Uv

[Christie210]

Using a UV clarifier/filter doesn't harm the good bacteria in an established pond, does it? I have a 1200 gallon pond and looking into a new bio/UV filter. All suggestions will be appreciated. Oh, and my pond is in part shade/part sun. I had a horrible algae problem a few months ago and lost my fish (not by the algae, but other things)...so starting over.

[gcuss]

Welcome to the forum. Strap on your thinking cap, you can learn a lot here.

Simple answer to your question, no. UV isn't latent. It will kill anything free floating in the water column (good or bad) that passes through it (given your flow rates are correct). However, the bacteria that takes care of your nitrification process will be on your filtration media and pond surfaces.

Could you tell us a bit more about your pond? I'm not one of them, but there are some amazingly experienced people on this board and the more info they have about your system, the better they can assist you. Things like :

design/shape of your pond (vertical sides/sloping sides, liner/concrete, etc)
pump flows
style of pump (submersible/external)
filter manufacturer and type or description of what ya built!
type of koi/number of koi you'd like to keep

Anyway, that's a start and have fun!

Grant

[Christie210]

Thanks for the quick reponse. My pond is 10 x 7, 2.5 feet deep, small pond...no fish in yet, don't know about that just yet. Just finished, put the liner and water in, filter going, waterfall, plants in next...want to wait a few weeks to get it fit for fish...which will only be 2 at the most. Nothing big or fancy, just enjoy it in my backyard.

Need to know if you think I should get a bio filter or one with a UV clarifier/filter. Thanks for your help, and welcome others to help too!