3 Advantages of Pressure Filters

Are you trying to find the perfect water filter for your backyard pond? You know you need to keep your water, fish and plants healthy, but it can be difficult to decide between the many pond filter supplies available. Consider the advantages of pressure filters, ideal for small backyard ponds:

Sealed Units 

Pressure filters are sealed units made to be placed outside of the pond and fed water via a water pump in the pond. The filter unit is sealed, so it can be placed nearly anywhere, including below ground level or behind a water feature. If you’re looking for a filter that can be installed in a variety of places, a pressure filter gives you flexible options.

Re-routed Water Path

Water must leave the pond through a pump to enter the pressurized filter. This allows creative options for water’s re-entrance to your pond. Want to install a fountain or create a waterfall to enhance your yard? A pressure filter can route filtered water back into your pond through a water feature.

Eco-friendly Options

Pondliner.com offers eco-friendly pressurized pond filters. These filters are self-cleaning; all you have to do is switch the control valve to backwash and pull the cleaning handle. Magnetic pumps operate the filter, while a UC clarifier keeps water efficiently clean.

The pressurized filters at Pondliner.com are made of two kinds of filter foam: fine and coarse. The contrast of these textures creates an optimal environment for growing the bacteria that’s good for your filter supplies. Using this advantage of a pressure filter, you can grow the bacteria your pond needs without adding more chemicals that could be harmful to your fish and plants.

If you’re looking for a flexible, easy to manage filtering system for your small pond, a pressure filter can provide you with the supplies you need. Contact Pondliner.com to learn more about your filtering supply and service options today.

Making the Transition to Pond Filtering

You know you should have installed a pond filter long ago, but you just never got around to it. Now you’ve realized your pond life can’t stay healthy without one. So how should you go about installing a pond filter when you’ve been going without one? Here are some important steps you should take to safely install your filter.

Clean, Clean, Clean! 

Pond filters can be delicate, so it’s important to manually clean your pond before you start filtering. You might need to invest in some pond supplies to effectively clean your water feature. If your pond liner is too dirty to clean manually, consider draining your pond and purchasing a new filter. However, if you think you can clean your pond without making any replacements, you can treat the water with algaecide and chemicals that clean up bacteria. If there are fish living in your pond, be careful not to over-use these chemical treatments. Consider purchasing a non-toxic algaecide.

In addition to chemical treatments, you can also scrub your pond liner. Simply use a non-toxic cleaning chemical and scrub dirty areas with a hard-bristled brush. When you’ve finished with chemicals and are nearly ready to install your filter, skim the water surface with a net or skimmer to remove any excess plants.

Monitor Your Filter 

It’s always good to keep a close eye on your filter so you notice when it’s time to change it. This is especially important to do when you first install a filter. You will quickly learn what your pond filter looks like when it’s working properly so you can notice any future malfunctions. You will also be able to make sure your filter doesn’t experience overuse due to the extra cleaning it does at first. Your pond might look clean to you, but it could still have a lot of bacteria that the filter catches, so be sure to monitor it after installation.

As long as your pond isn’t too dirty, you should be able to transition to filtering without much trouble. Simply remember to keep your pond clean, even after your install your new filter.

If you’re looking for more pond filter suggestions or supplies, Pondliner.com can help you. Contact us today to take advantage of our expert solutions and quality products.

Summer Lovin’: Giving Your Pond Summer TLC

Backyard pond maintenance in the summer doesn’t take much work. It’s the time of year when you can sit back and enjoy your backyard. You can’t completely neglect your pond, though. Fish are more active and your plants are growing, so problems could quickly arise. Learn how to keep your pond clean so it stays healthy in the summer.

Keep the O₂ Coming

If you don’t have an aerator for your pond yet, summer is the time to get one. Warm water doesn’t retain oxygen as well as cooler water, so it’s important to keep your aerator on 24/7. Increased oxygen allows more ammonia and nitrate reduction. This needs to happen so you can allow algae to grow healthily and fish to digest their food efficiently. You can talk to an expert from Pondliner.com to decide what pond aerator is best for you.

Algae Is Good, But Avoid Algae Blooms

You want the algae in your pond to grow at a healthy pace, but it could get out of control in the summer months. Increased sunlight, plant growth, and fish activity can create an abundance of algae. Consider trimming back your plants and adding some water lilies that block the sun. If you decide to use algaecide, be sure to avoid overuse, or purchase non-toxic chemicals so you don’t harm your fish.

