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sand filter

Posted by mountaindew FL (My Page) on
Fri, Sep 1, 06 at 10:03

I have a 18in sand filter on a 220 gal. pond.The manufacturer says to use 150lbs of sand which takes it to the top of the filter.The filter is working great but it seems it clogs up quickly.Should I be useing that much sand.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: sand filter

Is filter pressurised or upflow. pressurised needs to be backwashed. air can be injected in up flow.


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RE: sand filter

The problem with sand filters is they are not very good for pond water. Sand filters work well on pools because the water is already chemically cleaned.....no algae. The algae present in all ponds will quickly clog the sand. Bead filters are much better on garden ponds, but will still require frequent cleaning.


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RE: sand filter

  • Posted by nomadh 10-11/so cal (My Page) on
    Thu, Aug 23, 07 at 11:29

I'm thinking more and more bead filters are not very good either. I have 2 ponds with beads and 1 with a simple spraybar into a wet/dry filter media after a halfway decent prefilter and it never needs cleaning. The pre only needs flushing every few months. My bead filters need flushing a few times per week.


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RE: sand filter

you are exactly right. Bead filters have a couple of advantages over an open gravity fed system (They are easier to plumb and they can go anywhere), but an open gravity fed system has many, many more advangates.


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RE: sand filter

When adding sand to a filter you should not fill all the way to the top. I would recommend that you re-check the manufacturer directions on this, but either way i would remove some sand.

Since sand filters are known to commonly get plugged from the organic debris and algae you may want to think about a cartridge filter or sock pre-filter. Another option is to use 1/2 gravel at the top and 1/2 sand at the bottom of your filter to help it to not get plugged.

Either way you need to leave room in the top of the filter or the backwashing is going to flood the multiport valve and push debris under the spoke gasket and into the return lines to the pond ultimately.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond Filter Options


 
 

 

 


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