Do not automatically switch off all filtration when adding a clay-based product to your pond. The pump, filter, and UV unit have different functions. The right decision depends primarily on the product's composition and its instructions. A mineral powder on its own and a mixture containing bacteria are not handled in exactly the same way.
On our BactoPlus Ohmizu Clay product page, the usage advice indicates that the pump and UV can remain in operation. This advice concerns this specific product; it does not replace your packaging label and should not become a general rule for all pond treatments. Here are the checks that will prevent unnecessary shutdowns or incorrect handling.
Why distinguish between pump, filtration, and UV?
The pump moves the water. Depending on your setup, it feeds the filter, a waterfall, or another circuit. Stopping it therefore changes the path of the water in the pond. If it provides the feed for the main filter, switching it off also stops the water passing through the filter media.
The mechanical filter traps particles, while the biological compartment houses microorganisms involved in processing certain dissolved waste. The UV-C unit acts on the water that passes through its chamber. These functions are complementary: switching off the lamp does not necessarily require switching off the pump, if the controls allow them to be managed separately.
Before performing any maintenance, identify the plugs and switches. On some kits, several elements are grouped in the same piece of equipment; on others, they are independent. Do not randomly unplug a power strip that also supplies the aeration. A small label on each cable will simplify future operations.
Not all products called "clay" are identical
The word on the front of the pack is not enough to describe its formulation. Microbe-Lift presents its calcium montmorillonite as a mineral product whose particles, when associated with suspended matter, can be recovered by filtration. Aquadistri presents Ohmizu as a combination of minerals and BactoPlus bacteria. This difference makes it necessary to read the instructions for the exact product.
| What you are using | What you need to check | Decision to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| A mineral pond clay | Dispersion method, dosage, and filter maintenance | Stopping circulation to artificially prolong the cloudiness |
| A mixture of minerals and bacteria | Specific instructions regarding the UV and any potential shutdown duration | Applying the instructions from a different brand |
| Several products added together | Explicitly confirmed compatibility | Improvising a mixture to speed up the result |
| A product with a missing label | Reference and instructions from the manufacturer | Guessing the dose or how to handle equipment |
The case of BactoPlus Ohmizu Clay
Our Ohmizu Clay 2.5 liter page allows for the pump and UV to remain in operation. The official Aquadistri presentation confirms the presence of minerals and bacteria, but does not provide, on the page consulted, a duration for the UV shutdown. It would therefore be misleading to attribute to the manufacturer an interruption of 24 or 48 hours without documentation specifying it.
If your packaging mentions a different instruction, have the procedure for that reference confirmed before application. Keep a photo of the label: it allows you to compare versions precisely and avoid an answer based solely on the name "clay".
For the dosage, use only the unit and measuring device indicated on your packaging. Milligrams, grams, and milliliters are not interchangeable. A powder can be measured by volume without this volume corresponding to the same number of grams. In the event of a contradiction between a webpage and the pack, request clarification rather than choosing the quantity that seems most plausible.
The water becomes cloudy: should the pump be stopped?
A powder dispersed in water can create a visible haze. By itself, this does not indicate a filtration failure. Note the time of the addition, the quantity applied, and the initial appearance of the pond. Then compare the evolution under similar lighting conditions.
Do not immediately add a second dose because the bottom is less visible. First check the observation period announced for your product. The cloudiness does not measure its effectiveness or the overall water quality. A pond can become transparent again while a dissolved parameter remains to be checked.
Above all, observe the return flow and the state of the mechanical filtration. If particles are accumulating there, follow your filter's cleaning procedure. To work on a piece of equipment, apply its shutdown instructions. After reassembly, check for leaks and effective water return before considering the operation complete.
The practical method before, during, and after the addition
- Identify the product. Note its reference, composition, and the instructions provided on the pack.
- Check the volume treated. Rely on the actual volume of the pond and the relevant compartments, rather than an estimation of its surface area.
- Monitor normal operation. Note the flow rate, water appearance, and any problems already present before treatment.
- Prepare the dose according to the instructions. Do not add salt, medication, or other preparations without verified compatibility.
- Manage equipment separately. If a UV shutdown is prescribed, note the restart time and keep the circulation running when the procedure provides for it.
- Follow the results. Monitor the fish, the filter, and relevant parameters before considering a new addition.
A very simple tracking sheet is enough: date, product, quantity, volume accounted for, devices stopped or left running, and observations. This prevents double applications when several people maintain the same pond.
What clay does not allow you to infer
Adding a mineral product does not replace finding the cause of cloudy water. Escaping potting soil, re-suspended particles, or a clogged filter require different checks. If the problem returns after every rain, also observe water runoff from the surrounding areas.
Also, do not consider clay as an automatic treatment for a sick fish. In case of unusual behavior, first examine the operation of the pond and the water quality. A marketing promise of brighter colors does not constitute a diagnosis or a guarantee of results in your installation.
Pond water tests help monitor the parameters covered by each test. To compare a measurement, keep its unit and sampling conditions the same. A simple visual assessment of "nice water" or "dirty water" provides much less information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the UV power be increased to eliminate the haze?
Not based solely on cloudiness that appeared after adding a powder. Start by identifying the nature of the cloudiness and checking the circulation and mechanical filtration. Buying a more powerful lamp is no substitute for this diagnosis.
My UV and my pump share a single power supply: what should I do?
Consult the kit's operation guide before applying a product that requires the UV to be stopped independently. Do not modify the wiring to improvise this separation. The equipment manufacturer may specify a method compatible with the device.
Can I use clay intended for the garden or pottery?
Use a preparation whose use in ponds is clearly documented. The word "natural" does not provide information about additives, purity, or dosage. A powder available at home is not automatically suitable for a stocked pond.
To remember: start with the instructions for the exact product. For Ohmizu Clay, our page allows the pump and UV to remain running; for another preparation, check its specific instructions before changing the pond's operation.
Sources
- Aquadistri — official BactoPlus Ohmizu presentation: combination of minerals and bacteria; the page does not specify a duration for UV shutdown.
- Microbe-Lift — Calcium Montmorillonite Clay: role of filtration in recovering particles associated with this clay.
- Aquadistri — Koi Pro filtration: distinction between mechanical separation and biological filtration.
- Aquishop — Ohmizu Clay 2.5 liter page: advice to keep pump and UV running, to be compared with the instructions on the packaging used.
