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Why do people put up backyard ponds and waterfalls? Some people would find this just a bit too wasteful of resources. Some would think that putting up a backyard pond and waterfall would be equal to showing off. However, you need to know that people who put up backyard ponds and waterfalls do so for very good reasons.
1) Relaxation – there's something about watching the crystalline water flow from a waterfall that just outs a person's mind at ease. People can spend hours staring at the flowing water and not even feel the time go by.
The sight of a backyard pond and waterfall would have been enough to relax any person, but the sound is just unbelievable. Although large waterfalls emit a roar of sound, backyard ponds and waterfalls actually sing. This fluid lullaby achieves the effect of coaxing the tired spirit to rest. Relaxation is a luxury oft ignored by man in his quest to succeed in life. However, you should know that the man who oft relaxes can work harder than he who does not rest at all.
2) Recreation – some people may consider relaxation as being similar to recreation. However, you should know that there is a world of difference between them.
When people get a backyard pond and waterfall for recreation, it means that people have them for fun. Fun, in this case, may not necessarily involve a physical action. In fact, a person can have fun just watching the ripples caused by the backyard waterfall on the pond. Some people know that you can have lots of fun with a backyard pond and waterfall.
This is especially true if there are children in your family. The untainted imagination of children just makes it possible for them to see the fun side of everything. They would take one look at a backyard pond and waterfall and they would be filled with glee.
3) Horticulture – some people build backyard ponds and waterfalls in order to make the task of watering plants easier. This is often done by people who own a lot of plants or a big garden. Although modern devices and methods are available to provide moisture to these plants, some people think that such technology would ruin the natural look of a garden.
As such, people often try to blend form with function and make their watering systems look like a backyard pond and waterfall. This system, however, needs to both look good and work good in order to be good. Not many people can pull it off. Because of this, you might want to ask for help from experts in building this backyard pond and waterfall.
4) Animals- some people build backyard ponds and waterfalls in order to keep animals in. A backyard waterfall is a great replacement to an air pump if you intend to keep fish in a pond. This is because the motion caused by a backyard waterfall introduces oxygen into the water. It is also a great way to filter water so you don't have to change it often. People put ornamental fish like Japanese Koi or even amphibians to live in the backyard pond and waterfall setting. This way, the backyard pond and waterfall is brought to life. This type of backyard ponds and waterfalls, however, do need to be built carefully in order to support an ecosystem.
Pond pre-filters are usually encapsulated in a plastic case with some sort of foam rubber / filtration material surrounding it that filters out any debris before it enters your impeller and clogs up your pump. Pumps typically come equipped with a pre-filter when you purchase. Some pumps do require you buy it and install it separately. It is important for you to be cognizant of whether the pump comes with a pre-filter included prior to purchasing. Another variant to the pre-filter is called a pump sock. It's typically netting, usually lined with a foam material that slips over your pump. Pump socks are not ideal because the pump can suck the bottom of the sock into the impeller which causes havoc and more work than if you had no pre-filter period.
Pond filtration bio-filters are installed outside the pond with a UV light attached seems to offer the best of all worlds. This filters can be used for either commercial or personal use such as a hobby (Koi Pond applications). The neat things about bio-filters are that they keep blanket weed and / or string algae and most other common algae out of the pond. There are several brand offerings all of which provide for good operation. Bead type filters come in a canister full of beads that resemble a packed full jar of milk duds. The small “beads” function as surface growth sites for bacteria and to help keep your pond clear. UV lighting destroys bad bacteria and suspended algae. Cleaning is simple thru a back-wash effort via a turn of the handle with very little water loss in the process. One potential downside to a system like this is cost. In some large pond applications the system can easily exceed $5,000 USD.
Pond filtration biofilters are truly versatile whereby they can be installed in or out of the pond. There is also the option of having UV combined with the operation which only enhances it overall functioning. Bio-filters build up a colony of good bacteria that eat algae and develop your pond into a balanced ecosystem.Mechanical filters simply filter out suspended particulate matter from your pond. The mechanical filter requires monthly cleaning to wash out the debris it has removed. Mechanical filters are typically less expensive than bio-filters.For larger ponds we recommend a bio-filter housed outside the pond. Gravity feed provides for the water to be pumped into the filter which then drains out into your pond. Typically you will want to cover your system in some fashion (fake rock). By adding a dedicated pump for this filter you then have the option of creating a splendid waterfall for your pond which will generate some nice natural noise. Bio filters can be left alone and cleaned yearly unless you feed your fish or have Koi. It is always a good idea to introduce aeration and create movement for ponds and waterfalls.
It is possible to create your own pond filtration apparatus. You should use at least a 5 gallon nursery pot which can typically be bought at your local Lowes or Home Depot store. The filter you build will be a container of lava rocks or bio balls which will act as the filtration medium. It is important to know that the water must cover the filter while the pond pump will be kept at ground level. You must get the water into the top of the filter and pull it out of the bottom with a small pond pump. This can be accomplished with a simple tap that attaches to the intake of the pump. An alternative method is to put the lava rock (or bio balls) into a mesh sack; then put the pump at the bottom of your filter apparatus with the bag on top. It is important to make sure the entire system is full of water so the pump is primed and ready so when it is plugged in the system is fully functional.
If you have no live fish, plants or debris which can get caught in the pump then it is possible to have no pond filtration. Without a filter we do recommend aeration and movement for all ponds and waterfalls to keep the water vibrant.