Filter Selection
To choose the ideal filter for any pond you must first know the correct environmental flow to maintain ideal water quality for your pond. (Please remember that the pond size alone does not determine the filter or pump size without first taking into account the many environmental and physical factors)
3 ways to get help to establish flow:
1. Fill in one of our e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you
2. Give us a call 1800 607 388 for expert advice
3. Do it yourself and use our quick reference flow calculator for rough estimate
Step One: Establish the required flow through the filter keeping in mind waterfall** height if any, or long hose**
Step Two: Choose a filter from the chart below (Example if your pond requires a flow through the filter of 4,500 litres per hour, the FishMate 15000 would give the best result)
Step Three: Choose a pump, they are listed below in order of quality and suitability
Recommended flow through the filter
|
Fishmate size
|
5000
|
10000 |
15000 |
30000 |
| Minimum flow |
1,200 |
2,500 |
3,000 |
6,000 |
|
Ideal flow - See hint 4 (in Aussies additional thoughts)
|
1,700 |
3,500 |
4,500 |
9,000 |
Maximum flow - See hint 4 (in Aussies additional thoughts)
|
2,500 |
5,000 |
6,000 |
12,000 |
Recommended Pumps
**Special note, if using a waterfall or a long hose between pump and filter the pump will need to be larger to allow for the reduced flow caused by the head (pumping height, and/or hose length) If in doubt Fill in one of our e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you.
# A little under size for some pond sizes, but would work if the pond were smaller than the filters maximum volume rating.
## This pump is a little too strong, unless a waterfall over 1m is in place. However, you can never have too much pond flow, so, by releasing water back into the pond through a "Tee" and flow valve added circulation is provided for the pond. ***** Head over 5m will damage the filter and could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate head may not provide enough flow through the filter.
In a nut shell ....The height difference between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5 metres (0.5 bar).
So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pressure free outlet must not exceed 6m
There is however another factor in head calculations if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under How to calculate your friction loss if your hose will be more than 3m.
Clearwater guarantee - or your money back
Provided Fish Mate filters with UVC are operated in accordance with the recommendations in the instructions supplied with the product, Pet Mate Ltd. guarantee clear water visibly free from suspended algae.
High capacity filter canisters together with the unique multi-foam layout reduces cleaning by up to 3 times compared to conventional filters.
Aussies additional tips
Tip 1: When calculating flow, always allow about a 15% flow loss when a pressure filter is used.
Tip 2: Place the pump at the opposite end of the pond to the water return, and in the deepest part of the pond.
Tip 3: Use a powder to prime filter systems, a great way to hasten biological activity.
Tip 4: Within reason the slower the water passes over the UV lamp and through the filter the better the result. However, you can never have too much pond flow, so, by having a slightly oversize pump and releasing water directly back into the pond or on to a feature or waterfall through a "Tee" with a valve (tap), added circulation is provided for the pond.
Tip 5: Pump - maximum pumping head. The pump supplying the filter must not have a pumping head exceeding 5m (0.5 bar) for the 5000 model. Head over 5m could damage the filter and could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate head may not provide enough flow through the filter
In a nut shell ....The height difference between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5metres (0.5 bar). So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pump must not have a maximum pumping height in excess of 6m. Or if mounted 2m above the surface of the pond, the pump must not have a maximum pumping height in excess of 7m.
There is however another factor in head calculations if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under How to choose your pump / filter if your hose will be more than 3m.
Pond Size Chart
|
Pond size selection
|
5000 |
10000 |
15000 |
30000 |
|
No fish* Pond size - litres
|
5,000 |
10,000 |
15,000 |
30,000 |
|
Some fish** Pond size - litres
|
3,000 |
6,000 |
9,500
|
20,000 |
| Medium fish*** Pond size - litres |
2,000 |
4,000 |
6,000 |
12,000 |
|
Lots fish**** Pond size - litres
|
1,250 |
2,500 |
5,000 |
10,000 |
|
Koi/Turtles***** Pond size - litres
|
1,000 |
2,000 |
3,000 |
6,000 |
*No fish - Near natural garden ponds in shade, at least 70cm deep with plant zones, without fish.
**Some fish - Near natural garden pond with plants and fish stock of 40cm per 1,000 litres
***Medium fish - Near natural garden pond with plants and fish stock of up to 60cm per 1,000 litres
****Lots fish - Near natural garden pond with plants and fish stock of up to 80cm per 1,000 litres
***** Koi and Turtles - Pressure filters are not ideal for Koi or turtles due to the extreme amount of waste they create and have trouble processing the waste due to their design , therefore, gravity filters are better suited.
However, due to their size and fact that gravity filters must be mounted at the top of a waterfall or above pond level, there may be no other choice. In this case use a pressure filter but we suggest that the pump and filter be a little oversize maintain water quality.
For Australian conditions... The above figures have been adjusted by us for Australian conditions, please do not be confused by anyone else's calculations that may be for the European market as they are different because of our climate
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The pump sitting in the pond pushing water through the external filter* either up to a waterfall or directly back into the pond. Drawing also shows the backwash hose onto the garden *the filter can either be buried up to the lid or simply sit on the ground.
