TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter

Enjoy cleaner, healthier ponds and water gardens with less effort. The improved TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filters employ advanced bio-active media that resists clogging, even after extended periods of pond filtration. Distinct open profile media boasts large surface area for beneficial bacteria. The result is highly efficient biological filtration that effectively breaks down toxic ammonia and nitrite in pond water. Hassle-free backflush feature cleans these pressure filters in less than 2 minutes with no need to open the filter. Maintains peak filter performance for exceptional mechanical and biological pond filtration. UV-equipped models have the added water clarifying power of ultraviolet light for sparkling, green-free water. Available in 3 capacities, with or without UV filter. Inlet and Outlet are 1-1/2" barbed fittings. Appropriately sized pump and tubing sold separately.

Please click on "More Information" for instructions.

How It Works
Mechanical Filtration: Pond water flows down through the bio-activators, which remove suspended debris and dirt from the water.

Biological Filtration: Occurs on the massive surface areas found in the bio-activators. Beneficial bacteria will naturally colonize on the surface area and convert harmful pollutants in the water into relatively harmless nitrate, which are absorbed by the aquatic plants and from partial water changes. This is known as the "Nitrogen Cycle".

Open Profile Bio-Activators
TetraPond's new Bio-Active Pressure Filters come equipped with open-profile bio-activators which offer superior filtration and backflush performance over closed bio-media and foam.

These bio-activators have been perfected and used in the commercial aquaculture industry where demanding filtration is required due to extreme environmental conditions. The advanced technological design of the bio-activators provides a large active surface area for the beneficial bacteria to colonize.

During the backflush operation, these bio-activators provide unrestricted water flow to all the surfaces so that dirt and debris are thoroughly removed while leaving the beneficial bacteria on the bio-activator surfaces intact and robust.

Filtration Process

1. Pump water from the pond to the pressure filter.
2. Water is mechanically and biologically filtered.
3. Filtered water is forced up the center tube. In models with a UV Clarifier, the UV light destroys the single-celled algae's ability to reproduce.
4. Filtered water is forced under pressure to the waterfall or stream.

Positioning Your Pressure Filter
General Installation Instructions:

• Position the pump far from the waterfall or stream for maximum pond circulation.
• Position the pressure filter anywhere around the pond. Since the discharge is under pressure, it may be located downhill from the waterfall if you choose.
• Connect pump to the filter with tubing.
• Connect filter discharge port to the waterfall with tubing.

Caution: The discharge tubing ID should not be smaller than the intake tubing.

Concealment Tips:
The filter can be hidden behind rocks or bushes and can even be partially buried. If burying the filter, it is recommended that you place a plastic tub in the hole. This allows easier access to the latches, and makes it easier to remove the filter for winter storage. Plastic tubs are inexpensive and are widely distributed in stores selling hardware and houseware products. 20-gallon tubs are ideal for this use.

Assembling the Pressure Filter for Operation
Before attaching tubing to the pressure filter, perform these simple assembly steps:

1. Open filter lid.
2. Remove bio-activators from vessel. (Bio-activators come in a separate plastic bag and are packed with the filter inside the sales box).
3. Fill the filter vessel up to about 50% with pond water.
4. Pour bio-activators in the vessel.
5. Place lid back on and close.

Note: It is very difficult to assemble the filter if the bio-activators are dry.

Installation Option - Using a Tub

1. Dig a hole about 3 in. deeper than the tub. Put a 3 in. layer of stones in the hole for drainage into the soil.
2. Drill 4 to 8 drainage holes in bottom of tub. Place tub in the hole.
3. Put bricks or wood blocks in bottom of tub to elevate the pressure filter to the desired height.
4. Place stones and plants around the filter and tub to hide them.

Note: If you bury the filter without a tub, the filter will be difficult to remove.

Tubing Attachment
For maximum flow, use 1-1/2 inch ID tubing. Also fits 1-1/4 inch ID tubing.

TIP: For maximum flow; attach the largest tubing fitting. Use a saw to cut the filter outlet / inlet fitting(s) to match the tubing you have selected.

