Ultima 11. Won't backflush

burbon44s

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2012
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milwaukee
I've got an ultima 11 4000 I just tried to backwash and it's not working. Usually I can hear it spray in the filter, but tonight I can't, and nothing dirty in the sight glass.
Anyone ever come across this?
How can I fix?

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spiff44

Bronze Tier VIP
MFK Member
Dec 20, 2007
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Midwest
What pump are you running? I found that if I go too long between flushes, I have issues too... it takes about 100 gallons of back washing before you start hearing the media start kicking loose. This'll happen if your pumps are under flowed... I get around 3500GPH at the filter because of the massive resistance of my setup. These filters work much better 5000-6000GPH.

Just let it keep backwashing until it breaks up... if it never does you might need to remove some resistance somewhere or upgrade your pump.
 

burbon44s

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2012
919
1
48
milwaukee
The pump is a big dolphin. I thought it was 4850 gals/ hr
I've had it running for 1 1/2 years with no problems.
I always heard the flush right a way.

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kendragon

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Mar 23, 2009
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Is anything coming out of the backwash dump hose?
 

evojoey

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 31, 2008
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What I do when I have that problem is to pull the head off and stick a hose down inside to loosen everything up. I let it run for a while to get all the pooty poo out. I have to do it every year on my koi pond.
 

burbon44s

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2012
919
1
48
milwaukee
What I do when I have that problem is to pull the head off and stick a hose down inside to loosen everything up. I let it run for a while to get all the pooty poo out. I have to do it every year on my koi pond.
I will try that.
I wonder if all my snails could be the problem

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kendragon

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Mar 23, 2009
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The lateral stand pipe has a built in check valve. When in backwash mode it forces the water into the jets. Perhaps the check valve flipper is blocked or disloged.
 
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