ray

Hi everyone,

I made my new pond in May - some 3,000 gallons un-heated and fitted a filter which was rated at the correct spec. However throughout the year the filter has struggled to cope with the levels of Ammonia & Nitrite and they have never reached zero. The filter was supplied with a vortex and two bays - the first having brushes and the second Jap Mat. I don't over stock, don't over feed and the flow rate is supposedly adequate. Could it be there is just purely and simply insufficient biological media ?

If so, does anyone know of a supplier who sells additional filter chambers that I can connect to my existing filter ?

Additionally, the pond suffers from small particles of dirt - I'm told I need to polish the water and that a Hidroclean will do this nicely. Anyone any thoughts on this and are there any alternatives ?

Many thanks again

695pfk (Paul)

j_sagu

Hi Paul

Could you tell me a bit more about your filter please, how many chambers does it have, do you just have 2 filter bays and the vortex, 1 with brushes and 1 with jap mat ?

ray

Hi,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

I have a filter made by shorehamfibreglass (http://www.shorehamfibreglass.co.uk/) - its the 2 Bay T.P filter which has as vortex and then two chambers - the first with brushes and the second with Jap Mat. The dimesions etc are on their website if that helps. The filter is well constructed and solid - i'm just wondering about its biological capabilities.

Many thanks

695pfk.

Dal-nidan

hi i had one of those i put the brushes in the vortex and last chamber i put flocor + sponges you have to clean out the vortex a bit more ta paul s

j_sagu

Providing your flow rates are correct, 1/3 to 1/2 of your pond volume per hour, it would seem you need more biological filtration. I would do what Paul suggests in the post above, put your brushes in the vortex and add another media to the empty chamber such as alfagrog (volcanic rock), this will certainly boost the biological side and will improve water clarity. Id give this ago first as its your least expensive option and will definately improve your filtration.

Let us know how you get on..............

ray

Many thanks.

But if I put the brushes in the Vortex won't it stop the vortex working as a vortex and possibly too much solid matter would enter the first biological chamber ?

Cheers

Paul.

PS - Many thanks for setting up and running this site - its excellent !

j_sagu

The vortex will still do the same job and the brushes would still do the same job as normal, except you will have an extra biological chamber which will probably sort out your nitrite and ammonia problems as they are more than likely high because you need more biological filtration. If however you dont want to try this solution first, Id recommend a fluidised bed filter, Im sure this would bring your readings down to zero, but is obviously the more expensive solution.

Dal-nidan

hi are u pump fed or gravity to filter. Is your entry to vortex half way down, if so put brushes just above so u still get the vortex action big bites full small bites rise stick to brushes black knight brushes are good u can cut them down place them in with bamboo across top holding brushes up hope this helps TA Paul s

Dal-nidan

Hi 695 did you do anything with your filter, is it the one in the picture.Ta paul s

Dal-nidan

hi all just got my new koi book not koicarp monthly issue 90 jan 06 its got the elecro powerbead filter to be won looks a good price to offer price £499 www.elecro.co.uk could help 695 ta paul s