Question for Skippy users

[Mikey]

My question is in reference to this link:  http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofil12.jpg 

It appears from the photo in the link above that the discharge pipes are perhaps an inch or so off the bottom.  I was planning on having my water discharge about 4 or 5 inches off the bottom, closer to my bottom grate holding my biofilter media.

Your thoughts?

Additional info: I have the 150 gallon RubberMaid stock tank.  I'm not sure of the size of the one in the link but it looks smaller.  My discharge lines are 2" pvc.

[mailman221]

Mike, should be no problem. I have had a "Skippy" for several years. A few inches off the bottom is good. Be sure you have a bottom drain with a shut-off that you can open once a week to pull out any sediment in the bottom. I usually do it when I'm doing a water change. And don't believe that it never needs cleaning! Mine works well on a once a year fall cleaning and an occasional draindown flush. I have my media in bags and shake them a tub of pond water. Depending on the media and the pond ( fish load, plantings), you may have clean more often. Rule of thumb- when you get about 1/4 of crud on media or waterfall seems slower - time to clean!

Ed

[Jerry]

I used to rinse in pond water.  A real mess.  I figured with 2400 gallons in the pond there ought to be plenty of bacteria.  Mikey once concured.  I don't bother now.  I just use a hose and rinse them pretty good.  Problems?  NONE at all.