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How best to fix it
Howdy, experienced ponders, from Fort Worth. Here's my 220 gallon pond
last year, sans fish: http://artships.com/fountain.jpg Powered by a Little Giant PCL-025 475GPH pump, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...dLegNum/567636 , in the filter box, FMS-20, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...256b25006d28e9 It was Just Fine when it was all just for looks and little sound. Since the comets, though... Not so much. Now I want more water going over the falls, and none of that pea soup, either. And generally clearer water, without what looks like suspended dust. According to Little Giant's website, I should be able to connect the existing pump to a better filter, the PF300, http://www.pondfiltration.com/pf300.html (it looks to be a Little Giant). I know I can bump-up the waterfall volume a touch by replacing the hose with a slightly larger diameter. My main question is, will the pf300 filter with the 475GPH pump clear-up the water? Or, should I build a skippy filter into the lowest of the brownish plant beds? If so, how much more pump will I need to drive it? 1000gph (I'm guessing because 475GPH just doesn't seem like very much)? Feel free to chime in with, "The best filter is..." and ditto with a pump. Possibilites abound, paralyzing selection. But you've all been there. John *wave* to Gail F. |
How best to fix it
For "none of that pea soup, either"
Study the following and pass the test administered every other Thursday: ALGAE PRIMER ~ Nutrients for all forms of algae are sun, new water, fish waste, fertilized run off, rotting plants, blown in dirt. ~ New ponds and spring ponds need time for plants to get established, algae is quicker at getting going. The following is a collection of algae suggestions from many rec.ponders: ~ add plants, of any kind, in the pond. Especially underwater plants. Note - since all plants consume oxygen at night make sure your pond has a waterfall, fountain, spitter or bubbler to add oxygen during the hours of darkness. ~ or build a veggie filter* see below (one of the best and prettiest way to clear a pond) ~ Shade is good - provided by lily pads, floating plants or artificial shade for part of the day. ~ LOW fish stocking (good rule of thumb for recreational ponders is 20 gallons per goldfish, 100 per koi after starting with 1,000 gallons) and *not* overfeeding the fish. Too many fish and too much feeding is probably responsible for most pea soup water, followed closely by too much decaying plant matter, sludge and overall gunk in the water ~ clean up dead plant matter and screen for falling leaves in the fall. Clean out pond once a year. ~ building ponds with bottom drains and skimmers. ~ do not use algaecides, they only make lots of suddenly dead algae and that will feed the next algae bloom. ~ do not use products to dye to the water... ~ do not worry about algae that grows on things (substrate algae) this is good for a pond ~ gently remove string algae or read http://www.sfbakc.org/koienews/clayvsclay.html or some rec.ponders like String Algae Buster ~ water movement and occasional water changes of 10% ~ add a sludge consumer, concentrated bacteria. some rec.ponders use http://www.united-tech.com/m-aq4u-toc.html ~ Check your pH, too high, over 8.8, or too low, under 6.4, and most higher plant forms can't take up the nutrients. ~ UV lights work on suspended algae (green water) - does cost some $$ ~ adding a combination mechanical and biological filter to screen gunk, dead algae and convert fishy ammonia waste for fish health. ~ some rec.ponders like barley straw http://www.aquabotanic.com/barleyarticle.html ~ patience, more patience, remember to be patient and time ;-) ~ personally, in my experience, I can vouch for few fish, a plant filter and patience *Plant filter ~ running the pond's water through plants - as easy as floating water hyacinth in top of a stock tank and planting watercress in your waterfall (my method ;-) or Ingrid's post on plant filters: "The essence of a plant filter is a water proof container with the water from the pond being pumped in one end flowing thru the roots of various plants and flowing back into the pond at the other end. It needs to be long enough that solids settle to the bottom OR have filter material that will slow or hold the solids (and get rinsed out periodically). It needs plants of different kinds to maximize removal of all wastes. it needs sufficient amount of plants to remove in one day all the wastes produced by the fish load in one day. It needs plants with extensive roots and/or plants that get big so they used up more nutrients. It needs to be only 8-12" deep so it doesn't go anaerobic." or go he http://www.iheartmypond.com/Design/D...rs/default.asp kathy :-) algae primer http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html |
How best to fix it
Hi John,
