Skippy type filter, pump, how much is too much?

[koiguy1969]

this is why i pull my water to my biofilter from 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of my pond and its prefiltered (before the pump) thru 4 layers of mechanical and 2 layers of fines, and activated carbon. my water looks clean and clear before hitting the pump, let alone my bio filter. a second pump draws from the bottom and is mechanically filtered (also before the pump) for debris / solids, and is venturied and dumped into the top of my filter just in front of the outlet weir for circulaion and aeration, not thru the filter.and gives my added waterfall volume. 1200 gph fully filtered, and 1000 gph mechanically filtered for about 2200 gph thru the falls. i get virtually no algea to speak of in the pond,but it grows like mad in the top of my filter and i only remove enough to maintain proper flow.

 

[Alvarero]

Thank you Waterbug for joining our discussion!

J.W., Addy and Koiguy: Last year, before I made my koi pond deeper, I had a small stream from the smaller deeper pond to the bigger pond. I noticed that the muck would collect in the rocks and the water was clearer, coincidenc? I know there are so many other factors at play. I am trying to plant shrubs and small trees around the pond for shade since the pond is almost in the full sun. I do notice that the lily pond cycles on its own to almost clear without any type of man made filtration. Funny thing is that is it full of string algae. So I tend to believe there is a positive correlation. When I added string algae to my larger pond in the past. Disaster! I plugged my submersible pump. Next I put string algae in the bio filter. Disaster again. I plugged the outlet and water poured over the edge. I can attempt to put sting algae in a perforated box on one of the pond sides. I am also considering making a small bog out of the lily pond and just floating my lilies in a small 100 gallon stock tank on the deck. So many options and so many great ideas on the forum. I worked this morning removing the bottoms of my other two lilies and repotted some bougainvillea. Now it is time to rest and enjoy the rest of the day.

Maybe happy hour with the misses after a morning run.

Rob

 

[Waterbug]

I did a bunch of experiments with string algae and single cell algae. I was growing single algae in a separate pool to test a filter. I unintentionally added some string algae to the green pool and it cleared in a day. Not the results I wanted because I wanted the green water. I thought I'd found the cure. I did other experiments like you, adding string algae to other pools, filters, etc. Hit and miss. Some times the string algae died. Apparently it is a complex dance. I think it has to do with the specific species of algae, both types, and more importantly where they are in their life cycle. I gave up trying to understand the exact conditions. The more I learned the more questions I had and the harder they were to answer.

One thing I am pretty sure of is there is little correlation between muck and algae. They are two separate worlds each with there own cycle. The only interaction I've seen is if muck mechanically covers an algae which is rare. I think adding clay to the water does this.

 

[Alvarero]

I thank you all for the feedback and interest in this topic. I am happy with my current setup after all the comments. My plans are to purchase a UV light in the near future and referb. my other filter into something more efficient. I am interested in the pvc tubes that are cut to a one inch length. I want to learn more about that setup. I think I will start another thread for that discussion. I wonder about the reduction in algae in my pond now that the days are getting shorter and cooler. Once again maybe another idea for another thread. I am looking forward to the cooler weather. :moped: