Pond Filters Overflows Can Be Disastrous
Overflowing pond filters is not an unusual situation and is generally the result of a restriction in the outlet pipe. I got this email recently which shows what can happen. By the way it is always a good idea to place a filter on a slope so that if the worst does happen at least the water flows back into the pond.
Dear Pond Professor,
My large Oasis Vortex pond filter has suddenly started overflowing and nearly emptying the pond. It happened quite suddenly one day so I refilled the pond (not knowing that the filter had overflowed) and all was ok for some days/weeks. Then one day my wife noticed that the pond level had dropped alarmingly within about a 2 hour period since she last looked. So this time I guessed that somehow the water was being pumped out via the filter. I turned off the pump, fully cleaned the filter, brushes and foam (lots of mud) and put it all back together (due to a serious illness I had not cleaned the filter for 3 years). I started the pump and as soon as the filter was full it started overflowing, even though water was returning via the return pipe to the pond, but probably at a reduced rate than I remember. I suppose something is blocking the outlet from the filter or there is something in the return pipe (buried underground for about 5 metres).
Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Regards, James
James, hi
Either you re pumping more water than normally into the filter or as you say there is a restriction in the outlet pipe. If the former is the case install a valve in the inlet or reduce the flow some other way (eg clamping the pipe if flexible or by opening the recirculating valve which possibly comes with your pump (submerged and close to body of pump).
If you can somehow get a drain plunger onto the outlet pipe this also can help, or some sort of compressed air (even blowing hard might be enough if you can access the pipe… it is probably accumulated algae that is restricting the pipe.
Another option is to use a long piece of wire with a hook on it and work this up and down the length of the 5 metre pipe..
Tony
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