Author Topic: Pond Vac 3 arrived! Pond Vac owners, One wee problem. Scroll down (Read 2719 times)

Jerry · « **on:** February 12, 2009, 10:05:32 PM »

The print in the instructions is tiny, but the unit looks good. Lots of safety precautions!

Anyone have some tips on using it??

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2009, 09:05:05 AM »

Quote

Anyone have some tips on using it??

I do. I think you should first try it out in my pond.....

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2009, 09:08:43 AM »

Heck Mike if you were experienced I would. Not a bad idea at all

My gfci is a tad far from the pond. They say in the directions that extension cords is a bad idea.

mascot · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2009, 10:09:21 AM »

my gfci is VERY close to my pond....come on down!!!

Bonnie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2009, 12:05:35 PM »

Hope you are now outside using it and loving it Jerry!

I know you don't normally do water changes but instead of using the bag at the end of the return hose I always attach a large piece of pvc and let it drain in my gardens..

They say an extension cord is a bad idea for temporary use, hum...

Just remember not to get it too close to your pond !

Jerry · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2009, 12:35:07 PM »

Thanks Bon! Can I be in the pond??

Bonnie · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2009, 05:55:11 PM »

Absolutely Jerry, you can be in the pond when using it if you wish.. For my koi pond I actually have to get in it to be able to get the whole bottom of the pond.
Again just be very careful to keep the vac itself away so it won't tip over into the pond!!

The only problem that I've had with mine is when I have terrible string algae and it clogs the inlet or outlet or when the bad fish decide to root thru the gravel and the pieces are too big and clog it.
Also I get some HUGE leaves in the fall that it doesn't want to pick up well but I just bring it out of the water and pull them off...
It doesn't happen often but does happen but that's not due to the unit being unsatisfactory, just my pond being a mess at times!

I think all in all you will really find that it makes things so much easier and will really like it.

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2009, 10:28:54 PM »

Thanks Bon!

My gfci is not exacxtly in the ideal spot but...
I will post a photo here tomorrow. My GFCI is about 4 feet to the right of the falls. Id be working from the opposite side

Argos5 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2009, 10:58:52 PM »

I find that it's easier to use without the various nozzles...it seems to pick up gunk more rapidly that way...it would be nice if the discharge hose was a few feet longer so I could spread out the area where the water is discharged...the water's good for the plants that receive it.

casey · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2009, 09:24:16 AM »

I use my PoncVac 3 all the time in our 3' deep swimming pool/pond. It is fabulous.

You can get a longer discharge hose by going to a vacuum cleaner place... or junk store. Just make sure you know the size of your attachment so it fits the vacuum. I like the crevice nozzle the best as it stops the bigger rocks but has lots of suction. I don't use the gunk filter but unfortunately we have to send our water down the alley because our pond is lower than our yard... just the way the original pool was built as a sunken one before we even bought the house.

I have gone through several filters and now make my own out of some similar foam that I sew on my regular sewing machine. Yes, I get in the pond.

Yes, I am careful to keep the vac sturdy & safe from falling in with me.

Yes I use an extension cord.

I have had my vac since they first came out, some 3 years ago. Once or twice a year I vac the entire bottom of my 14' x 28' pond and do selective vacs in between. BTW, I have switched to a new bacteria that is making a HUGE difference in the amount of mulm in our pond. It is Aqua One All-Season Pond & Aquarium Clarifier.

I started using it last summer and can not believe how much less I am vacuuming now. And no, I do not have any stake in the company or any pond store but will be happy to tell you where I get it if you want. I'm happy to answer any other questions.

Jerry · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2009, 01:23:49 PM »

Good info Casey and Bon. thanks.
Here is my GFCI It is on the opposite side of where I would be working the pond Vac.
As you see my water is very clear, but there is lots og mulmmmmmmm.

casey · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2009, 01:31:52 PM »

Jerry, My husband is an electronic tech. He says use a number 10 or 12 extension cord (heavy duty at Home depot or Lowes) and don't worry unless your GFI trips. We use a 50' cord so don't worry if the GFI is a long way away. I certainly would not run the cord over the top of the pond, but around it. I also would make sure the connection of the vac to the cord is up off the ground, like run it over a lawn chair or something. Since our pond is sunken we don't have to worry about the connection being on the ground where it might get wet but that would not be a good thing. Happy to share whatever info I have learned but it's free and you know what that means... it may be worth what you pay for it

.

