We have a Tagelus high rate sand filter for pools and spas for our pond here in Southern California. The waterfall flow rate keeps going down to a trickle every 3 or 4 days and we have to backwash and rinse it every other day to keep the flow at a good rate. The pump is a Hayward 3/4 hp max flow from a pool company rated at 11/5.5 amps. Also, there is an underwater pickup going to the filter with a plastic strainer on it to keep out large matter. This is my parents pond and I don't think that's normal. We shouldn't have to backwash and rinse so often. So, how do we fix this?

Thanks,
Mike

Welcome Sailmike, I too and from SoCal but now I reside in CenCal. I couldn't take the traffic anymore. Anyways it sounds to me like your pond was designed like a pool...or your pool was designed like a pond. In any case, you will need to provide us with more information.

What is the total water volume of the pond? It sounds small (a few thousand gallons maybe).
I'm assuming concrete bottom?
Do you have a bio-filter?
Are you using either UV sterilization or Ozone?
Is it mainly algae that is clogging the filter?
Do you have fish...which type(s)?

Algae needs light, so no to that. Bio-filter means bacteria and the bacteria, I am sure, has colonized the sand, so it is a bio-filter in a way. The pond is stocked with koi and turtles. It is a concrete pond holding about 1000 gallons.

Thanks,
Mike

So, if I understand correctly, this is an indoor pond? If it is not algae clogging the filter, then what is it or at least, what does it look like? Could it be Koi and or Turtle food?

Although sand filters act as biofilters, they have one major drawback...they clog easily. In a pool, this is not as troublesome because you are constantly dosing the pool with chlorine which oxidizes every organic particle in the pool. You don't have that luxury since you have wildlife. Furthermore, typically your bio-loading is not as high in a swimming pool compared to a pond. Ususally people use a mesh or bio-ball type filter for your situation.

My recommendation depends on what is clogging your filter.

Inorganic material: 1. make sure you are not back flushing the material back into the pond. Continue to back flush until all inorganics are gone. 2. Drain and or dredge the pond to remove all inorganics. Find source of inorganics and stop the source.

Organic Material. 1. Install ozone or UV sterilization system (I think ozone works better but it has certain requirements). This will remove most if not all organics from your pond 2. Install a more suitable biofilter. 3. Combination of 1 & 2.