Filter Media Buying Guide

KEEPING YOUR POND CLEAN WITH FILTER MEDIA

Keeping the nitrogen cycle going is essential for the health of your pond. Filter media consists of a porous substrate that in part can alter the chemistry of the water that flows through it.

With such variety in filter media, there are many options to choose to suit which species is living in your pond and how you want to manage your pond. The two most important types of media that filtration can be achieved with are: Mechanical & Biological.

Mechanical Filtration

Mechanical filtration will not interfere with the chemistry of the water. It will clean the solids from the water as it passes through, which is very important. The effectiveness of mechanical filtration will be reliant on the different pore sizes. Coarse filter media will catch larger debris, which is beneficial as it means the finer filter media do not become full with fine particulates too fast. The pond water can flow more effectively through each filter and not bypass it.

Mechanical filtration gets rid of the undesirable particles that can harm the fish and pond environment. Common examples of mechanical filter media include filter foams, filter brushes, filter mats, filter floss, sponges, filter pads, stage grass clippings, leaves, and dust.

Biological Filtration

Biological Media houses beneficial bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrites in the water to less toxic nitrate. Pond beneficial bacteria survives in 50 Degrees Fahrenheit and above. There are many benefits to having adequate surface area for the beneficial bacteria to colonize.

Filter media has a wide range of bacteria hosting options. Smaller media, like Bio-Balls, have an extremely high surface area for pond bacteria to colonize. Matala Hot rods complement other biological filter media by adding extra filtration in tight, hard-to-reach places.

Media Chart

Name	Grade / Density	Usage
Fluval prefilter media	Very coarse	Catches large debris though this small media doesn't need to be cleaned as often
Blue bonded filter pads/roll	Coarse	Removes suspended debris and protects finer filter media
Micron filter pads	Extra Fine	Removes extra small particulate, even parasites and bacteria