I have two interlinked ponds both filtered with a Trident Top Flow filter...actually the '3000' model. In many ways these filters are fairly standard, consisting of a plastic box containing sponge filters and plastic pieces to increase surface area for beneficial bacteria. However these filters ... Read review
Advantages: No drained ponds Disadvantages: None that I can think of
...ponds both filtered with a Trident Top Flow filter...actually the '3000' model. In many ways these filters are fairly standard, consisting of a plastic box containing sponge filters and plastic pieces to increase surface area for beneficial bacteria. However these filters have a nifty bit of internal pipe work that means the water flows out of a pipe near the top of the box, not at the bottom like normal. This has the following advantages 1) The ... ...with just the top of the box and the pipe above the surface. This also prevents excessive cooling of the water during the Autumn. However 2) the raised outflow pipe also means that the filter, in effect, has an overflow pipe. If most filters get blocked, with silt or the plastic pieces inside, the water will pour out of the top of the box and drain the pond. With a top flow filter if the water level begins to rise then it simply reaches the open ... more
I have two interlinked ponds both filtered with a Trident Top Flow filter...actually the '3000' model. In many ways these filters are fairly standard, consisting of a plastic box containing sponge filters and plastic pieces to increase surface area for beneficial bacteria. However these filters have a nifty bit of internal pipe work that means the water flows out of a pipe near the top of the box, not at the bottom like normal. This has the following advantages 1) The filter can be mostly buried meaning it's considerably less obtrusive with just the top of the box and the pipe above the surface. This also prevents excessive cooling of the water during the Autumn. However 2) the raised outflow pipe also means that the filter, in effect, has an overflow pipe. If most filters get blocked, with silt or the plastic pieces inside, the water will pour out of the top of the box and drain the pond. With a top flow filter if the water level begins to rise then it simply reaches the open top of the outflow pipe assembly and can flow into the pond without obstruction no matter how gummed up the filter gets. I have been using one of these filters for three years and have no complaints whatsoever. They even make a UV clarifier especially for this filter that can be added later.
