Frequently Asked Pond Filter Questions by Just Liners

FISH MATE Frequently Asked Pond Filter Questions:
Q. What are the differences between pressurized and gravity filters?
A. Both Fish Mate Pressurized and Fish Mate Gravity Pond Filters are highly efficient at improving water quality. The pressurized range offer greater installation versatility - whereas the gravity filters must be installed above their outlet height, the pressurized filters can be installed at any height and allow the filter to be buried. For example, where a pond has a raised waterfall running into it; a gravity filter would have to be installed at the top of the waterfall; a pressurized filter could be installed at any height - even next to the pond. Powerclenz Automatic Cleaning System is only available on Fish Mate Pressurized models.

Q. If the filters work so well, how are they so small?
A. All Fish Mate filters are designed to be as compact as possible without compromising their ability to filter effectively so allowing them to be easily hidden with minimal maintenance. The pressurized filter range have unique slim-line lids making the units barely visible when buried. In both ranges, each sponge has been perfectly sized to the associated required flow rate and the unique design of the sponges allows them to be used more efficiently than other brands of filter.

Q. There doesn't look like there is enough medium in the filter.
A. Supra filter media has 60-100 times the surface area of a plastic ring media which is often used by other brands of filter as a cheap box filler. Consumers often think that the media is clogged when it is dirty on the outside; however, the reality is that the media is still working effectively. All Fish Mate UV+Bio Gravity filters also offer "trickle filtration technology", which allow aerobic bacteria to multiply at an even greater rate, thus providing a larger bacterial colony for larger ponds. Powerclenz on the pressurized models, is designed only to remove the excess waste in the filter and leave behind a useful amount of biologically active deposit. A foam cleaned by Powerclenz will collect pond waste more effectively than a hand-cleaned foam.

Q. Why is there no quartz sleeve on the Gravity UV+Bio Filters?
A. Fish Mate UV+Bio gravity filters have their bulb positioned above the water which is why they do not need a quartz sleeve. This quartzless system has several benefits; it cannot be damaged by frost and will not be affected by lime scale associated with hard water areas. The Fish Mate pressurized filters are designed with the bulb positioned inside a sleeve which is submerged in water. This sleeve needs to be made of quartz glass to allow the unit to be pressurized and allow the UV-C light through.

Q. What happens if I splash my gravity filter's UV bulb with water?
A. The UV bulb is itself made out of quartz glass and therefore, even in the unlikely event of the lamp being splashed with water, the bulb will not break. As with Fish Mate pumps, Fish Mate filters have passed all of the appropriate national and international safety regulations - they are UL, BEAB and TUV approved, and have a proven track record of safety.

Q. I have a Fish Mate UV+Bio gravity filter but the water going through the unit appears to miss the sponge! Why is this?
A. Fish Mate filters pass water over the top of the sponge and use its surface to trap dirt. The filter works more efficiently when the sponge "appears" dirty due to the number of beneficial bacteria contained within it. You should always remember that the sponge should never be over-cleaned, and only be cleaned in pond water otherwise you may cause damage to the delicate bacterial colonies.

Q. Do you sell service kits?
A. Although the bulb and some foams can be purchased separately from various manufacturers, these have not been produced specifically for Fish Mate filters and therefore will not provide optimum performance. Due to their unique design, foams and pistons for the Powerclenz pressurized models can only be purchased from Fish Mate. All Fish Mate Service Kits contain additional important parts such as replacement o-rings and seals to ensure that electrical components stay watertight and safe.

Q. Why are the inlet and outlet on the same side of the filter?
A. Market surveys suggested that more people prefer the inlet and outlet positioned at the same end of the filter, although we are aware that this will not be suitable for everybody. It is a problem that can usually be overcome.

Q. What do I do if my Fish Mate UV+Bio Filter is not clearing my pond water, don't you have a Clearwater Guarantee?
A. We do have a Clearwater Guarantee if the filter is used in accordance with the instructions. If the correct size of filter is selected, recommendations are followed and the pond refuses to clear, we will uphold our guarantee.

Q. How many hours per day should the filter be running?
A. All Fish Mate filters are designed to be run for 24 hours per day.

Q. Should the filter be run all year?
A. All of our filters can be run throughout the year provided there isn't a danger of the pump, filter pipes or filter freezing as this could damage the pump. The filter does not have to be taken indoors, it only needs to be turned off and the water emptied. The gravity filters should be allowed to drain, whereas the pressurized filters require the water to be emptied from their buckets.

Q. Can Fish Mate Bio filters be upgraded to UV+Bio filters or can the UV+Bio filters have their wattage upgraded?
A. No. The UV assembly is the most expensive part of the filter to produce and therefore the cost differential between a complete new filter and a replacement/upgrade lid is small enough that the consumer would probably buy a new filter anyway.

Q. The shop says that I shouldn't turn the UV on for 3-6 weeks. Is this right?
A. Fish Mate UV+Bio filters are designed to allow their UV bulbs to be turned on as soon as the filter is installed so that they can start to clear the water immediately.