Cleaner water because fountain clogged up

[jnorris235]

We have a beautiful copper tree that is a fountain and its pipes get clogged easily.
I have bought a UV filter but a) it is difficult to know if it is still working without dismantling it, and b) its obviously not doing what I need anyway, even if it is working.
Very small pond, 300cm diameter, 20cm deep, approx 2000 litres I think.
Although we get newts and visiting frogs and toads I’d like it clean enough to go through the fountain.
Should I be looking at an actual filtration system - like a box of sand, perhaps?
It sits in the middle of a gravel surface.

 

[sissy]

copper could be reacting to water also .What watt is the uv and how old is the bulb.They may look like they are working but may not be

 

[Lisak1]

It sounds lovely! Post some photos if you get a chance.

And yes, I'd say a filter is the way to go - but I wouldn't recommend a box of sand. I'd suggest a prefilter on your pump. Again - a photo would help with suggestions!

 

[jnorris235]

Herewith a photo of the pond, and another of the UV thing. A prefilter. Will Google it.
Ah-ha! Youtube’d it.
Perhaps not a bucket of sand but some white stuff wrapped round the pump?

 

[Lisak1]

Well that would work, yes, but you may find it restricts your pump and you'll be cleaning it constantly, particularly in the beginning.

One of these is what I had in mind:

https://www.google.com/search?q=pon...ECAwQAw&biw=1920&bih=943#imgrc=IloRsY-966RW8M:

 

[sissy]

do not wrap quilt batting or anything around the pump it will be drawn into the pump and clog it up and possibly burn it out ,.You can stack a crate on top of a crate and put hose into it and quilt batting .I use furnace filter on top of quilt batting to pick up the heavy stuff .Not sure what you can get where you are at