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User's Guide - BubbleBead Filters

1. BBF 5M and above it is preferable to use swept or 2 x 45 bends to handle the high flows with minimal restriction and to adapt up to 2 pipe or 2 2 or 3 on the 7 9 if running at higher flow rates For ease of future maintenance it is essential to fit a dismountable union close to the filter The return to the pond can be in solvent pipe or reinforced hose via a hosetail as shown Trim multi fit hosetails to suit the largest hose possible Narrow hoses reduce filter efficiency and create undesirable backpressure All pipework must be fully supported so that it does not put undue strain on the fittings Also see the plumbing tips that follow Plumbing the filter inlet and waste outlet These have a dismountable union that ends with a 1 2 male BSP thread This can be fitted with a female BSP hosetail or a suitable adaptor to solvent weld pipe If the hosetail is the stepped type trim this to suit the hose used Extending the waste outlet We recommend that the waste outlet is extended with no less than 40mm l 2 pipe and preferably 2 pipe on the larger models It is particularly important to encourage good flow from the waste outlet The rapid draining of waste from this outlet ensures a vigorous bead wash If the flow from this outlet is restricted the beads will not be cleaned as 16 well as they could be and this could cause problems in the long term Avoid using excessive numbers of bends and avoid undula
2. Making the backwash fully automatic Manual backwashing by turning off the pump and opening the waste valve is easy enough but does not make full use of the automatic potential of the filter Make the whole process fully automatic by fitting an automatic valve to the outlet coupled to a pump controller and a timer Ask your supplier about availability FITTING A TOP UP VALVE A standard cistern ballcock valve Torbeck valve or similar can be used to top up the pond automatically to make up for water lost through the filter backwash and from normal evaporation To prevent fouling of the valve and disruption from small waves it is common to place this in a separate cistern mounted at pond level and connected through the side of the pond with a link pipe To meet water board requirements it is usually necessary to fit a double check valve in the supply line to prevent siphoning of pool water into the mains water supply in the event of pressure drop Some authorities also require such water use to be metered Where only small quantities of water are being added in a day I to 2 of pond volume the dangers from chlorine in the water are minimal Where larger volumes are being added or if there are particular worries regarding tap water quality e g metals or chloramines it may be wise to use an appropriate water conditioner or to fit a tap water purifier in the feed pipe This make up water following backwashes can form a valuable por
3. see below Carry out partial water changes gt Long term Monitor KH levels increase the rate of water changes 45 The carbonate hardness KH is unusually low below 3 degrees gt Carbonates and bicarbonates CO HCO represent the alkalinity and buffering capacity of the water These are used up by the filter bacteria in the process of nitrification The problem is most notable in systems where the top up water is naturally soft KH 3 50ppm or less and where feeding rates are high gt Immediate Reduce or cease feeding Carry out a series of partial water changes Consider the cautious use of buffering compounds such as sodium bicarbonate NaHCO or powdered calcium carbonate CaCQO gt Long term Increase the frequency of partial water changes Choose a replacement water source with naturally high carbonate levels Add slow release buffers to the pool system e g tufa rock crushed oystershell In heavily loaded systems the regular addition of carbonate buffers may be necessary Ammonia Ammonium levels NH NH are high gt Outside the filter maturing period high ammonia levels are usually caused by overloading or disruption to the filter organisms gt Immediate Reduce or cease feeding Increase aeration Check and remove causes of filter disruption Carry out partial water changes gt Longer term Aim to avoid high pH values as ammonia is more toxic in these situations Take steps to prev