Check Your Pond Supplies

With all of that pond life activity, it’s important to monitor your pond filters and pumps. Pond supplies might be more likely to break in the summer because of all the use they get. Stay on top of maintenance issues by checking to see if your pond pumps and filters are in working order. If not, you might need to buy some new products or get them fixed.

You pond can be healthier in the summer if you simply keep it oxygenated, beware of algae blooms, and monitor your pond supplies. Pondliner.com is here to help you with all of your summer pond maintenance needs. Contact us today.

Help...Solve My Pond Disasters!

If you are a new pond-owner or struggling to keep your pond in proper working order this summer, we’re here to help.

What you see as a major pond disaster might just really be a hiccup on your journey to pond perfection.

Check out some of the common disasters pond-owners tend to encounter and the simple solutions to these problems:

My Pond Looks Green!

Believe it or not, it’s very common for a backyard pond to turn a shade of green. It’s a fairly simple fix. Ponds turn green because they are not ecologically balanced. The warmer weather allows more sun to hit the water, promoting algae growth. There is no way to prevent this.

However, there is a simple solution. When your pond water turns a shade of green, check for one of two things:

• Microscopic particles of algae
•  Floating hair-like particles

If you notice microscopic particles in your backyard pond, you can use an oxygenated pond filter to clear out the debris. You can also use some submerged vegetation, such as anacharis to help clear out the algae growth.

Next, cover the surface of your pond with floating plants. Using lily pads, water hyacinths, water clover and other surface-floating plants, you can prevent the sun from shining directly on your pond and causing it to heat up.

Why is Water Splashing Out?!

Another common issue pond-owners face, water can splash out of your pond for a simple reason. If the area the water is falling into is more than one half the width of what it is falling into, it will splash out. Basically, if water is falling into a 5’ area, the water will splash if it falls more than 2.5’.

How can you solve this disaster? Create smaller waterfalls, or make the width of your pond wider. Consider using a water feature that is designed for small ponds or get used to filling your pond more often.

Uh Oh…My Pond is Leaking!

Don’t panic! If your pond is leaking, know that this is an easily fixable disaster. Often times, the “leak” could really just be water splashing out from a water feature or leaking out of the back or sides of your waterfall. Find the source of your waterfall leak and simply move the hoses toward the pond so that any lost water will go back into the pond water.

Sometimes, your pond disasters aren’t as disastrous as they may seem. The key is to not panic, and investigate the problem for what it really is. Still need help? Contact the professionals at Pondliner.com for even more guidance. 

Top 5 Tips for Keeping Cool in the Summer Sun

Summer is about to be in full swing! Is your pond ready? While you may know the basics of summer pond care, it’s important that you pay attention to all the hazards your pond faces when the sun starts to shine.

Check out our top five tips for keeping your pond cool in the summer:

• Avoid overfeeding your fish – Overfeeding your fish in the summer months can cause poor water quality in your backyard pond or water garden.  During summer your fish become more active and can even go into “overdrive.” They grow faster and eat more, which increases the amount of waste production. Monitor how much you feed your pond fish to avoid impacting your water quality and pond filter. 
• Add more oxygen – By using your pond filter, you can help increase oxygen production in your pond, which is essential in the summer months. As your pond warms up, it can lose its ability to hold oxygen. Using a filter can add aeration to your water garden and reduce build-up of armful gases.
• Control mosquitoes – When the surface of your pond is constantly moving, it’s much more difficult for mosquitoes to start breeding. How can you achieve this? Use a waterfall, fountain or other pond decoration to keep the water in your pond from settling. 
• Protect your fish from predators – If you live in an area where your fish could be in danger, consider investing in pond covers or nets to cover shallow areas in your pond. Protecting your fish is vital to truly enjoying your backyard pond. 
• Sunblock your goldfish – Yep, your fish are susceptible to the sun, just like you. On days when the sun is strong, consider using water lilies or rock overhang to keep your fish out of direct sunlight.  Short on resources? Even a small summer umbrella will do the trick!

The summer months are the very best for enjoying your backyard pond. Be sure to follow our simple tips to keep your pond in proper working order all spring and summer long

Do Water Gardens Really Need Filtration?

You may have read articles that say a backyard water garden can sustain itself without a filter. Well, that’s not really true. A water garden can sustain itself, but only if you don’t really care what it looks like.

If you want to have a backyard pond that’s beautiful, it’s going to take a little more than just Mother Nature. It makes sense to think that if you create a natural environment for your pond, it should naturally create an environment that takes care of itself. However, this is not the case.

