Sand filter for outdoor pond

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I

IRONWOOD

Gambusia
MFK Member
Sep 22, 2010
831
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16
usa
Over the winter I bought a 17'' sand filter off e-bay cheap, $16 delivered. I was too cheap to pass up for brand new. Anyways I plumbed it in and filled it with bio-balls, lava rocks, bio slugs and a huge pile of old fishing line. She was running perfect for a while but cnow needs to be back washed 2x a day. Nothing really come out of the back wash but the flow comes to a hault after 8 hours or so. Running a small pool pump 1/3 hp. Any suggestions? Water is perfect, fish 100% healthy
 
The Ehiem filter use a plastic mesh as filter material so I figured fishing line would be used to home bacteria colony
 
First, I'd take the fishing line out. I don't see how that's beneficial at all. Just seems it would cause more problems. The line could be plugging the slots in the lift tubes. Also, how full, with all the media, is the filter. Shouldn't fill it all the way up. Maybe just two thirds full.
 
most likely filled 80%. I had the fishing line in another filter without issue. I figured a good boi home just like in the Ehiem canister filter. What do you think about removing the lift tubes?
 
Water alone for backwash is not enough. You need something to lift the media or stir it up. Try using a blower or put an airstone at the intake.
 
As stated above, you need to agitate the media during backwash. You can attach a blower to the unit or use an air compressor if you have one.
 
What do you mean by lift tubes?
If you're refering to the laterals then what's going to prevent the media from coming out when you remove them?
Laterals spread the collection point evenly across the bottom and the slots give more open area. Removing them reduces the open area.
 
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