Pontec Pondopress Pond Filter Set 5000

We had purchased a Blagdon Infinity Half Moon pond (and you can see my review under this product), which comes with it's own filter/pump system. The problem came when it was time to clean the filter. The filter and pump assembly is far too large for the small Infinity Half Moon pond, and removing it every month involves plunging ones arm down to the bottom of the pond, almost up to the arm pit, and in the middle of winter not to be recommended! Once we had populated the pond with few fish, returning the cleaned filter assembly back in to the pond, became quite an un-nerving experience - wondering if any fish were flattened under the filter assembly - and wondering if any gravel trapped under the filter would eventually puncture the liner due to vibration from the pump.So - I started to look around Amazon to see what external filters would be available and suitable for our pond. I came up with this one the Pontec Pondopress Pond Filter Set 5000. It seemed just what I wanted, and the reviews were good, and the price seemed reasonable - and no more diving in the pond to retrieve the filter assembly each month - perfect!Yes, it's good. The separate pump sits nicely in one corner of the pond, taking up little room, and can be lifted out for cleaning by the outlet pipe, so no more plunging in to the pond and freezing arms. I made one big mistake however, by siting the filter at ground level right next to the pond - in our garden it made good sense and is perhaps the best place for it. Having cut the not very flexible pipe that comes with the filter kit, I can't do much about where the filter is situated, although I could purchase more pipe and maybe a more flexible one, but even then if the filter was mounted above the top of the pond it would be quite an eyesore. By siting the filter below the top of the water level the filter acts as a syphon, and with the pump at the bottom of the pond, allows the water from the pond to gush out once the filter connections are removed in the cleaning process. Perhaps I should explain. To clean the filter, every four weeks at the minimum, the input and output connections to the filter have to be reversed, so that the pump feeds the filter in reverse, and a spare length of pipe is then connected to the inlet of the filter and directed in to a bucket to receive the dirty water from the filter which is working in reverse flow, whilst the handle on the filter is pumped up and down to squeeze the filter elements inside the filter to clean them. Quite ingenious really!Why do I tell you all this, prospective purchaser? Well, you certainly need to be made aware that although the filter works very efficiently you most certainly need to be made think about the cleaning procedure when placing the filter in relation to the pond. It is a bit of a pain - especially the need to keep removing the pipe connections to the filter body with the ensuing risk of damaging the rubber sealing rings within the joints. Yes, you can purchase extra sealing rings - but - at a price - £9.98 for a kit containing two sealing rings and two plastic pipe to filter connections and one plastic pump to pipe connection!Yes, I have found a way to clean the filter without draining the pond and making too much mess. First thing is to switch off the power to the pump and filter - most important! Then keep the pump, once removed from the pond, in a large container (like a garden trugg) filled to the brim with water, AND at the same height as the top of the water in the pond. Find an old garden bucket in to which the outlet pipe from the inlet of the filter can empty (good stuff for the garden - in the right place though). Switch on the power to the pump and filter. Dash to the filter, and pump the handle on the filter as many times as one can before the container holding the pump runs out of water. Then dash to the switch to switch off the pump and filter before the pump runs dry and damage is done to the infra red lamp in the filter - I am thinking of temporarily using a remote controlled socket on the power outlet to the pump and filter - maybe safer all round - if it works!Well there you have it - a blow by blow account of my experience with the Pontec Pondopress Pond Filter Set 5000. It works well, producing lovely clear water for the fish. It is fairly expensive considering the fast cleaning procedure (don't ask about the full cleaning and lamp changing - haven't tackled this yet), and remember the ongoing expense for the O rings. BUT - it certainly beats diving in to the freezing cold pond to retrieve the in pool filter assembly!!!

Bought this for a 1.2 metre square sleeper pond that I built in October but due to the weather decided to leave till spring to kit out, before I got sorted, I got a call asking if I could take in some goldfish found in an abandoned pond, collected the fish but needed to get a decent filter asap.This is a reputable brand at a decent price. It is an all in one, so everything you need to keep the water and it's inhabitants healthy and happy. Just plug and play, the flexible cable isn't particularly flexible but it's sturdy and looks like it'll last. I particularly like the ability to purge the sponges between proper sponge cleaning maintenance in the external filter, just put the hose in a bucket, quick pump of the handle, after 1 bucket the water runs clear and the sponges are clean, use the water on your plants. The fish are thriving and growing, my water is crystal clear. I'm very impressed.

Easy to install although the pipes are very stiff, even after a long soak in hot water.Good flow and within a few days has turned murky water into a clear view to the bottom. Easy to clean, just switch off, switch pipes around and move output to drainage area, switch back on and use cleaning handle until dirty output water turns clear, switch off, swap pipes back and switch on again. Only takes a few mins to complete. I'd advise a full removal clean occasionally depending on your setup. Some water will spill from pipes when switching them around, not a problem for my setup. Overall very pleased. Let's hope it lasts! Only had 1 month.

