Is the filter clogged, or just overwhelmed by too many fish and them
creating too much gunk. If it is overwhelmed, then a larger filter would be
the way to go, and a larger pump should not be needed. If it is clogged, it
may be possible to do a very good cleaning using a shop vac as a blower.
Most of the bead filters have gone to the use of a Jacuzzi type blower to
clean the beads to reduce the amount of water needed to get a good backwash
and be sure the bead pack is broken up. Aqua claims their media is easier
to clean, but with all the compartments, I don't think it would be as easy
as cleaning a sphere. If you take the pump side loose, attach a shop vac in
blower mode, put the filter in backwash mode to lower the water level in the
tank and then put the filter in rinse mode and allow the air to toss the
media around for several minutes, and then place the filter back in backwash
mode to blow all the gunk and the remainder of the water out of the filter
and reconnect the pump and complete the backwash, rinse, and re-backwash, it
may save you from having to take it apart.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
"gng" wrote in message
...
Wow, I have off this ng for a long time. This is Gary from San
Diego/Carlsbad area. To you long timers, I used to go by Wallygator and
AbbeyRoad a long, long time ago. Here is my pond question that I hope
someone can answer.

I have a 2500 gallon pond with Sequence 1/4 hp, and Aqua Ultra filter and
UV
It was installed a few years back and was wonderful until this year. As
the
fish have grown, the filter has clogged and now it is a quite a challenge
to
keep the pond crystal clear. In fact, the pond used to be swimming pool
clear, but is not closer to city park pond - meaning about a foot of
visability.

Local pond stores are telling me to upgrade both filter and pump. The are
recommending the 1/2 hp Sequence 7200 and the larger Aqua filter that is
made for a 4000 gallon pond. I totally understand the supersize concept,
and if cost were no object that is a good solution. But here are my
questions:

1. I was thinking of just upgrading the pump for now to get better flow
for the waterfall. Any problems you can see with keeping the existing
"undersized" filter and just backwashing daily?

2. The current filter is pretty clogged. I could take it apart, but that
is a huge mess. Do you believe the pond store that is telling me that a
1/2hp pump will blow out all the poop and eliminate me mucking with this?
I
am trying to avoid taking the filter apart unless I have to.

Any other advice? Thanks all,

Gary