When you create a manmade backyard pond, you are installing a liner, rocks purchased from a store and water from the faucet. All of these elements create a beautiful pond, but not a natural one. A natural pond is not chlorinated and it does not have anything plastic in it.

It’s important to face reality when it comes to a water garden. Whether or not you choose to have fish in your pond, it still needs proper filtration. Pond filters are designed to help your water garden remain clean, attractive and relatively maintenance-free.

It’s understandable that you want to enjoy your backyard pond more than you clean it, which is why a quality pond pump and filter are necessary. The pond pump works to move water throughout the water garden so that all of the water is properly filtered. This filtration system will keep debris, muck, bacteria and sludge from occupying space in your water garden.

So, ultimately the decision is yours. You can choose to live with a cess pool in your backyard or invest in a quality pond filter and enjoy the man-made beauty of your water garden all spring and summer.

*Photo courtesy of the Italian voice via Flickr.

How to Clean Up After a Storm

There is nothing worse than a dirty koi pond. And if there is rain in your forecast, all you can do is cross your fingers and hope Mother Nature decides to be kind.

But, what do you do if the storms come anyway? How can you quickly and effectively clean your pond after the storms have passed?

If you notice that your pond is constantly looking dirty, there are a variety of common reasons this could be happening:

1. Your plants are dying and you are not properly cleaning out the debris
2. Mother Nature took her chance to wreak havoc on your pond surface
3. Crevices in your pond liner are hiding dirt and sludge
4. Your rocks are hiding bacteria and muck

So, is it hopeless? No! The answer to a dirty pond is easier than you think. The number one way to help your pond stay healthy, clean and beautiful is by investing in a quality pond filter. If you are experiencing issues with the cleanliness of your pond, it’s time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of your current pond filter.

The better your pond pump works, the cleaner your pond will be. A pond filter is designed to clean out all the sludge and debris that occurs from storms, dead plants and other issues.

It’s really that simple! Make sure you only buy the very best pond filters for your pond so you can spend more time enjoying your backyard water garden and less time watching the forecast. 

*Photo courtesy of Slawek Puklo via Flickr.

Acclimate Your Fish in Just 3 Simple Steps

When purchasing new fish for your backyard pond or water garden, it’s important for you to understand how to properly acclimate your fish to their new surroundings. While this may sound complicated, you can easily and effectively put fish in your pond by following these three simple steps:

1. Perform a clean sweep of your fish pond – By deeply cleaning your rocks, waterfall, pond filters, pumps and other equipment, you can speed up the process when it comes time to add fish.

2. Start Your Pond Filters – Once you have thoroughly cleaned and filled your pond, replace your filter to ensure it is properly working when you add your fish. It may be helpful to install new filter pads and add chemicals to clean bacteria. Once everything is in order you can begin running your pond pump.

3. Test your water – It’s important that you have your pond water balanced before putting in your fish. Use a test kit to check the levels of pH, nitrate and ammonia in the water.

That’s it! Now it’s time to add your new fish. Once you have your water perfectly filtered and tested, it is safe to add your favorite aquatic fish. Be sure to choose fish that are low-maintenance and that suit the size pond you have.

*Photo courtesy of Martin Pettitt via Flickr.

How to Filter Your Water Garden

Your water garden is beautiful, but what happens when leaves and other debris builds up in your fish pond? Even if you skim your pond every single day, it may still develop a build-up of debris from storms and adverse weather conditions.

So what is the alternative to dealing with muck and debris in your backyard water garden? It may be time to invest in a water filter. Water filters are a practical investment in the maintenance of your backyard pond.

What kind of filter system do you need for your backyard water garden? There are a variety of pond filters on the market that you can choose from and each one has their own advantages.

For a small or large water garden, you can invest in an Atlantic water garden FilterFall. Not only do they feature the latest technology, but they also create an attractive feature that will enhance the appeal of your water garden.

A waterfall garden filter will help keep the water in your backyard garden flowing so that insects and other debris can’t gather. Finding the right pond supplies for your backyard pond is as simple as understanding what’s available and how it will work with your budget.

Browse the enormous selection of pond supplies and pond filters at Pondliner.com to find the perfect one for your backyard water garden.

*Photo courtesy of ConspiracyofHappiness via Flickr

How to Plan Your Pond Supplies Since the Ground Hog Saw His Shadow

On February 2^nd, Punxsutawney Phil was scared by his shadow as the crowds gathered around Gobbler’s Knob. While this may not have normally affected you, as a backyard pond owner, it may ruin the plans you had for an early spring. What are you supposed to do now?