Purchased this so I could hide the filter behind my raised pond. With the UV light and foam filters it certainly helps to keep my 1000l pond cleaner. It is worth positioning the filter where you can get to open it as although you can use the plunger to clean the filters you will need to remove them periodically to thoroughly clean them which is easy enough to do. When you do clean them it's worth saving the water as it makes great fertiliser for plants.

Good filter and good for 2metre pond

Well it’s up and running, shifting lots of water so we’ll see. The instruction books are a joke two thick booklets for pump and filter covering all languages and all models. About a page and a half is relevant and poorly written. One instruction (image) to attach pump to filter outlet is simply wrong. For an item costing £100 it’s just inadequate

Good quality excellent value for money

Keeps fishpond clean.

Très bon produit qui n’a plus à faire ses preuves, cependant prenez en compte qu’il y’a qu’un seul tuyaux à couper à votre guise

Quiet and easy to setup. The fish are happy!

Der Druckfilter ist sehr schnell zusammengebaut und einsatzbereit. Der mitgelieferte Schlauch ist etwas steif und benötigt viel Kraft um ihn auf die Auslässe zu stecken, hält dafür auch so wie es soll. Muss er auch, da die kleine Pumpe einen erstaunlichen Wasserdruck durch die komplette Schlauchlänge bringt. Nach nur 24 Stunden war der vor dem Winter neu angelegte und damit von Algen befallene Teich wieder sauber und klar. Die Fische freuen sich darüber natürlich auch :)Die Reinigung ist dank des Griffes sehr schnell erledigt. Kurz ziehen und eine massiv grüne Brühe ergießt sich in den Garten (den Auslass-Schlauch dazu aus dem Wasser holen). Auch das gesamte Gehäuse fühlt sich sehr wertig an. Wir sind begeistert.Unser Teich hat grob geschätzt ca. 2000 L und (bisher) 7 Goldfische und ist damit mehr als ausreichend dimensioniert. Uns hat man geraten: Teichgröße mal 2 und nochmal 1000 Liter dazu wegen den Fischen. Natürlich darf der Fischbestand keine überhand nehmen.

Pompe correspondant à nos attentes et recommandée par un ami qui en possède une plus grosse

Ich hab das Gerät vor etwa 10 Tagen installiert und mir ist grad aufgefallen, dass eigentlich fast keine Algen mehr im Gartenteich sind - an den Wänden schon, und das ist auch gut so, denn die Fische und die Schnecken fressen sie, aber keine Algen, die im Wasser treiben und jeden Tag mehr werden, wenn man sie nicht rausfischt, bis sie die gesamte Oberfläche bedecken. Das Wasser ist sauber, ohne dass ich es so wie bisher jeden Tag mit dem Algenkescher gereinigt hätte. Die Fische leben auch noch und kommen mir trotz Hitze aktiver vor als früher. Ich denke, der Filter ist ganz nützlich.Ergänzung: die Gebrauchsanleitung und den Reinigungsvorgang finde ich mühsam.Beispiel Schnellreinigung:Filterpumpe ausschalten.Schlauch vom Filterauslauf durch Abdrehen der Überwurfsmutter entfernen.Schlauch vom Filtereinlauf durch Abdrehen der Überwurfsmutter entfernen und auf den Filterauslauf schrauben.Einen Schmutzablaufschlauch mit Stufenschlauchtülle auf den Filtereinlauf schrauben.Filterpumpe einschalten.Kräftig am Reinigungsgriff ziehen und mehrmals "pumpen". Die Filterschäume werden so mechanisch gereinigt, bis das auslaufende Wasser klar wird.Filterpumpe ausschalten.Schmutzablaufschlauch entfernen und für den normalen Betrieb die Schläuche wieder richtig anschließen.Den "Schmutzablaufschlauch mit Stufenschlauchtülle" muss man extra kaufen, die Gebrauchsanleitung hat etwa 130 Seiten, da sie in 20 Sprachen vorliegt (etwas unhandlich und 19 Sprachen sind überflüssig) und wenn ich gewusst hätte, dass diese Schnellreinigung derart umständlich ist und es Druckfilter mit wesentlich einfacheren Reinigungs-Methoden gibt (zB mit einem dritten Anschluss, auf dem man bei Bedarf einen Schmutzwasserablaufschlauch befestigt, und einen Schalter, den man für die Reinigung umlegt), hätte ich diesen Filter nicht gekauft. Denn immerhin soll man diese Prozedur alle 2 Wochen durchführen, hauptsächlich bei Temperaturen um die 30 Grad. Klar, da will man ja unbedingt Überwurfsmuttern 8 mal auf- und abschrauben.