Pond Filter or Pool Filter?

[Mule]

We've been running two spa filters run with a ReeFlo Hammerhead pump for extreme mechanical filtration on our 300 gallon tank. Our tank is bare bottom, so we have two 1" pvc pipe coming down to about 1/4" from the floor, besides a main uptake. Our "poop suckers" work amazingly well, and in the 3 1/2+ years the tank has been running, there has never been any debris to vacuum out. We absolutely love our system.

We are in the process of upgrading to a larger tank and plan on using four spa filters run with two Hammerheads. Instead of the traditional wet/dry filtration, we will be using Ultima filters which will purge directly into drains. One of the Ultimas will have a UV sterilizer connected to its return line. There'll be a lot of redundant filtration, but that's a good thing

Sounds like you have the low maintainence tanks I like! But I do like having some form of substrate though. You've given me even more to consider, thanks!

 

[spiff]

I'm running a couple Ultima 2 4000's. I believe the biggest difference between a sand pool filter and these pond filters is the media. I would be willing to wager that if you found a cheap pool filter and put this media into it, you would have the same thing.

Otherwise, I think a sand pool filter probably filters better but would need more frequent maintenance. I backwash mine once a month and it has a drain into a sink/drain.

 

[AKlass]

The heads inside the pool filter are different than pond filters because they need to build up pressure. So you have to replace the head of a pool filter if you have one lying around. I personally recommend xtreme biofilters, they sell the heads and complete pond filters.

 

[spiff]

The heads inside the pool filter are different than pond filters because they need to build up pressure. So you have to replace the head of a pool filter if you have one lying around. I personally recommend xtreme biofilters, they sell the heads and complete pond filters.

This is because of the sand. If you want to put pond media in a pool filter I don't think you need to do anything. But you can't put sand into a pond filter with out this modification or the sand just leaves the filter.

Its the extra filtering resistance of the sand that pressurizes the filter.

 

[AKlass]

Its funny because the guy i buy koi from named Hung Hoang invented the xtreme biofilters and said that you need to change the head. Maybe hes trying to make a profit? Or maybe hes telling the truth

 

[spiff]

There is no rocket science to these canister filters and every one I have seen works the same way. These companies make a slight change to anything on the system and they act like they made a revolutionary modification overall. And its all BS.

Most of these pond filters, they'll tout the advantages of the media itself as part of this.

As far as I know, a pool filter has a finer internal head mesh to keep the sand from leaving the filter as well as the pickups. So changes would have to be made to use sand in a pond filter, but not if you want to use pond media in a pool filter.

I would love to hear what this guy thinks he "invented" on that filter line up. Its the same as a million other similar brands.

 

[Mule]

So it sounds like pond filters can go longer without cleaning? That may be a deciding factor for me since I like to keep things as easy as possible.

 

[Aeroxide]

I don't have any experience with pond filters, but I don't think there would be a huge difference in the length of time between cleanings. My sand filter never clogs or becomes progressively more flow restrictive over time. It seems like the only need to backwash these types of filters comes from the need to remove trapped waste from the systems to lower the rate of nitrate accumulation. You said your main goal was to add additional mechanical filtration to the system, so in your shoes, I would pick whatever design uses the best media for that purpose. I can't tell you which media is the best because I only have experience with sand, but I can say that sand only lets microscopic particles back into the water. It traps absolutely every particle that is visible with the naked eye.

If you're mainly concerned with water polishing maybe it might be worth it to check out a diatomaceous earth filter and run it only when the water starts to cloud up. I belive a DE filter can remove particles as small as a couple of microns where sand filters particles as small as 20 microns. However, I think a DE filter needs more frequent maintenance than a sand filter because unlike sand, diatomaceous earth will clog.

 

[Cakes]

slightly off topic but have you considered an FX5? You can buy one on ebay fo 200 plus 20 for shipping and they are great for mechanical. Since replacing a filstar xp3 with an fx5 on my sumped 180 my maintenance has been cut way down.

I just might drop down on my knees tonight and make love to my new fx5.

 

[Mule]

I don't have any experience with pond filters, but I don't think there would be a huge difference in the length of time between cleanings. My sand filter never clogs or becomes progressively more flow restrictive over time. It seems like the only need to backwash these types of filters comes from the need to remove trapped waste from the systems to lower the rate of nitrate accumulation. You said your main goal was to add additional mechanical filtration to the system, so in your shoes, I would pick whatever design uses the best media for that purpose. I can't tell you which media is the best because I only have experience with sand, but I can say that sand only lets microscopic particles back into the water. It traps absolutely every particle that is visible with the naked eye.

If you're mainly concerned with water polishing maybe it might be worth it to check out a diatomaceous earth filter and run it only when the water starts to cloud up. I belive a DE filter can remove particles as small as a couple of microns where sand filters particles as small as 20 microns. However, I think a DE filter needs more frequent maintenance than a sand filter because unlike sand, diatomaceous earth will clog.

DE filters are a pain IMO. You always have to make sure the d. earth is on the bag and hasn't fallen off, plus it takes out everything...even the good bacteria, so you can't run it 24/7. My main concern is having all the poop and extra fish food sucked up. It seems that the sand filter may take care of that. My sump is the berlin type with socks, so that will take care of any of the smaller stuff the sand filter may not get.

2 more questions about both pool and pond filters: Do I have to run the pump in front of the filter to pressurize it, or can I run it behind it? And if I have in inlet near the surface of the water, will they still function properly if air gets in?