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First grade class.
20160504_142544.jpg
 
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Having a slight issue with the waterfall filters, doing their job, but causing the water to backup, and pump out the backside of the pond.This is the first summer I've not had water lettuce, and coupled with a 2600 gph pump instead of a 2000 gph pump.
I'm thinking (trying to locate a top) for the waterfall. Not having any luck, the waterfall is not something handmade, made from ABS plastic. What I want is to be able to clamp a top on the waterfall to force the water out the front only if the filters are "plugged". Ideas?
 

Mmathis

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Having a slight issue with the waterfall filters, doing their job, but causing the water to backup, and pump out the backside of the pond.This is the first summer I've not had water lettuce, and coupled with a 2600 gph pump instead of a 2000 gph pump.
I'm thinking (trying to locate a top) for the waterfall. Not having any luck, the waterfall is not something handmade, made from ABS plastic. What I want is to be able to clamp a top on the waterfall to force the water out the front only if the filters are "plugged". Ideas?
Can you post some pictures of the waterfall filters and give us a little better idea of what's happening and why things are backing up. I may be misunderstanding, but I don't understand why you want to "force" the water out instead of cleaning/unstopping the filters.....
 
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Can you post some pictures of the waterfall filters and give us a little better idea of what's happening and why things are backing up. I may be misunderstanding, but I don't understand why you want to "force" the water out instead of cleaning/unstopping the filters.....
Yes, I can tomorrow. Looks like the filters "collect", as they should. This causes an issue with the pump putting more water than the waterfall filters can handle.
 
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Only thing different this year than last, I replaced the waterfall pump with a 2600 gph, the old one was 2000 gph. I didn't put water lettuce in as it was too expensive. I'm looking at making a top for it, as to prevent this again. Twice it has done this, I happened to be here yesterday when it happened. There is a low level cut off switch on the pump.
The blue filters are also installed
 

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I think replacing the filters alot more often will cause this to stop.The filter pads on the bench are extra, that means I can keep a set on the ready. I'd still like to fabricate a top that would clamp down on the waterfall base, and keep the water from pumping out except through the front. This is one more image showing the backside of the waterfall box where the water backs up, and pumps out. I don't know if originally it came with a top or not.
 

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Meyer Jordan

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What is the make and model of this biofalls unit?
Apparently you are experiencing what is termed 'channeling'.
This happens when the water can not flow evenly through the filter pads and/or media due to clogging. Usually it is the filter media that is clogged. When was the last time that the filter media was cleaned?
You do not mention a skimmer. Do you have one? Most debris should be caught by the skimmer unit. Very little should reach the biofalls unit. Biofalls are normally cleaned once a year.
 
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I have a filter pad in front of the pump, and a basket in front of that that catches the larger stuff. I've had to clean the filters (actually 3 times) First time was at the start this spring. Next was a month ago as it pumped about half the water out, last time was yesterday when I was there, and had this issue. I do have an extreme mechanical bio filter, just need $ to finish it. That would eleminate the waterfall filters.
I am sure I need to investigate a better pump filter as I do get the suction screen plugged at times, thanks for the reply, this is at an elementary school.
 

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Is this a DIY skimmer? Do you have photos? This is apparently the root of your problem. Very little debris should get past the basket/net and filter pad combo. If the intake to the pump is clogging, there is a flaw somewhere in the system. Debris is bypassing the filter pad.
 
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Is this a DIY skimmer? Do you have photos? This is apparently the root of your problem. Very little debris should get past the basket/net and filter pad combo. If the intake to the pump is clogging, there is a flaw somewhere in the system. Debris is bypassing the filter pad.
No. this is a market skimmer. I know it needs a better filter. Now (as far as I know this is what it came with) is a 3/4 inch filter pad, the blue pads in the image are alot more finer than the one in the skimmer, recommendations on this?
 

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