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Oase PondoVac 4 Information
The first PondoVac by oase was designed over 10 years ago, it's a product they are very proud of and developments from the original design leads to what we see now. Oase have listened to all the feedback they have received and this has resulted in the PondoVac 4. The Oase PondoVac 4 comes with a wide range of features so that you will never be left with a dirty pond that's full of sludge, it could be one of your best and most important buys of your year, so have a read about all its features and consider the Oase PondoVac 4.
Why Use A Pond Vacuum?
Not so long ago it was very common for people to have to fully empty their pond for it to receive a proper clean i.e. removal of all pond sludge and dirt, this could be very time consuming and also very messy. It could be a case for some people with bigger ponds that they have to even get the waders out, climb in and then scoop out all the pond sludge, which is very messy indeed, and can be back breaking work. Now with the aid of a pond vacuum this cleaning time can be reduced by hours, meaning you have loads more time to sit and enjoy your pond.
It can seem an expensive investment at first, but buying a pond vacuum really is worth its weight in gold, and they can and should be used more often than people think as part of regular maintenance to keep on top of pond sludge so that your pond remains healthy. If sludge on the bottom of the pond builds to over a 1cm in depth it can become anerobic (contains no oxygen) this is perfect conditions for harmful bacteria to live and thrive. The waste product from these bacteria that thrive in pond sludge is hydrogen sulphide (this is where the awful rotting egg smell comes from in stagnant water) these bacteria also produce ammonia, so they make your pond lethally toxic and it can have a serious affect on the water quality of your pond.
When your water quality is poor fish can become stressed, and then they are more liable to get diseases. What happens is the ammonia and also hydrogen sulphide (if you have bad sludge) starts to attack the fishes gills which stops it from been able to osmoregulate (stop being able to control water going in and out of their body), excrete ammonia from its gills and transfer oxygen to its blood. If any of these happen the fish will end up poisoning it, and this is when you get illnesses such as dropsy, ulcers and fin rot etc.
It is though from recent studies that 90% of fish deaths and illness is initially through poor water quality, so if you make sure you're keeping your pond clean, your fish will remain healthy.
Oase PondoVac 4 Special Features
Two Chamber System: The PondoVac 4 has updated the way in which it works, before the system use to fill up and then empty itself, so pond cleaning although efficient, could be pretty slow. This problem has now been solved with the patented two chamber design of the PondoVac 4. Having two cylinders means that while one chamber is filling up the other is emptying so there is literally no hanging around and waiting time. Who doesn't want more time enjoying their pond rather than cleaning it?
Hand Regulator: This is a new function compared to the old PondoVac 3 also, Oase listened very carefully to the feed back from people with smaller and shallower ponds. The hand regulator allows you to slow down the suction power by sliding up or down the valve as shown below, this is quick and easy and can be done during the vacuums operation, this stops the PondoVac 4 from removing water too quickly, which means the vacuum is taking more sludge and stopping you having to top your pond up by 25%, which was the case previously.
String Algae (Blanketweed) Control Attachment: This attachment is fantastic for removing blanketweed and clumps of algae from the surface of your pond. It removes a very little amount of water, for the sheer amount of blanketweed that it removes, if you check out the video at the bottom of this page it will show you it working.
Debris Collection Bag: The debris collection bag is ideal for using when you are wanting to take big solids out your pond, such as leaves, blanketweed or stones. The bag strains out all of the solids and then allows you to recycle the water straight back into the pond.
Wastewater discharge: All the water that is released from the PondoVac 4 comes out of a discharge hose, you have to make sure that this is going downhill as there is no water pressure that can push the water out. This water can either be sent down a drain or to a flowerbed, or a bucket to tip of your flower bed. The sludge that comes from the bottom of your pond makes for an excellent plant fertilizer so don't let it go to waste!
Oase Pondovac 4 Information Table
|
Dimensions (l x W x H) |
380 x 415 x 685 mm |
|
Rated Voltage |
230 V / 50 Hz |
|
Power Consumption |
1700 Watts |
|
Power Cable Length |
4.00 Metres |
|
Net Weight |
13.06 Kilograms |
|
Guarantee |
2 &1 Years |
|
Water Depth Max |
2.40 Metres |
|
Length Of Suction Hose |
5.00 Metres |
|
Length Of Discharge Hose |
2.50 Metres |
Oase Pondovac Troubleshooting
| Malfunction | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
|
Vapour escapes from the unit |
In colder weather condensate forms in the unit which is released as water vapour. |
This is normal. No remedy necessary. |
|
The unit develops noise and/or heavy vibration |
The tank is full. |
Drain tank |
|
Intake distributor, drain or foam is blocked. |
Switch of the unit, wait 20 seconds, then switch on again. If fault occurs clean all the unit. |
|
|
The unit does not suck or its performance reduces |
No main voltage. |
Check mains voltage. |
|
Excessive height difference between water level and unit |
We remommend that the outlet heightis slightly above water level. |
|
|
Both containers are full of water.Both valves are sealed. |
Drain the unit. |
|
| Dirt plugs foam filters, the suction tube or the suction hose. | Remove dirt. | |
| The flap at the intake distributor is jammed or dirty. | Remove the intake distributor, check the flap and check for blockages. (Fig. I, 4) | |
| O ring at the inlet distributor not properlyfitted. | Check the o-ring. | |
| The flap at the outlet valve is jammed. | Remove the drain hose and check the flap is fitted correctly. | |
| O ring in the inner tank is not fitted correctly. | Check o-ring (Fig. I, 27) | |
| Low suction capacity | Slide in the handle is open. | Close and then check suction. |
| Friction has increased inside the tubing. | Keep the suction hose as short as possible. | |
| Suction depth to deep. Over 2 metres suctionstarts toreduce. | Reduce suction depth. | |
| The Container does not empty | The drain hose is kinked or was not laid flat or to go downhill. | Check installation intructions. (make sure hose is flat) |
| Drain hose or valve has become blocked. | Remove all dirt from drain hose and drain valve. | |
| Poor unit switching behaviour between the containers, or no switch over | There is a film of dirt on the pistons, which has dried due to unit not running for a long while. | Remove motor housing (G, 17) Start the switching cycle manually by holding the motor over your head. |
Correct Electrical Installation (manufacturers guidelines)
- Installations must meet the national regulations and may only be carried out by a qualified electrictian.
- When using your PondoVac 4 make sure it is plugged into a properly installed outlet.
- Extension cables and power distributors (e.g. outlet strips) must be suitable for outdoor use.
Safe Operation Of your Oase PondoVac 4
- Do not operate or leave in the rain.
- Minimum safety distance between the Oase PondoVac 4 and your pond is 2 metres.
- Never operate the PondoVac 4 while people are in the pond.
- Never carry or pull the PondoVac 4 unit by the electrical cable.
- Make sure cables are where people are less liable to trip over them, which should also protect the cabling from damage.
- Only use original spare parts and accessories for the unit.
- Only have repairs carried out by manufacturer or Bradshaws Direct.