4. 4 Fra i with Automatic R Ca must not be emptied directly Float Switch aa into natural water bodies You i may need permission to direct this waste into public sewers For vigorous cleaning of bead media waste water needs to drain rapidly from the waste outlet Check that your drains can cope with this surge Aid rapid draining by using large bore hose and ensuring that there is some siphon head to help pull water from the filter see next page As the water drains air is sucked into the filter to help clean the bead media THE SIPHON HEAD The siphon head see diagram is the distance between the filter waste outlet and the air strainer inlet to the filter This distance is over 30 cm on the filters as supplied which is adequate in most circumstances However by simply raising the filter on a plinth built from one or two courses of standard building blocks topped with a paving slab and adding an bitre 2 iphon extension pipe the siphon head is Head increased and the efficiency of backwash greatly improved We recommend that this increased siphon head be created wherever possible FIRM BASE The units are heavy when full of water and must be adequately supported for safety Position the filter on a level purpose made slabbed area or concrete plinth The inlet must be above the level of water in the adjacent pond for the inlet valve to operate correctly see p 38 FUTURE ACCESS Reg
5. Thinner brands of tape may require five winds depth to provide a sufficient seal 3 O rings Fit the supplied O rings to the fittings lt 4 Move close to final site If there is enough room to work place the filter stand in its final position For models 3 9 it is safer to have two people to help handle and move the filter in this and the following stages Rest the main filter body on its side on the filter stand with the lower expansion chamber over the centre of the filter stand see picture For model 1 5 rest the filter on its head on a clean level surface with the base of the filter body facing upwards Tips for inserting threaded fittings Remove the temporary black threaded fittings from the filter body where fitted These are inserted to protect the threads from damage in transit and should only be removed just before inserting other fittings Ensure that the threads are clean and free from debris gently brushing out any loose fragments if necessary After wrapping the male thread with PTFE align the male and female threads carefully to avoid cross threading Whilst exerting slight pressure turn the assembly counter clockwise a half turn or so until the threads click into place Now screw the male fitting clockwise by hand continuing to take care to avoid cross threading If the fitting does not appear to be threading in correctly carefully remove it and start again Where
6. body onto the filter stand and then insert the extension pipes through the holes in the stand into the manifold in a dry fit as per white arrows Note that the one way flapper valve on the upper inlet pipe needs to point in towards the filter The marking on the valve stating TOP red cross on previous picture should be uppermost The lower waste outlet valve slide valve or ballvalve will need to be swivelled to a position that allows easy access for operation Test at this stage by opening and closing the valve If you are about to fit one of the automatic upgrade kits check the instructions with that kit before proceeding any further Look through the holes in the stand to check that the lower elbow on the manifold is clear of the ground If it is touching the ground the connecting pipe between the tee and elbow L may need to be trimmed shorter Once you are satisfied with the layout of the pipes pull out the two extension pipes and lift the filter back onto its side Prepare all the solvent fittings with solvent cleaner Glue the elbow and connecting pipe into place on the filter manifold tee using solvent pipe cement Do not fit the extensions yet N B Pre assembled pipework is supplied with a horizontal tee Lift the filter back onto the filter stand line up the inlet outlet with the holes in the filter stand and pull the sludge drain valve through the other hole cut in the base Now the extensions can be gl
7. filter will function at its best if it is fitted and maintained correctly Please take a short while to look through this guide before you get going so that you can get the very best from your new filter system Siting the filter Choosing the wrong site may cause the filter to function less well or make it awkward to carry out maintenance in the future The filter can be some distance from the pond but a more powerful pump may be required to overcome the friction loss in the longer pipework N B The filter inlet must be above pool water level for correct operation of the inlet flap valve and for most of the automatic upgrade kits See p 38 if you have to mount the filter below adjacent pool level CHOOSE A SITE CLOSE TO A DRAIN FOR THE WASTE WATER Dirty water flows from waste outlet during the backwash Pipe it to a convenient nearby drain or provided no treatments or salt have been used in the pond use it for irrigation in gardens The drain or sump must be below the filter s waste outlet If necessary raise the filter higher or fit a sump tank below the filter with an auto sump pump that can pump the waste water away Waste Water Using a separate sump and Pumped Away From sump pump to dispose of x Sludge Waste waste water Outlet This is an ideal option for sites set below local drainage or where waste water is to be pumped to irrigation pipes Waste water is often high in solids and organic waste and Sump Pump
