We are contacted @ Koi Depot San Diego and asked almost daily a wide range of questions concerning Pond Trouble Shooting, and other common issues with Ponds. Many answers or solutions are very simple to most of the questions.
This is a short list of some of the most common issues:
1. Can't prime pump I add water and it runs for a few seconds and stops?
2. Why does my pressurized filter slow down and stop flowing after 2 or 3 days after back washing?
3. Why is my pump running but No water flow through system? I can see water movement in leaf trap.
4. Why do I see water running out my waste line on my multi port 6 way valve?
5. Why does my Water Garden skimmer not pulling water like it use to and reduced flow over bio falls?
6. How often should I change my UV bulb? Its still glowing blue at night.
By first understanding a few things that you should check will help save time and frustration. Let's start with covering a few of the above questions. We will discuss 1,2,3 in this Blog post today and 4,5,6 in a follow up Blog post in July .......
By first understanding a few things that you should check will help save time and frustration. Let's start with covering a few of the above questions. We will discuss 1,2,3 in this Blog post today and 4,5,6 in a follow up Blog post in July .......
Question One: Can't prime pump I add water and it runs for a few seconds and stops?
Tip One:
One of the most important things to check first is to see if O-Ring is on leaf trap lid. Make sure it is on and properly seated. Trying to prime pump with no O-Ring you will be truly frustrated trying to get a prime.....it won't happen!
Tip Two:
By applying a little Magic Lube works wonders as well. It will help create a tight seal and help extend the life of O-Ring. I also use it for O-Rings in unions and filters with multi-port valve O-Rings. Don't over use it or by putting a to heavy of a bead either. Tip Three:
Also check to make sure all unions are on tight or not cross-threaded on intake side of pump from leaf trap and on intake from pond to leaf trap intake....... any of those will cause you to pull your hair out in trying to prime pump for start up. Also check ball valves (in handle area) and any slide valves or check valves that have unions.
Question Two: Why does my pressurized filter slow down and stop flowing after 2 or 3 days after back washing?
Tip One:
The other issue that occur's is when back washed it would run for maybe 1-2 days and shut down. I hear this all the time to find out if its your filter contents (Media) or not, try these few simple test steps.
Put valve on recirculate position and observe flow, then switch it to filter position and observe flow. If the flow is the same using either positions then it may be another issue. If its a high flow in recirculate position and then flow drops drastically in filter position then media needs to be cleaned along with laterals. Just clean your media as its plastic in "most" cases and does not need to be replaced.
Tip Two:
Put valve on recirculate position and observe flow, then switch it to filter position and observe flow. If the flow is the same using either positions then it may be another issue. If its a high flow in recirculate position and then flow drops drastically in filter position then media needs to be cleaned along with laterals. Just clean your media as its plastic in "most" cases and does not need to be replaced.
Tip Two:
Make sure you back wash at least a min of 2 times or cycles once per week. Back wash to rinse then repeat 1- 2 more time depending how dirty it is coming out. If you don't stir up content well it will over time load and clog up mainly in laterals. Weekly back washing is the best line of attack to prevent clogging. Some form of pre-filtering or settling chamber before pump and filter is of course the best way to keep system running full speed.
One of the things I hear most from customers is they were told they would not have to ever clean this filter ...just back wash. Bad information from the retailers that use that as a selling point. Not so as I see more times then none it will be impacted within 1-2 years depend load and back washing habits of pond owners. Remember there are no ponds out there or equipment that DOES NOT NEED service, all ponds,equipment need some form of regular service weekly or every two weeks or even monthly.
Question Three: Why is my pump running but No water flow through system? I can see water movement in leaf trap.
Tip One:
One of the first things I look for and check is to see if any ball valves or slides valves are closed on the return side of the pump to filter, or from filter to pond, or from ponds skimmer or bottom drain to pump. Multi port valves on filters check to make sure it on filter notch. Also a forgotten item of service is the leaf trap basket. I have seen those fully impacted and packed full of debris and leaves this will chock down the pump. Also check your bottom drain covers and skimmers as well, this is another main cause for pumps not to pull water and act like there starved for water as they really are. Tip Two:
Pump impellers do get clogged with snail shells and even small pebbles that get by strainer basket can close down an impeller. Most are closed vain, thus allow more to clog it it quicker. best way to clean those is to take pump wet end off to expose impeller thus you can use a small wire ( I use metal coat hanger cut down) to ream or run in and out of impeller vains. Then flush with spray nozzle to remove all debris. Reassemble making sure all gaskets and or O-Rings are in place properly. 
We will be discussing these 3 item's in our next Blog post in July and again most of these are very easy to fix.
4. Why do I see water running out my waste line on my multi port 6 way valve?
5. Why does my Water Garden skimmer not pulling water like it use to and reduced flow over bio falls?
6. How often should I change my UV bulb? Its still glowing blue at night.
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