hayward sand filter as a bead filter

hit there i was wonering if i could just take the sand in a hayward pool filter and put in bead media. would this work as a bio filter?

Nope. Actually, the media might not be as much a problem as turnover. The Hayward is usually sized to turnover the pool's volume from every 8 to 12 hours. In a koi pond you want to have a turnover rate of once every two hours. Smaller ponds that don't contain koi don't need that fast a turnover rate but they definitely need one better that once every eight hours. You have to figure out what your Hayward will do with the volume of pond water. Don't forget to calculate for lift or friction. I don't know how you can accurately calculate with bead instead of sand. Perhaps you could look at the pump capacity of a bead filter properly sized for your pond and see how the pumping capacity of your hayward compares. On the other side you don't want to turn over the water too fast either. Then the filter doesn't have time to remove the ammonia because the water isn't in contact with the beads long enough and/or you might not even be able to establish a nitrosomonas colony sufficient to handle the ammonia. Odds are when you research it you will probably change your mind and look for a filter that is designed for solids (poop, algae leaves ) handling ( no pool flter is) and that can provide the proper flow in GPM. Good Luck!

thanks for the reply snapple. i see your point, but when i asked that question i had this website in mind http://www.advancedaquaculture.com/aquaculture/perma-bead.htm . i have a small koi pond (less than 1000 gallons) and was going to use a hayward filter that was rated for 45 GPM which is about 2700GPH. i was wondering if anyone has tried this and had an opinion on the matter. thanks!

Neat! Will the pump handle solids? If this was a pool pump it might balk at leaves and other debris common in ponds. I guess I am long on opinion and short on actual experience! I would like to know what you finally do and how well it works.