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

"~ 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.)

~ 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.

"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.)

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.)

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

"~ 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.)

Gary,

Did you post a pic of the setup?

Jim

"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.)

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

"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.)

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

"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.

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

"~ 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.)