The pond dig has begun!

[sissy]

are you sure it was the same as what she has there is one kind of blue that I use it is a permanant furnace filter that is a brighter blue the kind she has is a dark blue

 

[addy1]

nope not sure sissy.

 

[sissy]

thats why I changed to the all natural buffing machine pads because a lot of the furnace filters do not say .I can only find the all natural furnace filters at 1 home depot all the others I visited did not have them .I guess it is supply and demand ..I guess a lot of people don't want to spend the extra money on them

 

[sissy]

I know when I do find them I buy a few up or I stay with the buffing machine pads .

 

[CountryEscape]

OK, Sissy, I think you're concerned about the darker colored pad, which I said is more like a scrubbie, right? Well, it's made by True Blue, called a "budget washable air filter". Lasts up to one year or 12 filter washings. "2 times more effective than fiberglass filters. 100% synthetic filter". BUT, it also says, "will not support the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew or fungi in normal use." So, does that mean a pond filter is NOT normal use, and bacteria WILL grow on it? LOL
Does it sound safe now? As I said, one side of it is more open mesh, the other side is about 1/2" grid, all made with the same fiber, just different densities. I think this should work well as my first filter. I am going to try to find the buffing machine pads for another layer of filter, though! But, first I want your ok, if this sounds like a safe product to use.

 

[sissy]

it will work but falls apart easy and thats the major problem with it and you end up with these little blue things in the pond .I think it's the binder they use to glue them it does not hold up in constant wet conditions.I find my buffer pads at the rental center where they rent tools or at some lowes stores

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, darn, I thought I had found something really good. :-( You really burst my bubble, Sissy. LOL OK, rental place, buffer pads, I'll check them out. Probably will try these for a while and see how they go. Maybe since they say they only take up to 12 washings, that does make sense that they may not last very long.

 

[addy1]

lol county is why we ask ???'s to learn The one's I picked up were from lowes, but mine are not for a filter, just a filter vacuum, run off and on, maybe once a year. They should survive anything I use them for.

 

[koiguy1969]

as far as your hose attachment on your flush valne..you dont want to restrict the waters flow. the faster it can rush out, the better its flush affectiveness.
**these are the only furnace filters i would use: https://www.gardenpondforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2235&d=1270244354


the blue frameless one in your pic, like the green ones, looks like it has the mesh on one side to hold it together. this is an indicator that its biodegradable. it will work but its longevity wont be great.
the ones in the cardboard frames....forget about them

 

[CountryEscape]

KoiGuy, the pic you attached is really small, but seems to look just like what I have that you are calling green with the mesh. But obviously the makeup of the filter is what is the difference. It says it's 100% synthetic material, doesn't say anything about biodegradable, but I'm going to assume that it will break down soon, since it says it is good for up to 12 months or 12 washings, and obviously being IN the water will add up to those 12 very fast. I will probably buy some of the foam stuff from the landscape place. I think it's about $10/ft, and it's about 3' wide at least.
Yes, the outlet on the filter is not what I had wanted and planned, but it's what got put in for now anyhow. Can always tweak it at a later date.

 

[sissy]

They say 12 washing it will hold up but remember this is not washing it is constantly in water and breaks down because of that reason alone .If you use it just watch for when it starts the breakdown process .Which is around 2 maybe 3 months .Thats the great thing about ponds you never know what might work and what might not it is trial and error .I have found that down south where they use swamp filters they have one kind that is great even has activated charcoal in it .I got 2 of them from a friend who went down to florida ,They are not cheap 25 dollars but they are really nice and fine .I have to find out where he got them the next time I talk to him as I really want more ,these are already 3 years old and hope they still sell them .I have been washing them for 3 years and they have held up great .Went online to try to find them but can't and they had no packaging or name on them .He bought them at a supply house

 

[CountryEscape]

Sissy if you come up with some more of those, let me know! I'd be interested in them as well. Yes, I will be certain to watch for breakdown in my filters. I have it figured out that I'll be able to "easily" take the whole set out and clean them, when needed. Also, I will be taking my filter tub into the garage for the winter, since waterfall won't continue to run. May leave fountain running, though, and will definitely have floating heater. But, my point is when I move the filter tub, it will have to be mostly emptied out. I can then add pond water once I have it in the garage, so hopefully keep the bacterial "live" during the winter, or do I need to worry about that?
Now, if the rains are done, and once my company is gone for the weekend, maybe I can get back to finishing up my pond edge, fill it the rest of the way, and get this filter going! I'm soooo anxious to get the time running so eventually I can add fish! Plants and fish, my priority of the pond. Sound of waterfall and other things just added benefits.

 

[sissy]

I am hoping posting that filter on here maybe someone who has one of those swamp systems may know what they are and where to get them .keeping my fingers crossed ,my friend moved back to england and so far I have not been able to get hold of him .He had cancer and wanted to go back to his country to live near family .Anyone out there have one of these swamp systems find out what kind of filters you use and let us know .I understand they don't use that system much anymore .

 

[addy1]

Evaporation coolers sissy, they still use in arizona.

http://www.aircoolpad.com/aspen_evaporative_cooler_pads.html

They don't really work well anywhere there is humidity

 

[sissy]

wondering mine is white not brown could it be different.Not sure wish there had been a name n these because they work great.At least thats a start addy maybe since they still use them there you or they would know how many brands and types there are