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Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
"Kurt" wrote in message
... Only that when people were inquiring about very general things, a good place to start is with Google. I found myself going to Google for a few of the topics brought up here, and was able to learn even more. I use google here all the time,. but the best pond tips I've gotten are ALL from the old newsgroup. Plus it makes no sense to try various web tips, when people here have already tried them, and found issues with them. Otherwise why even bother to have the newsgroup? The whole point it to share tips, tricks, successes and failures so we all have better healthier ponds. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
In article ,
"Gareee©" wrote: "Kurt" wrote in message ... Only that when people were inquiring about very general things, a good place to start is with Google. I found myself going to Google for a few of the topics brought up here, and was able to learn even more. I use google here all the time,. but the best pond tips I've gotten are ALL from the old newsgroup. Plus it makes no sense to try various web tips, when people here have already tried them, and found issues with them. Otherwise why even bother to have the newsgroup? The whole point it to share tips, tricks, successes and failures so we all have better healthier ponds. Of course, but in the instance where someone might be looking where to find a particular product, a Google search would have solved the query pretty quick. The Gorilla Glue thread, for example is a perfect example of what you are talking about - Personal experience on its effectiveness. For example: The topic of using a shop vac to clean my pond was worth it's weight in gold to me. Would have taken a while to find that solution in Google. The group rocks. (or flows) -- To reply by email, remove the word "space" |
Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
"Gareee©" wrote in message ... "cat daddy" wrote in message ... There were many great replies, both for experiences with adhesives as well as sources of info for bulkhead fittings. Yes, and from the replies, I never got any confirmation abotu any adhesive really working on rubbermaid containers And, valuable information to pass along in the future. Nothing easily available will bond most Rubbermaid plastics. Specifically to the wheels on their lawn carts, Only 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Plastic Adhesive DP-8005 will do, and it's not available to the consumer. http://www.plasticsmag.com/ta.asp?aid=3080 So, you're back to bulkhead fittings and you should have enough info to build your own from parts at Lowes, order any of the choices online, from say the store in jan's link, or discover that the wax ring experiment works or doesn't work. Again, there were several great sites posted, both with DIY info, and commercial parts ordering sites, but both you and Garee apparently missed all of them. No, I did see them, and visited them,.. and they were posted about 2 weeks after the original thread was started. There was no indication of that from your posts, and Derek kept saying that no links were being posted, when they were. The failed adhesives discussion delayed getting to the heart of your problem. Good luck, anyway.... |
Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
cat daddy wrote:
Again, there were several great sites posted, both with DIY info, and commercial parts ordering sites, but both you and Garee apparently missed all of them. Acgtually, no. I just went back through the whole thread. There were lots of good references, once it was stated that he needed a bulkhead fitting, for where to find bulkhead fittings, but I still don't see anything like a web site detailing parts required for a home built filter. It would still be nice to have. -- derek - Unless otherwise noted, I speak for myself, not rec.ponds.moderated moderators. |
Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
cat daddy wrote:
There was no indication of that from your posts, and Derek kept saying that no links were being posted, when they were. No, I didn't say anything like that. Garee pointed out that he hasn't seen any websites that list part numbers for building a filter. I said I've seen some, but I have no current links, and would really like to find such links. Nothing in this thread has changed that. -- derek - Unless otherwise noted, I speak for myself, not rec.ponds.moderated moderators. |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
Checked with all the local farmer's supply and marine supply stores in the
area.. because of a drought, there are no bulkheads (or very few) available locally. Figures.. LOL! So I went back through the thread, and looked for the web page that showed how to make one from electrical conduit. Yet another trip to Lowe's again.. sigh they like seeign me far too much! Anyway I managed to cobble up what looks like workable bulkheads. I used 1 1/2 inch, so it would match the pvc connected to the clear line I have coming from the uv filter. The tub gaskets he mentioned were far too large, but we managed to find #18 O rings that look like they'll do the trick, and you get 10 for a buck n change. I'll use one on the outside of the sterlite, and one on the inside as well. Hopefully they are large enough. Originally I grabbed the larger ones mentioned in the article, but then was trying to find connectors for the clear line I have for output, and was grabbing far too much stuff to make a cap. Only thing I'm lacking, is some "grate" thing for the bottom of the filter, to keep the filter material away from the bottom, so I'll use a small milk crate in the meantime, just to get it running. I'll probably buy some 3/4" pcv and corners, to make a box shape with legs, and then use strapping of some kind running around that for the filter material to rest on. With luck, I'll have this together in a few hours for a test. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
Ok, here's the news.. the good, the bad, and ther ugly....
