On Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:50:51 EDT, Peter Pan wrote:

I was wondering how often should I back flush my 3200 gal pond? And when
doing so, how much water should I take out.

Most filters that I'm familiar with that back flush are pressurized. My
understanding and from working with swimming pool filters, you back wash
till it clears. Surely some directions came with the filter regarding this?

Another water question: I know ponds are not usually clear like a fish
tank. My last pond was a plastic insert and the water was fairly clear.
Now that I have a liner, it's no where near clear; its murky at best..
Any suggestions?

It takes a new pond a while to balance. How old is your pond? The liner
type doesn't have much to do with it. Unless cement that could alter the pH
and throw balance off.

What our club is finding locally with people, especially with fairly new
ponds, is the tossing away of money on chemicals that are a temporary fix
at best. We have been highly suggesting that it is cheaper to do small
frequent water changes. If there is a pond problem, do 10% every other day,
if there isn't a problem do 10-20%/week.

Personally I've found what works for me is to have new flow come in at the
top of my waterfall and out flow to the grass, after my pump. I equalize
the flow rate and do that for an hour/week with dechlor added. My biggest
problem has been pollen in the spring with a little yellow color due to
tannins, but I stepped up the water changes and it was gone in 2 weeks what
took more than a month before.

Many people with koi only ponds have gone to flow thru, where they have a
little fresh coming in and a little old going out 24/7. 1500 gallon pond
would probably have 6 gph change over.

Only thing it doesn't prevent is raccoons. ~ jan
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Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us