Newbie from CA

[Daniel L]

Hello all! I just purchased a home that has a pond in the backyard. I am a total newbie and have no clue how to maintain this thing. It is made of concrete, appears to be about 2800 gallons, and has about a 5' tall waterfall. The pump seems to work fine, but I'm not sure that it has a filter. My kids have been asking to put some fish in the pond so any help and info is much appreciated! Thanks,
Daniel

 

[sissy]

I think the tank you show is the filter and welcome

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our group! That large black barrel is your filter, I can see a filter pad on top of it.

Is there a drain towards the bottom of it?

 

[j.w]

@Daniel L
Nice looking pond and set up.

 

[Daniel L]

Welcome to our group! That large black barrel is your filter, I can see a filter pad on top of it.

Is there a drain towards the bottom of it?

I'm not sure about a drain, I'll have to check when I get home from work. Is this type of filter sufficient to support several fish or should I get a larger one? I was under the impression that was only a UV clarified, and not filter. I've been looking online and have thought about a pressurized filter of some sort.

 

[IPA]

Welcome. The waterfall container, the barrel as addy1 mentioned, is the biological, and maybe also mechanical filter. The UV filter is attached to it probably needs a new bulb or bulbs depending on the model.
There should be some way to turn off the flow to the waterfall and drain it for cleaning, thus the drain mentioned. If you wash the pads, or whatever is in the barrel make sure to use declorinated water because you don't want to kill the good bateria growing on it.
Whatever you do, do not use an algaecide. Do get an API pond master test kit.

 

[Gemma]

 

[Daniel L]

Welcome. The waterfall container, the barrel as addy1 mentioned, is the biological, and maybe also mechanical filter. The UV filter is attached to it probably needs a new bulb or bulbs depending on the model.
There should be some way to turn off the flow to the waterfall and drain it for cleaning, thus the drain mentioned. If you wash the pads, or whatever is in the barrel make sure to use declorinated water because you don't want to kill the good bateria growing on it.
Whatever you do, do not use an algaecide. Do get an API pond master test kit.

The only thing inside the waterfall is peagravel, not seeing and pads. And as far as using chlorinated water, the pond has an autofiller plumbed to city water. It is currently in the high 90's - 100 degrees regularly which I'm sure causes quite a bit of evaporation. I did order an API test kit, a bottle of Stress Coat to neutralize the chlorine, and some water hyacinth and water lettuce to help with filtration. Thank you for the help everyone, I'm hoping to be successful at this!

 

[IPA]

It looks like a diy filter. I am sure some of the more experienced members will have better guidance. Do you have access to the previous owner for a run down on operation? I did find the web site for the manufacture of the UV filter. Recommended to replace the bulbs every year and to clean the inside glass if possible. It will go a long way to getting rid of the pea soup, any plants will help a lot too. In a few short weeks your pond should be ready for fish!

Edit: I may have been wrong about pea soup, hard to tell from first picture.

 

[Daniel L]

It looks like a diy filter. I am sure some of the more experienced members will have better guidance. Do you have access to the previous owner for a run down on operation? I did find the web site for the manufacture of the UV filter. Recommended to replace the bulbs every year and to clean the inside glass if possible. It will go a long way to getting rid of the pea soup, any plants will help a lot too. In a few short weeks your pond should be ready for fish!

Edit: I may have been wrong about pea soup, hard to tell from first picture.

Thank you, I will check on replacing the bulb and cleaning the UV filter. My pump and uv filter have been running for about a week now, there is a coating of green algae on the sides and bottom but the water is crystal clear!

 

[j.w]

Algae on the sides and bottom is a good thing.

 

[IPA]

Thank you, I will check on replacing the bulb and cleaning the UV filter. My pump and uv filter have been running for about a week now, there is a coating of green algae on the sides and bottom but the water is crystal clear!

I was thinking pea soup and bulb replacement would be priority for that condition. Put it on your list but it may not be a priority for the moment.