If you have a Koi pond in your garden or you would like to start one, or even create a stunning water feature like a fountain, a pond filter is a very necessary tool. A pond filter will make sure that the water inside the pond stays clean so that your fish and plants can thrive in a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
The 5 Best Pond Filters
- OASE BioSmart 5000 Pond Filter
- TetraPond Water Garden Pump
- POND BOSS Filter Kit with Pump (Our Top Pick)
- Waterscapes International BF1250 Pond Filter & Waterfall Spillway
- Goplus Pressure Bio Filter for Pond
Our Top Pick for the Best Pond Filter
Our top pick for the best pond filter is the POND BOSS Filter Kit with Pump.
If you want to start your own beautiful water feature, this all-in-one kit from POND BOSS is an excellent choice. It contains just about everything you need to start a fish or lily pond. Once you have purchased some tubing, set-up the filter and pump, and introduced your favorite fish or plants, you can sit back and enjoy your own aquatic paradise.
The POND BOSS pump and filter combo is made from high-quality components and will keep your pond super clean so that your fish and plants will continue to thrive, and as the kit comes at an affordable price, you will not be disappointed.
Check the price on AmazonFour Benefits of Using a Pond Filter
A high-quality pond filter takes all the hard work out of maintaining a pond or water feature. Whether it is a pond that features a range of plants or fish, or a fountain that is graced by elegant statues, keeping the water sparkling and fresh will make sure that your water garden can be enjoyed for years to come.
1. Create a Beautiful Aquatic Environment
A pond filter helps you to maintain a beautiful aquatic environment by drawing out the dirty water, filtering it back through specially designed foam material or bio-balls, and then feed the clean water back into the pond. The end result is that you have a vibrant pond and a thriving aquatic haven that will attract all types of wildlife.
2. Maintain A Proper Nutrient and Healthy Bacteria Balance
Pond filters do not just improve the water quality, they also improve the pond’s overall environment by maintaining the proper nutrient and bacteria balance in the water. Another thing that can increase the level of harmful bacteria is the addition of fish to the pond, so once again, a filter will maintain just the right level of nutrients and bacteria to keep both plants and fish healthy.
3. Crystal Clear Water that is Algae-free
The only part of your pond that should be green is the plants and the grass that surrounds it. A stunning outdoor water feature is your goal but unsightly green algae can move in, which can kill fish, and destroy the overall aesthetic appeal of the pond or fountain. A high-quality filtration system will remove algae from the surface of the water so that your pond or water feature will continue to have crystal clear water.
Crystal clear water equals happy fish and plants and an idyllic oasis.
4. Create a Stunning Water Feature
If you have ever visited a botanical garden in your capital city, the garden will feature a fountain or a pond that has a waterfall, these beautiful structures create a visual and aural feast for the senses. A stunning fountain or an elegant waterfall can increase the aesthetics of your water feature and also improve the aeration of the water in the pond.
Some manufacturers include a pump with their filter, which has a specially designed waterfall nozzle head that can create a variety of water displays and also gives you more control over the flow of the water. Other filters have an extra-long spillway that will create a more natural-looking waterfall.
How to Choose a Pond Filter
Filter Size and Water Volume
The type of filter you choose will depend on the size of your pond, whether it is small, medium, or large. The size of the pond or water feature is determined by the pond’s water gallon capacity or how much water the pump can move in an hour (GPH).
Small ponds may range from 500 to 1,000-gallon capacity, a medium-sized pond can average at around 5,000 gallons or have a 2,000–3,000 GPH, and a larger sized pond might have a 10,000-gallon capacity.
To get the best performance out of your filter, choose a filter that can handle the water gallon capacity of your pond and will match the pump’s GPH. Also, the filter size will depend on how much fish is in the pond, which will also increase the bacteria level and water flow.
Filtration Type
Pond filters may use one or a combination of filtration systems like mechanical, biological, and chemical. Although some ponds may require chemical filtration if they have been contaminated with extreme pollutants, the most common types of filtration systems are mechanical and biological.
– Mechanical Filtration
Mechanical filtration keeps the water clean by filtering small or large pieces of debris that are floating in the water. This debris or dirt might have got stuck in the pond from the plants or it may have come from outside the pond such as organic matter that has fallen from trees or blown in from a recent storm.
– Biological Filtration
As well as maintaining a healthy balance of micro-organisms in the water, a biological filter removes any bacteria that could be harmful to your plants or fish.
Some filters feature a dual mechanical and biological filtration system that works together to create a super-efficient modus operandi, which is especially useful if you have a medium or large-sized pond.
Submersible or External Pond Filters
As well as different methods of filtration, pond filters can be submersible or external. Some filters are designed to be submerged under the pond’s water surface, while others are external and can be placed anywhere around the pond’s exterior landscaping. Both of these designs have their pros and cons.
