Sand filters are dangerous

Admin · Subject: Sand filters are dangerous Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:56 am

I have been involved in the Koi hobby for many years, and never sustained injuries until this weekend.

I rushed home from my farm to do back washes of all my sand filters at Table View. In my hurry, I opened one of the sand filters without first putting the multi port valve on backwash.

What I did not realize was that one of the filters ran dry, and the pump was sucking air in stead of water, building up a huge pressure in the 3 bag filter over hours.

The moment I released the cap, it exploded in my face, the result as follows:

Morel of the story, ALWAYS first put your multi port valve on backwash before your open your sand filter. It can be a very dangerous piece of equipment.

_________________
Paul Viljoen
E Mail: koi@absamail.co.za ; http://www.koionline.co.za

Koi are not my whole life but makes my life whole

sas · Posts: 360 Join date: 2007-08-01

I hope you will get well soon.

Joe · Posts: 11 Join date: 2007-07-27 Location: Gauteng

I also open the filters from time to time without switching to back-wash.

By the looks of it you nearly-nearly lost your eye. Is your sight damaged at all?

Thanks for the warning.

rob · Posts: 22 Join date: 2007-07-30 Location: Cape Town

Lekker shiner you got yourself there. Luckily it was daytime or the missus might have suspected you of brawling?!

But seriously, thanks for the warning. Shocked

Admin · Subject: Re: Sand filters are dangerous Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:43 pm

I thought for a moment I lost my eye when I saw blood dripping from my hand and the sound was horrifying.

They eye is opening again and apart from a bit of double vision, it is fine. Could have been worse.

_________________
Paul Viljoen
E Mail: koi@absamail.co.za ; http://www.koionline.co.za

Koi are not my whole life but makes my life whole

Colyn · Subject: Re: Sand filters are dangerous Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:14 pm

Jissim dit lyk baie seer ... sterkte.

_________________

Never underestimate the power of denial.
Briek Merke ... wat ek so hier en daar op my lewenspad sien of los.

Annette · Posts: 20 Join date: 2007-07-29 Location: Vredenburg

Goeie genade tog. Dit kon 'n baie lelike dinge gewees het. Wys jou nou net hoe vinnig gebeur 'n ongeluk. Hoop jou oog lyk binnekort sommer stukke beter en dat jou visie ook heeltemal sal opklaar.

Groetnis

Chris Neaves · Posts: 227 Join date: 2008-04-02

Hi,
Sorry to see this - goodness you were lucky.

A question or two don't you switch off your pump or pumps when opening the filter?

If the filter was under pressure how did you manage to open it?

Please don't make too much of this as you may give William more anti- sand filter ammunition ....

Chris

Pieter J de Villiers · Subject: Re: Sand filters are dangerous Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:55 pm

Paul,

dis 'n mooi een wat jy daar het!

Hell, jy het my uitkyk op sandfilters nou net weer laat aanpas.
Ek se nog altyd sandfilters is nie vir lui ouens nie, maar nou laat jy my wonder Rolling Eyes

Dom ouens is gewoonlik nie lui nie

_________________
Pieter J de Villiers
http://southafricankoi.11.forumer.com
"I am KoiMad...........but garlic wise!"
FEED GARLIC, NO PARASITES!!

Admin · Subject: Re: Sand filters are dangerous Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:13 am

Chris Neaves wrote:

A question or two don't you switch off your pump or pumps when opening the filter?

If the filter was under pressure how did you manage to open it?

I did put off the pump, but that does not release the pressure already build up.

Then I closed the inlet line (as always) to prevent possible water from the sand filter to enter the pond as my 5000 liter filter is higher than the pond level. This also prevented the pressure to releasse.

The moment I released the screw on the sand filter, (koi filter type) the lid exploded in my face.

Must have build up air pressure over a couple of hours. (0.75 KW)

_________________
Paul Viljoen
E Mail: koi@absamail.co.za ; http://www.koionline.co.za

Koi are not my whole life but makes my life whole

Collin · Posts: 160 Join date: 2008-04-27 Location: Pretoria

Wat ons nie sal deur maak vir ons vis nie!

Gou gesond word Paul!