Skimmer maintance

[Gordo33]

I recently switched to Matala pads in the skimmer box. Previously I was using the blue furnace pads with quilt batting for mechanical filtration. My maintance routine was to clean the furnace pad in a bucket of pond water and replace the quilt batting once a week. I would wash the quilt batting in a water only cycle in the washing machine , running it through twice.
This is a pic of my new set up. How often should the Matala pads be cleaned? I have read any where from one month to as many as 6 months. When I was cleaning my old set up the 5 gal bucket of water would turn dark. How can it be good for the pond if the filter pads are left in for months at a time. I would think the dirty pads in the skimmer would have a negative affect on the water since the pads are in the water that circulates into the pond.

 

[ashirley]

I have pads in my skimmer but i have well water so i hose them off with the water hose. I think you will enjoy that setup over your previous one.

 

[sissy]

I think most like my neighbor looks at how dirty they are and the water flow being restricted

 

[cas]

I like the idea and am curious how it works for you. I just changed out my bio-falls to matala filters, but left the regular filter in the skimmer. I usually rinse my skimmer filter daily. Since this May was real bad for string and mat algae, the net and skimmer filter were actually clogging because they were collecting so much algae.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I recently switched to Matala pads in the skimmer box. Previously I was using the blue furnace pads with quilt batting for mechanical filtration. My maintance routine was to clean the furnace pad in a bucket of pond water and replace the quilt batting once a week. I would wash the quilt batting in a water only cycle in the washing machine , running it through twice.
This is a pic of my new set up. How often should the Matala pads be cleaned? I have read any where from one month to as many as 6 months. When I was cleaning my old set up the 5 gal bucket of water would turn dark. How can it be good for the pond if the filter pads are left in for months at a time. I would think the dirty pads in the skimmer would have a negative affect on the water since the pads are in the water that circulates into the pond.

View attachment 91771

Curious about the configuration of your skimmer. In the photo I see two (2) pipes one white and one black. I imagine that one is the pump outlet line, but what is the other. Also I do not see a debris net/basket in your skimmer.

 

[Gordo33]

I like the idea and am curious how it works for you. I just changed out my bio-falls to matala filters, but left the regular filter in the skimmer. I usually rinse my skimmer filter daily. Since this May was real bad for string and mat algae, the net and skimmer filter were actually clogging because they were collecting so much algae.

Will post updates. this is a DIY set up . I have a 100 gal tub that receives water from e skimmer. The tub has lava rocks and yellow flag iris that I assume is my biological filtration

 

[Gordo33]

Curious about the configuration of your skimmer. In the photo I see two (2) pipes one white and one black. I imagine that one is the pump outlet line, but what is the other. Also I do not see a debris net/basket in your skimmer.

Yes the white pipe is the outlet. In the spring I put an above liner bottom drain that is teed in the skimmer(black pipe) to pull water through the skimmer . You are correct there is no debris net/basket. I manually remove the debri that enters the skimmer which is minimal. I net the pond in the fall to prevent leaves from entering the pond. Its DIY set up and I believe it is working.
Still looking for an answer about how often to clean the pads.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Still looking for an answer about how often to clean the pads.

As needed. Frequency will vary depending on time of year and the individual character of the pond. Every pond is different. The skimmer on one pond may need cleaning/emptying once a day whereas on another pond this may be needed less than once a week.

 

[Gordo33]

As needed. Frequency will vary depending on time of year and the individual character of the pond. Every pond is different. The skimmer on one pond may need cleaning/emptying once a day whereas on another pond this may be needed less than once a week.

Thanks, I was able to get a feel for the routine with my old set up and basically was cleaning the furnace pad and quilt batting once a week once all the plants were established. This cleaning routine was not due to a reduced flow rate. I wanted to get the muck out of the pond. The current set up has 4 Matala pads 10,20,30,40 ppi and together is 7 inches thick. After researching the Matala pads it appears one of the features is less cleaning is needed due to its composition. In this closed loop system water enters skimmer pumped to water fall down stream back to pond, is there negative effects keeping the pads in the skimmer for extended periods . Assuming no significant flow reduction. Thanks for your input.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

is there negative effects keeping the pads in the skimmer for extended periods . Assuming no significant flow reduction

No, but even with no debris being collected biofilm will form on the surface of all of the mats, which, to a point, is beneficial. But this may build up over time and restrict the flow. So you are still back to the fact...clean them when they need it.

 

[Gordo33]

I like the idea and am curious how it works for you. .

The Matala pads have done a great job filtering the pond. Once a month a I pull them out and bang them against the driveway to clean them out. Last week I cleaned the 100 gal waterfall tub that is fed by the pump being PRE filtered by the Matala pads and there was significantly less muck than what I remember from last year. Water clarity has been crystal clear.

 

[mgmine]

You can't argue with success. As far as those with a net in their skimmer they could take the pads out in the fall and replace the net. My net never has anything in it during the summer anyway. I like your idea and will try it myself next year. I have a very large filter so I only have to clean it once a season. When I do there is plenty of muck on the bottom and your way might cut down on it.

 

[cas]

As far as those with a net in their skimmer they could take the pads out in the fall and replace the net. My net never has anything in it during the summer anyway.

Interesting idea. I wondered how I could put more than one filter in the skimmer. With the pond netted for the heron, I really don't really catch much in the skimmer net.

 

[mgmine]

It wouldn't take much to build a frame to hold all the filters together. Doing so would make it easier to put them in because they wouldn't bunch up.

 

[Gordo33]

Interesting idea. I wondered how I could put more than one filter in the skimmer. With the pond netted for the heron, I really don't really catch much in the skimmer net.

I looked at your showcase and it looks like your skimmer box is a rectangle. If the inside is not sub divided or just open space you can cut the Matala pads to size. They are firm but flexible enough to squeeze them against the sides of the skimmer to prevent water channeling.

It wouldn't take much to build a frame to hold all the filters together. Doing so would make it easier to put them in because they wouldn't bunch up.

I didn't use a frame because the Matala pads will hold up on their own. I did not leave space between them but they can be spaced with a gap if necessary. In the short time I have been using them they have retained there shape and slip right back in after cleaning them.