Submersible filters do their cleaning work out of sight at the bottom of the pond but they may need to be cleaned regularly, depending on how dirty your pond is and they may require more maintenance.
External filters can be placed amongst the pond’s landscape and they are easier to clean and maintain, but depending on how you want your pond to look, you may have to use rocks or vegetation to hide the filter from sight.
Filter Designs
While pond filters can come in all shapes and sizes, here are some of the most common filter designs.
– Canister Filters
Canister filters often have rings of foam media that are contained inside the canister, and they usually just provide biological filtration. These types of filters, like the Goplus filter, are to be placed above ground and are usually used with 1,200 GPH flow pumps. They are a great choice for small to medium-sized ponds that have a normal fish load up to 2500 GPH, and there are easy to clean and maintain.
– Pressurized Filters
Pressurized filters are quite often used in Koi ponds or heavily vegetated water gardens. They provide both mechanical and biological filtration and they can be placed at water level or under the water’s surface. The reason why they are pressurized is that the pump needs to draw on the higher pressure to wash out the filter media and to prevent clogging from large debris, and they will require access to an electrical outlet.
Pressurized filters are designed for ponds that have fish so it is a good idea to look for a model that has a UV sterilizer light that will help to break down any build-up of algae so that the water purity is maintained for the fish.
– Waterfall Filters
Waterfall filters have a dual purpose: as well as keeping the water clean they also create a beautiful waterfall display. They are usually placed above water level and the water enters the filter near the bottom and flows up through the filter media and flows out into a stunning waterfall display.
Waterfall filters use a range of filtering media like filter mats, bio-balls, and open-profile bio-activators that convert harmful pollutants into relatively harmless nitrates.
– Box Filters
Box filters work by allowing the water to flow through various stages of filter media, which allows them to effectively produce both mechanical and biological filtration. They are to be placed at the bottom of the pond to do their filtration work out of sight, but they require more frequent cleaning and maintenance, and you may have to use a few rocks to keep the filter submerged.
Best Pond Filter Reviews
1. OASE BioSmart 5000 Pond Filter
The OASE BioSmart 5000 Pond Filter works on a dual mechanical and biological filtration system to maintain clean water and break down any build-up of organic waste or harmful bacteria that could be harmful to your plants or fish.
There are separate sections inside the filter box where the water is channeled through a series of filter foams that promote the settlement of beneficial microorganisms that are necessary for a healthy, vibrant pond.
The compact yet powerful filter is designed for use in medium-sized 5,000-gallon ponds or for ponds that have a moderate biological load like a small amount of fish.
This all-in-one filter has a lot of user-friendly features like a built-in cleaning system so that do not have to manually unclog the foams, there is a temperature gauge to monitor the temperature of the water, a cleaning indicator, an easy to access sludge drain, easy handles to pull up and squeeze out the filter pads, and it is UV-filter ready.
The filter is also compatible with AquaMax eco-classic 1,900 or AquaMax eco-premium 2,000 pumps, but the outlet tubing is quite short so you may have to buy additional pipes, and the connectors need to be purchased separately, but they can be bought from most leading hardware stores. OASE also manufactures a filter system for a larger 10,000-gallon pond.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for medium-sized 5,000-gallon ponds
- Suitable for ponds with a small amount of fish
- Powerful filter
- Multi-stage mechanical and biological filtration system
- Built-in cleaning system and water temperature gauge
- Easy to access sludge drain
- Filter pads have handles for easy cleaning
Cons
- Not ideal for large pools
- Need to purchase connectors separately
- Outlet tubing is quite short
2. TetraPond Water Garden Pump
If you want to create a beautiful waterfall feature while also keeping your pond crystal clear and bursting with healthy aquatic life, the TetraPond Water Garden Pump is a great choice and it comes at a very affordable price.
The quiet filtering system has been designed for 500 to 1000-gallon ponds and is compatible with pumps that process 1000 GPH.
TetraPond offers you an efficient mechanical and biological filtration performance, which prevents pumps and fountain heads from clogging and allows the pond’s water to flow through lava rock or other bio-activators so that beneficial bacteria naturally converts harmful pollutants or bacteria into relatively harmless nitrates.
This easy-to-assemble filter also increases that much-need aeration for your pond so that the water stays crystal clear and your plants and fish will thrive in a healthy environment.
You do not have to worry about the filter detracting from the overall look of your pond’s landscape as its submersible design keeps the filter hidden underneath the water’s surface and all you will see is the elegant water spout that cascades over your pond.
The flat filter box comes with a filter-to-hose fitting, coarse and fine foam pads, 1-inch tubing, and three fittings for attaching the hose to various pump inlets.
You can also purchase additional filters like a skimmer filter or a UV Clarifier for a 4,400-gallon pond.
