The caution should be expressed. If the pond has a filter before the
waterfall, then it would be fairly easy to bypass teh waterfall. The
biofalls type filters are at the top of the waterfall and therefore
difficult to bypass the waterfall and keep them running. For the biofalls
type filters it would be a good idea to build them with some form of
recirculation or aeration system, but I doubt if many have anything. The
filters that cannot have water bypass the waterfall can be kept alive and
strong by the addition of a small amount of household ammonia each day to
feed the bacteria if there is also oxygen available for the bacteria.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/index.html
"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
news
Thanxx. That makes good sense. Both of my filter are gravity upflow
filters, so the airstone would not be possible, but I get the idea. Since
I
dont have one - I thought many waterfall filters (with no skimmer) were
above pond level and would drain if the pump was cut off. As much as
anything I was just curious about never seeing an admonition about
possible
biofilter damage and possible suggestions (like your's) to minimize it.
It
seems if you had a well stocked fish pond killing the filter would be a
very
bad thing. Thanxx again.
Bill Brister
wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 14:37:02 GMT, "Newbie Bill"
wrote:
I frequently see suggestions that people shut off their pump to confirm
leaks. I never see any mention of damage to the bio filter. Dont the
bio
bugs begin to die within three to four hours? If so I wonder why it is
rarely mentioned, since this could create significant new problems.
Thanxx
Bill Brister - Austin, Texas
IMHO, if you are concerned about the filter:
1. if you have a submersible filter and pump, just disconnect the
outlet, and let the water go right back into the pond.
2. If you have a barrow/above water filter, fill with pond water and
toss in an aeration stone. Make it doesn't dry out.
3. Don't worry, the pond will cycle again later, not at deadly to the
fish as the pond going dry due to a leak.
hth,
tom
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