Good: makeshift bulkheads seem to work great, with no leaks! Yay! Bad: Sterilie got a crack from the water weight in the lip on the top.. once the lid is secured on, I think it'll reinforce it fine. Ugly: the water flow in exceeds the waterflow out, so I'm getting overflow.. only options I can think of is trying a larger output fitting, adding a second fitting the size I currently have. I'm using the largest hose my Lowe's carries, so I'll need to also rig up a outflow pipe or hose to the pond. I could use the toilet flanges I got, but I'm still not happy with the wax seals on them. I'm going to see if there are some 2: fittings that might work out in the electrical conduit section, or the plumbing section at Lowe's. I'll need to see if I can use something that will still accept that makeshift gasket from the web page article. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
Ok, here's the news.. the good, the bad, and ther ugly....
Good: makeshift bulkheads seem to work great, with no leaks! Yay! Bad: Sterilie got a crack from the water weight in the lip on the top.. once the lid is secured on, I think it'll reinforce it fine. Ugly: the water flow in exceeds the waterflow out, so I'm getting overflow.. only options I can think of is trying a larger output fitting, adding a second fitting the size I currently have. I'm using the largest hose my Lowe's carries, so I'll need to also rig up a outflow pipe or hose to the pond. I could use the toilet flanges I got, but I'm still not happy with the wax seals on them. I'm going to see if there are some 2: fittings that might work out in the electrical conduit section, or the plumbing section at Lowe's. I'll need to see if I can use something that will still accept that makeshift gasket from the web page article. Hi Garee - IME, a 2" return fitting will handle up to a ~ 2000 gph pump - if you are pumping more than that through the filter, you need more than 1 - 2" return line, but more than ~1000 gph going through your filter of 45 gal will be a problem as it will not work as well (too fast) - I use a 2500gph pump that is "teed" so that I am actually running ~ 800 - 900gph through my 45 gal barrel filter and the rest directly to my waterfall Gale :~) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
"G Pearce" wrote in message
... Hi Garee - IME, a 2" return fitting will handle up to a ~ 2000 gph pump - if you are pumping more than that through the filter, you need more than 1 - 2" return line, but more than ~1000 gph going through your filter of 45 gal will be a problem as it will not work as well (too fast) - I use a 2500gph pump that is "teed" so that I am actually running ~ 800 - 900gph through my 45 gal barrel filter and the rest directly to my waterfall Gale :~) Good to know.. I ended up getting a 3" setup just in case. after I made a gasket, and test fit it, the parts became so stuck, I couldn't unscrew them.. hopefully a quick trip to Lowe's, and they'll have some way to unscrew them. After getting it on, I'll drain about 2/3 of the pond to get rid of all the crap floating around in it, and hopefully that'll help the new filter get is clear sooner. Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue
On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 06:52:08 CST, Derek Broughton
wrote: I still don't see anything like a web site detailing parts required for a home built filter. So what could I add to mine to cover that? Click on Demon Pond Filter, ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
Ok, I've finally got it working! The lid does seems to contain the sterilite
bending, so that's good. There's a place on the front for a lock, and I might add some bends wire and tie it, just for aditional support. I still have a minor leak on the to outlet bulkhead.. I have 1 gasket inside, and 2 outside.. I'll add a third tomorrow, and see if that will give me enough compression to seal it. We've been in pretty bad drought for the last few months now, as a cup or two of water on the ground won't hurt anything. All the lower home made bulkheads with the O rings seems to work just fine. Wish I could fine some larger O rings around here, to use instead of the gaskets cut from rubber gasket material. Ah well.. it finally works, and other then the fish unrooting a few small transplants, all seems fine for now. With any luck, the uv will take care of the green, and the filter will filter out the suspended crap floating around. Oh! and had my first lilly bloom today as well, so after both the wife and myself weed whacking for 5 hours, it's turned out to be a good yard day. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
around. Oh! and had my first lilly bloom today as well, so after both the wife and myself weed whacking for 5 hours, it's turned out to be a good yard day. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) HoooRAH!!!! for your first lily bloom! :-) I have a few buds coming up but no flowers yet. Maybe by Sunday. One can hope! Glad to hear the bulkheads are working for you. I used ABS fittings and couplings. Screwed them in to the Rubbermaid and they have worked fine. VERY inexpensive! I will try to take some pics (I purchased my very first point and shoot digital camera this year!) and post them on http://home.pcisys.net/~muaddib/ Success to you! |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
