This is straight from the current Aquascape maintenance guide: "DO NOT clean the filter mats or filter media bag in the Signature Series BioFalls Filter more than once a year."
Washing off the lava rock isn't the best idea, because you'll be washing off most of the beneficial bacteria that lives on it. Just pour some pond water (very important!) over it. That'll do the job and get most the dirt out while keeping the bacteria alive. Although in a big established pond thats probably not too much of an issue because theres probably still enough bacteria on the gravel, rocks etc.
No way could you wash off most of the bacteria, and they'll multiply again in no time if there's fish waste. They do this monthly and don't have a problem right?
you do NOT have to clean the filter once a month . The second the water from the garden hose hits the lava rock or the pads it KILLS the the bacteria . THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON DRINKING WATER IS CHLORINATED . When cleaning filter pads just rinse them or agitate them in a tub with pond water or or treated water .
This is straight from the current Aquascape maintenance guide:
"DO NOT clean the filter mats or filter media bag in the Signature Series BioFalls Filter more than once a year."
You did a great job explaining this.... did you know, if you fold the mats they come out without having to take out the upper rock-tray?
I do that too, but there’s a pond I take care of with a heavy biological load, and sometimes there’s fish waste centimeters deep on top... tasty...
Washing off the lava rock isn't the best idea, because you'll be washing off most of the beneficial bacteria that lives on it. Just pour some pond water (very important!) over it. That'll do the job and get most the dirt out while keeping the bacteria alive.
Although in a big established pond thats probably not too much of an issue because theres probably still enough bacteria on the gravel, rocks etc.
No way could you wash off most of the bacteria, and they'll multiply again in no time if there's fish waste. They do this monthly and don't have a problem right?
you do NOT have to clean the filter once a month . The second the water from the garden hose hits the lava rock or the pads it KILLS the the bacteria . THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON DRINKING WATER IS CHLORINATED . When cleaning filter pads just rinse them or agitate them in a tub with pond water or or treated water .