The problem you are having with the valve to your bottom drain is one that everybody worries about but fortunately very rarely seems to happen.
Perhaps you could take photos of the problem and the solution and we could make up an article on the website to help others, or give them something to think about.
Regarding the blocking off of your bottom drain if you could get someone who has diving equipment and air bottles then you could get him to remove the dome and fit a pipe stopper as shown below. They are available from all big builder'ssuppliers. Your koi-dealer may know of a willing diver.
Regarding the EstroSieve I think the reason you have not had replies is that few people have experience of using them in the way you wish to use them.
They are often used for pumping to Bubblebead filters and work well.
I have one but I pump into it and then it gravitates to the filter. It works very well.
They can be used for a gravity fed filter system but I do not know of anyone that has one for this purpose so cannot comment.
Regarding the life of the sieve I would say it is very well made and almost indestructable. I have had one for over 4 years in constant use.
Posted on Aug 20, 2006, 7:13 AM from IP address 86.128.167.10