wrote in message
ups.com... HoooRAH!!!! for your first lily bloom! :-) I have a few buds coming up but no flowers yet. Maybe by Sunday. I was expecting some sooner, but I'm wondering if the lack of sunlight down into the water has slowed thier growth some? One can hope! Glad to hear the bulkheads are working for you. I used ABS fittings and couplings. Screwed them in to the Rubbermaid and they have worked fine. VERY inexpensive! I will try to take some pics (I purchased my very first point and shoot digital camera this year!) and post them on http://home.pcisys.net/~muaddib/ Success to you! Thanks. I'm using abs as well, since it's cast in black, and looks a bit nicer then the gray electrical conduit. What did you use for gaskets/sealant? I've got one gasket inside the tub, and two outside, and I'm still getting a slight leak. I'll try adding a third outside today, and see if that helps. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
On Jun 8, 10:50 am, "Gareee©" wrote:
wrote in message ups.com... HoooRAH!!!! for your first lily bloom! :-) I have a few buds coming up but no flowers yet. Maybe by Sunday. I was expecting some sooner, but I'm wondering if the lack of sunlight down into the water has slowed thier growth some? One can hope! Glad to hear the bulkheads are working for you. I used ABS fittings and couplings. Screwed them in to the Rubbermaid and they have worked fine. VERY inexpensive! I will try to take some pics (I purchased my very first point and shoot digital camera this year!) and post them on http://home.pcisys.net/~muaddib/ Success to you! Thanks. I'm using abs as well, since it's cast in black, and looks a bit nicer then the gray electrical conduit. What did you use for gaskets/sealant? I've got one gasket inside the tub, and two outside, and I'm still getting a slight leak. I'll try adding a third outside today, and see if that helps. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) Hi Gary! I used gaskets cut from pond liner. :-P Screwed (tightened) the ABS fittings until the water stopped dripping/leaking. Has held up very well for the past three season. Ever once in a while, I will notice some dripping but it is only a drop or two every now and then and it usually stops on its own. I don't really mind the occasional drip drip drip as I am going to be water changes anyway (trying to reduce hormones and improve mineral and water quality anyway). Hope that helps. Oh, yes and if you really must have now drips, put silicone on both sides of the gasket before you tighten them down. That will stop any dripping. Dale |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
wrote in message
ups.com... I used gaskets cut from pond liner. :-P Screwed (tightened) the ABS fittings until the water stopped dripping/leaking. Has held up very well for the past three season. Ever once in a while, I will notice some dripping but it is only a drop or two every now and then and it usually stops on its own. I don't really mind the occasional drip drip drip as I am going to be water changes anyway (trying to reduce hormones and improve mineral and water quality anyway). The leaks stopped before I could even go out and add another gasket, so I'll live with that. I'm thinking of cuting the end off the utflow pipe, so it spills onto a rock, making a mini waterfall. Least it'll look better then a big black pipe with water coming out. Not sure how long it'll take to do the job though... I'll give it a week, and see if it looks like it's having any effect. Hope that helps. Oh, yes and if you really must have now drips, put silicone on both sides of the gasket before you tighten them down. That will stop any dripping. Actually, I'd thought about that, but since the leak stopped on it's own, I'll let it be for now. Looks like the sterilite lid has been an excellent reinforcement for the water pressure bowing out the container. Might pick up another.. I can use it for stotrage in the meantime, and if down the road, I need to replace it, I'll already have the backup. for $15 I can't really go wrong. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
On Jun 9, 7:20 pm, "Gareee©" wrote:
