17. Clean you filter

After the first month you need to clean your new filter. Unplug your pump, open the valve and drain the barrel. Using a water hose with a high pressure nozzle, wash the gravel clean. Keep the drain open during this process. Mix the gravel completely, as you wash it, note the drainage. When it runs clear close the valve and turn pump back on. If you clean your gravel once a month you should have clear water. Sometimes you may need to drain and clean  your filters more often, and sometimes less. Listen to your pond, it will tell you. Generally speaking, on new ponds it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to stabilize your pond. During this time, your water will look green and cloudy. Be patient, it's part of the process. You should notice a lot of black "gunk" in your filters when you clean them. That is a good sign, it means that the filter is working perfectly!!

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18.  Pump Connection:
I have had many questions on how we connected our pump to more than one filter.  The diameter of the connections  is determined by the pump,  and varies depending on how large or how small your pump is.  My pump uses 1 inch connections.  If you are connecting more than two filters, simply add more PVC "Y's".

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Visit My Pond
My Pond is located off my back patio. It is constructed of cement and holds approximately 3500 gallons of water. I have a three leveled water fall that is about 10 feet long and 4 feet tall. I have 10 water lilies and various other water plants and bog plants. My lilies vary in colors from yellow, red, pink and white. Most of my lilies are hardy and bloom during the day. They open up in the morning and close in the late afternoon. Some of these float on the water and some stand above the water. I have 2 varieties of tropical night bloomers.  They open in the late afternoon and close by 10am the following day. The blossoms on a water lily are very large, about the size of your open palm.

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