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Filter selection
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To choose the ideal filter for any pond you must
first know the correct environmental flow to maintain ideal water quality
for your pond. (Please remember that the pond size alone
does not determine the filter or pump size without first taking into account the
many environmental and physical factors)
3 ways to get help
to establish flow
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Fill in
one of our
e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you
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Give us a call 1800 607 388 for expert
advice
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Do it yourself and use our quick reference
flow calculator for rough
estimate
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Step one: Establish the
required flow through the filter keeping in mind waterfall** height if any, or
long hose**
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Step Two: Choose a filter from the chart below (Example if your pond
requires a flow through the filter of 6,500 litres per hour, the FiltoClear
11000
would give the best result)
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Step Three: Choose a pump, they are listed below in order of quality and
suitability
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Recommended flow
through the filter - litres per hour
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3000 |
6000 |
11000 |
15000 |
| Minimum
flow |
1,400 |
2,500 |
4,500 |
6.500 |
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Ideal flow - See hint 4 below |
2,000 |
3,700 |
6,500 |
8,000 |
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Maximum flow - See hint 4 below |
2,500 |
4,500 |
8,000 |
10,000 |
Suitable pumps for Filtoclear filters
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3000 |
6000 |
11000 |
15000 |
Most suitable pumps**
Assuming a waterfall is not over 500mm high or
the correct size hose is not longer than 3m |
Easy Jet
3000
Pondmax
3000 |
"Aquamax" 3500
Pondmax 4500 |
"Aquamax" 5500
Pondmax 8000 |
"Aquamax"
8500 |
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For waterfalls higher than 500mm, undersize hose already installed that
can't be replaced or for a long hose length, one of the alternative pumps
listed below my be better suited |
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What makes a pump that is
specifically designed for sending water to a filter (such as the pumps
above) superior to a multi purpose pump such as
Pondmate
1) The cage design is turtle shell shaped to attract solids from 360
degrees 2) These pumps are designed to run 24/7 year after year
3) They have a vortex impeller capable of handling solids without blocking
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Other pumps
to consider** |
Aquamax - 2000#,
Max-Flo 3500##
"Aquamax" 3500
Easy Jet
4000##
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Max-Flo 3500
Easy Jet
4000
Easy Jet
5000
Max-Flo 6000## |
Max-Flo 6000
Max-Flo 7500##
Max-Flo 9000##
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Max-Flo 9000
Max-Flo 11000##
Pondmax
12000## |
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**Special
note, if using a waterfall or a long hose between pump and filter the pump
will need to be larger to allow for the reduced flow caused by the
head (pumping height, and/or hose length) If in doubt
Fill in
one of our
e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you.
# A little under size
for some pond sizes, but would work if the pond were smaller than the filters
maximum volume rating.
##
This pump is a little too strong, unless a
waterfall over 1m is in place. However, you can never have too much pond flow, so, by
releasing water back into the pond through a "Tee" and flow valve added
circulation is provided for the pond. |
*****Head over 5m will damage the filter and
could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate
head may not provide enough flow through the filter.
In a nut shell ....The height difference
between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5 metres (0.5
bar).
So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pressure free outlet
must not exceed 6m
There is however another factor in head calculations
if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under
How to choose your pump / filter
if your hose will be more than 3m. |
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 Aussie's
additional thoughts
Tip
1:
When calculating pump flow, always allow at least a 15%
flow loss when a filter is used.
Tip
2: Place the pump at
the opposite end of the pond to the water return, and in the deepest part of the
pond.
Tip 3:Oase offer a
powder to prime filter systems, a great way to hasten biological activity.
Starter Bacteria
Tip 4: How the UVC takes
care of algae etc .. When the
water passes through the filter, the UV rays from the clarifier disturb the tiny
algae spores that would normally pass through the filter, they then clump them
together and they are caught next time through by the foam filters. The UV rays
also kill off disease-causing agents as the water flows through the clarifier. Your pond therefore virtually cleans
itself.
Tip 5: Within
reason the slower the water passes over the UV lamp and through the filter the
better the result. However, you can never have too much
pond flow, so, by having a slightly oversize pump and
releasing water directly back into the pond or on to a feature or waterfall through a "Tee"
with a valve (tap), added
circulation is provided for the pond.
Tip 6:
Head over 5m will damage the filter and
could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate
head may not provide enough flow through the filter.
In a nut shell ....The height difference
between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5 metres (0.5
bar).
So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pressure free outlet
must not exceed 6m
There is however another factor in head calculations
if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under
How to choose your pump / filter
if your hose will be more than 3m.
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How it all works:
Water is pumped into the unit
and passes under the UVC lamp into the vortex system (settling zone).
Suspended matter and bio-sludge are moved by centrifugal effect and
gravity.
Dirt particles are trapped by the outer surface of the filter sponges
before the water flows the entire length of the inner chamber.
Pores of the filter sponges form a large inner surface for
micro-organisms to colonize and convert ammonium to nitrate. Other parts
of the filter system are designed to support colonization of anaerobic
micro-organisms that reduce nitrate to nitrogen.
A function switch is used when the dirty water is released, (back
washed) at the same time the filter sponges are cleaned using a special pumping
handle. The end result is clear /
clean pond water.
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FiltoClear
with UVC 
