Koi Pond Filter Media – How to Pick the Right Kind
Just like filter systems themselves, there are many choices when it comes to the various types of filter media. The most common questions I hear asked are “what type of filter media is best” and “what is the best combination of media to use.”
First, all media perform either mechanical or biological filtration – or both. You need both kinds in your Koi pond so what are they. Mechanical filtration is trapping solid wastes and removing them from the water. Biological filtration supports the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down pollutants in the water.
For biological filtering Japanese matting is one of your best choices. It is made from thousands of tiny fiber strands formed into a sheet or mat. The only thing to remember is not to use for mechanical filtering. The large waste particles will clog it quickly. You end up cleaning it very often and it will finally fail.
Another good type of biological filter medium is bacballs. They are easy to work with and clean. Again, don’t use them in the early stages of the filter system as they too may become clogged and require cleaning often. Bioflow and flocor are plastic pieces that are light weight and easy to clean and good for biological filtering. Aquarock is another good media for biological filters.
I highly recommend a vortex chamber as the first stage of your filtration system to remove the large waste particles. If you don’t have one then you will want to use brushes in the first stage to trap the large particles. They are easy to work with and clean and they will need cleaning often depending on the size of the Koi pond and the number of fish
So what kind of setup is a good one? Well the answer might be different depending on who you ask but here are ways to start. If you have a pump-fed multi-chamber system without a vortex chamber you want to have brushes in the first stage. Follow this with flocor or bioflow in stage two. Have Japanese matting in stage three. And if you have more chambers add matting, foam or Aquarock.
Regardless of what your exact setup is, there are many options available. Do a little homework and see what is available. Alternatively the setup I have described will serve you well.
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