Summary
- Unpack all components carefully.
- Once installed and connected to a suitable pump the pond water will flow through the filter.
- This box filters are pump-fed, external filters with an integral UVC unit, ideal for being partially buried adjacent to your pond or being positioned above ground if desired. The filter may also be concealed at the top of a waterfall.
- Your filter is supplied with a translucent hosetail. This should be screwed into the threaded filter inlet. Pond hose size 20-40mm (3/4 " to 11/2") can be attached to the inlet hosetail.
- Your pump and filter outlet should be positioned at opposite ends of the pond to promote maximum circulation.
- Cut the inlet hose to the size appropriate to the size of hose you are using.
- Then connect the hose from your pump to this inlet hosetail and secure with hose clips.
Your box filter comes complete with mechanical and biological filter media. The filter foam acts as a mechanical barrier to pick up solids whilst the plastic bio-media helps to develop friendly bacteria. These friendly nitrifying bacteria help to convert harmful fish waste and other organic waste (ie, ammonia, nitrite) into harmless nitrate. This biological maturation process usually takes 6-8 weeks. It is recommended that you do not switch on your UVC during this period.
Your pond pump and UVC filter are powered by electricity, meaning they need to be connected to the mains supply. Special care must be taken during this part of the installation process and we recommend consulting an electrician to acquire assistance.
For maximum flow performance (reduced friction loss) it is recommended that the lowest unused section of all pump and filter hosetails be removed if possible.
NO PART OF FILTER UNIT SHOULD EVER BE SUBMERGED IN WATER.
Installation
Once installed and connected to a suitable pump the pond water will flow through the filter.
PondXpert box filters are pump-fed, external filters with an integral UVC unit, ideal for being partially buried adjacent to your pond or being positioned above ground if desired.
The filter may also be concealed at the top of a waterfall.
Your filter is supplied with a translucent hosetail. This should be screwed into the threaded filter inlet. Pond hose size 20-40mm (3/4” to 11/2”) can be attached to the inlet hosetail.
Your pump and filter outlet should be positioned at opposite ends of the pond to promote maximum circulation.
Cut the inlet hose to the size appropriate to the size of hose you are using. Then connect the hose from your pump to this inlet hosetail and secure with hose clips.
Maturation of the Filter
Your multi-chamber box filter comes complete with mechanical and biological filter media. The filter foam acts as a mechanical barrier to pick up solids whilst the plastic bio-media helps to develop ‘friendly’ bacteria.
These friendly nitrifying bacteria help to convert harmful fish waste and other organic waste (ie, ammonia, nitrite) into harmless nitrate.
This ‘biological maturation’ process usually takes 6-8 weeks. It is recommended that you do not switch on your UVC during this period.
Maintenance
As the filter does it’s job the foam filters will block up reducing water flow. If the pond is very dirty then the foams may need cleaning every couple of days or so at first. Cleaning procedure:
Switch off any electrical items feeding or inside the pond (including the filter itself).
Take the foam filters out of the unit and carefully wash away any solids using a bucket of POND WATER. Once clean replace the foams back in position.
If your filter is ever taken away from the pond (ie-winter storage) then all of the filter media (foams and biomedia) must be thoroughly cleaned before restarting.
Your filter will then need to undergo the ‘maturation’ procedure phase as described above.
Filtration Spares and consumables
The filter is supplied with everything you need to get started (including filter media, UV bulb and quartz tube for the UV).
Over time these parts may need replacing and can be purchased from your retailer.
The multi-chamber design of the unit means you are free to test other media types (Japanese matting, Alfagrog etc) should you desire.
Bottom Drain Plug
Your pondXpert filter comes complete with an integral drain. To periodically drain the sludge from the base of the filter simply unscrew the drain cap.
This drain point can also be used to backflush out debris if required.
Periods of operation
Maintain filtration 24 hrs a day through the fish feeding season (typically early March-October when the water temperature is above 10 degrees C), but preferably all year round.
In the winter operating the pump and filter will maintain a background level of friendly bacteria in the filter and help prevent the pond icing up in all but the severest weather conditions.
Changing the UV Bulb
The UV bulb should be changed at the beginning of every new season. The lamp may look like it is working but the levels of effective UV radiation decrease over time.
Disconnect the unit from the electricity supply.
Push open the top access chamber to the UV. Remove the UV Clarifier unit by gently pulling the retaining clips. Unscrew the wired end-cap by rotating anti-clockwise.
Remove the UV bulb by gently pulling out of the electrical connection.
Insert a new UV bulb by gently pushing into the electrical connection.
Re-assemble the end cap by rotating clockwise.
Clip the UV unit back into the top housing and re-position the top lid in place.