TetraPond offers a three-year limited warranty on the pond filter.
Pros
- Very affordable price
- Great filter for a small pond
- Superior mechanical and biological filtration performance
- Creates a natural-looking waterfall
- Easy-to-assemble
- Efficient design
Cons
- Not ideal for a medium or large pond
- Tubing is not overly durable
3. POND BOSS Filter Kit with Pump
An all-in-one filter kit, the POND BOSS Filter Kit with Pump is the perfect choice for small ponds that hold up to 500-gallons of water. POND BOSS has been making high-quality, innovative, and energy-efficient water gardening products for over 10 years, and their filter kit is very good value for money.
The kit includes everything that you need to start your own pond, so whether you want to design a lily pond, a fish pond, or you just want to upgrade your existing filter, the Pond Boss kit includes an ETL listed, energy-efficient 320 GPH low-water fountain pump that effectively circulates the water while also saving you money on your water bills.
The filter and the BioBalls work to effectively eliminate any harmful pollutants and promote the growth of good bacteria, which is necessary for a healthy pond environment.
The kit also includes all the nozzles, connectors, and tubing. The box filter has a patented sloped lid that prevents the accumulation of debris as well as two filter pads that work very well at collecting small and large amounts of debris, which helps to reduce maintenance and increases pump longevity.
You can create a variety of water displays with the diverter valve and the additional water spray nozzle head also provides excellent aeration. The filter is easy to install and runs on a single 16-ft. cord and the pump work quietly in the background, so you can just sit back and relax and enjoy your fish and the spectacular bubbling fountain or waterfall.
Pros
- All-in-one filter kit
- Ideal for a small pond
- Simple to install
- Pump provides good aeration and a nice fountain
- Cost-effective and energy-efficient pump
- Innovative design
- Filter keeps the water clean
Cons
- Not recommended for a large pond
- Need to weigh the filter down
4. Waterscapes International BF1250 Pond Filter & Waterfall Spillway
Waterscapes International Pond Filter has been creating high-quality water feature products since 1980 and their dedication to innovative pond filter systems helps you to create beautiful backyard water displays that will make your garden the envy of the neighborhood.
Whatever type of water feature you wish to create, either a stunning foundation or a Koi pond, the waterfall filter gives you superior biological filtration and it is the perfect choice for medium-sized ponds or water gardens with 2,000–3,000 GPH pump flow.
The filter has a 17-inch spillway that can create a beautiful waterfall and the unit also comes with a FIPT bulkhead fitting, a media bag, filter pad, a removable bottom grate, and a liner attachment flange, which will keep your pond or water feature clean and healthy. All you need to add is the tubing and the pump, and in no time at all, you will have a perfect oasis that you can share with family and friends.
Atlantic Water Gardens offer a very generous lifetime warranty on the filter.
Pros
- Ideal for a small pond or water feature
- High-quality filter
- Creates a beautiful waterfall
- Easy-to-assemble
- Filter keeps the water very clean
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Tubing has to be purchased separately
5. Goplus Pressure Bio Filter for Pond
If you are thinking of starting a new Koi pond or need to upgrade your old filtering system, then the Goplus Pressure Bio Filter for Pond is a great choice for ponds that have a 4,000-gallon capacity and a normal fish load.
The compact filter features high-quality pressure filters and a UVC ultraviolet purifier light that works effectively to keep your pond’s surface free from the build-up of unsightly green algae and will maintain the purity of the water by filtering harmful pollutants and bacteria that can kill your beautiful fish and plants.
Maintaining your little piece of aquatic paradise can be time-consuming, but the Goplus Bio-filter does all of the hard work for you, so you can just sit back and unwind while you watch your brightly colored fish swimming in a crystal clear pond.
The pressure filter comes with all the necessary fittings (except the tubing) and it is compatible with a 1,200 GPH pump.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Designed for small to medium-sized ponds
- Very effective at killing algae
- Filter is very easy to flush and clean
- Keeps the water crystal clear
- Creates a healthy environment for Koi fish
Cons
- Not ideal for a large-sized pond
- Filter can clog up easily
- Instructions are not very clear
- Connections are made from cheap plastic
Our Top Pick for the Best Pond Filter
Our top pick for the best pond filter is the POND BOSS Filter Kit with Pump.
If you want to start your own beautiful water feature, this all-in-one kit from POND BOSS is an excellent choice. It contains just about everything you need to start a fish or lily pond. Once you have purchased some tubing, set-up the filter and pump, and introduced your favorite fish or plants, you can sit back and enjoy your own aquatic paradise.
The POND BOSS pump and filter combo is made from high-quality components and will keep your pond super clean so that your fish and plants will continue to thrive, and as the kit comes at an affordable price, you will not be disappointed.
Check the price on Amazon
