Skippy filter??

[Conner]

So I was looking over this website, the creators of the Skippy Filter. Everything looks cool, till you get to the part where they say you should NEVER clean the filter. Even in winter. Does that make sense? I understand that if you clean the filter you're likely to lose a bit of the beneficial bacteria, but all filters need cleaning eventually, right?

http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm

 

[Glark]

I am using the skippy on our 5k gal pond. For the most part i am happy with it-but do have some green water right now. I buy the bio-stuff from the local pet store and have added 2 galllons of it.
Hoping for a clear up soon and I have not cleaned-but there is major gunk in the bottom of it-

G

 

[Muske]

My filter is basically skippy style and I clean it monthly. I get a lot of silt and detritus when I pull my media out. I hate turning on the pump and having all that brown water enter the pond. I use a small bucket or pump to get most of the water out.

 

[Conner]

My filter is basically skippy style and I clean it monthly. I get a lot of silt and detritus when I pull my media out. I hate turning on the pump and having all that brown water enter the pond. I use a small bucket or pump to get most of the water out.

Hmmm. I may do like a 75-100g rubbermaid tub size, raised up slightly so I can install a bottom drain on it. That way I don't have to remove the media, I just turn off the pump, open the drain, and let all the crap drain out, while hosing down the media from above. Then turn the pump back on and voila!

 

[Privatteer]

Its not made clear on the website, but they recommend a prefilter, ie swirl or sponge to remove the solids before the skippy.

I originally started with a skippy style, but it ended up morfing to a trickle filter with a bottom drain. I feel this gives better oxygenation around the biomedia making it more effective.

When I had the skippy I found if I didn't clean it before spring I could guarantee an algae bloom.

 

[Glark]

I use the EZ bio-filter, wash it out once a week

 

[Muske]

Hmmm. I may do like a 75-100g rubbermaid tub size, raised up slightly so I can install a bottom drain on it. That way I don't have to remove the media, I just turn off the pump, open the drain, and let all the crap drain out, while hosing down the media from above. Then turn the pump back on and voila!

They will come with a bottom drain installed. I had trouble with them leaking a litttle, maybe I overtightened? Use clean water from the upper part of the water column in the pond. Fresh, usally chlorinated hose water may set the BB back in the media.

The filter I have is now made with 2 inlets on opposite sides. One is for plumbing and the other is made to have a drain. I wish that was available 5 yrs. ago....

 

[5_fish_in_a_pond]

Just a bump for this thread.

I am planning a 30 gallon skippy to handle a 600 gallon koi pond.

Regarding the sump drain: Is a 3/4 garden hose size sump outlet sufficient? I could go bigger, but the hose is convenient. Will the sludge plug that size outlet?

I plan a 1-1/2 inch overflow outlet. I'll be running off a 450 GPH Sunterra pump.

Do these sizes sound right? TIA

 

[Muske]

600 gal Koi pond is going to be a problem, not to mention the Sunterra 450 gph pump. I have seen many a Sunterra crap out after one season. They usually come with the Menards Kits that have ponds with a 1.5' depth. That shallow depth is just a big leaf and debris trap....

3/4" bulkhead will work and shouldn't get clogged. I use an old Mag 7 as a clean out for my filter which has a 3/4" outlet. I use it as a clean out pump in my filter and also as a pump for a drain tile/french drain in my yard when it rains a lot, like this past weekend.

 

[5_fish_in_a_pond]

Thanks for the reply.

The Sunterra is going on season #5, but I'm waiting for the failure. I figure I can upgrade the pump when that one goes.

I've had good luck with a box filter so far, but contend with some algae blooms and far too frequent filter cleaning. I'm hoping the Skippy will require less effort.

My pond is only 18 inches deep, but 6X8 ft. surface. The fish come inside the garage for the winter. 100gal. Rubbermaid tank with insulation and a heater did great this year.