Does the water have to be moving in order to keep an aquatic ecosystem balanced?
Yes it has to be moving in order for the ecosystem to work effectively. As the water is pumped through the filtration system, the beneficial bacteria housed there begin to breakdown the nutrients in the water. Additionally, as the water spills through the waterfalls or fountain, it aerates the water which is crucial for fish, submerged plants, and bacteria. When a pump is paired with a skimmer, the moving water reduces the amount of debris (leaves, grass, etc..) that will make it’s way to the bottom of the pond and begin decomposing. Moving water also has the additional benefit of discouraging mosquitoes from visiting your pond.
