BEST TIME TO CHANGE BIO-MEDIA, ETC.

[Mmathis]

Have a SKIPPY filter. As soon as we get the waterfall built [WHEN....IF....] will be relocating it. When that time comes, thought I would make a few modifications, and that always brings up questions.....

1 -- BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO CHANGE BIO-MEDIA? I want to change out some of the bio-media, eventually -- not all of it, but selective removal & replacement. It would be about 1/4 of the media. Is there a best time of the year to do that? Seems like winter [when it's all "dead" anyway] or early spring would be the least stressful time -- or does it even matter? Just seems like NOW, fall, isn't a good time to make changes......

2 -- LAYERING FILTER MEDIA UNDER THE BIO-MEDIA? So, I'm learning that the bottom, "catch" area of my SKIPPY isn't doing a lot to trap the crud that gets past the pre-filter. The only time I get a "crud" flow is when I back-flush [but maybe that's normal???]. At this time I have a thin, coarse-type filter padding [a blue A/C filter from LOWES] sitting over the egg-crate grating. Not doing a lot.

Once we move the filter to it's final location, will replace my make-shift A/C filter with some MATALA filter sheets [green] that I will cut for a very snug fit in the SKIPPY.

So I guess my question is, would there be any advantage to layering with progressively finer MATALA sheets? It's a lot thicker than what I have now, so hoping it will stop more crud and still let the water through, but also 'cause it's thicker, am afraid that adding to it will use up the space for the bio-media. Or is the one layer OK? I know the SKIPPY isn't intended to be a mechanical filter, but do want to keep the "crud" out of the bio-media so it can do it's job better.

3 -- IMPROVE ON THE PRE-FILTERING? My pump is in a milk crate lined with the above-mentioned blue A/C pads from LOWES. Is there a BETTER, more efficient way to pre-filter the water before it gets to the SKIPPY?

 

[Mucky_Waters]

The biggest problem with submersible in pond pumps is that any "crud" that gets through your pre-filter gets blended up by the pump impeller and becomes particularly hard to filter out. You end up with a fine dust like puree that can settle all over any static media you have down stream of the pump, and what makes it through there ends up back in your pond if you don't have any filter capable of filtering it out.
A few possible ways of filtering it out before it gets to your skippy would be a settling chamber, a sand filter, a sieve, or quilt batting.
As far as changing your bio-media around, unless you have a very heavy fish load you could probably do it at any time, since your pond is probably not relying on your skippy for bio-filtration at all anyway.

 

[sissy]

addy was just talking about a leaf basket and has pics on hummingbirds post and wonder if you can buy them .My pumps can be submerged or out of water external .

 

[sissy]

I saw one at a pond store yesterday and they had a basket for submerged that had bio balls in and lady showed me how light and easy it was to pull out and wondering if that could really work or if is just hype to sell you something .

 

[fishin4cars]

Question 1- Your correct, Winter or early spring would be the "Best" time.
Question 2- For your application I think the Green Matala is a great idea. But I wouldn't Matala in a skippy from course to fine. IT will clog. The green is a great precatch but it works best when it can be cleaned on a somewhat regular basis. When using Matala filters it's best to use them where you can take them out to maintain. Such as downflow, or side flow. having them on the bottom and the water flowing up through them is probably the worse way to use them. They clog and catch alot, being as they will be where they can't be checked regularly would be a disadvantage. I prefer using the green Matala in the skimmer right before the pump to catch bigger debris and the using a second type filter before the Bio. (Like Mucky Waters suggested above)
Question 3- I agree with Mucky, In pond prefilter is limited, It works but each time you go to clean them they will catch more stuff up then when reg. running. also they can be traps for bad bacteria if left for extended periods of time. last but not least, Prefiltering like that still leaves a good portion of the "STUFF" you want filtered out still in the pond.

 

[Mmathis]

As far as changing your bio-media around, unless you have a very heavy fish load you could probably do it at any time, since your pond is probably not relying on your skippy for bio-filtration at all anyway.

Hmmm, good thought, and have wondered about that. Maybe the SKIPPY should be converted into a side-flow mechanical filter, and let the "pond" be the bio-part As it is, I throw stuff like used zip-ties in there, and with all the PVC pipe that is supporting the turtles "false floor," there really should be plenty of nice places for the bacteria to grow.

And I'm not ruling out researching & investing in a different filtration system, if anyone has suggestions [something on the low-budget end, though].