Small Pond, First Pond - Filtration Advice

[Jason_cymru]

I’ve recently finished my small pond / water feature. I can’t believe that this rockery appeared out of nowhere as I began renovating my new built house’s worse for wear garden.

Not quite finished yet but I’m very happy with the result. I bought a Swell 4500 Filter Pump and the water flow is spot on for what I need.

I’m having trouble keeping the water clear - which is more important now as I’ve inherited my late grandfather’s 4 goldfish. The water in the photos has been recently changed but will soon turn a murky yellow/brown. Do I need to place

something inside the filter pump casing to stop this from happening?

Because it’s a small pond, it’s very noticable when it get’s dirty.

Thank you.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our group of pond lovers.

What a neat build!

Some plants would help. They help use up the nutrients in water.

 

[j.w]

@Jason_cymru

Very cool and love that mountain looking rock formation that appeared for you! So you just have a pump running water and then out a hose? You don't really have a filter there just circulation of water. You could run the hose through to a filter box of some sort. I don't have one, just a pre-filter on mine that hooks to to the pump. I had to take the protective cover off my pump tho to attach to the pre-filter. They make a smaller one also called EZ bio-11. Or you could add the plants and see if that sucks up lots of extra nutrients in the water that causes the algae to form.

Mine is something like this only I don't have that box. Mine just runs over my falls.

 

[Jason_cymru]

Thank you for your advice. I will try the plants route to start off with. If that doesn’t work - I’ll buy either a filter box or prefilter like you suggested @j.w

 

[Lisak1]

Also remember that while YOU appreciate the clear water, your fish really don't care. They need HEALTHY water and sometimes the green is keeping is healthy for them until you figure it out!

Welcome to the GPF!

 

[mgmine]

Did you scrub the rocks before you put them in? If not it could be something as simple as dirt being cleaned off in the water.

 

[qclabrat]

welcome Jason
have you been testing the water? minimally for pH and ammonia
GF are dirty little buggers and you'll need a way to remove the waste. This can either be done mechanically with filters and charcoal like an indoor tank. But outside it's best if you can have mother nature help out with good bacteria to consume the ammonia and plants to take in the by product of the bacteria. It takes time for this to work correctly and might be over a year to get it right. But make sure you are testing your water, your grandpa's fish can't tell you they don't feel well from the ammonia poisoning.

After you test your water, let us know what your numbers are.

btw: beautiful stonework and wonderful use of the natural outcropping.