Hozelok Bioforce Pumps and Filters
Value For Money
Hozelok Bioforce Pumps and Filters
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User Reviews
Value For Money
I Am Now Giving Up On The Hozelok Bioforce And Hop
I am now giving up on the Hozelok Bioforce and hopefully buy a filter system that is easy to use. Had I known the problems of the bioforce top and latching system I would not have purchased it. The bioforce to clean and put the clips back on is ludicrous,it takes a few minutes to clean and hours to get the top on! Causing so many expletives the air is blue.
Value For Money
The Pump Was Satisfactory During Its Short Life, O
The pump was satisfactory during its short life, once it was primed, and the filter was satisfactory until it clogged up. My pump from Hozelok Bioforce Pumps and Filters did not prime itself; it had to be lifted out of the water so that it sucked air in and then quickly put back in the water to get it started and raise water 1ft (30cm) above pond level. The replacement pump made by Oase started working immediately it was switched on. The pump failed after only 6 months use.
The filtration performance of the filter is fine. However the ease with which the filter can be cleaned is not. The filter can be cleaned and reassembled with ease in a well lit space with good access all round e.g. in a garage or the development lab where it was designed. However in a cramped space with difficult access such as outside near the pond, assembling the unit after cleaning is a nightmare. The o-ring seal continually drops off the top lid where it is supposed to stay; a tighter o-ring might help. However the main problem is that the retaining clips do not open far enough. There is very little clearance between the open clips and the sides of the top so that as the top is lowered into the body the clips close. To keep the clips fully open and at the same time make sure the o-ring does not drop needs 4 hands. In addition the clips often come out of their sockets, have to be found and pushed back which is also not easy. This filter is not very user-friendly and since cleaning the filter is a regular maintenance job I can not recommend this design. I wonder whether the designer ever actually tried to use it in a real-life garden situation. This filter failed after 2 years when the top blew off nearly emptying the pond. My fish were saved by the prompt action of a neighbour.
This pump and filter combination may be among the cheapest but it is worth paying a bit more for quality and ease of use.
i agree to an extent regarding the clips not opening far enough but by far the biggest issue with these clips is the fact that should you forget to empty the filter systemand have a bad cold spell then the clips break off and need replacement at 10 pounds a set although i will accept its a maintainance issue with the user tbh
the o ring as stated just needs to be sat in the bottom channel and its no problem at all
all in all i would rate the system as fair value for money and would advise siting the filter in an insulated box if possible should you forget like i have to drain the system when the icy weather calls
I don't understand some of Mikes criticisms. My pump has been in continuous action for over five years without problem. The filter is a little more fiddley but no great problem. The clips can be a bit hard to open and close as your hands become more arthritc but the rubber seal is no problem. Instead of trying to secure it in the lid, place it in the channel of the base, made to take the seal. Close the unit and Bobs your uncle. I find the unit quite satisfactory. My problem now is to find a way of preventing filter water draining back into the pond when the pump is switched off. I need to save on electricity so wish to run the pump for just a few hours a day. If anyone has any ideas about a non-return valve I would be pleased to hear them.
I found this review helpful, because in an desperate bid to reduce the maintenance commitment to my pond I almost bought. Being physically compromised (only one arm), I doubt if I could have managed the maintenance single handed (excuse the pun!), so I am grateful to Mike for taking the time to register his experience with the Hozelok Bioforce Pump. It's now a year on and I wonder if Hozelock have made any amendments to improve the product.
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