Thanks jan. You do this by switching out pumps, right? I'm assuming you have
a "skimmer box"? I'm using a submersible pump (OASE Auquamax) and I need to
use one with a larger intake to avoid clogs and having to clean a
pre-filter. My thinking is that I could cut my electricity usage by 2/3rds
and not experience any negative effects from downsizing. On the other side
of saving money, energy efficient pumps are really costing a lot these days.
What to do? What to do?

JB



"~ jan" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:56:56 EDT, "JB" wrote:

I spent some time earlier today trimming back spent lily pads and getting
things cleaned up for fall. I have a 3,000 gph pump that I leave running
all
winter through my biofalls filter. Live in central Arkansas where the
winters can get cold but the pond rarely freezes all the way over. I was
thinking about switching to a lower flow water pump for the winter season
to
save a little money and avoid super chilling the water on those coldest
days. The main purpose for me running water through the winter would be to
keep the bacteria alive in the filter and prevent the filter basin from
freezing solid and cracking, right? Does anyone do this? Got any
suggestions
for me? TIA JB

I do, I slow down from 1500 to 500 gph. One of the important thing, imo,
in
case of power lost everything need to self drain.

It has made a world of difference for spring start-up, in that the filter
comes on line as soon as the temps start coming up. ~ jan

------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us