undergravel filter better?

[Little Lisa]

Building a waterfall that is 4'w X 12'L running into pond that is 8ft w X 16ft L. A little confused on the pumps. If we have a Biofalls Filter and a skimmer with a Quesurge 4000 pump, would it keep water clean or should we have an undergravel waterfilter? Was told if we had the undergravel water filter would need to change our whole system. What is the best system? Keeping the water clean and lower maintenance?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

You seem to be asking multiple questions here.Not sure what your question is on pumps, but undergravel filtration is not necessary with your present filtering system provided the biofalls unit is sized to the capacity of your pond or, better yet, your maximum expected fish load. If your pond is in close proximity to deciduous trees, I would shy away from undergravel filtration. In a pond with a medium to great load of organic debris (leaf drop), maintenance can be a nightmare with undergravel filtration. Not sure why you were told that your entire system would need changing with the addition of UGF. UGF can be added to your system with only minor changes in plumbing and flow rate.

 

[sissy]

Do you think you would need another pump if you did an undergravel filter ,That is all I can think you are saying .How clean is your pond now and how many fish and what size are they and what kind of fish and do you have plants or a u.v or aerator in your pond .Do you have one pump for each pond or is it one pump that pumps from the bottom pond up to the filter .Do you get proper water flow .Head height matters with any system .Meaning how far up and out the water has to flow .