Finally broke down and cleaned out my filter falls yesterday. I'd about
talked myself into taking a year off, since the water flow appeared OK and I
knew what a mess it would be. I took out the 4 mesh bags of lava rocks,
probably 200 lbs worth, and 1 mesh bag of bio balls and rinsed them off.
Took out the three 2 inch filter pads and rinsed them off over plants in the
flower bed. Siphoned out the water remaining in the filter and let it run
out on some dogwoods and other plants I have down hill from the pond. Threw
a bushel of mint that had been growing in the filter on the mulch pile and
then put everything back together. Sore today from all the lifting.

Now, got to do something about the green water! sigh Too cheap to buy a
U/V.