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:19:27 PM »

Free can be good too!
I would do most of what you and Bon suggested. This is a very dry climate. Oops not right now, but it will be soon. I would never have a cord over the water!
Religious reasons...devout coward!

Kris · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:23:22 PM »

I LOVE mine - got it at the beginning of last season. I always have to get in the pond to get the entire bottom. I try & get the entire bottom (at least quickly) once a month during the season. It was very easy to use. I love the suction. It doesn't fail even in my top pond where I get that heavy thick layer of nasty sludge in my filter/waterfall pond. I like to use it to vaccum out my skimmer every week too. I wish I had a longer discharge hose & will probably give the vaccum place suggestion a try this year. I have also lucky enough to have had a very good friend who's a excellent electrician come over & put in 3 - 4 outlet GCFI outdoor outlet boxes around my pond so I have never used an extention cord with it. It does come with a nice long electrical cord. Best tip I can give you is to make sure that all small fish, frogs & newts are out of your way when vacuuming. I have only vacuumed up one small frog & he was NOT happy with me for giving him a ride through the vacuum! It did not hurt him however, but he was a little shaken up when I picked him up & put him in the lotus pond.

Jerry · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:55:41 PM »

Thanks Kris. Send the frog here for a California vacation.

casey · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2009, 08:13:57 PM »

My DH says the hose is the same size as a big shop vac.

pondlady · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2009, 08:59:44 PM »

I love mine as well. the instructions are a bit lacking but hey as housewives we know how to vacuum. Just do as you would with your regular vacuum when using the hose. I do not use the little bag they send with it. I went and got a laundry type bag for sox and dainties

. Works much better. Just remember to clean it good, filter and all the store it out of the sun. You will love it.

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:10:10 PM »

Thank you Pondlady. Will iut be ok if I borrow the "dainty's ?"

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2009, 11:45:27 AM »

I almost went blind with the instructions. Got it done though.
One of the latch Assemblies is broken, no easy fix, I will call the seller Monday. :'(
Oh yes the mesh bag, where does it go??

The wheels were a problem untill I realized it was a press fit, just had to whack the bugger.

Not a good photo but you may see the broken parts

casey · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2009, 04:26:15 PM »

Sorry you got a vac that you can't use. That is so disappointing to be all ready to try a new purchase just to find you can't

. The mesh bag goes on the end of the discharge hose but we never use ours.

pondlady · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2009, 04:58:29 PM »

Do call them. I ordered a Pondmaster 60 air pump that kept shutting off. Very bad thing. Sent them an email they said to chuck it and they would send me out another, and they did. Work great been running all winter under the cover.

Bonnie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2009, 05:14:53 PM »

Sorry to hear that Jerry, I know when I needed a part it was sent out super fast so hopefully that will be the case.

Along with my piece of PVC that I use, I too have used the hose to DH's shopvac before to put onto my outlet hose to make it even longer.

Also I don't use all extension wands if I don't need them... when you use all, it reduces suction alittle plus just makes things more difficult to me with my arthritis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHHc-aB81k4 ..................Algie!

casey · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2009, 08:46:03 PM »

I'm with Bonnie. I never use more than two extension wands and only one about 99% of the time. I have some land plant barrels in the middle of my pond and they have a drainage pipe in the middle. I have to get all the way to the bottom of them to get the collected excess water out and need two extensions for that job.

Jerry · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:55:23 PM »

I did email them girls. I am sure they will take care of it.
I won't use the "Bag" either. I likely won't use all those wands either.
Your help had been super.

Thanks!

Jerry · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2009, 07:36:25 AM »

They did respond fast.
I am impressed.

Good Morning Mr. Esten,
I have contacted Oase, and they will be shipping you a replacement latch.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Regards,
Julie
410-879-3900