom drain. No rock on the bottom of the pond because the good bacteria will be living in the aquabead filter. I will need a periodic backflush and that's it. No complete water change ever needed.
Counter argument: no rocks for the algae to grow to supplement the diet for the fish. Much more expensive. It requires weekly backflush and still requires complete water change. Pond no longer looks natural.
Based on the info I got, I like the look with the rocks on the bottom in option #1 but the bottom drain does make sense to me too. According to the installer, it doesn't make sense to put a bottom drain with option #1.
So, what should I do? I really appreciate your expert opinion.
Thanks
I am new to this forum. I am currently planning to install a 11'x16' pond and looking for some recommendation to which filter I should use. I have talked to several contractors and retail store salepersons. I get different answers. So, I really appreciate someone can help me to sort this out.
My goal of course is to use a filter that requires the lowest maintenance. I don't mind small monthly task but not a yearly full water change especially if my pond is around 2000 gallons.
Here are the 2 different sale pitches:
1. Aquaescape Product: use waterfall filters with skimmer without the bottom drain. Also, will add rocks on the bottom of the pond. According to the pond installer, this is the natural way of keeping the pond balanced. If the water is maintained properly (e.g. partial water changes periodically), I should not need to do a full water change for many years.
Counter argument: you need to change the filters and a complete water change yearly because of the junk depositing between the rocks on the bottom.
2. http://koiofdistinction.com/common/getimage.php?id=229&width=520&height=520
use aquabead filter with both skimmer and bottom drain. No rock on the bottom of the pond because the good bacteria will be living in the aquabead filter. I will need a periodic backflush and that's it. No complete water change ever needed.
Counter argument: no rocks for the algae to grow to supplement the diet for the fish. Much more expensive. It requires weekly backflush and still requires complete water change. Pond no longer looks natural.
Based on the info I got, I like the look with the rocks on the bottom in option #1 but the bottom drain does make sense to me too. According to the installer, it doesn't make sense to put a bottom drain with option #1.
So, what should I do? I really appreciate your expert opinion.
Thanks
