Question
Hi Robyn,

For the past three years I've used a submersible pondmaster pump and filter.  When I enlarged the pond, my five pond fish rewarded me with 30 babies.  The filter disintegrates when I clean it with the hose and it is necessary to do this almost daily.  My pond is about 3-4' long by about 2 1/2 feet wide with varying depths.  I need a better filtration system and would like to install a waterfall instead of a fountain.  When I enlarged the pond and put in the levels it's no longer compatible with my current set-up.  The filter floats, the fountain falls over etc., and it is green.  A better environment for the fish is what I'm looking for.  Could you suggest what type of pump & filter system to use?  External? UV or not?

Varying price ranges would help.

Thanks for your assistance.

sjv

Answer
The filter material falls apart?  It sounds like it needs some new material!  I use a Pondmaster 1000 system and 700 gph pump with my 153 gallon pond.  If your pond is an average of two feet deep, then it would be at most 150 gallons which is similar to the size of my pond.  What filter are you using?  If it's the one I'm using, it should certainly be good enough.  I squirt mine off weekly in the summer and change it out every three weeks with new filter material.  The filter shouldn't float.  It may be unstable if the bottom isn't flat.  The green water would be helped with a UV sterilizer but also more plants, better filter, etc.  My page on pond algae is at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/algae2.htm
What kind of pump do you have?  How many gph?  I suggest getting about a 700 gph pump.  Your current pump may be useable if it is close.  You can then run the pump outake into tubing and to the head of a waterfall if you build one.  If you need a better filter, there are a zillion for sale out there!  See http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/cat/info/23485/category.web for a list of some filters at the store I use most often.  They have 68 choices!  Other stores have even more!  This is the one that I have:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/206347/product.web
Is that the one that you have?
An external filter would allow you to have a bigger filter and more control over cleaning and placement.  My PondMaster system works fine for my 153 gallon.  It's not good enough for larger ponds though.  I hope you find something that you like!