Split bead filter! :(

[Louie]

Hi all, and Merry Xmas!

Big problems here....

Found a leak on my bead filter (A PB85) on Xmas eve and after a little inspection found that it was actually a split in the seam of the upper part of the moulding. A pin sized hole was spurting a jet of water out under pressure. I've got around it temporarily by using the "recirculate" set ting, so that for now the water is bypassing the actual bead filter.
Obviously I'll be getting onto the retailer and the manufacturer asap, but as the filter is now just over a year old (only just!) I'm not sure that they will want to help.
Does anyone know of a way that I can seal the split? I'm reluctant to interfere with it before asking for a replacement, but can only wait for so long before at least trying to sort it out!!

Louie.

P.s. Got Duncan's book for xmas! Good stuff!

[Bob Hart]

Rob,

I'm sure the retailer is going to say it's out of warranty, so I guess you need to try the 'it's not fit for purpose' argument, as it should last a lot longer than 1-year+.

Is it made of plastic/polypropelyne, or Fibreglass. If fibreglass and you cant get any luck from the retailer, I could gring it down and glass over the leaking area?

[TicToc]

Hi - Suggest a newish product by Unibond 'Repair Metal'. Two tubes and when mixed you have a short period of time to apply. Its very good and sticks literally everything back together thus the metal claim. Intro also points out its good for rads under pressure etc. Circa £4.

Best of luck.

TicToc

[Louie]

Hi again!

It's definitely plastic of some sort, Bob, but thanks very much for the offer of help! I'll try the "glue" if I have no luck with the makers. I think it was £500, and I've only had it on the pond 12 months although I bought it about a month before the pond was finished. So.....13 months old and knackered. At a cost of £500 that works out pretty expensive per month!!

Still....maybe the makers will be reasonable. Fingers crossed!

Louie

[vippymini]

you may only have 12 months warrantee on the bead filter but the law does state under the consumer wrights that you can claim up to 6 yes SIX years later. have a read around the net.....
especially this site:-
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Louie]

Well, this is kinda interesting!

Since the bead filter split I've cut down on the feeding (Water is at 16-17 degrees) and have just been using the easy pod for filtration. In theory it should be good for a 10,000 litre pond with moderate stocks, and mine is about 11,000 and moderately to well stocked. I wouldn't normally rely on it alone, but currently have no choice.

Anyway..... Went to have a look at the fish yesterday as one needed some care, and I couldn't believe how clear the water has become in just over a week! I can now clearly see the bottom (7' deep) and it really hasn't ever been this clear!

I'm now considering putting a second pod on the skimmer and leaving it at that. (Plus multi vortex, heater, UV etc)

So if you're reading this B.Scott, I think your theory about not wanting to push water through s**t is probably right!!

Still going to chase for a replacement bead filter, but if I do get one I'll sell it and use the funds to get the Pod.

Louie

[Louie]

Hi all!

Well, I've been in touch with Elecro Engineering and all they are prepared to do is supply me with a discounted barrel at a cost of over £80. Having paid out £499 for my bead filter and only having had 12 months use out of it I don't think this is reasonable so have informed them that I'm taking the matter to the County Court (small claims) if they don't respond favourably. The retailer who sold me the filter (Algarth Koi) has been very helpful and has said he will support my claim on the basis that the filters are intended to last much longer....if not indefinitely!
The company have been quite good in the past, replacing a faulty agitator motor, although that was within the 12 month warranty period. I'm quite surprised that they aren't prepared to replace a part that has quite obviously failed miserably after such a short space of time.
(Should have gone to Aquadyne!)

Louie

[Bob Hart]

Be interesting to hear how you get on Rob, as you say this is the basic part of the unit and should last forever!

Read your other post about the clarity, interesting as well that. I've never used a bead filter, I like to see what's going on in my filters!

[herbie]

I'm agree with you etirly
be interested to see how you get on at
small claims & when you win what they do
your be selling a brade new filter a the least
if not more.

Best Regards

[Louie]

Yipeeeeeee!!!

The guys at Elecro have agreed to send me a replacement barrel free of charge. And they were really nice about it too. All I had to do was explain that I thought the barrel should last a lot longer than 12 months regardless of guarantee period. So a big thumbs up for Elecro.

[TicToc]

Nice one Louie,

Those Gents are all heart, well done you. So, are you repairing the spare one?

TicToc

[Louie]

I don't honestly think it's repairable. I told them I would let them have it back so that they could confirm the fault.

[TicToc]

Louie,

A quick one liner made in jest though the outcome is a satisfactory result. I would expect them to recover the faulty filter and inturn exchange with there wholesale supplier, unless they make themselves.

You mention your water has become crystal clear in little over a week having stopped using the bead filter; pushin things through tiny holes . Any explanation why? I assume you just had a downer on the product at the time or will you now exclude from current system.

Regards

TicToc

[Louie]

I'm wondering if perhaps I haven't been backflushing it enough, hence the poor clarity. I do it once a week (try to , anyway) but think perhaps it needs doing a couple of times. If I could get the water level for an Easy 200 then I'd use one of them instead, but the pond was built with the gravity level at the correct height for a Pod. Not enough foresight there!

Would a Pod on the skimmer and another on the gravity feed be enough bio filtration anyway? Not sure, although in theory they should do it easily.

Louie

[AFB]

Hi, you need to backwash it daily. I have been running a challenger bead filter for 5 years on my 5000 gall pond and apart from a protein skimmer it's the only filtration I have. When backflushing you must ensure that the water runs clear before switching back to filtration mode otherwise your putting any crud left in the bead back in the pond which doesn't help the fish or clarity, my pond is 6ft deep and is crystal clear.
My pond is unheated and in winter I still backwash the bead 3 times a week. As I mentioned earlier ensuring that the water runs clear before switching to filter mode is vital, can you see the water before it goes to waste, I have my 4" pipework arranged so that it goes through a 4" trap,I just lift the lid and watch the colour and clarity of water going to waste.

One important thing I didn't mention earlier is I also have a sieve before the bead to catch any larger crud. I also have a floating skimmer in the pond with a purpose built sock over the basket and it's amazing how many fine paticles that traps. I havn't found a supplier for these socks in the uk yet but my sister posts them to me from Australia,if you want one to try send me a pm and I will send you one.

17 years ago I made the same mistake as you in that my gravity feed to my old filter was only 12" below the surface but I fitted a tee and a piece of pipe an inch off the bottom and it still works today but if I was doing it again I would have bottom drains.

Tony