Punxsutawney Phil may have actually helped you out! Spring is one of the hardest seasons to predict. Weather can warm up and then instantly turn cold again. Just when the trees are ready to bud, an icy frost comes to ruin their early development. But, this unpredictable weather just gives you more time to stock up on the pond supplies you will need to prepare your pond for the warmer months ahead.

As spring approaches, there are several things you should do to prepare your backyard pond. Check the temperature of your water garden occasionally. Once the temperature hits about 10 degrees C, you can begin to pull out your pond supplies and give your pond a thorough cleaning.

Some of the pond supplies you need to start preparing for your spring pond opening include:

• Pond vacuum
• Pond skimmer
• UV Sterilizers/clarifiers
• Pond filters
• Test kits
• Pond treatments
• Pond thermometers

After cleaning your backyard pond it’s important to test the water and ensure the pH is at proper levels. You will also want to test for nitrates, ammonia and oxygen levels.

Punxsutawney Phil also gave you a little extra time to make sure your pond pump and filter are working properly. If not, you might need to invest in more pond supplies than you anticipated. Even if all parts are working at 100%, you will still need to clean the outside of the pump and ensure all filters and strainers are completely clear.

Spring also means it’s time to start feeding your fish again. If your backyard water garden has fish, you can start feeding your fish when the pond reaches a constant temperature of 8 to 10 degrees C. Only feed your fish in low quantities and remove excess food when necessary.

Stay one step ahead by preparing your pond with pond supplies from Pondliner.com.

*Photo courtesy of El Frito via Flickr

What Your Pond Filter Media Can Do for You

As I discussed in my previous post, pond filters are an essential piece of any healthy and functioning backyard water garden. Your pond filter is responsible for filtering out the harmful waste, chemicals and toxins that would otherwise make it difficult for your pond life to survive.

Your pond filter operates through three different kinds of filtration: mechanical, chemical and biological.

The kind of filtration I’m going to focus on today is biological. This filtration is unique, because instead of simply getting rid of harmful agents in the water, it helps your pond grow a natural defense against them.

Biological filtration works primarily through the use of pond filter media.

What is pond filter media?

Pond filter media is the biological material you place within your pond filter to help it work more effectively.

How do pond filter media work?

These natural agents can actually work in one of three ways. They can:

1. Form a screen to block dirt and debris from entering the clean water.
2. Trap toxic chemicals.
3. Provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow.

It is this third capability that makes pond filter media so unique. As it provides a safe place for beneficial bacteria to grow, your pond slowly grows its own defenses against dirt, debris, fish waste and other substances that can cloud its water. Once your pond’s bacteria is built up, it can start consuming many of the waste products your pond life is producing.

After consuming these waste products, the filter media converts them into less harmful products that can then be utilized by your pond life. This neat little cycle keeps your pond water clear and your pond life healthy. Pretty awesome considering it all starts with some filter media you can purchase from your local pond supplies distributor.

If you have any questions about using pond filter media in your pond, please contact one of our knowledgeable pond supplies experts today.

Purchasing a Pond Filter: Why It's a Must-Have Item

Whether you are building a brand new pond or have had one for years, you’ll need to make sure your pond filter is ready for the challenge that lies ahead. Springtime means that pond life will come back to life, which means that your filter is going to get quite a workout.

If you’re building your first pond, you’re going to need to get a filter. If you’ve had your pond for years, you need to make sure your filter is still working properly. If not, a new model will need to be purchased.

But why is a pond filter so crucial to the health of my pond life?

It’s very simple. Your pond filter is responsible for keeping your pond water clean and healthy. If you don’t have healthy water, it’s very unlikely that your pond life will live very long. Just like we require clean air to breathe, your pond life needs clean water to survive.

So how exactly does my pond filter do its job?

Pond filters perform three different types of filtration:

• Mechanical: This process removes large debris from your pond’s water. Fish waste, decomposing leaves, uneaten food and other items are strained out of the water before it is circulated back through your pond.

• Biological: This process takes place when your pond’s natural bacteria (aided by pond filter media) allows beneficial bacteria to colonize. These bacteria then act naturally to consume harmful waste produced by your pond life and turn it into less harmful waste that your pond life can thrive on.

• Chemical: This process removes chemical toxins from the water that your biological bacteria weren’t able to process.

As you can see, a pond filter is one of the most essential pond supplies you can purchase for your pond. There are lots of options out there, so make sure you do your research before making a decision. Pondliner carries pond filters from many of today’s top brands, including Laguna, Atlantic Water Gardens, Little Giant, Pondmaster and more.