"Maturation" Of Your Filter
A biological filter must undergo a period of "maturation" before it is fully efficient. During this period of time, beneficial bacteria grow and colonize on the biological filter media until the bacteria population is large enough to purify the waste in the water. The initial maturation of the filter takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks (after spring has arrived). To avoid dangerous levels of pollutants during this "maturation" period, gradually introduce the pond fish and be sure not to overfeed. Run the filter 24 hours a day.

Cleaning and Maintenance
The Backflush Cycle
It usually takes less than 2 minutes to clean the filter. There is no need to open the unit or get your hands dirty. Follow these simple 5 steps (Note: Keep the pump running during the entire backflush operation):

1. Remove the backflush cap.
2. Turn valve to CLEAN position.
3. Backflush for 30 seconds and then turn the valve back to POND position for 5 seconds and then back to CLEAN position until water coming out is relatively clear.
   
4. Turn valve to POND position.
5. Replace the backflush cap on port.

How it backflushes

1. The water flow is reversed and forced down the center tube.
2. The water jets create a whirlpool effect in the bio-activator chamber.
3. Dirt and debris is loosened from the bio-activators.
4. Dirty water is discharged out the backflush port into the garden.

A thin layer of bio-film containing beneficial bacteria will remain on the bio-activators. There is no need to replace the bio-activators. The discharged water is full of nutrients and can be used to nourish the garden plants.

Tip: If the water flow still looks weak after the backflush operation, open the lid and check to see if the strainer is clogged with string algae or debris. Remove any debris that has accumulated on the cage. Be sure the vessel is about half full of water when reassembling the filter.

TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter with UV
Greenfree UV Process
The Lid Closure Knobs can be opened to remove lid and gain access to the UV clarifier chamber.

UV Process

1. Provides on-going control of suspended algae that causes green water.
2. Water is pumped from the pond.
3. Water is forced through the bio-activators.
4. Filtered water flows up the center tube.
5. Single-celled algae pass by the ultraviolet light which destroys the single-celled algae's ability to reproduce.
6. Water is returned to the pond by waterfall or stream. Dead algae cells clump and are removed by the filter.

How the Greenfree UV Clarifier Works
The TetraPond UV clarifier works by exposing single-celled algae to very high levels of Ultra Violet light as the pond water containing them is pumped through the clarifier. The water containing single-celled algae comes in close contact with the light from the UV bulb that is protected from the water by a quartz glass sleeve.

The ultraviolet radiation disrupts the algae's ability to reproduce. The algae die and clump together, and then the algae can be easily removed by the bio-activators inside the pressure filter.

For most ponds with normal levels of green water algae, the clearing process should take about one week. However, with thicker algal blooms this may take 2-3 weeks. The UV clarifier will reduce the growth of the algae, but water clarity is also dependent on the pond filter removing the dead algae.

When installing the UV clarifier on a pond that already contains green water, the clarifying process can be rapidly accelerated by use of TetraPond Water Clarifier liquid that clumps single-celled algae and other particles together so they can easily be removed by the filter bio-activators.

Unplug the UV clarifier if the pond is being treated with fish medications.

The pressure filter is not for submersible use, and should not be installed inside the pond.

UV Bulb Installation
Caution: Before installing bulbs, or any other service of the UV clarifier, disconnect the pump and UV clarifier from the power source.

Tools Needed: Phillips Head Screwdriver, Coin, and Soft Cloth or Tissue. To install the UV bulbs, please carefully follow these steps in sequence.

Disassembly

1. Using a large coin or screwdriver turn both lid closure knobs to "open" position and remove decorative lid to gain access to UV center tube.
2. Remove the four Phillips head screws and slowly and carefully remove the UV electrical assembly. Retain the screws for re-assembly.
3. Remove old UV bulb. Now is a good time to inspect and clean the quartz tube.
4. Carefully remove quartz sleeve from center tube. Be careful not to lose the two rubber O-rings.
5. Wash off any residue on the outside of the quartz sleeve and dry the inside of the quartz tube thoroughly. Take care not to scratch the tube.

Caution: Quartz sleeve must be dry inside. Wipe smudges off quartz tube if necessary.

