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#1
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Why not UV?
Believe me- money is right up at the top of the list of my priorities. I
dont have any kids to send to school but there is the small mater of food on the table and a roof over my head. Nonetheless I might be willing/able to pay the price for more consistent clearer water if it doesnt cost me in other areas of my pond balance. I mean how can I obsess about my fish if I cant always see them well I spend lotsa time by my pond to do some figuring. Bill "Ka30P" wrote in message ... I don't do UV because a) too much work, I'm from the lazy school of ponding ;-) b) too much money, three kids to put thru college c) I can get clear water without it and don't think crystal clear water is what I want for the critters in my ponds. d) too complicated to think about, this may fall under the lazy school of ponding or the challenged school of ponding, I'm not sure... But I say if you can afford them, figure them out and do the work, go for it! ;-) kathy :-) algae primer http://hometown.aol.com/ka30p/myhomepage/garden.html |
#2
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Why not UV?
UV water good. Green, murky water bad. Once you get it
all plumbed and wired, it's a no brainer. Lamps last about 3 years (use a lamp until it burns out). The larger the assembly the better the job it can do: consider that, if you have:[*] 3600 gl water 3600 gl/hour pump rate (1 gl per second) 1 gl exposure (ie, the UV assembly holds one gallon) Then, at most, on any Sunday, you touch the 3600 gallons of water 24 times a day, for a grand total of only 24 seconds. With lower pump rates, and smaller UV jobs, that'll be less. What's the big deal? Only that 24 seconds a day means it can take several days to clear up the water, that's all. Once it gets clear (you see the bottom) all that matters is that the UV keeps it that way. You won't be using the UV for any purpose but to rid yourself of that stinkin', green water. [*] Feel free to adjust, correct, fold, spindle, & mutilate. I only know UV is well worth it if you feed you fishies, whales (grossed me out), or whatever else lurks in there. -- '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`''`'`'`'`'`'`'`' `'`'`''`'`'`'`'`'`'`' SLOTHEAD |
#3
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Why not UV?
"Newbie Bill" wrote in message .com...
I have read time and again you dont need UV to have a clear pond. I have found this difficult on a regular basis. I dont get full out blooms but it seems I am right on the edge of 'balance'. Some days it seems pretty clear and others cloudy towards the bottom. My pond is 800 gals - 2 ft deep. The traditional wisdom seems to be a)plants - my pond is stuffed with them including some now rapidly multiplying floaters. b)shade - I get pretty much full sun. That cant be easily changed. I do have very heavy coverage from lilies and other - probably 70% or better. c) dont overfeed or overload fish - I dont think I overfeed BUT the crux of the biscuit is I have lotsa primarily comet type goldfish. I have around 30 most 3-5 inches. Most ranges I have seen say this is acceptable though many of the 'crystal clear' posters are very lightly stocked. My pond ,I consider a fish pond with plants. Many seem to have a watergarden with some fish. All water quality numbers are perfect except I do sometimes register as high as 10 in nitrates. I have heard a few argue that a small amount of measurable nitrates is beneficial to plants. So bottom line - if I can find a bargain I might add UV. Aside from the pride of being more or less an 'organic watergardener' I have three questions. 1) Cost is always a consideration to this poor boy but what are the other detriments to adding UV. 2)What size? Up to 16W seem to be available at a reasonable price. This would be my target unless it seems inadequate. My budget sez I'm not looking for a slam dunk 40W or bigger. 3)Are there negatives if I dont run it all the time to kinda check if I need it. This would probably be a seperate small pump, slow running, homemade, more mechanical filter. I can accept starting the season with green water. I am just not in love with seeing it as regularly as I do. The only negative I have found is the possibility that suspended algae is actually growing to consume nitrates and UV might cause them to become excess. If I had rountinely clear water and that was the case I would consider thinning the herd. Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas Two years ago I bought a Laguna Powerclear UV which is an out of the pond filter. My water was so green I could only seen 6-12 inches down. I now can see the fish and a rock that fell to the bottom. It Cost $89, 6' of hose, a 2' wide planter to cover it on a board and some larger clamps. My pond is in full sun and no amount of plants could clear it. Happy water gardeningis watching my fish. |
#4
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Why not UV?