I have a PF3000 that is rated to clear a 3000 gallon pond. It doesn't work - probably would work for a 1,500 gallon pond. In other words, just half the amount of pond water you want to clear for anything sold commercially. I think you should build the Skippy. You'll be alot happier with it. Your pond is so cute. I'll bet you have some happy hours around it ... Good Luck Nedra in Missouri My Backyard Pond: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836 The Lotus Garden: http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118 "John" wrote in message ... Howdy, experienced ponders, from Fort Worth. Here's my 220 gallon pond last year, sans fish: http://artships.com/fountain.jpg Powered by a Little Giant PCL-025 475GPH pump, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...dLegNum/567636 , in the filter box, FMS-20, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...256b25006d28e9 It was Just Fine when it was all just for looks and little sound. Since the comets, though... Not so much. Now I want more water going over the falls, and none of that pea soup, either. And generally clearer water, without what looks like suspended dust. According to Little Giant's website, I should be able to connect the existing pump to a better filter, the PF300, http://www.pondfiltration.com/pf300.html (it looks to be a Little Giant). I know I can bump-up the waterfall volume a touch by replacing the hose with a slightly larger diameter. My main question is, will the pf300 filter with the 475GPH pump clear-up the water? Or, should I build a skippy filter into the lowest of the brownish plant beds? If so, how much more pump will I need to drive it? 1000gph (I'm guessing because 475GPH just doesn't seem like very much)? Feel free to chime in with, "The best filter is..." and ditto with a pump. Possibilites abound, paralyzing selection. But you've all been there. John *wave* to Gail F. |
How best to fix it
I don't think that commercial filter is gonna cut it, it is pretty puny,
imo. If you go to my website www.jjspond.us and click on *My filter* scroll to the bottom, you will find several flower pot filters that have worked great on small ponds, you could hide one behind your waterfall hill, if you didn't want it at the top or edge. Saving over $100 DIY. I run a 700 gph pump thru the one I made (not pictured yet). I use it on a 1000 gallon lilypond with 7 large goldfish and now babies. I think the skippy filter is overkill in this situation. ~ jan On 9 Aug 2004 21:16:25 GMT, (John) wrote: Howdy, experienced ponders, from Fort Worth. Here's my 220 gallon pond last year, sans fish: http://artships.com/fountain.jpg Powered by a Little Giant PCL-025 475GPH pump, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...dLegNum/567636 , in the filter box, FMS-20, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...256b25006d28e9 It was Just Fine when it was all just for looks and little sound. Since the comets, though... Not so much. Now I want more water going over the falls, and none of that pea soup, either. And generally clearer water, without what looks like suspended dust. According to Little Giant's website, I should be able to connect the existing pump to a better filter, the PF300, http://www.pondfiltration.com/pf300.html (it looks to be a Little Giant). I know I can bump-up the waterfall volume a touch by replacing the hose with a slightly larger diameter. My main question is, will the pf300 filter with the 475GPH pump clear-up the water? Or, should I build a skippy filter into the lowest of the brownish plant beds? If so, how much more pump will I need to drive it? 1000gph (I'm guessing because 475GPH just doesn't seem like very much)? Feel free to chime in with, "The best filter is..." and ditto with a pump. Possibilites abound, paralyzing selection. But you've all been there. John *wave* to Gail F. |
How best to fix it
In article k.net,
"Nedra" writes: Hi Nedra, I have a PF3000 that is rated to clear a 3000 gallon pond. It doesn't work - probably would work for a 1,500 gallon pond. In other words, just half the amount of pond water you want to clear for anything sold commercially. Good tip to know. I assume "doesn't work" means, "water still contained particulate matter". If it means, "water was still green", for the money you paid you could have gotten a PL2800 filter with 18W UV bulb. It, too, would have required 1200GPH. But I'm sure you're years ahead of me in the, "Been there, done that, and now everything works fine" department. I think you should build the Skippy. You'll be alot happier with it. As with any endeavor any more, the best solution incorporates frugality while pandering to my inherent laziness. The skippy filter does indeed qualify. I'm hoping, though, that I don't need a filter half the size of my pond. Though, a smaller skippy might just... Your pond is so cute. I'll bet you have some happy hours around it ... "Around it" is how the dogs chase each other. "Happy hours" is how much time we spend watching them through the edge of a margarita glass. John |
How best to fix it
In article ,
