Recommendation for Mat Filters in Skimmer

[Hugh Albrecht]

Could some of you please give me suggestions for the best mat filters to place into a skimmer box to trap solids. The skimmer is fed both by a bottowm drain and weir. It then pumps to a bio-falls set up. I know, I know, I know, this is not the way the pond should have been set up. I don't need the "lecture". I've already had it several times. There can't be any major changes to the pond this year. Now, I'm trying to make the best of the situation I have. What recommendations do you have that can be incorporated into the skimmer box. The box is about 29 x 24 x24. Thanks

[Russell Peters]

I really like matala matting. You could use the gray color. The other possibility is Japanese matting.

[KoiCop]

Depends on what the meaning of 'best' is?

I'm guessing that if all you want is some cheap azz DIY mat for crap trapping in a skimmer box, you can buy a scrubber pad for a floor buffer, cut it to shape and hose it off daily.

I mean, why waste good money on matala or J-mat? They're designed for bio-filtration -- not mechanical. And you're not going to get good bio-filtration when it's filling up with crap 24/7 or being exposed to hose water?

[Hugh Albrecht]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Depends on what the meaning of 'best' is? I'm guessing that if all you want is some cheap azz DIY mat for crap trapping in a skimmer box, you can buy a scrubber pad for a floor buffer, cut it to shape and hose it off daily. I mean, why waste good money on matala or J-mat? They're designed for bio-filtration -- not mechanical. And you're not going to get good bio-filtration when it's filling up with crap 24/7 or being exposed to hose water?

Koicop,

Thanks for your input.

[KoiCop]

Dear Hugh . . .

1. I said: "I'm guessing that if all you want is . . ." [emphasis added]. Let me repeat it: IF.

2. FYI, there's nothing wrong with cheap azz DIY -- and no way it's an insult. The term is frequently used on these boards.

3. Here's a photo of a cheap azz DIY pre-filter (plug of mat in a leaf trap) I put on the line between my QT/hospital tank and the Tiny Mite pump.





4. But while we have your undivided attention, maybe you'll be kind enough to take the time to explain to all of us just what purpose other than crap trapping you think a mat in a skimmer box might be able to perform for your pond?

(biting my tongue and anxiously awaiting your 'cooled down' response )

[MikeM]

An important point in all that is the trade-off between effective mechanical trapping of debris and the frequency of cleaning the mat. The more 'fine' the mat, the better it will trap small particulates. Daily cleaning can become necessary. With larger openings in the mat, the smaller debris gets through, but the risk of the mat becoming blocked goes down. Some folks using the Savio skimmer use several brushes in the mat holder instead of a mat. They find that blockage risk is greatly reduced, and say the debris entrapment is very good. While filter brushes are more expensive initially, they are virtually indestructible when used as intended, and thus less expensive in the long run.

BTW, if you can add a mat or other mechanical entrapment feature after the pump, it will help in keeping the nitrification chambers of your filter from getting an organic overload... or at least delay the inevitable.

[Hugh Albrecht]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Dear Hugh . . . 1. I said: "I'm guessing that if all you want is . . ." [emphasis added]. Let me repeat it: IF. 2. FYI, there's nothing wrong with cheap azz DIY -- and no way it's an insult. The term is frequently used on these boards. 3. Here's a photo of a cheap azz DIY pre-filter (plug of mat in a leaf trap) I put on the line between my QT/hospital tank and the Tiny Mite pump. 4. But while we have your undivided attention, maybe you'll be kind enough to take the time to explain to all of us just what purpose other than crap trapping you think a mat in a skimmer box might be able to perform for your pond? (biting my tongue and anxiously awaiting your 'cooled down' response )

Thanks again for your input. I'm not going to get into a debate with you. I fully acknowledge I am new to this hobby and have much to learn. I've just never encountered a situation where the phrase "cheap ass" was actually meant as a positive thing or didn't evidence at least a little bit of a condescending attitude. Live and learn. I will accept the fact your knowledge is far superior to mine and will gladly accept your input, even if it does come with a considerable amount of attitude. BTW, you can stop biting your tongue, it must be getting sore by now.

[koihaku]

Regarding our discussion about mechanical filter, I need your opinion about mechanical filter media comparison.
my first filter is vortex but unfortunately debris still go to next chambers (bioball).
Recently I moved bioball in chamber after vortex and hoping it would settle the debris but not.
I plan to use brush in that chamber,the other still using bioballs. what do you think?
which one you thing better, brush or japmat for mechanical filter instead of biological filter?


koihaku

[kent wallace]

koihaku, Do you have a pic of your setup? A lot depends on how it's plumbed.

Hugh, A more open matting is better in prefiltraion setups, The object is to keep the larger stuff out of your pump.

[Hugh Albrecht]

Quote: Originally Posted by kent wallace koihaku, Do you have a pic of your setup? A lot depends on how it's plumbed. Hugh, A more open matting is better in prefiltraion setups, The object is to keep the larger stuff out of your pump.

Would matala be the type of open matting you are referring to. Again, I'm new so don't quite know what you mean. thanks