Time to clean your filter mat or mats

The interval between mat cleaning will vary considerable depending on how much debris your filter is removing. The best sign we have observed is that when the mats get excessively dirty, the water level in the pump chamber will drop compared to the water level in the filter chamber. When the water level in the pump chamber is approximately one-inch to three-inches lower, the top filter mat should be cleaned. The bigger the pump, the larger the water level difference between the filter chamber and the pump chamber.

During the first week or two of skimmer operation, leave the optional skimmer lid off the skimmer. Monitor the water level difference that will eventually occur between the water level in the filter chamber and the water level in the pump chamber, once the mats need cleaning. If your pond is particularly dirty, or you are using a larger pump, or using our special "SuperMat" lime green filter, the water level in the pump chamber will drop faster once the mats get dirty and water flow is restricted. On small pumps (ex. 500gph) this difference may not become noticeable, but on the Little Giant No. 10, the standard white mats may benefit from a cleaning after 1-week. On our test pond the optional lime green "SuperMat" needed cleaning after only 24 hours when using the Nautilus 60 pump. After 24 hours the water level in the pump chamber had dropped three inches below the water level in the forward filter chamber. Cleaning of the filter with a garden hose immediately restored the water level in the pump chamber.

Closing the bellows latch to drain the skimmer box

Simply raising the bellows assembly against the face of the skimmer box can easily drain the skimmer box. The bellows latch can then be lowered into place against the back of the weir float pocket, to hold the bellows closed. Within seconds the pump will drain the skimmer box, allowing the mats and/or debris net to be easily lifted free. Be prepared to pull the pump plug or have someone help you so the pump does not completely drain the box. Important note - watch the water level in the box carefully, as it is best to unplug the pump leaving about five-inches of water still in the box. This leaves the water level low enough to easily clean the box, but high enough so an air bubble is not introduced into the pump chamber. Air in the pump chamber can cause the pump to "lose its prime." If the pump spins but does not move water, the most likely cause is air in the pump chamber. To remedy this, be sure the box is filled, and with the pump unplugged, lift the pump to a horizontal position in the water while leaving it attached to the horizontal discharge line. This allows the pump chamber to "burp," allowing the air to escape and water to fill the chamber. Problem solved!

After cleaning the skimmer box, dirt tray and mat or mats, replace the mat tray. It should only take a few minutes to perform skimmer maintenance, which is ideal so the bacteria in the PuriFalls are not deprived of oxygen for too long.

Inserting the debris net

The net frame with net installed rests of the two lower corner aluminum angle brackets supplied in the net kit, and the back of the frame rests on the filter mats. This net may be easily removed, flipped inside out to empty and clean, and replace in the skimmer.