Koi are one of, if not the most popular fish to keep in a garden pond. While beautiful, Koi are messy fish and require huge filtration systems to live long and happy lives. This is where Koi pond filters come in, but what are these filters, and how exactly do they work? Let's take a look...

What does a Koi filter do?

Koi pond filters are large filters specially designed for, you guessed it, Koi ponds. Koi ponds require a big filtration system that can keep up with the huge amount of waste that Koi fish produce. There are several different types of Koi filters, but they all provide a substantial amount of mechanical filtration and biological filtration.

How does a Koi pond filter work?

Just like other pond filters, Koi filters work by filtering fish waste, debris, and other decomposing matter from your pond water using a process that involves both mechanical and biological filtration. First, waste is trapped by large amounts of mechanical and biological filter media. It’s then broken down by colonies of beneficial bacteria that convert toxic compounds, like ammonia and nitrite, into less harmful substances, like nitrate.

Garden pond with rocks, green grass-like plants and colourful koi fish that are yellow, orange and grey

Unlike other pond filters, however, Koi pond filters typically have rotating, perforated drums that separate out large waste solids from pond water before it comes into contact with mechanical and biological filter media. These drums are kept clean by a spray bar/jet that blasts away any trapped waste solids. While they do help clean your pond water, a drum on its own won’t filter your Koi pond.

Another way in which Koi filters differ from regular pond filters is that they often keep specialised filter media, like K+ media, in constant suspension. This increases the frequency of water-media interactions, boosting the filter’s filtration capacity. Again, this is great for garden ponds full of messy Koi fish.

K+ media is specially designed to host huge amounts of beneficial bacteria.

What is the best Koi pond filter system?

There are several different types of Koi filters, but they all fall into two broad categories: gravity-fed Koi filters and pump-fed Koi filters.

The former are the most popular choice amongst Koi keepers. These filtration systems are fed by a bottom drain that needs to be installed under a pond area in a concrete base during construction. They rely on the force of gravity to move water and waste solids through this bottom drain and into a large filter unit.

Gravity-fed filters are an incredibly popular choice amongst Koi keepers.

The latter, on the other hand, rely on a pond pump to function properly. This can be an internal or external pump. These types of Koi filters aren’t quite as popular, but they work great in more natural-looking Koi ponds that haven’t been built with a concrete base and lots of intricate underground plumbing.

Pump-fed filters are great in Koi ponds and other types of fish ponds.

Why would a Koi filter benefit my pond?

Koi filters are a vital piece of pond tech that processes large amounts of waste, making them perfect for filtering a pond stocked with Koi, that produce large amounts of waste. Left with weak or no filtration, deadly ammonia spikes may occur, risking the health and life of your Koi.

  • Koi filters are designed to process large amounts of waste
  • Helps to create a healthy environment that's conducive to rapid growth
  • Aids Koi to grow large and beautiful, which can benefit pondkeepers who want to show off their pride and joy at Koi clubs and Koi shows
  • When partnered with a UV light, a Koi filter can remove dangerous pathogens, viruses and bacteria
  • UV lightings prevents algal blooms and green water
  • Many Koi pond filters come with built in UV lighting, such as Evolution Aqua’s EazyPod Complete Automatic
  • For Koi filters without a UV, you can easily pick up an external UV clarifier that can be plumbed directly into your filter system
  • Can handle larger waste solids than regular pond filters, due to rotating perforated drums
  • Contains an automatic cleaning cycle that keeps them clean and clear of debris
  • Prevents having to spend time mucking out your filter
UV clarifiers keep pond water crystal clear and free of free floating algae and dangerous pathogens.

How to clean a Koi pond filter

Koi drum filters are an excellent choice for pond keepers thanks to their automatic cleaning mechanisms. This cleaning cycle has been implemented to keep your filter clean, and clear of debris. Mucking out a filter can be quite time consuming, especially for filters you have to clean out often. Koi produce a large amount of waste, meaning this process would be very messy. Fortunately the cleaning cycle of a Koi filter can be very simple, with some filters even allowing you to schedule the cleaning using a built-in timer. The cleaning cycle is often very fast, and a far cleaner process, with waste water being automatically dumped.

What Koi filter do I need for my pond?

The answer to this question varies depending on a number of different factors. The first and most important factor is the volume of your pond – a Koi pond filter needs to be able to support the total volume of your pond, and then some. It’s always a good idea to opt for a filter that’s ‘too big’ rather than too small. If your filter can’t handle the waste produced by your Koi fish, then they’ll struggle to grow and, over time, could develop some serious health problems.

Another factor to consider is the type of Koi pond filter you’re planning to get. A gravity-fed Koi pond filter will require the construction of a bottom drain underneath your garden pond, while a pump-fed Koi pond filter will require a pond pump with a suitable flow rate and max head height. Make sure you take these factors into account before you purchase your Koi pond filter, as they’ll almost certainly dictate what model is most suitable for your pond.

Garden pond with rocks and koi fish that are orange, white, and black and white.
Covered by Canva Pro Licence.

Can I use a Koi filter in a pond with other fish?

Yes, Koi pond filters can be used with Koi fish and many other popular types of pond fish, including goldfish, golden orfe, sterlet and sturgeon! Their biggest selling point is the fact that they can handle large amounts of fish waste, so they can be realistically used on any kind of heavily stocked garden pond, including special ponds like ornamental ponds full of colourful fish and vibrant aquatic plants.

Underwater photo of 2 grey sturgeon fish, with background pond fish.
Covered by Canva Pro Licence.

Which pond pump is best for my Koi filter?

There are many different types of pond pumps out there, but the best for supplying Koi pond filters with a consistent supply of pond water are solids-handling pond pumps. These pond pumps are great at dealing with waste solids and can be easily cleaned thanks to their detachable strainer cages. We stock a wide range of solids-handling pond pumps, all available in different sizes to suit different sized ponds.

There’s a lot of information here to get you started, but for more advice and tips be sure to read our useful pond help guides and those from other reputable outlet, like the Royal Horticultural Society. Also, check out our range of other garden pond essentials, such as pond pumps, pond liners, pond fish food, pond treatments, and pond plants.