Hi,
i have just cleaned out the pond in my new house (it was overgrown and gross, so we emptied and cleaned it) It is about 3x3ft, 1ft deep, then 2x2 foot, 1 1/2 ft deep. does that make sense?? like it has a kind of step going all the way around. i dont know how many gallons it is.

It only had a pump fountain in it before, and the landlord said that when he lived there he had lots of fish in there and it was fine. i put a big piece of filter sponge (with some of my mature filter media from an indoor tank) on the intake to see if it would work as a kind of makeshift filter. i then put one 3 inch common in the pond, which had been clear for about a week, and i have put a plant in. After a few days i had greenwater, which i have kept now, as i figure it's good for the fish and so cant hurt til i sort out what i'm going to do. there's now another 2 1/2 inch common in there too.

Anyway, the point is I am very confused as to whether or not i need a filter. I have been told by a gardener friend that all i need is some 'pond clear' to get rid of the algae and keep the pump on all the time and it should stay clear and be ok. and the landlord said he only used the pump.
but i'm confused, what happens to the waste??? surely i need some kind of filter?? or am i wrong? does the beneficial bacteria build up elsewhere (like on the pond lining?) and prevent the waste levels from getting toxic???
I just dont understand i'm afraid. if anyone could help me out i'd really apprieciate it. If i do need a filter i dont mind buying one so long as it doesnt cost too much. I have seen one for about £25 which strikes me as cheap as all the other ones were about 60, but they were very big and this one says its suitable for ponds the size of mine.

Please help!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks
xx

You will need some sort of filter. The gardeners are just looking at it from a gardener point of view and probably dont have a clue about fishcare.
The landlord probably got away with it because it was so established and overgrown.. the plants probably sucked up most of the ammonia.
But since you have cleaned it out, and I would anyway.. you should get a filter.. or see if your makeshift one works It should do!

You have approximately 135 gallons.

If one likes to breath in toxic air 24/7 then they should have no problem allowing their fish to live in a pond with no filter. Basically that is what it is. You need a filter.

Please take this advice and for the fish sake, always follow it.

NO Chemicals are to be put in a pond with live fish. If this 'clear pond' product is an Algicide you do not want to use it. If you get the right size filter/pump combo for your pond you'll not need anything like that. It'll get clear after it cycles. What is generally the best thing to do is get more filtration than you need then you know your safe.

Of course if your fish do get sick you'll have to use chemicals to help them get better, that is the only time you should use a chemical in the pond.

Good luck with your pond and PLEASE post some pictures we'd love to see it!

Scott

thanks for the replies. I will definately look into getting the filter i saw.

one more question. should i empty and refill the pond completely when i install the filter?? or should i just get it going with the green water? because i am under the impression that the algae will just take over the filter material and it wont cycle coz of the biological bacteria being taken over by the algae and unable to grow?

There is no need to clean out the pond again before you install any filter, Kat. The algae is free floating algae, not string algae of any kind. That kind really could clog up a filter, or the pump, but free floating algae doesn't.
I always see algae as a good thing - its a micro plant that absorbs ammonia and such, gives off oxygen during the day, and is natural food for the fish and other critters. Plus it enhances the fish's color and protects them from predators, since they hardly can be seen in green water.
When you get the filter, get a handful of the gunk that collects on the bottom of the pond, and put that into the filter. There are beneficial bacteria already in the gunk, and it speeds your cycling process up some.

thanks so much for the advice. i will get my boyfriend to check for the filter i saw in the shop where he works, i'm not sure if they still have it in stock but it might be in the sale now (fingers crossed).
thanks again