wrote in message ups.com... I used gaskets cut from pond liner. :-P Screwed (tightened) the ABS fittings until the water stopped dripping/leaking. Has held up very well for the past three season. Ever once in a while, I will notice some dripping but it is only a drop or two every now and then and it usually stops on its own. I don't really mind the occasional drip drip drip as I am going to be water changes anyway (trying to reduce hormones and improve mineral and water quality anyway). The leaks stopped before I could even go out and add another gasket, so I'll live with that. I'm thinking of cuting the end off the utflow pipe, so it spills onto a rock, making a mini waterfall. Least it'll look better then a big black pipe with water coming out. Not sure how long it'll take to do the job though... I'll give it a week, and see if it looks like it's having any effect. Hope that helps. Oh, yes and if you really must have now drips, put silicone on both sides of the gasket before you tighten them down. That will stop any dripping. Actually, I'd thought about that, but since the leak stopped on it's own, I'll let it be for now. Looks like the sterilite lid has been an excellent reinforcement for the water pressure bowing out the container. Might pick up another.. I can use it for stotrage in the meantime, and if down the road, I need to replace it, I'll already have the backup. for $15 I can't really go wrong. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) Outstanding, Gary! Glad that is working out for you. I remember the first time I looked at the cost of "real bulkheads" I bout had a heart attack! LOL That is what caused me to look for options. Success to you this ponding season! Remember to post pictures for us to look at. :-) Dale |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
wrote in message
oups.com... Outstanding, Gary! Glad that is working out for you. I remember the first time I looked at the cost of "real bulkheads" I bout had a heart attack! LOL That is what caused me to look for options. Success to you this ponding season! Remember to post pictures for us to look at. :-) I'm hoping I'll see things clear up.. as of yet, both the uv filter and the particle filter seems to be having little effect, but then we have also had full blazing sun every day the last week, so it's an uphill battle. In a new filter situation clearing a pond in bad shape, how often should I drain the filter out? I'm tempted to drain the pond down 30%, and add fresh clear water, just so it at least looks like something's happening.. and yeah, I know that adds more nutrients for the algea, but I have a feeling it's already got plenty to chow down on. I've got about 6 lilies, but only one is getting really large pads, and various other plants in the pond to add some shade, but coverage is only about 10-20%, far less then it needs to be in summertime. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
wrote in message
oups.com... Success to you this ponding season! Remember to post pictures for us to look at. :-) Here's a quick one, so you can see what things are like.. green.. LOL! Last year's waterfall attempt on the right, new sterlite filter behind the arbor, and nightshade on the left. Some pond plant blooms.. even our hostas (as you can tell) are small from the lack of rain this season. http://webpages.charter.net/gareee/Pond.jpg -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
On Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:22:27 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: http://webpages.charter.net/gareee/Pond.jpg That is really looking nice, even green, the surroundings, the arbor swing, I really like that. Btw, instead of a 30% water change all at once, it isn't the nutrients, it is the imbalance that can produce more green water. Better would be to trickle water in slowly and let it over flow, or do a 10% water change once/day. ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
"~ jan" wrote in message
... http://webpages.charter.net/gareee/Pond.jpg That is really looking nice, even green, the surroundings, the arbor swing, I really like that. Thanks. As you can see, the ground itself is pretty sloped, so we had to build up the lower part to make a pond, or we would have had to dig the pond 4 feet deeper at the right hand side.. and we were hitting pretty big almost unmovable rocks in some cases. Btw, instead of a 30% water change all at once, it isn't the nutrients, it is the imbalance that can produce more green water. Better would be to trickle water in slowly and let it over flow, or do a 10% water change once/day. Heck, I have to do that anyway with the high heat, lack of rain, and evaporation. I'd say we are loosing about 10-20% every 2 weeks easily, with the full sun we are getting. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:52:22 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: Heck, I have to do that anyway with the high heat, lack of rain, and evaporation. I'd say we are loosing about 10-20% every 2 weeks easily, with the full sun we are getting. But that's not really a water change. ;-) I'm talking 10%/day removal reentry. ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
"~ jan" wrote in message
... But that's not really a water change. ;-) I'm talking 10%/day removal reentry. ~ jan True.. I'll start doing that today -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
~ jan wrote:
