What is ecosystem filtration?
Above is a pond we built in 2019, the water remains gin clear with just a once annual clean required. This is remarkably low maintenance. Ecosystem creation can apply to fish and/or wildlife ponds.
Above is an under water photo taken in 2024 of one of our oldest ponds, it has not had an annual clean, but notice how clear the water is and virtually no build-up of sediment and sludge. You can see tadpoles grazing on the rocks.
All of our installations are based around ecosystem filtration. In simple terms this means self-cleaning, very low maintenance ponds and water features with no unsightly plastic filters sitting nearby.
Our pumps are inside stay clean vaults which are much more difficult for wildlife to access. In standard ponds you find the pumps kill a lot of wildlife because they sit in open water, which also means they quickly block with detritus unlike our pumps which stay clean within the vault.
Below is an under-water photo taken in a pond we built some years ago, and despite not being cleaned in 18 months, the water is gin clear. This particular pond included BOTTOM JETS for an extra high quality environment. Note the caves in background, these help to protect from heron.
Below is a large and fairly deep pond using premium rocks. A pond like this has the ultimate circulation and natural filtration options, the rocks alone on this one cost over £11000. You would pay from £33000 for ponds of this sort of size and quality. There's much more to it than a hole and some rocks!
Rocks stabilise both the structure, hold back the surrounding soil and promote healthier water. Bare liner options are available but beneficial microbes that clean the water do not thrive on bare rubber.
Our ecosystem ponds mimic mother nature, ensuring superb water quality. They can be designed for fish and / or wildlife. You don't need to have rocks, some clients do not like them, but the benefits include stability & the perfect conditions for natural filtration.
At one end of an ecosystem pond we create an intake bay, a natural skimming area into which solid matter like leaves collect instead of sinking to the bottom of the pond, resulting in far less sludge build-up
At the elevated end, we have our filter and "spillway". This can take the form of a waterfall, a small cave or it can be integrated into the main body of water, if you don't like the idea of a waterfall. The water is pushed from here towards the intake bay. Within this area we construct a filter which carries out biological and mechanical filtration.
Additional options include under water jets for an extra clean environment, as well as lighting to bring your feature to life in the evening.
Our features come with a range of unique benefits
- We use natural filtration systems, our features do not require chemicals or extensive maintenance to remain clear.
- We utilize intake bays into which leaves and other debris is gathered for simply netting-out now and then.
- The pumps are isolated in a vault within the feature, which is covered by gravel and rocks to keep the natural look. This prevents leaves and other matter from entering the pump and jamming it, and also minimizes the chance of the pump harming wildlife.
- We can also use aeration systems and underwater jets to further help flow and filtration.
If you'd like to get some rough ideas of cost, check out our pricing page. Or if you're interested in booking a quote, Contact us.