~ jan JJsPond.us writes: I don't think that commercial filter is gonna cut it, it is pretty puny, But.., but... It says, right there in the advertisement masquerading as a product specification sheet... Oh. I see what you mean. If you go to my website www.jjspond.us and click on *My filter* scroll to the bottom, you will find several flower pot filters that have worked great on small ponds, They certainly look compact, and if they are anywhere as effective as you say, they'd be ideal. I wonder what's in'em? you could hide one behind your waterfall hill, if you didn't want it at the top or edge. Building a stone extension to the back of the tower is an option, of course. I run a 700 gph pump thru the one I made Oh? Wow - Now, that would be something to... (not pictured yet). Oh, pooh. I use it on a 1000 gallon lilypond with 7 large goldfish and now babies. Hmm... Four times mine's size but with about the same fishload. I think the skippy filter is overkill in this situation. ~ jan Unless it can be scaled-down. I should go review http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm John On 9 Aug 2004 21:16:25 GMT, (John) wrote: Howdy, experienced ponders, from Fort Worth. Here's my 220 gallon pond last year, sans fish: http://artships.com/fountain.jpg Powered by a Little Giant PCL-025 475GPH pump, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...dLegNum/567636 , in the filter box, FMS-20, http://www.littlegiant.com/littlegia...256b25006d28e9 It was Just Fine when it was all just for looks and little sound. Since the comets, though... Not so much. Now I want more water going over the falls, and none of that pea soup, either. And generally clearer water, without what looks like suspended dust. According to Little Giant's website, I should be able to connect the existing pump to a better filter, the PF300, http://www.pondfiltration.com/pf300.html (it looks to be a Little Giant). I know I can bump-up the waterfall volume a touch by replacing the hose with a slightly larger diameter. My main question is, will the pf300 filter with the 475GPH pump clear-up the water? Or, should I build a skippy filter into the lowest of the brownish plant beds? If so, how much more pump will I need to drive it? 1000gph (I'm guessing because 475GPH just doesn't seem like very much)? Feel free to chime in with, "The best filter is..." and ditto with a pump. Possibilites abound, paralyzing selection. But you've all been there. John *wave* to Gail F. -- * Progress (n.): The process through which Usenet has evolved from smart people in front of dumb terminals to dumb people in front of smart terminals. -- (obscurity) |
How best to fix it
If you go to my website www.jjspond.us and click on *My filter* scroll to
the bottom, you will find several flower pot filters that have worked great on small ponds, I wonder what's in'em? You can fill them with what you want, some use only wadded up vinyl screening (bulk screen door stuff). I had extra open cell foam, so I put the scraps at the bottom and 3 oversizeds rounds on top (up flow). I squish the rounds down on the sides so the flow has to go thru them. Mine looks just like the others pictured on my sight, only I found a plastic garbage can lid that fit the top perfect. So instead of the flower tray it has a lid. Unless it can be scaled-down. I should go review http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm Yes. Always good to do research. My flower pot filter only took one $8 19 gallon flower pot with no holes (you can fill them with silcone if you can't find a holeless one). A $2 PVC outlet, an a PVC garden hose type connection on the bottom. PVC runs to the pump with a little flex hose to get free motion underneath to connect it. The media within (I did use a plant tray up-ended with a bunch of holes, to hold the media away from the inlet. Than a lid of some sort. ~ jan ~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~ |
How best to fix it
In article ,
~ jan JJsPond.us writes: If you go to my website www.jjspond.us and click on *My filter* scroll to the bottom, you will find several flower pot filters that have worked great on small ponds, My flower pot filter only took one $8 19 gallon flower pot with no holes Huh. A 19 gallon skippy filter cleans a 1000 gallon pond. Slick! So my modest 220 gallon pond would be adequately served with a skippy filter between 5 and 10 gallons in size. That's do-able. My question now is, isn't the skippy filter a bio-filter, using bacteria to remove nitrates/nitrites/ammonia? How does it do as a mechanical filter? That is, does it also remove particulate matter, or do I need something else for that? John, Who's at that dangerous stage of imagined understanding. |
How best to fix it
My flower pot filter only took one $8 19 gallon flower pot with no holes
Huh. A 19 gallon skippy filter cleans a 1000 gallon pond. Slick! So my modest 220 gallon pond would be adequately served with a skippy filter between 5 and 10 gallons in size. That's do-able. Don't look at as "19 gallons does 1000 gallons" look at as "19 gallons doing 7 large goldfish". Remember with those 1000 of gallons I have a lot more plants and surface area than a 220 gallon pond. I'd still stick with that 19 gallon size for your size pond. My question now is, isn't the skippy filter a bio-filter, using bacteria to remove nitrates/nitrites/ammonia? How does it do as a mechanical filter? That is, does it also remove particulate matter, or do I need something else for that? It will do both, I'm not up on how the skippy works (down flow, up flow?) but mine, using up flow traps fine debris at the bottom and the bio-media higher up does the bio stuff. I have a mesh basket around my pump so the big stuff can't clog the pump, so this system doesn't clean the bottom. Not a big deal in my case as I have to drain the pond and remove all the baby fish in the spring so the frogs can breed and do their thing. Thus I shop vac the bottom in the spring. ~ jan ~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~ |
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