First Backwash Of New Mechanical Filter Question

[UP ALL NIGHT!!]

Hi All, I back washed my mechanical filter for the first time and not much came out? 5000 gallon pond the filter is rated to 10,000 (bought one knowing needed new larger pond.)
No smell at all? I have a 1/3 HP pump and plenty of umph. Water tests ok
1:00 AM eastern,
0 ammonia
0 nitrites
14ppm TA
20ppm nitrate
150 TH
8.5 PH
.22 salt (Will add more tomorrow)

ORP came last week have been too busy to study the manual to use properly so I don't stick the whole thing in the pond and ruin it.
It's beautiful I ended up getting a JUMO with orp and Ph probes.

Thank you, and I truly appreciate your help and patience Lori (I'm getting IT!)

[Steve Nguyen]

Lori,

how long has the filter been in operation? how did you perform the backwash? in order for us to help you, we would need to know at least the filter brand name. what's not much came out? water? dirty water? please be specific.

Steve

[UP ALL NIGHT!!]

how long has the filter been in operation? how did you perform the backwash? in order for us to help you, we would need to know at least the filter brand name. what's not much came out? water? dirty water? please be specific.


Filter- Emperor Aquatics PSP 10,000 gallon size
It has been running for six weeks.

Backwash- turned off pump, moved handle to backwash, turned pump back on and ran for two minutes, turned off pump, turned Handel to rinse turned pump back on and rinsed for a minute. Turned off and turned Handel to filter.
turned back on.

Water flow was great during backwash, dirty water turned a faint yellowish brown for about 20 seconds then back to clear.
Discharge was a clean fresh/faintly sweet smell.

I will learn how to operate the new orp meter today. Thank You, Lori

[MCA]

why are you adding salt? Salt is a chemical best used for a specific problem. Based on on the water parameters....no need.

[UP ALL NIGHT!!]

To relive stress (protection) from cycling and spikes from new filter setup?
(It was an awful experience.) Days without sleep. Moving fish to a swimming pool, freaking out..... Testing and testing (old filter died) I did not lose anyone but freaked out that my fish would have damaged gills.

Protection from parasites? koi in a weakened state?
I want to stop salting. I will wait on adding more salt. I use my new orp meter later today.
Thanks for your help , Lori

My Koi Have never been more beautiful and hungry.

[UP ALL NIGHT!!]

why are you adding salt? Salt is a chemical best used for a specific problem. Based on on the water parameters....no need.

Hooooray!!!!!!!! Yahaaaaa. Wahoooo. Dancing around the room!!! Doing a little Jig, Kart wheels forward and backward flips!!!! Jumped to the moon and back.
I love those eight words!!!!
I will always remember the summer of 2007 as the summer of HELL.

Thank You, Thank You, Lori

[Steve Nguyen]

Lori,

sounded like you only backwash only once. I would suggest to repeat the backwash procedures minimum 3 times before set it to filtering again.

I think the filter takes about 3 to 4 weeks to build the biofilm bacteria so after 6 weeks in operation, it should be functioning as designed.

for dirty water, it depends on feeding or whether you have settling tank in from of the filter or not. if you feed alot, then the water will get more dirty. on my filter, dirty water come out in first 20 to 30 seconds and then clear water come out. I normally perform the backwash procedures 6 times once a week.

Steve

Quote: Originally Posted by UP ALL NIGHT!! how long has the filter been in operation? how did you perform the backwash? in order for us to help you, we would need to know at least the filter brand name. what's not much came out? water? dirty water? please be specific. Filter- Emperor Aquatics PSP 10,000 gallon size It has been running for six weeks. Backwash- turned off pump, moved handle to backwash, turned pump back on and ran for two minutes, turned off pump, turned Handel to rinse turned pump back on and rinsed for a minute. Turned off and turned Handel to filter. turned back on. Water flow was great during backwash, dirty water turned a faint yellowish brown for about 20 seconds then back to clear. Discharge was a clean fresh/faintly sweet smell. I will learn how to operate the new orp meter today. Thank You, Lori

[koiczar]

Lori

I agree with Steve about your filter cleaning regimen. Not backwashing for 6 weeks is too long to wait - especially the first time.Quite possibly, there is more gunk in your filter than can be removed with your single backwash routine. I have had customers who claim to have really clean pressurized filters. After I remove the head and show them how much crud is really trapped in there, they are amazed. I would suggest at least weekly or twice a week backwashing and let it run for at least 3 -5 cycles of backwash/rinse before declaring your filter CLEAN!

Mike

[MikeM]

I've no experience with this filter. I have an old Aquadyne. I've found I get better cleaning in less time if I discharge to waste about a third of the water in the filter, then use blower and then backwash. The floating beads are backwashed in more concentrated fashion. I've not noticed an adverse impact on biofiltration, but I'm relying on it solely for mechanical anyway.

[UP ALL NIGHT!!]

I back washed again. After each wash the discharge was clearer.
Number of washes 6

Thanks so much! Today the water sparkled I am sooooo happy I found you all. Again, Thanks. (I am sorry, but if you need to know something you go to the top!)

Now, to hard wire a switch to the pump. Where is a good place to get a fail proof hard wire GFI's? (On another list GFI's failed and a pond full of dead fish.)
I test my GFI's regularly but there has got to be something better than a $10 from blue and orange?

I have looked but not in the right places?
AE only has the extension cord type.
Don't worry, I can do this myself I am real good at plumbing and electrical stuff.
While my girlfriends are having their toes and nails done, I am sitting on the floor of the hardware store playing with PVC and wire nuts.

Wait till I build my new pond....