Thanks for the encouragement Barbara et al. Can I ask what size you bought
for what size pond? Thanxx Bill "Barbara2245" wrote in message om... "Newbie Bill" wrote in message .com... I have read time and again you dont need UV to have a clear pond. I have found this difficult on a regular basis. I dont get full out blooms but it seems I am right on the edge of 'balance'. Some days it seems pretty clear and others cloudy towards the bottom. My pond is 800 gals - 2 ft deep. The traditional wisdom seems to be a)plants - my pond is stuffed with them including some now rapidly multiplying floaters. b)shade - I get pretty much full sun. That cant be easily changed. I do have very heavy coverage from lilies and other - probably 70% or better. c) dont overfeed or overload fish - I dont think I overfeed BUT the crux of the biscuit is I have lotsa primarily comet type goldfish. I have around 30 most 3-5 inches. Most ranges I have seen say this is acceptable though many of the 'crystal clear' posters are very lightly stocked. My pond ,I consider a fish pond with plants. Many seem to have a watergarden with some fish. All water quality numbers are perfect except I do sometimes register as high as 10 in nitrates. I have heard a few argue that a small amount of measurable nitrates is beneficial to plants. So bottom line - if I can find a bargain I might add UV. Aside from the pride of being more or less an 'organic watergardener' I have three questions. 1) Cost is always a consideration to this poor boy but what are the other detriments to adding UV. 2)What size? Up to 16W seem to be available at a reasonable price. This would be my target unless it seems inadequate. My budget sez I'm not looking for a slam dunk 40W or bigger. 3)Are there negatives if I dont run it all the time to kinda check if I need it. This would probably be a seperate small pump, slow running, homemade, more mechanical filter. I can accept starting the season with green water. I am just not in love with seeing it as regularly as I do. The only negative I have found is the possibility that suspended algae is actually growing to consume nitrates and UV might cause them to become excess. If I had rountinely clear water and that was the case I would consider thinning the herd. Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas Two years ago I bought a Laguna Powerclear UV which is an out of the pond filter. My water was so green I could only seen 6-12 inches down. I now can see the fish and a rock that fell to the bottom. It Cost $89, 6' of hose, a 2' wide planter to cover it on a board and some larger clamps. My pond is in full sun and no amount of plants could clear it. Happy water gardeningis watching my fish. |
#5
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Why not UV?
In article , "Newbie Bill"
writes: My pond is 800 gals - 2 ft deep. Bill, I would ask, what type of filter do you have and what size pump. How old is the pond? My pond sat on the verge of clearing for a month or so. I have a skippy filter and tore it apart, cleaned it and added a final layer of cotton, and it cleared to about 4 ft, but not that last foot. So I tore the filter apart again (the cotton was full to capacity) and redid it, the pond is now crystal clear to the bottom of 5 ft and you can count the pebbles down there. A bit of work, but worth it! Karen Zone 5 Ashland, OH http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html My Art Studio at http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K....M.Studios.html for email remove the extra extention |
#6
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Why not UV?
Karen - I have a 1600 gph Laguna pump. The pond has been going since
November. My filter is pretty low end (first try). It is a Laguna out of pond gravity - basically a commercial storage tote with some bio media and a coarse filter mat. That empties into a regular Rubbermaid storage tote which I have stuffed an eggcrate mattress pad in, also gravity. I think this would work very well except I have put in a couple of pieces of pvc pipe to provide a path of least resistance so that it doesnt clog up and overflow. Some of the water must and does go through the padding, just not all of it. Currently I have about half my flow diverted just circulating the water. I have had plans to eventually divert this half to a second filter that would be a better mechanical filter. The bio part of existing system seems to be working very well. This was part of my considerations which caused me to think about the uv. Because I do have plenty o fishies I am reluctant to change much with the filter right now. I would hate to have crystal clear water to see my poisoned fish. For next season I would be very interested in knowing how you 'reworked' your Skippy. I am vacillating between that and a similar design very popular around here but it uses gravel and some sort of air blower to help clean it out. It does require using the bottom drain a bit more often to clear the settling portion. The Skippy does sound very good but I must admit I have some minor reservations about how the 'scotchbrites' stand up over time. The stinky, slimy, attracts who knows what, aspect described on his site at least causes me to think twice. Of course people not loving gravel does as well. Thanxx for the input Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
#7
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Why not UV?
Karen - I have a 1600 gph Laguna pump. The pond has been going since
November. My filter is pretty low end (first try). It is a Laguna out of pond gravity - basically a commercial storage tote with some bio media and a coarse filter mat. That empties into a regular Rubbermaid storage tote which I have stuffed an eggcrate mattress pad in, also gravity. I think this would work very well except I have put in a couple of pieces of pvc pipe to provide a path of least resistance so that it doesnt clog up and overflow. Some of the water must and does go through the padding, just not all of it. Currently I have about half my flow diverted just circulating the water. I have had plans to eventually divert this half to a second filter that would be a better mechanical filter. The bio part of existing system seems to be working very well. This was part of my considerations which caused me to think about the uv. Because I do have plenty o fishies I am reluctant to change much with the filter right now. I would hate to have crystal clear water to see my poisoned fish. For next season I would be very interested in knowing how you 'reworked' your Skippy. I am vacillating between that and a similar design very popular around here but it uses gravel and some sort of air blower to help clean it out. It does require using the bottom drain a bit more often to clear the settling portion. The Skippy does sound very good but I must admit I have some minor reservations about how the 'scotchbrites' stand up over time. The stinky, slimy, attracts who knows what, aspect described on his site at least causes me to think twice. Of course people not loving gravel does as well. Thanxx for the input Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
#8
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Why not UV?
Eric wrote:
Savio 25 watt uv in the skimmer plug in uv and enjoy fish daily. No chemicals no barly straw just a few pennies a day for the electric. |
#9
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Why not UV?
Karen - I have a 1600 gph Laguna pump. The pond has been going since
November. My filter is pretty low end (first try). It is a Laguna out of pond gravity - basically a commercial storage tote with some bio media and a coarse filter mat. That empties into a regular Rubbermaid storage tote which I have stuffed an eggcrate mattress pad in, also gravity. I think this would work very well except I have put in a couple of pieces of pvc pipe to provide a path of least resistance so that it doesnt clog up and overflow. Some of the water must and does go through the padding, just not all of it. Currently I have about half my flow diverted just circulating the water. I have had plans to eventually divert this half to a second filter that would be a better mechanical filter. The bio part of existing system seems to be working very well. This was part of my considerations which caused me to think about the uv. Because I do have plenty o fishies I am reluctant to change much with the filter right now. I would hate to have crystal clear water to see my poisoned fish. For next season I would be very interested in knowing how you 'reworked' your Skippy. I am vacillating between that and a similar design very popular around here but it uses gravel and some sort of air blower to help clean it out. It does require using the bottom drain a bit more often to clear the settling portion. The Skippy does sound very good but I must admit I have some minor reservations about how the 'scotchbrites' stand up over time. The stinky, slimy, attracts who knows what, aspect described on his site at least causes me to think twice. Of course people not loving gravel does as well. Thanxx for the input Bill Brister - Austin, Texas |
#10
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Why not UV?
In article , "Newbie Bill"
writes: For next season I would be very interested in knowing how you 'reworked' your Skippy. my filter is a 110 gallon (not rubbermaid, the cheaper kind) tub with and upflow like the skippy design. the bottom has lava rock and rock next is blue furnace filters, then a thick layer of netting from the yardgood store ($.89 yd) and the next layer is the same netting wrapped around 2 bags of quilt batting from Walmart at $1.99 per bag, then the light crate and then plants. my pump is a 3600gph with one inflow at 1 1/2 and 3 outflows each 1 1/2 to the waterfall. this is the 4th year for my pond and the 2nd year with the correct pump size and it has cleared on its own - no chemicals or treatments. all my test results are perfect. I have over 50 fish, 3 koi and 5 mules, at least 5 frogs, newts and who knows what else. all are happy and healthy. BTW the "scotchbrites" stand up extremely well better that the blue furnace filters. if I could find big enough ones I'd use them instead. Karen Zone 5 Ashland, OH http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html My Art Studio at http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K....M.Studios.html for email remove the extra extention |
#11
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Why not UV?
