Water passes through media in filter drum and back up through UV/Clean-water
chamber to water outlet port.
Water flows through valve and exits from the waste port. This is used to wash away dirt
particles in the valve after a backwash cycle.
This setting passes water through the valve intake and exits through the
outlet port directly without entering the filter chamber. It is useful if the pond is being medicated
and filtration is undesirable.
Water flow reverses through clean-water chamber then backwards through the
filter media and exits through the waste port. Foam filter must be removed before backwashing.
This position closes off the intake and stops water from entering the valve. The pump
must be off when in this position. Use this setting temporarily when servicing the pump.
Water enters the intake and is directed to the waste port without filtration. This
is used to empty the pond should the need arise.
This is a neutral position that equalizes pressure between all three ports. Use this
setting - with the pump off - when filter is shut down during winter.
The valve has
positions. They are
numbered for identification.
Never lift filter using the
valve position handle.
Always turn off pump when
changing valve positions.
Change valve positions by pressing
down on handle, rotating until
pointer points to desired number
and release. (In this illustration the
pointer is at position
.)
Check that handle is not in between
settings when releasing handle.
1) Put the valve to position 1 “FILTER”.
2) Turn on pump and check all connections. Check that pressure gauge pointer is in the Green
zone. Run filter with Foam Filter pad and Biomatrix Ball media at first.
The Biomatrix Ball media works best when the filter’s bacteria colonies are established. It takes a
few weeks for the bacterial colonies to grow on the media and be effective for filtration. During the
waiting period for biological filtration, the filter pad will collect debris and mechanically filter the
water without disrupting the growing biological colony. If water flow becomes sluggish, the foam
filter pad may have accumulated too much debris and should be removed, rinsed and replaced into
filter. It may be necessary to do this several times until the biological filtration is established.
After a few weeks the filter pad can be removed, rinsed and set aside for future use. It can be used
anytime the pond is stirred up or appears to be cloudy, and always removed before backwashing.
3) A backwash schedule should be established to maintain the bacteria colony level on the
biomatrix ball media. This should be done every few weeks depending on your pond conditions.
Bio load, sunlight, temperature and feeding habits all affect the need for backwash. The best way to
tell when to backwash is to monitor water flow rate and the pressure gauge. If water flow rate
diminishes or if the gauge indicator has moved to the top or past the green zone it is time to
backwash. The backwash alone may not dislodge heavy bacteria colonies; it may be necessary to
open the filter and stir up the Biomatrix media before backwashing. Note that for a more substan-
tial power backwash, the Pondmaster Backwash Air kit can be attached to the drain valve to force
air through the media releasing the excess waste. See Accessories section.
