Prefilter for small pond with a bead filter

On 24 May 2006 12:01:16 -0700, "BA" wrote:

We have a 500 gallon pond with plants and WAY too many fish (2 koi and
multiple shibunkin, gold fish and cats). The fish are named, so losing
them is not an option. Had small external filters (sponges) with a
submersible pump that finally just could not keep up with the job (or
at least I could not keep up with the frequent need to clean). The
Aquadyne bead filter with a jacuzzi 1 hp external pump is
Spectacular--"gin clear" water for the first time in years. Now the
problem:

As pond experts would have predicted, a new situation: the pump's leaf
basket gets so clogged that the outflow of the pump diminishes to
almost zero every day; now instead of cleaning the sponge filter once a
week, I need to clean the pump leaf basket every day. A mesh bag
around the intake pipe in the pond helps a bit, but then there is a lot
of crap left in the pond, and then the bag needs cleaning.

There is precious little space available for the filtration system, and
the Aquadyne has almost completely taken this up. Are there any
suggestions for some sort of prefiltration approach that consumes
little space, is efficient, is low effort, and can be untended for 1-2
weeks, and occupies little space?

Many Thanks in advance for your advice.

Pump is external/out-of-pond correct? Very few in-pond pumps have leaf
traps.

How is the water now exiting the pond? Skimmer, bottom drain? If skimmer,
perhaps some netting that can catch it in the skimmer? Otherwise, you have
the water flow into a container, similar to what Jay was talking about. I'd
go with something at least 30 or more gallons. The bigger the less often
you will clean it, then have the pump draw mid-surface water from this
container. A pre-filter will also lessen how often you need to back flush
the aquadyne. Btw, watch your KH (buffering) with a pressure filter, they
work best when KH is 150-200. ~ jan
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See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

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