BTW the "scotchbrites" stand up extremely well better that the blue furnace filters. If I could find big enough ones I'd use them instead. Hi Karen - I don't know how far Ashland Ohio is from New Boston Michigan ( ~ 25 mi SW of Detroit), but Grassroots Nursery has all kinds of Scotch Brite type pads in both cut pieces (which I have used for 10 yrs and they're still good ) and in 4' wide rolls that you can buy by the running yard Phone #(734) 753 9200 and www.grassrootsnursery.com Gale :~) |
#12
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Why not UV?
In article , "Gale Pearce"
writes: BTW the "scotchbrites" stand up extremely well better that the blue furnace filters. If I could find big enough ones I'd use them instead. Hi Karen - I don't know how far Ashland Ohio is from New Boston Michigan ( ~ 25 mi SW of Detroit), but Grassroots Nursery has all kinds of Scotch Brite type pads in both cut pieces (which I have used for 10 yrs and they're still good ) and in 4' wide rolls that you can buy by the running yard Phone #(734) 753 9200 and www.grassrootsnursery.com Thanks Gale, I'll call them and see if they'll ship, Ashland is midway between Cleveland and Columbus, not exactly an afternoon jaunt. Karen Zone 5 Ashland, OH http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html My Art Studio at http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K....M.Studios.html for email remove the extra extention |
#13
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Why not UV?
Karen - Thanxx for the info. Mules?? as in donkey like?
Bill |
#14
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Why not UV?
In article , "Newbie Bill"
writes: Mules?? as in donkey like? Bill mules as in cross between koi and goldfish and are sterile. karen Zone 5 Ashland, OH http://hometown.aol.com/kmam1/MyPond/MyPond.html My Art Studio at http://members.aol.com/kmmstudios/K....M.Studios.html for email remove the extra extention |
#15
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Why not UV?
"Newbie Bill" wrote in message .com...
I have read time and again you dont need UV to have a clear pond. I have found this difficult on a regular basis. I dont get full out blooms but it seems I am right on the edge of 'balance'. Some days it seems pretty clear and others cloudy towards the bottom. My pond is 800 gals - 2 ft deep. The traditional wisdom seems to be a)plants - my pond is stuffed with them including some now rapidly multiplying floaters. b)shade - I get pretty much full sun. That cant be easily changed. I do have very heavy coverage from lilies and other - probably 70% or better. c) dont overfeed or overload fish - I dont think I overfeed BUT the crux of the biscuit is I have lotsa primarily comet type goldfish. I have around 30 most 3-5 inches. Most ranges I have seen say this is acceptable though many of the 'crystal clear' posters are very lightly stocked. My pond ,I consider a fish pond with plants. Many seem to have a watergarden with some fish. All water quality numbers are perfect except I do sometimes register as high as 10 in nitrates. I have heard a few argue that a small amount of measurable nitrates is beneficial to plants. So bottom line - if I can find a bargain I might add UV. Aside from the pride of being more or less an 'organic watergardener' I have three questions. 1) Cost is always a consideration to this poor boy but what are the other detriments to adding UV. 2)What size? Up to 16W seem to be available at a reasonable price. This would be my target unless it seems inadequate. My budget sez I'm not looking for a slam dunk 40W or bigger. 3)Are there negatives if I dont run it all the time to kinda check if I need it. This would probably be a seperate small pump, slow running, homemade, more mechanical filter. I can accept starting the season with green water. I am just not in love with seeing it as regularly as I do. The only negative I have found is the possibility that suspended algae is actually growing to consume nitrates and UV might cause them to become excess. If I had rountinely clear water and that was the case I would consider thinning the herd. Thanxx Bill Brister - Austin, Texas Two years ago I bought a Laguna Powerclear UV which is an out of the pond filter. My water was so green I could only seen 6-12 inches down. I now can see the fish and a rock that fell to the bottom. It Cost $89, 6' of hose, a 2' wide planter to cover it on a board and some larger clamps. My pond is in full sun and no amount of plants could clear it. Happy water gardeningis watching my fish. |
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