Best Pond Filter Box | Everything You Need To Keep Your Water Clean

Your pond’s filtration system is one of the most critical aspects of keeping your pond crystal clear and your fish thriving. However, it’s also one of the areas where pond keepers try to scrimp and save on their budget.

Instead of cutting your budget when your pond’s filtration is at stake, we have put together a guide to help you understand what your filtration system should and shouldn’t be.

We’ve also collected a list of the highest-quality best pond filter box options you have at your disposal. The goal is to help you get the most for your money while also ensuring that your pond is going to be appropriately maintained.

Best Pond Filter Box Reviews

Below is a list of 10 of the best pond filter boxes, UV clarifiers, and pressure systems you can use in your pond. We’ve done the hard work of researching each of the different filters currently available and compared them using an in-depth list of factors that affect your filtration.

Each of the systems below was hand-selected based on our own experience, reviews from other customers, and various types, sizes, and styles of ponds to build a well-rounded list.

Pond Filter Box Buyer’s Guide

Before you spend any of your hard-earned money on a new pond filter box or pond filtration system, you’re going to want to consider a handful of factors.

Each of the factors below was considered while we were researching to put together our list of the best pond filter boxes available. When you’re thinking about buying, consider each of them and your unique situation to determine which setup is going to work best for you.

1. Pumps

   The most critical part of your filtration system is going to be the pump that you use to move water through the filter box. The pump that you choose should be based on the size of your pond and how much filtration your pond requires.
   
   The water pump is required to move water through the system, so you will need to think about how much pressure and volume are required. The pressure and amount of water (volume) being moved will determine how well your filtration system works.
   
   When you are considering which pump to buy, we recommend that you should always invest in the best pump you can afford with your budget. While the pump may cost more upfront, a cheaper pump will wear out quicker, which will cause you to spend the same money twice.
   
   High-quality pumps, while costing more upfront, also provide a more maintenance-free filtration system, so the added expense greatly pays for itself as time goes on. Higher quality pumps also tend to use less electricity and break less often, which means you save even more money.
   
   

2. Energy

Keeping your pond in tip-top shape is no easy feat. It’s not a cheap one, either. When you are thinking about your filtration system, especially your pump, you’re going to want to determine how much electricity will be required every month.

The voltage your pump requires will determine how much your electric bill is going to grow. If you have it in your budget, you can eliminate electricity costs by installing solar panels and a battery bank to supply power to the pump.

3. Size

   The size of your pond plays a significant role in the size of your filtration system, and the volume of water your pump will be required to move.
   
   While most pond filtration systems can be used in both large and small ponds, based on the size of your pump, some will only work with a specific size.
   
   As a general rule of thumb, you want a pump that will move at least the same amount of water in your pond every hour. For instance, if you have a 5,500-gallon pond, your pump should be able to move 5,500 gallons of water through your filtration system per hour.
   
   

4. Filtration

   The amount and type of filtration your pond requires is another essential factor to consider before purchasing any equipment.
   
   If you are keeping a simple water garden with minimal plants and no fish, you do not require the same level of filtration as someone that has a stocked pond with large numbers of plants.
   
   Take into account the size of your pond while you are thinking about the level of filtration you’re going to require. A simple formula (if you don’t already know how many gallons) is to multiply the length by the width by the depth.
   
   Then, take into account the number of fish that you keep in your pond to determine the exact level of filtration that will be required.
   
   

5. Type

   For the most part, there are two main types of filtration you’re going to need. The first is biological, and the second is mechanical. You can find systems that are built around both types of filtration, which will work best for most pond owners.
   
   Biological filtration uses helpful bacteria to offset the number of harmful bacteria in your pond. It will give helpful bacteria enough surface area to adequately feed on the harmful bacteria that pass through the system.
   
   Mechanical filtration relies on mesh filters to prevent foreign debris from entering into the pump, which can clog it up and destroy the pump. Mechanical filtration works excellent for fish waste, leaves, sticks, twigs, rocks, and other organic material.
   
   You can also consider using a UV clarifier or activated carbon charcoal to add a third level of filtration to the system. This type of filtration works to remove chemicals and algae from your pond, which helps keep the water’s clarity levels and quality higher.
   
   

6. Location

   The location of your filtration system will also play a significant role in the components that you purchase for your pond. You typically have two different options: submerged or external. Each type has its distinct advantages and disadvantages.
   
   Submersible filtration systems can be installed directly into your pond. These are most typically used for ponds under 2,000 gallons in size. The biggest downside to a submersible system is plumbing and electrical wiring. However, submersible pumps are more comfortable to blend into your aquascape to help achieve a perfect appearance.
   
   External systems, on the other hand, are designed to be installed outside of your pond. They are typically larger than submersible systems and can handle ponds up to 21,000 gallons in size.
   
   The most significant advantage of external filters is the ease of installation. Running plumbing and wiring to a system that is stored outside of your pond is far easier to do. However, these systems are harder to blend into your aquascape and can stand out like a sore thumb.
   
   

7. Budget

   Now that you understand the most critical aspects of your filtration system, it’s time to start thinking about the elephant in the room -- your budget. How much you can afford to spend on the filtration system will play a significant role in the level of filtration you receive.
   
   If you are on a tight budget, it’s worth spending extra time dialing in the exact specifications and quality you need. You’ll find it a lot easier to save money over buying the best of the best, and most people won’t notice much difference between a high-grade and medium-grade system.
   
   We do recommend, though, that you set aside as much as fiscally possible. This will ensure you are purchasing high-quality equipment that is built to last and aren’t going to be facing problems down the road when you have to buy the equipment a second time.
   
   You must create a limit on what you’re willing to spend and work within your budget, but if the difference in buying a piece of equipment with high ratings and one with lower ratings because it costs half as much, we always recommend spending a bit more upfront.