# **Install bog filters to keep pond water clean**
Imagine a pond filtration structure that keeps water crystal clear and produces beautiful flowers. That's exactly what a bog filter does. Applying bioremediation principles, bog filtration employs succulent planting of attractive, water-loving plants to separate extra nutrients and improve water quality. Few pieces of equipment are required to set up this low-maintenance filtration structure. And best of all, unlike large traditional filtration systems, you'll want your bog filter to show rather than hide.

**Bog Filter**
A bog filter uses the pond ecosystem's natural cycle to maintain balance while keeping water quality high. Ponds with bog filters consisting of [bog filter plants](https://pondplantsofamerica.com/collections/bog) rarely experience algae growth. This type of filtration is high quality and low maintenance when installed correctly.
A bog filter is dedicated to a crowded planting of water-loving marginal or bog plants. It is a small auxiliary pond that is usually 10–20% of the size of the main water pond. The bog filter may be sited inside or near the main pond. Whether installed internally or externally, the bog filter must be connected to the main pond through a water circulation system consisting of a pump and plumbing. As water from the main water pond is pumped into bog filters, bog filter plants remove nutrients, and the biologically filtered water is sent back to the main pond.

**How Does a Bog Filter Work?**
This effective biological filtration relies on plants to collect organic wastewater, pond pollutants such as nitrates and phosphates, ammonia, nitrites to maintain the water quality.
The setup is a network of PVC pipes that consistently transport nutrient-rich water to the gravel base. The bacteria that settle in that gravel base nitrify the organic waste in the water, transforming it into plant food. It is then absorbed and used by bog filter plants. What is left is crystal clear water without excess nutrients and returned to the water pond.

**Planting the Bog Filter**
It is best to plant tall plants behind the filter (half-filled with gravel) such as pickerel rush, arrowhead, horsetail, bog lily, and low height plants such as dwarf lotus, dwarf papyrus in front. Bog filter appears stunning with beautiful plants having different foliage colors or textures. You can get these plants from online sources, including dwarf [lotus plants for sale](https://pondplantsofamerica.com/collections/lotus) available online.
After this, remove the plants from the pot, place the plant with the root ball in the soil, and never remove the soil as it supplies enough nutrition.
Add the rest of the gravel so that there is no standing water in the gravel filter area.
Turn on your pump, and your bog filter is ready and will run with the joy of clean water for upcoming years.