u polyurethane slurry pumps

Trash pump vs Diaphragm pump for FA

Pumps for FA mat removal

I am thinking of using one of those two pumps to try and mechanically remove FA mats from my pond. I have read and been advised a trash pump could potentially be used, but after talking to pump guy, was advised diaphragm pump would be better suited. Anyone with experience?

Trash pump vs Diaphragm pump

I don't think a trash pump would work that well to get rid of FA, at least in the way I am thinking. If you are trying to get rid of the mats that are floating on the surface, everytime the suction hose gets above water it will break the seal and have to prime again. Harder on the pump and time consuming. Can't say about the diaphragm pump, no experience with those.

Youtube video about algae removal with a pump

Here's a youtube video about algae removal with a pump. They don't show their pump, but they show that it is possible with the right pump.

Shredder sewage pump

How about a shredder sewage pump? Reducing the volume of the FA while pumping it out on the bank or into trailer might work well...

Trash pump better

A trash pump would be better IMO. You will need a collector under floats to gather the FA and get it close to the constantly submerged suction hose. You'll also want to pump the discharge water/FA into something like 1/4"-3/8" hardware cloth to prevent the FA from just washing right back into the pond.

Tilapia

Perhaps you could call Randy Johnson with Iowa DNR special permits and get an approval to stock Tilapia.....

Pump modification

I love the idea of pumping it out like that, but my research into pumps shows a fairly pricey investment. The video doesn't clearly show it, but my suspicion is they modified either a trash or diaphragm pump with some mechanical shredding, to reduce the FA volume. Slick concept.

Why wouldn't a trash pump work?

I don't understand why a normal trash pump wouldn't work, but I'm one of the least mechanically inclined dudes on the forum, admittedly. So, why wouldn't a trash pump work? They are designed to move solids, yes?

Trash pumps are rated for semisolids

From reading/researching them, full trash pumps are rated for semisolids, up to an inch or so, depending on the motor size. So I don't doubt they would be able to pull the FA mat through them, unless a large clump gets sucked in. It just may be hard to control how much of a mat it sucks up, and how it behaves inside the pump. I was thinking of renting one, to experiment...

Trash pumps operate centrifugally

I think a trash pump would work, as long as you kept the intake hose underwater. Trash pumps operate centrifugally, in that they do not create a "vacuum" of sorts....they often need to be primed before use, and if the intake gets a big enough gulp of air, they may lose their prime. Diaphragm pumps work by flexing a membrane back and forth. This lets them create a vacuum, irregardless of whether or not the intake hose is submerged. No prime needed. They would probably work better at removing surface material, but I'm not sure how fast they work when compared to a similarly sized trash pump. I think a 90 degree attachment, or elbow, to the end of the trash pump hose might let the end remain submerged, while the FA is sucked down vertically. Maybe this would work smoother than gulping air at the surface.

Concern about sucking out fry

Is there a concern you are going to suck out a whole bunch of fry that may be feeding on the organisms in the FA?