Pond water counter experience (or?)

[tugo]

Finally I had to start using my UV filter and circulate the water through the main filter also. Since 10 days, as the weather gets warm, the pond water got green and murky.

After this experince, I have got the conclusion that, in zone 9, 2400 gal of out door pond water can do well without any interruption, only with the help of the nature, for about 9 months. The fish are very healthy. Now the only thing changed is the water beeing green and not possible to see the bottom of the pond 85-90 cms deep. Otherwise I would like to continue without using the filters etc but now it is time to sit by the pond side and barbecue) After next august I will apply the same natural way.

 

[balrock043]

I STRONGLY suggest not turning off your filter at ALL during the year. Doing so will interrupt the biological filtration system, lowering the ability of the bacteria to convert ammonia and nitrites into less harmful forms. The bacteria are not located within the pondwater itself, but in the media in the filter. Over time the bacteria accumulate in the filter, and the filter only. Cutting off the filter causes ammonia levels to rise, and the constant rise and fall of ammonia levels will stress your fish. The only time it should be necessary to turn off your pump would be to clean it, or your bio-filter, which should only be cleaned ONCE a year. and when you do clean it, do NOT rinse the media, only flush the filter of freefloating sludge.