Hello people, long time no post! Spring is on the way and my pond is starting to come to life (fairly large mixed wildlife/koi/goldfish/carp pond and waterfall)! I started feeding a little wheatgerm last week, it all went very quickly!

I was wondering if anybody else has a BioSmart 24000 and can advise me on cleaning it? I obviously pump the handles inside every so often and clean out the waste that way, but how often do I need to replace the foam filters? It will be two years since I bought the unit this April and there are no issues that I can tell (replaced the UV last year). Do I even need to replace the filters or just flush them out; they seem pretty hardy? I am always conscious of the 'bacteria' int he filtration unit and do not want to wash it away (which come to think of it, do I need to 'top' that up too?!)

Thanks! Neil

Hi, I would suggest you read THIS

The last part in particular seems to answer your questions, if not come back and ask more.

Thanks. I know how the filtration system works, just not sure of frequency of cleaning for this particular model on Oase filtration system specifically. Just wondered if anyone has the same model?

Quote:

Oh, I see. Its just that, that was not your original question. (We can only answer what you type) You said

Quote:

The answer to that question is the same for any filter.

"You should clean a biological filter as and when required"

As and when depends on the amount of waste the fish produce. There really is no answer such as

{booming voice}"Though shalt clean thy filter once a week"{/booming voice}

You could have two identical set ups, but with different stock levels, and to say you must clean the filters once a week (Or any other pre determined time) is pointless, since one set up may need it and the other very likely wont. It really is a case of keep an eye on it, and clean when the filter material becomes clogged.

2010 is very passionate about ponds, sure that comes across he does know his stuff!!!

Translates as clean the filter if the media gets clogged or if flow rate falls.

You mention foam media, this is just cleaned the same way, in old pond water, in a bucket. Foam should last for years. You only replace when it starts to crumble. I have foam now that's been going 7 plus years in the inside tanks

A pic would be nice, to satisfy my pond-green-eye envy

Thanks people! Will keep the filters and just stick to a monthly or bi-monthly empty as sludge rarely builds up in there, it really is quite a good filter system.

Seems to be going well with the pond; put the first dose of Blanket Answer in the other week (when we had the first rays of sunshine and the inevitable green masses started to appear in the pond!) followed up with Sludge Answer, which I am not as impressed with...it has left a bit of a foam on the pond for the past two weeks, little unsightly, and the pond water is not as clean as before. Sure it will clear!

I have got a new camera so once the weather picks up, I shall definitely get some pictures posted to my profile!