Inexpensive pond filter with UV

Instead of going out and purchasing one of those $1000+ bead filters to supplement my bog, I opted for a TotalPond PF1200UV Pressurized Biological Filter with UV Clarifier which is little more than a foam pad filter with a UV light in a small 9″x16″ barrel. Home depot had it on sale in their garden department for $100. It is rated for ponds up to 1200 gallons, but since the bog is my primary filter I merely wanted something to help fight the algae and tea colored water. I don’t think I could build a DIY bucket filter with UV light for this price, so well worth the investment.

How it works
The water flows from the pump into the upper inlet which has an internal hose to the bottom of the UV chamber. Water upflows through the UV chamber to top of the filter where it downflows through a 4″ coarse pad then through a 3″ fine pad, then over the bioballs then out through the bottom outlet. Hose connectors accommodate 3/4” tubing or 1″ tubing if you cut the connectors.

Assembly is easy with all barb and threaded connections with gaskets, though taking it apart in the future for cleaning may present some challenges since the filters will not easily slip back over the hose connectors to the UV. Assuming you tighten everything properly it should not leak.

In place of the included bio-balls I used activated charcoal in a filter bag. This should help with discoloration from plant tannins and dyes from the surrounding mulch. The UV light is small but should be adequate. I am running the system on a 300 gallon per hour fountain pump so it may take a few days to see any difference.
The ratings on this filter were good except one poor fellow who evidently had problems with gaskets. I placed it in my bog just in case.

I recommend this filter for small water gardens, goldfish ponds, or secondary filtration. Total Pond also makes a Non-UV version as well as an in pond floating UV version. I am thinking I could add a non-UV version in series and double the filtering capability. Perhaps even put a barley bale (algae fighting), activated carbon (tannin reduction), Oyster shells (for ph balance), or more bio balls (nitrifying bacteria home) in the second one in place of the foam filters to offer different options as needed.

UPDATE 3 days after install:
WOW !!!!! Amazingly the water is very clear now. I can now see every wrinkle and pebble on the bottom. I can see all my fish!
I am not sure I can attribute it all to this filter but it definitely was a large part. I added some water to top up the pond, some microbe lift PL, and used the activated carbon in the filter to reduce tannins. My water quality is best it has ever been but still has a slight yellow tinge which I am hoping will continue to clear. Since the algae is now gone I will need to monitor Ammonia and Nitrites. Will update more in a couple of days.

UPDATE 7/15 – This filter is a bit difficult to clean. I cut a line through the pads to make removing them easier. Looking for a method to clean the uv glass sleeve. I still recommend this filter for a small pond for use as a mechanical prefilter before a biological filter/waterfall filter.

Update 8/15 – Once the water warmed up in the heat of a southern August the small uv could not fight the algae in my big ole pond. I replaced the bulb but it still could not clear the water. Not surprising, but will still be useful for the fall.

Buy this filter at Amazon: TotalPond PF1200UV Pressurized Biological Filter with UV Clarifier

Update 11/1 – Wanting more flow to my jets I have removed this filter. The inlet and outlet are too small for flow rate.