Installation of New Bulb

6. Grasp the new UV bulb by the base, align it with the socket and press firmly into the bulb socket until a click is felt or heard.
7. Caution: Do not touch the new bulb with bare hands. Use a clean soft cloth or tissue to handle the bulb. Wipe any dirt or smudges with clean cloth or tissue. Oil from fingers can degrade the life of the bulb.

Re-Assembly

8. Caution: Wipe any dirt or debris on or around the rubber O-ring seals. This helps maintain a water-tight seal that protects the bulb and electrical components.
9. Position the smaller O-ring inside the recessed ring on the quartz tube. Insert quartz tube into center tube.
10. Remove any debris and position the large O-ring inside the recessed ring around the center tube.
11. Insert the UV electrical assembly with the new bulb into the quartz sleeve.
12. Inspect O-ring seals by looking through clear plastic center tube cover to ensure they are seated properly and are not out of place or pinched. Secure the electrical assembly with the four Phillips head screws snuggly with a hand-held screwdriver. Do not over-tighten. Do not use a power screwdriver to avoid damage to the filter.
13. The electrical cord should be routed between the notch in decorative lid and vessel. Use about 14 inches of electrical cord to form a loop and then secure into place with the cord retention strap in the notch. This loop will provide slack, allowing the UV electrical assembly to be removed more easily at a later date.
14. Replace the decorative dome lid onto lid assembly.
15. Turn both decorative lid closure knobs to "close" position.

Only now can the unit be connected to an electrical source. Caution: Use only with GFCI rated electrical circuits. Please see safety instructions for details before operation.

UV Viewing Tube
To see if the UV light is functioning when the clarifier is fully assembled, a blue glow can be seen from the UV viewing tube. Since the light is diffused in this clear plastic tube, the light is not harmful to the eyes.

Bulb Life
For maximum effectiveness, UV bulbs should be replaced every 8000 hours of life or every 11 months of continuous use. For water gardeners using the UV clarifiers only 5 to 6 months a year, replace the bulb every 2 years. Even though the bulb may glow after 8000 hours of use, the effectiveness has diminished.

Winter Care
Before the pond ices over, the filter should be stored indoors.

Caution: During the winter, the fish in the pond go through a period of rest where they become very inactive and waste production becomes very low. At this time, the filter should be emptied of water so that freezing water does not damage the unit:

1. Do a final backflush.
2. Disconnect plumbing.
3. Drain excess water.
4. Store indoors.

Note: The warranty does not cover damage to the filter due to freezing water.

Starting your Filter for Pond Season
When starting the filter again in the spring, it will go the through the same maturation process as the first year. Be sure not to overfeed your fish in the early spring.

Tips to Avoid or Minimize Green and Cloudy Water
In addition to using a TetraPond Bio-Active Pressure Filter with GreenFree UV Clarifier, there are other things you can do to reduce green and cloudy water in the pond.

Feed Fish Highly Digestible Foods
Feed often (2 to 3 times a day), but only as much as the fish will consume within 5 minutes.

The Role of Plants
A well-planted pond is a great defense against water. Plants take nutrients such as nitrates from the water, depriving algae from the source it needs to live. Surface plants such as water lilies and lotuses provide additional shade to the pond, thus further reducing algae.

Liquid Clarifiers
Use a Water Clarifier to clump contaminants and make it easier for the bio-activators in the filter to remove them.

Sludge Removal
Make sure your pond is reasonably clean by removing any sediment with a pond vacuum or a fine-mesh net. Excessive sediment containing organic material will decompose and provide nutrients for algae growth.

Water Changes
Changing up to 25% of the pond water is another way of reducing nutrients which contribute to algae growth. Be sure every time you do water change to use a water conditioner to neutralize chlorine and chloramines present in tap water and that are harmful to fish.

String Algae Control
UV Clarification does not control string algae (also known as blanket weed). String algae can attach itself to stones in the waterfall or stream, or on stones around the pond. It is recommended that this be physically removed by hand or with a strong spray from a hose nozzle. A fine-mesh net can be used to remove string algae once it has been dislodged from the stones.