On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 11:52:22 CST, "Gareee©" wrote: Heck, I have to do that anyway with the high heat, lack of rain, and evaporation. I'd say we are loosing about 10-20% every 2 weeks easily, with the full sun we are getting. But that's not really a water change. ;-) I'm talking 10%/day removal reentry. ~ jan Remember, Garee, evaporation only removes the H2O, leaving behind _everything else. The idea of water changes is to actually remove minerals, toxins, etc. -- derek - Unless otherwise noted, I speak for myself, not rec.ponds.moderated moderators. |
WAS:Rubbermaid glue report: Forget Gorilla Glue Now: found bulkhead parts
"Derek Broughton" wrote in message
... Remember, Garee, evaporation only removes the H2O, leaving behind _everything else. The idea of water changes is to actually remove minerals, toxins, etc. Yep.. I hear ya.. I did a water change yesterday, and we both see a noticable difference today. I'll repeat that for the next week I think, to help the new filter along. I'm thinking of adding a few more of the air conditioner filters as well.. I think I can easily fit 4 more in, and that should increase it's filtering ability. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
Got the first rain we've had here in months, and the weight of the water
combined I['m guessing with rain "lubrication" popped off the lid off the filter. it needs to be drained in order to be put back on. Quick fixes, were to add some plastic compression clamps on the back two lid hinges, and drill a hole through the lid and lip, and make some quickie "hinges" out of 50 lb fishing line. The front has a lock location, so I just grabbed a heavy rose twist tie, and tied that up for now. Unless someone here has a better idea, I'll add 3-5 more holes through the lid n lip, and add some additional fishing line hinges.. or I might pick up some larger tie wraps, and use those instead since they'll probably last longer. Oh, btw after a week running, I can confirm the filter is working.. the inside filter material is solid muck, and needs to be hosed off already. Least I know it's working. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:09:57 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: Oh, btw after a week running, I can confirm the filter is working.. the inside filter material is solid muck, and needs to be hosed off already. Least I know it's working. Yea!!! Not sure if this will help with lid problem, but I always keep a big assortment of bungee cords handy. ;-) ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
"~ jan" wrote in message
... Least I know it's working. Yea!!! Not sure if this will help with lid problem, but I always keep a big assortment of bungee cords handy. ;-) ~ jan Actually that is an excellent idea! And gods knows I have a bunch of those! I need to pick up another hose, because my current ones just aren't long enough to get over to the filter, to clean out those filter screens.. I had also added some 2" cut up foam cubes to grab smaller particles, but IMHO they are more trouble then they are worth. Since the filter screens are working great, I think I'll add 3 more.. I'm pretty sure I have the capacity for them, and at 43 a pop. they are cheap. -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
Gary,
Did you post a pic of the setup? Jim |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
"Phyllis and Jim" wrote in message
ps.com... Gary, Did you post a pic of the setup? No, just the long shot of the pond. My website hasn't been updated in about 8 years, and I use my personal charter webspace for hosting cgi content. I picked up some rubber tiedowns from walmart today, and 3 more filter screens, and after I clean out the filters today, I'll take a few pics. I also snagged some more milk crates from a local store, so they can be used for additional support inside. I'm just SO happy after all this time (3 years now) to has finally solved the algea/filter issues. Hopefully the tiedowns will work on the lid, and I'll have a filtering solution that will last us a few years. I might put some concrete blocks in the pond, and cap them with a spill rock, for the outflow from the filter.. least it'll look better then just a big black pipe dumping back in the pond. OOO!! now that the pond's clear, I can put the underwater lights back in we got from harbor freight last year. It was so murky, we removed them, because they did nothing at all at night. I still have that waterproof rope light I can use in th edeeper end of the pond as well.. it's the kind without vent holes, and with leds instead of "christmas" styled lights inside. If you sink that about 3 feet down in semi clear water, you get a VERY cool blueish glow from it, and becuase it's using LEDs, electrical use is minimal. One thing we used to do, was to just loop it up in a milk crate, turn that upside down, and add a cap rock on top of it. You get a cool glow effect coming from under the rock, and the rock hides seeing the ropelight directly. That works for less then 3 feet down. Now I'm wondering about that guy who was going to experiment with an underwater gas jet, and flames on the top of his pond. (Just saw a restraunt the other day that has a lot of those around for ambiance.) -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes!
