If your pond water is murky and nothing seems to fix it, there’s a high chance your filtration system is outdated or undersized. Old biological filters often degrade over time—parts wear out, bacteria colonies decline, and they can’t keep up with the pond’s bio-load.
That’s exactly what happened in this formal koi pond. It originally used two decorative urn filters, but after years of sun exposure, one broke, leaving only a single, faded unit to handle the job. The result? Cloudy water, poor circulation, and unhappy koi.
The Solution: A Spillway Bowl Biological Filter
Instead of replacing the urns with more of the same, we upgraded to a more powerful and elegant solution: a 40-inch slate green spillway bowl, custom-fitted as a biological waterfall filter.
Here’s how this upgrade works:
What Makes a Spillway Bowl Filter So Effective?
Biomedia Bag
The top layer contains a mesh bag filled with high-surface-area biomedia spheres. These give beneficial bacteria a place to colonize and thrive—breaking down waste, excess nutrients, and algae-causing compounds.
Filter Mat
Below the biomedia sits a large mat where most of the biological activity happens. As water flows through, it gets scrubbed clean by microorganisms working naturally to balance your pond.
Internal Rack System
This holds everything in place and converts a beautiful water feature into a hard-working biological filter.
What Changed After the Install?
By swapping out the worn-out urn for a modern spillway bowl filter, the pond saw immediate improvements:
- Clearer Water – The extra biomedia sped up nutrient breakdown, clearing the water fast.
- Improved Circulation & Oxygen – The waterfall design added movement and oxygenation.
- Aesthetic Boost – The new slate bowl replaced a broken urn with a clean, modern feature.
- Flexible Fit – This same setup works in koi ponds, pondless waterfalls, formal water features, and standalone fountains.
Even with stirred-up water from fresh plantings, we expected the pond to return to crystal-clear within 24 hours.
Final Result: A Clear, Happy Pond
Today, the koi are thriving, the water is sparkling, and the feature looks fantastic. Unlike the old urns, this filter is built to last and enhances both the health and appearance of the pond.
Is a Spillway Bowl Filter Right for Your Pond?
If your pond is cloudy or your filter system just isn’t cutting it anymore, upgrading to a spillway bowl biological filter could be the fix you’ve been looking for.
This system works for:
- Koi ponds
- Pondless waterfalls
- Modern or formal water features
- Decorative fountains
Want to See Your Pond Go from Cloudy to Clear?
We’d love to help you design the perfect setup.
Contact us today to talk through your pond’s needs and explore the best filtration upgrade for your space.
