Pond Pump | Do you even need one and how to create a clear pond without a pump or filter?

Many people are under the impression that a pond always needs a pond pump or filter to function properly. This is a misconception because a pond without a pump or filter looks beautiful and keeps itself in biological balance. The water in the pond keeps itself clear and healthy if the pond is set up correctly, then it is even possible to place pond fish in the pond without any problems.

All about a pond without a pump

• Is a pond pump necessary?
• Can a pond do without a filter?
• Pond substrate in a pond without a pump
• Benefits of a pond without a pump and filter
• Disadvantages of a pond pump and uv filter
• Marsh plants as water purifiers
• The importance of oxygen plants
• What fish in a pond without a pump?
• Algae in the pond after all
• Without a pump in winter

Is a pond pump necessary?

No, it is unnecessary to put a pump or filter in a natural, small or other type of pond. As long as you place enough oxygen plants, have a bottom full of pond substrate and add pond bacteria in the spring and fall, your pond will save itself very well. Even in a swimming pond you can do without, provided you build a generous plant filter in it. All the plants and organisms in the pond work together, so it manages to find a biological balance and keeps the water nice and clean. Moreover, you would have to replace a pond pump after about five years, an expensive joke that you can therefore easily save yourself.

Can a pond do without a filter?

Yes, a pond can stay healthy and balanced without using a UV filter or pump. In fact, aquatic plants are the natural filter to keep the water clean and free of algae such as filamentous and floating algae. With the right composition, even wastewater can be purified to be harmless to the environment. In a small or large pond, a plant filter or swamp filter works with good bacteria, which, among other things, settle on the pond substrate lying on the bottom. They help filter the pond water so you can enjoy a clear pond.

Pond substrate in a pond without a pump

A layer of pond substrate at the bottom of the pond provides a good base for bacteria. As soon as you build the pond, add these bacteria for a good start. After that, add a dose every spring and fall. They will adhere to the porous grains of the lava rock and help purify the water. Pond substrate is also useful for pond plants because they can take root stably without rotting.

Marsh plants as water purifiers

Marsh plants are known to be good water purifiers. Therefore, they should not be missing in a pond without a pump and - thanks to their purifying effect - are the reason that a pump or UV filter is unnecessary. The plant group has a very good root system which makes it grow quickly and fits excellently into a natural plant filter. Marsh plants absorb waste products from the water, reducing nitrate and nitrite concentrations. Large and small bulrush, yellow iris and pikeweed are some suitable species of aquatic plants that have a strong purifying effect.

The importance of oxygen plants

Another important plant group are oxygen plants. In a pond without a pump you cannot do without these aquatic plants that also have a purifying function. In addition, they block sunlight and thus warming of the water, so that algae have less chance to grow. Recommended oxygen plants include hornwort, moss balls and waterweed. Vary in species and place too many rather than too few. If one does not want to grow well, you will have plenty of other oxygen plants to filter the water.

What fish in a pond without a pump?

It is possible to keep fish in a pond without a UV filter or pond pump. Pond fish are animals that eat fish food and thus produce feces. Therefore, it is especially important not to put too many fish in your pond. If you do not have a pump or filter, we recommend 20 cm of fish per 1000 liters (1 m3) of water. Therefore, do not choose fish that are too large, such as shubunkin (10-20 cm), golden zipper (2-8 cm) or, the now banned fish, the sunfish (15 cm). Tip: If you keep the number of fish within limits, you won't need to supplement feeding. The animals will then find enough food in the healthy aquatic life in your pond.

Algae in the pond after all

Are you convinced about a pond without a pump? Nice! Good to know is that when spring arrives, the pond can be a bit murky. Since it functions naturally, you have to wait for the purifying plants to spring into action after winter. Once they do, later in the spring, the water will quickly become clear again. Of course, there may be times when you do have green water and algae has taken over. Annoying, but there is something you can do about it. Read what you can do about thread algae and floating algae.

Without a pump in winter

In winter, the pond is dormant; aquatic plants do not grow and pond animals are often hibernating at the bottom. During that period (December through February) you should turn off any pond pump or filter anyway so as not to disturb the peace. In doing so, both can freeze and therefore break down. As far as we are concerned, only more reasons not to place this unnecessary equipment in the pond at all.