Thanks for the remark about the lights. I will get Jim to look into
that. He put them in around the deck. The pond will be a great additon. Phyllis |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
"Phyllis and Jim" wrote in message
oups.com... Thanks for the remark about the lights. I will get Jim to look into that. He put them in around the deck. The pond will be a great additon. Just make SURE you get the ones without the holes in them.. you can usually see them in the package.. I think the last ones I bought were from Target. The different colored lights will give you some interesting effects... I'm partial to blue and green though. I picked up the rubber bungie cords at walmart...and ended up having to return them and get smaller ones.. 15" ers did the trick, and the black rubber looks good on the black filter. I managed to clean the muck out of the filter... oh how many times I've read "I just cleaned out the filter" and never REALLY realized what a mess it actually is! I've say 30% of the 50 gallon container was that dark green muck! And half of those damned cut up foam cubes slipped down, and kept blocking the drain! I yanked all those damned things out, and now only have the large air conditioner sheets. Out of curiosity, what procedure does everyone use to clean out their filters? This is what I ended up doing: Pulling out the filter sheets, laying them on a "stonehenge" rock setup, and using the hardest setting from my hose to hose them clean... 10 sheets took an hour or so to get mostly clean! Left the drain open on the filter, and left the pump on, so it could help wash that gunk out the other side. Used the hose to assist, and also to kick up the gunk so it's flow out the drain. I can only HOPE that since this was the first main use of the new filter, that future cleanings will be less often, and less crap will be caught up in the filter. I can't imagine that much work ever 6 days or so! I'm also VERY fortunate that my home is on a mountain, so all this still drains downhill... if I was a flatlander, I'd have a new mini sewage pond right now! -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
Gary,
Congratulations on the working filter! Just think what is NOT in your pond any more! I suspect most folks have a similar experience cleaning out the filters. Our berm ponds collect the muck and can be drained through 2" bottom drains by opening a valve. Easy work. We then flush with pond water. Our upflow barrels are similar. Valves to drain and flush the strapping tape with pond water. Folks with screening as the filter medium have to pull it out and wash it. Easier than blue mats. Does your barrel drain at the bottom? You might end up with screen to filter and drain to empty. Keep us posted on the cleaning rate. Jim |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
"Phyllis and Jim" wrote in message
ups.com... Gary, Congratulations on the working filter! Just think what is NOT in your pond any more! Yep.. today it was even clearer then yesterday. Folks with screening as the filter medium have to pull it out and wash it. Easier than blue mats. Screening? uing actual screens for filtering instead of the blue mats? Does your barrel drain at the bottom? You might end up with screen to filter and drain to empty. Not on the very bottom.. on the side near the bottom. There's about 1 inch left after it drains,. but I can just turn the pump on, and fresh pond water will circulate inside to help flush that last little bit out. BTW I DID manage to snag two new milk crates for supporting the filters... they won't fit if placed upside down normally, but if you rotate them slightly, they fi perfectly, without putting pressure on the improvised bulkheads.. I'm sure when the water pressure inscreases, the sides bow out some,and the clearance on them is fine. Keep us posted on the cleaning rate. Will do.. the rubber bungies look great on the filter, and seem to be holding the lid down nice n snug, without putting too much stress on the lips. This will be the first Saturday in ages where I could just feed the fish, and enjoy the pond.. course now that I can see down, I want to brush of the rocks n such that got covered in dark green muck.. I know the filters can suck that out now. |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
On Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:35:13 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: I yanked all those damned things out, and now only have the large air conditioner sheets. Out of curiosity, what procedure does everyone use to clean out their filters? In my filter I have the 1" thick, approx. 2X3 feet open cell foam. Only cleaned 1/year. DS made a rack with pvc and wire fencing. An A frame when open that collapses flat to store. Since we have a nice power washer, we use that to clean the foam. 16 sheets takes about 15 minutes.The pre-filter full of vinyl screen door stuff is just spread out on the lawn and sprayed with a spray nozzle. The spraying part only takes 5-10 minutes, but doing the whole cleaning process, especially by my slow old self takes 45 minutes to an hour, from getting stuff out thru putting it all back. Luckily I only have to do that 4 times/year. Now the D.pond it has to be done once/month.... and I've let it go about 2 weeks longer than normal. DS helps and we'll be cleaning the pre-filter tomorrow on it. I can only HOPE that since this was the first main use of the new filter, that future cleanings will be less often, and less crap will be caught up in the filter. I can't imagine that much work ever 6 days or so! Yes it will get better... and 6 days isn't bad for the first few times around. ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
