ERIC pond filters are a specific style of filtration developed and mainly produced by Waddy, a company owned by Peter Waddington, someone who was having trouble with his pond remaining clear and clean and decided to make a difference. Let’s learn a little more about ERIC pond filters and what makes them so special.
What’s Different?
ERIC filters work a little different than the usual lateral flow of traditional filtration methods. With an ERIC filter, there is a general adoption of horizontal flow across all models. Described as Endless River Filtration Systems, these filters do rely on a pump like traditional filters but do not do any so-called “unnatural tricks” with the water. Instead, the water is moved via a natural flow through the narrow, shallow channels in the filter’s case. This creates a sort of canal effect, moving the water easily and naturally without any excessive pressure.
The water contacts a series of surfaces along the way, infusing bacterial filtration along the way. This combination of bacterial and mechanical filtration produces superior aeration and distribution of bacteria when the water is reintroduced to the pond.
The Models
There are four models of ERIC filters, the I, II, III, and Compact. Let’s talk about the differences. It is important to keep in mind that there are pump-fed and gravity fed models of each ERIC filtration system and they each cost around the same amount, give or take. The main difference is the functionality of the water introduction method and some spec variations, which will be detailed below.
It is important to keep in mind that there are pump-fed and gravity fed models of each ERIC filtration system.
ERIC One
ERIC ONE Dimensions (gravity fed)
- Length: 1180 mm
- Height: 360 mm
- Width: 318 mm (without frame)
- Cost: £950.00 (around $1,239 USD)
ERIC ONE P Dimensions (pump fed)
- Length: 1380 mm
- Height: 360 mm
- Width: 318 mm (without frame)
- Cost: £950.00 (around $1,239 USD)
Both of these models handle around 2,200 gallons (around 10,000 liters) and should process a pond of this volume fully within 2 or 2.5 hours. You can find details on both versions of the ERIC One here.
ERIC Two
ERIC Two Dimensions (gravity fed):
- Length: 1524 mm
- Height: 355 mm
- Width: 304 mm (without frame)
- Cost: £1,200.00 (around $1565 USD)
ERIC Two P (pump fed):
- Length: 1724 mm
- Height: 355 mm
- Width: 304 mm (without frame)
- Cost: £1,200.00 (around $1565 USD)
Both of these models handle a volume of around 3,000 gallons but up to 5,000 gallons. The entire volume of the pond should process through the filter in 2 or 2.5 hours. You can find details on both versions of the ERIC Two here.
ERIC Three
ERIC Three Dimensions (gravity fed):
- Length: 1574 mm
- Height: 558 mm
- Width: 508 mm (without frame)
- Cost: £1,500.00 (around $1956 USD)
ERIC Three P Dimensions (pump fed):
- Length: 1774 mm
- Height: 558 mm
- Width: 508 mm
- Cost: £1,500.00 (around $1956 USD)
Both of these models handle an average volume of around 5,500 gallons but potentially up to 7,500 gallons. The entire volume of the pond should cycle through the filter in around 2 to 2.5 hours. You can find out more about the ERIC Three filter system here.
ERIC Compact
The ERIC compact is meant to serve smaller ponds than the others and has a bit of a different sizing ratio.
ERIC Compact Dimensions (gravity fed):
- Length: 607 mm
- Height: 360 mm
- Width: 360 mm
- Cost: £450.00 (around $587 USD)
ERIC Compact P Dimensions (pump fed):
- Length: 807 mm
- Height: 360 mm
- Width: 360 mm
- Cost: £450.00 (around $587 USD)
Both of these models are meant to handle ponds of around 650 gallons but up to 950 gallons, on average depending on fish load. The entire volume of the pond should cycle through the filter within 2 or 2.5 hours. You can find out more about the ERIC Compact systems here.
Conclusion
ERIC filters are designed to be something a little different. They provide filtration in the most natural way possible in a controlled koi pond environment. Through using minimal pump flow assistance, these filters suit a more naturalistic environment and cause little disruption to your fish, helping maximize health and growth. If you have the time to invest and set up an ERIC filter properly, they are definitely worth looking into and hold quite a few merits that many other industry standard products do not.
