Good Bacteria in ponds

[Warborg]

Ok, I'm a little confused. Back in the 90's it was known that good bacteria was in the gravel and filters. From what I've seen on this forum, good bacteria only lives in the filter.

So if this is true, where is good bacteria in unfiltered ponds?

What's pushing this question is that I'm going to be away for just over 3 weeks in May. My fountain pump has a filter thats been going since October. Since I got my 2600 gallon pool pond going 3 weeks ago, it has already clogged once. I climbed in and lightly squeezed it clean(in a bucket of pond water).

My mother who will come over and 'babysit' my fish has refused to get in there incase something happens. I'm thinking of doing a 100% filter cleaning before I leave. I do have some gravel in the pond but it is very little compared to the size of the pond.

Should I really worry about this?

Stock is:

18 - 1 inch goldfish(ex-feeders)
8-9 - 2 inch goldfish
2 - (soon to be 5) 4 inch goldfish
5 - Rosey Reds
2 - 4 inch Koi
1 - soon to be 9 inch Koi

Side note: Wife won't let me spend any money on extra filters/pumps... so this is it for now.

 

[Conner]

Theoretically "good" bacteria will live on any surface in the water, including the liner, rocks, wood, gravel, planters, and possibly even plants.

The only thing you should really need to worry about is water movement. As long as there is sufficient water movement, the water will be bacterially (?) filtered.

As far as mechanical filtration goes, that's what you need the skimmer for. Skimmers are also good places to store special media to help colonize beneficial bacteria, and provide lots of water flow over that bacteria, but that shouldn't be necessary.

I'm sure Muske will chime in here any minute and tell you exactly what you need to know .

 

[Muske]

Good bacteria is on every surface in the pond. With the water volume you have and a realativly low stocking your pond should be fine on vacation. If you are having trouble with the filter getting clogged maybe do away with the media and use the filter more as a powerhead and for currulation. Tell the babysitter to feed everyother day, maybe only twice a week. That will keep the fish fed and waste low while your gone.