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| My main criteria for buying a pump for my pond waterfall was power consumption. I wanted something that uses low power. I settled on the Pondmaster 18 which is rated at 150 watts. It draws water from my pond skimmer which has a screen and a basket to catch debris. Problem is that I have string algae and it doesn't take much to clog the pump. I have to take it apart about every 2 weeks which is becoming tedious.
Question: should I be looing at a 'stronger' pump with more power that in theory would 'chomp' thru the debris, or is there a better pump that is less prone to clogging? (I'd still like to keep power low, but at this point, I'd be ok with sacrificing power conservation in exchange for less maintenance. Any help is appreciated! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| A simple approach would be to make an "oversize" intake filter. The ones that come with the pumps are tiny and clog easy. For a smaller pump you can use a collander with a stocking over it, for a bigger one just a metal screen box that cages the entire pump. Don't know about the other pump questions. |
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| Cornbuzzer, Up sizing your pump or having bigger holes in the pre-filter will not solve the plugging problem. The string algae will still plug everything up, including your pump's impeller, then you have more work to do, taking the pump apart every few days. You will have to start pulling the string algae (Filamentous Algae) out by hand or use a stick or a toilet brush to wind the string algae around and then pull it out of the pond. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% per volume) bought at a drugstore etc, can be poured over the string algae, at a rate of one pint per hundred gallons of water. Take a look at David's post about killing/removing string algae from a deep area of a pond.(linked below) |
Here is a link that might be useful: David's post about string algae.
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