How Snails Can Help You To Keep Your Pond Clean

A clean pond cannot be determined solely by a physical inspection. A pond with nice looking clean water does not mean that the water is clean. There are many impurities and pollutants that do not show up visually – including ammonia, nitrates, bacteria, and so on. That’s why whatever filter solution you come up with needs to have a chemical component to complement the mechanical filtering piece. Ideally, the chemical component will break down the toxins in the water rendering them harmless.

Bio or biological filtration is one of the most important types of filtration. It works on a chemical basis by using biological bacteria to break down the ammonia waste excreted by fish in the pond. You can get bio filters in two types – permanent and disposable. If you have a choice, opt for the permanent one. The reason is that the bacteria that collects on the fish pond filter media is beneficial. If you use a disposable filter media, you are throwing away the good bacteria every time you throw out a filter. A better way is to use a permanent filter, rinse it, and replace it – keeping much of the good bacteria.

Today, many people are interested in “green” or organic methods of filtering. Such an organic filter will clarify the pond using a special type of filter that relies only on natural materials for it to work. A good example is a special combination of rocks, carbons, and silicates. As the water flows over this combination of materials, they absorb minerals from the water helping to make it clear and clean.

A perfect example of an organic filter solution is to populate your pond with snails. Snails function as part time garbage collectors. Snails love algae, and if you have a lot of algae growing in your pond. snails can help to control it naturally. Snails also eat excess and decaying fish food, lessening the pollution in the pond.

Another good choice for people seeking a more organic type filtering system is the simple rock. Rocks are an excellent media. A live and active pond needs lots of good bacteria in order to thrive. These “good” bacteria assist in the process of converting nitrogen by-products to less harmful substances. Rocks in your pond provides plenty of large surface areas where bacteria can colonize.

Many homeowners, upon putting a pond in their yard, don’t really have a clue as to how to best care for it. A good place to start, however, is to visit their local pet store or garden center and talk to some of the experts there. They should be able to suggest the appropriate filters for you. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, local is usually best, even if you have to pay more for it. If you buy local and have problems, you can usually either return it without hassle or have them recommend someone who can determine the problem and install it for you correctly.

Homeowners usually love the submersible filters because they remain out of sight. Huge ponds, however, need a pump with more power than than supplied by a submersible pump – they need an external pump.

Many people, unfortunately, fail to install filters thinking it’s not important. As a result, their pond’s ecosystem becomes a very uninviting place for the fish, snails, and other creatures that have to live in it.