"~ jan" wrote in message
... On Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:35:13 CST, "Gareee©" wrote: I yanked all those damned things out, and now only have the large air conditioner sheets. Out of curiosity, what procedure does everyone use to clean out their filters? In my filter I have the 1" thick, approx. 2X3 feet open cell foam. Only cleaned 1/year. DS made a rack with pvc and wire fencing. An A frame when open that collapses flat to store. Since we have a nice power washer, we use that to clean the foam. 16 sheets takes about 15 minutes.The pre-filter full of vinyl screen door stuff is just spread out on the lawn and sprayed with a spray nozzle. The spraying part only takes 5-10 minutes, but doing the whole cleaning process, especially by my slow old self takes 45 minutes to an hour, from getting stuff out thru putting it all back. Luckily I only have to do that 4 times/year. Now the D.pond it has to be done once/month.... and I've let it go about 2 weeks longer than normal. DS helps and we'll be cleaning the pre-filter tomorrow on it. Cool.. that explanation lets me kno wit' snot just me, but the filters were so thick with muck, that it just took longer here. Might pick up some of that vinyl door screening. it's pretty cheap if I recall.. do you have it stretched on a frame of some kind? I can only HOPE that since this was the first main use of the new filter, that future cleanings will be less often, and less crap will be caught up in the filter. I can't imagine that much work ever 6 days or so! Yes it will get better... and 6 days isn't bad for the first few times around. ~ jan Yeah I figure 2-3 nasty clean outs, and all should hopefully be well for a longer period. Today I just enjoyed what visibility I had, and fed the fish,, they are eating like monsters now! -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:09:58 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: Cool.. that explanation lets me kno wit' snot just me, but the filters were so thick with muck, that it just took longer here. Might pick up some of that vinyl door screening. it's pretty cheap if I recall.. do you have it stretched on a frame of some kind? Just wadded up in crinkled folds. I have to use some hardware cloth to hold it down so it doesn't float into the bulkheads. Today I just enjoyed what visibility I had, and fed the fish,, they are eating like monsters now! That is WONDERFUL, well... the visibility, I'm a little worried about your monster-like fish appetites. ;-) ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
"~ jan" wrote in message
... Cool.. that explanation lets me kno wit' snot just me, but the filters were so thick with muck, that it just took longer here. Might pick up some of that vinyl door screening. it's pretty cheap if I recall.. do you have it stretched on a frame of some kind? Just wadded up in crinkled folds. I have to use some hardware cloth to hold it down so it doesn't float into the bulkheads. I'm suspecting it's finer, so catches smaller particles? Today I just enjoyed what visibility I had, and fed the fish,, they are eating like monsters now! That is WONDERFUL, well... the visibility, I'm a little worried about your monster-like fish appetites. ;-) ~ jan They are eating like a full 16 oz cup of food daily.. course there are about 40-50 of them now, and if I don't feed them, they just hack away at the plants. We still need to cull the 5 or 10 biggest out, and take them down to the local aquarium for credit. We've kind of lost interest in the inside aquarium, so not sure what we'll do with the credit there. Might look into converting our indoor tank into salt water, so we can have seahorses.... -- Gareee (Gary Tabar Jr.) |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
For the winter shut down I turn off flow to the veggie filter, pry the
plants out, then use a wet dry vac to suck the muck out. with the bucket filter I pull the bunched green mosquito screening, the stiff filter material, the polyester blanket out. I empty the contents of the bucket on plantings. fill the bucket, plunge various filters in the bucket, empty onto plantings. drape filters over one of those expanded metal mesh outdoor chairs and turn the hose on them. I am not too fussy about getting em that clean. Ingrid On Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:35:13 CST, "Gareee©" wrote: Out of curiosity, what procedure does everyone use to clean out their filters? |
Ah.. MORE filter woes.. and cleaning out filter questions....
On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:51:05 CST, "Gareee©"
wrote: I'm suspecting it's finer, so catches smaller particles? Just like bug screening, mainly used in my case to catch the big solids, the fines get caught by the bio-filter and break down. They are eating like a full 16 oz cup of food daily.. course there are about 40-50 of them now, and if I don't feed them, they just hack away at the plants. Wow, plant hacking good indication. Don't forget peas. converting our indoor tank into salt water, so we can have seahorses.... Now that would be cool. ~ jan ------------ Zone 7a, SE Washington State Ponds: www.jjspond.us |
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