Skimmer Pre-filter
The Skimmer Pre-filter reduces routine maintenance by removing debris before it sinks to the bottom of the pond which allows pond construction on any location, even directly beneath trees. It requires only two to three minutes every other week cleaning while standing outside the pond. That unsightly pump is removed from the bottom of the pond and placed in the skimmer. This protects your fish should a leak arise in the waterfall, stream or plumbing, by not pumping all the water out of your pond. Your pump is protected debris such as fish, leaves, rocks, etc. by trapping waste in a catch area before it reaches the pump. The pump is easily removed from the skimmer by loosening one hand-tightened fitting on the discharge piping above the water line. The Signature Series Skimmer includes a one of a kind adjustable faceplate that has four inches of travel, enabling you to tweak out the perfect water level.
Biological Filter
The Biological Filter creates a breading ground for beneficial bacteria and enzymes to colonize. The BIOFALLS creates a perfect base for building beautiful, leak-free waterfalls and only requires cleaning once a year when used in combination with a skimmer pre-filter. The BIOFALLS can be sunk into the ground for a stream effect or raised to create a greater water drop. A filter support rack holds filter mats and doubles as side supports. This simple, uncluttered design has no moving parts to break and is easy to camouflage by using rocks, plants, and gravel. Most importantly, the high surface area filter mats included with the Signature Series BIOFALLS filter have 50% more surface area than traditional mats. In order to maximize your biological filtration capability, it is recommended to use BioBalls in your BIOFALLS in conjunction with routine addition of beneficial bacteria such as AquaClearer Extreme and S.A.B.
Rocks and Gravel
Rocks and Gravel not only looks more natural than the black liner but they serve a purpose too. Contrary to popular opinion, adding rocks and gravel reduces pond maintenance. Gravel, unlike a smooth pond liner, provides surface area for bacteria to colonize and thus increase your biological filtration. Covering the pond liner with gravel also protects the liner from UV rays and damage from animals and other sharp objects. The rocks and gravel also help hold down the liner during high ground water conditions and creates areas for fish to hide when predators cone around. Finally, a stone bottom is safer to walk on than an exposed slippery rubber liner.
Aquatic Plants
Aquatic Plants soften the hard look of the rocks and have several benefits to a pond. Plants provide shade to reduce the amount of algae growth that would otherwise cause your water to turn green or the long strings of string algae that form on the rocks. Marginal plants can be planted directly into the gravel Their roots will spread through out the gravel, cleaning the pond by using excess nutrients that would otherwise feed the algae. Planting aquatic plants directly into the gravel promotes a more vigorous growth habit as well. The best way to get rid of unsightly and large planting containers for water lilies is to create plant pockets about 6” deep. They promote health in plant development by allowing the roots to spread through surrounding gravel.
Beautiful Fish
Beautiful Fish such as Koi and goldfish reduce stress and are enjoyable additions to any water garden. They will enjoy rooting through the gravel and stirring up debris that can then be filtered out by your skimmer pre-filter. If your fish are not over fed, they will keep string algae at bay as they pluck it from the rocks. The waste from your fish will fertilize your aquatic plants eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Fish can be successfully kept, and even bred, in water that is only two feed deep as far north as Zone 4.