How long should you let it run?

How a pond filter works

In order to find a conclusive answer to the question, one must first look at how a pond filter (UVC technology) works.

The clarification of the water is done here in two parts:

• on the one hand through a coarse filter / pre-separator
• on the other hand by bacteria that break down substances and convert nitrite into nitrate

If you switch the filter off for a certain period of time, the bacteria that clean it do not receive any More oxygen (which gets to the bacteria through the flushed water in the filter) and the bacteria die away.

The result is that when the filter is switched on again, the bacterial culture must first regenerate and recover. This takes a certain amount of time - and until then the cleaning result is significantly worse.

In addition, new, anaerobic bacteria (which do not require oxygen) settle in as a replacement, and unpleasant fermentation gases can arise.

It is generally assumed that existing bacteria die after around 2 hours without oxygen supply. For this reason, filters should run through permanently.

Question of cost

Of course, the electricity costs also have a corresponding impact when going through the filter. That should not be underestimated. If you have concerns here, you should above all think about natural alternatives.

Ponds without fish generally do not need any filtering, since microorganisms, microorganisms and plankton in the water ensure that the pond is cleaned “naturally”. Will the The pond is then cleaned twice a year (in autumn and in spring before the start of the pond season) that should be enough. If the filter is removed, however, it can take some time before a natural equilibrium is restored.