Is a filter a must in a small pond with fish?

Question

Or will a pump be enough with a waterfall to create the climate suited for fish to survive in?

My pond is around 200 gallons and I would say about 1/5 of it is shaded and it has a deep end as well as shallow. I have placed some AMMO LOCK in the water as well to fight chlorine from the hose water. Filter still needed?

Answer 1

It's not strictly a must, but it will really make maintenance much simpler and provide a healthier environment for your fish. I have a pond of about 550 gallons, with about 15 goldfish (from 2 to 7 inches long) and numerous plants including water lilies and hyacinths. Have you already bought the pump? If not, consider buying one that runs the water through a filter. I have 2 pumps, one of which powers a waterfall, and both have filters integrated into the pumps. During the summer, I clean the pump filters - which are a rough textured mat kind of like giant pot scrubbing sponges -every other week, by rinsing them off with a garden hose. Every time I rinse the filters, I add BioBoost, which adds beneficial bacteria to the water. I also add barley straw pads or pellets to prevent algae growth. And that's it! I never have to drain the pond, and it stays clear, with healthy fish and plants. If you don't have any filtering, it will be much harder to keep the water clear. It is possible to correctly achieve the delicate symbiotic balance between plant coverage and fish without a filter, but it's not easy. I'd really urge you to get a pump with a filter.

Answer 2

I have a 50 gallon pond with 7 happy fish that are growing big and fat without a filter. I don't put a lot of fish food in the pond because I want them to eat the algea on the sides, keeping it cleaner. I drain the pond once a month and add Aqua Safe as a water treatment. I cover the pond at night, making sure no animals can have access to the fish. Make sure there is some shading for the water, the sun beating down on a shallow pond will cook those fish. I have a deep end to my pond and they can go to the bottom if they want cooler water, but I also keep 1/3 of it shaded with a covering.

Answer 3

The waterfall will circulate the water and provide the air the fish need to breathe, but you'll need a proper filter system or else you will have problems with ammonia buildup and PH fluxes. Basically, the water needs to be cleaned and circulated and the waterfall only covers circulation. With a filter, you won't have to make water changes every week.

Answer 4

no, a filter is not needed, the waterfall will supply oxygen
be sure to keep leaves and debris cleaned up, especially
in the fall
DO NOT pay any attention to these people who try to scare you about ammonia levels and PH, you do not have to monitor the pond, fresh air, sunshine and real plants are taking care of your pond
change some water occasionally (especially spring and fall)
and try to siphon off the bottom where the sludge builds up
keeping a pond is really easy, get a good book

Answer 5

It is not absaloutley neccescary,but it would help it. You can buy a relatively inexpencive one at Lowes or Wal-Mart.