If you have any questions about what kind of pond filter is right for your pond, contact one of our knowledgeable pond supplies experts today.

Download our 2011 Pond Supplies Catalog

Snow may still be falling, but springtime is drawing near. Before you know it the birds are going to be chirping and temperatures will be rising. As soon as this happens, you better believe that pond enthusiasts everywhere are going to be cleaning out their water gardens and getting them ready for spring.

If you want to add some new features to your existing water garden, or if you're planning on building a new one from scratch, you definitely want to check out our 2011 Pond Supplies Catalog. We have over 100 pages of products, with everything from water conditioners and algae treatments to pond liners, pond skimmers and complete pond kits.

No matter what size pond you are working with, we have the pond supplies you need to create and maintain a beautiful and healthy aquatic environment.

The 2011 catalog also includes a variety of helpful resources to help you choose the correct size and type of pond supplies. We have pond liner sizing charts, pond filer guides, pond pump flow charts and much more.

To access the catalog simply visit our website and click on the "Downloadable 2011 Catalog" link in the left-side navigation. Or, you can click here.

Take advantage of our great selection of pond supplies today. If you have any questions, our knowledgeable water garden experts are available to assist you.

*Image provided by jnyemb on Flickr.

The Top Six Reasons to Purchase a Little Giant Pond Filter

The key to reducing pond maintenance and creating a cleaner environment for your pond life is to purchase the correct pond filter.

A pond filter is the equivalent of a live-in maid for your pond. Its job is to clean out debris and biological waste that would otherwise build up and negatively impact the quality of your pond water. There are a variety of different systems on the market, and they all come with varying levels of mechanical and/or biological filtration.

Pondliner.com carries quality pond filters from a variety of big name pond supplies distributors, and one of the names we trust most is Little Giant. Their products have many redeeming qualities, and below I've compiled a list of the top six reasons to purchase one of their pond filters.

Little Giant pond filters:

1. Use patented BioVort technology to evenly disperses debris within the pond filter and settle solid bio-loads
2. Supply superior pond filtration
3. Require minimal pond filter maintenance
4. Have plumbing that is entirely hidden
5. Offer low-profile filtration that can be easily disguised by pond plants, foliage, etc.
6. Provide both mechanical and biological filtration

In addition to the features listed above, Little Giant products are also known for their durability and exceptional performance. They generally come with at least a one-year warranty, but customers rarely experience any problems with them.

We carry a variety of Little Giant models that fit the needs of all different kinds of ponds. As an added bonus, we have an entire section of Little Giant pond filter accessories that will help keep your filter running effectively for years to come.

Learn more about Little Giant pond filters. A clean pond is synonymous with a happy pond, so find the filter that best meets your pond life’s needs today.



*Image provided by ConspiracyofHappiness on Flickr.

Utilize Pond Filters for a Healthy and Happy Pond This Season

As any successful pond owner knows, the key to having a healthy pond is to have a clean pond. In my previous posts I’ve discussed how you can utilize pond skimmers and pond vacuums to clean dirt and debris from your pond’s water. However, in order to keep your pond water as clean and healthy as possible, it’s also necessary to install a pond filter.

Out of all the pond supplies your water garden needs to flourish, pond filters are one of the most important. These small machines work around the clock as mini sewage systems for your pond. Every day fish waste, extra food and other organic material falls to the bottom of your pond. All of this debris can dirty your pond water, and as it starts to decompose it can also release harmful toxins. Without pond filters, your pond water would be permanently murky and any dangerous toxins would build up and start to affect the health of your pond life.

Pond filters utilize filter media to break down harmful toxins and remove debris from your pond water to create a healthy environment in which pond life can flourish. They come in different sizes and offer varying degrees of filtration so you can shop around until you find one that meets your pond’s specific needs.

Any good pond filter is designed to perform three functions:

• Mechanical Filtration
• Biological Filtration
• Chemical Filtration

Mechanical filtration is utilized to remove actual detritus from your water. Dirty water flows into the filter and the mechanical filtration media traps any dirt before sending clean water back into your pond.

Biological filtration tackles the toxins that form when fish waste and other organic material breaks down. This filtration media allows beneficial bacteria to grow that can biologically break down the harmful toxins in your pond water.

Chemical filter media and pond plants manage any remaining compounds by controlling and changing the specific water conditions that are negatively impacting your pond.

As you can see, pond filters work hard to keep your water sparkling clean. Be sure to utilize this pond product to keep your pond life happy and healthy this season.



Image provided by psd on Flickr