From the field notes of folks who build and maintain ponds every day
If you’ve got a ScreenMatic 18000, you’ve already made a good choice. It’s one of our go-to filters for medium to large ponds because it saves time and does a solid job separating debris before it clogs up your bio-media.
But like anything in a pond system—it’s not totally hands-off. Eventually, things get mucky, and your flow rate drops. When that happens, here’s how we clean it without overcomplicating the process. This is the same process we use in all kinds of pond setups across Dripping Springs, Buda, and South Austin—whether we build them or maintain them.
When We Clean Ours (And Clients’)
We tell folks to check it once a week during heavy debris seasons, especially in spring and fall. But realistically, here’s the rhythm we’ve found works—from shady backyards in Oak Hill to more open spaces out in Driftwood:
- Spot check weekly to make sure the belt’s still moving smoothly
- Hands-on cleaning every 4–6 weeks, depending on fish load and leaf drop
- Deep clean in spring and fall as part of a full system refresh
What You’ll Need
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Bucket of pond water (tap water kills your bio-bugs)
- A soft brush or even an old toothbrush
- Gloves if you’re not into pond slime
The Process (No Frills, Just the Steps)
1. Turn everything off.
Unplug the pump and filter. Always.
2. Pop the lid and pull the belt.
Lift the screen out and rinse it off. If it’s slimy or packed with debris, hose it down and scrub gently with your brush. Make sure the track and rollers are clean too.
3. Rinse filter pads in pond water.
Don’t use tap water—it’ll knock out your beneficial bacteria. Just give them a swish in the bucket to get the worst of the gunk off.
4. Flush out the housing.
Spray out the inside of the unit. Don’t worry about making it spotless—just clear any buildup that could block flow.
5. Put it back together and plug it in.
Watch for solid flow and listen for the belt drive clicking into action. If it’s not moving, double-check the rollers for any leftover debris.
Watch It In Action
We filmed a quick walk-through while doing a client cleanout so you can see exactly how it’s done. No voiceover, no fluff—just the real process.
🎥 Watch the video here
Extra Tips From the Field
- If your belt is running constantly, check for clogs upstream—usually in the intake or pump.
- It’s normal for the belt to slow down over time when it’s dirty. That doesn’t mean it’s broken.
- Rinsing the pads is enough—don’t over-clean them or you’ll lose your biofiltration.
We see this all the time in established ponds around Dripping Springs and Oak Hill, especially when tree debris or spring algae start to build up.
Not Into It? We’ve Got You.
If you’d rather leave it to the pros, we offer regular maintenance, seasonal cleanouts, and one-time filter servicing. Whether you’re in South Austin, Buda, Driftwood, or just tucked back off a Hill Country road—we know this system inside and out and can get yours dialed back in fast.
Reach out if you want us to take a look.