Question 1

Never had a fish pond before and am wondering how this works...exactly. Can someone explain how it works to a beginner?

Accepted Answer

There are several things that a pond requires. A pond with fish will require biological filtration. Basically all this means is it needs a place for bacteria to grow in large numbers to process the fish waste into less toxic components. The long story short is that bacteria process ammonia waste into nitrates which will feed pond plants. The plastic mat that goes in this filter has a large surface area and will support a huge bacteria population. This filter will also provide mechanical filtration. As the pump sucks water through the filter mat the debri that settles at the bottom of a pond sticks to the top of the square box which holds the filter material. Every once in a while one pulls up the whole contraption by the handle and rinses out all of the debri. Don't clean the filter material itself terribly well as you want to keep all that bacteria alive. This particular filter has a small bell shaped fountain of water as the return or outgoing end of the pump. This is desirable as it aggitates the surface of the water which helps to keep disloved oxygen levels high for the fish. The Pondmaster 2002 is a similar model with a skimmer. A skimmer is an intake for the filter at the top of the water. So this model pulls water into the pump through the bottom filter and from the surface. This is important as some debri floats and other sinks. Also, over time a pond can develop an oily sheen at the surface. This won't happen with a skimmer and is almost impossible to irradiate without one. The 2002 is much larger and doesn't come with a pump so it is more expensive. The size of filter you choose is very important.  A pump and filter that are too large for the fish load will cost a bit more and perhaps waste a bit of electricity. A pump and filter that is not large enough will create all sorts of problems and eventually lead to sick and/or dead fish. Always go a size or two larger than you think you need.

Question 2

What size is tubing? from filter to pump.

Accepted Answer

3/4 inches inside measurements, we had to replace this part as the original cracked.

Question 3

Will koi fry get sucked into this filter?

Accepted Answer

Some may I would find a tadpole or two stuck but they can’t get past the filter pad.

Question 4

Now I have another question....is this too much power for my 275 gal stock tank?  I'm only going to use the filter since I have another fountain.

Accepted Answer

I think you can buy just the filter box as a profiler separately under pond master a (danner?). They appear to be the same, also the filer media is quite common in 12/12

DannerPondmaster DNR02217 02217 700 GPH Pond Pump with Filter and Fountain Set, Black

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