8. from the filter as air is drawn in through the air inlet Allow the filter to drain completely ADDING THE BEADS After the successful trial run disconnect the pipework from the top outlet at a suitable dismount and carefully unscrew and remove the top outlet assembly Fill the filter with the supplied beads through the top opening On new systems you may wish to cure the beads see p 25 Do not add more beads than the filter is designed to hold It can be useful to use a wide funnel at this point to avoid losing beads Only use genuine BubbleBead Media to prevent clogging of the strainers or valve assemblies Use of inappropriate media will void your guarantee Once the beads have been added the top outlet assembly can be reinserted and screwed into place Use fresh PTFE tape if required and take care to avoid cross threading Reconnect the outlet pipework 23 Starting the filter for the first time with beads Restart the filter pump As the filter fills the beads will rattle against the side of the filter body but the noise will stop once the filter is full The beads may be slightly dusty so you may wish to direct the first few gallons of water to waste this first time It is a good idea to measure the flow rate of water returning to the pond Use a graduated bucket and stopwatch to calculate the flow rate Adjust the flow rate as required by using a flow regulator on the pump outlet Do not fit flow regulators on the fi
9. release valve 0 79m dia 250 30 000 45 000 ith pumps of over 10m 280L backwash 110 Kg head and never use 7M 3 5 Ibs pumps with heads BBF exceeding 2m 2 25m high 1 5 Kg 4 000 8 000 12 000 2x 55w 0 79m dia 300 36 000 55 000 BBF 5 7 9 or 3 x 30w 340L backwash 150 Kg When operating at maximum flow rates at BBFE 9M 4 5 Ibs least 10 of the flow 5 000 10 000 15 000 should bypass the filter 2 5m high 2 0 Kg i d and be directed back to 3 x 55w 0 79m dia 375 45 000 70 000 the pond for circulation or 4 x 30w 400L backwash 200 Kg and aeration N B Fit a pressure release bypass if using high pressure pumps with combined suction amp delivery heads exceeding 10m do not use pumps with over 12m head See Appendix Three Gallons are imperial multiply by 1 2 for US Gallons For control of parasites etc much higher levels of UV are required 20 ELECTRICAL SAFETY The pump should be installed according to its instructions and fitted with a safety circuit breaker RCD The RCD should be of the latching type that does not require resetting after a powercut Some types may be too sensitive to the power surges caused by turning large pumps on and off In these cases a less sensitive RCD may need to be fitted contact your local electrician for advice STRAINERS BubbleBead filters contain internal screens with slots of c 1 5 mm spacing designed to prevent loss of beads The rate of internal screen clogging will be re
10. solvent female see page 48 C Inlet and Waste Outlet Manifold as on previous page showing extension pipes in place Incorporates connection pipe L which may need trimmed to suit see page 13 Do not glue parts at this stage G Inlet dismount to 2 male thread H Inlet checkvalve replaced with ballvalve if filter is below pool level J Main waste outlet valve type may vary K Waste outlet dismount to 2 male thread Strainer sizes vary between models Contact your dealer immediately if parts are missing or damaged N B Pre assembled special order pipework is supplied with a horizontal tee with G amp K facing opposite directions Assembling your BubbleBead Filter Procedure Inlet Waste Outlet Manifold Remove the small retention screw and wrap with PTFE tape Insert the open end of the screen firmly into the opening on the assembly 4 1 Insert and tighten the retention screw to hold the outlet strainer in place 4 2 Give the screen a tug to ensure it is properly held in place 2 Threaded fittings Wrap all threaded fittings top outlet assembly inlet waste outlet manifold air inlet assemblies sludge drain fitting plug with PTFE tape Tips for using plumbers tape With the insertion end of the male fitting facing you tightly wrap ample P T F E tape on in a clockwise direction If the tape is wound on in the wrong direction it will tend to peel off as the fitting is screwed in
11. there is a tight fit or the fitting is very difficult to turn apply silicone lubricating spray to the female threads to make the threading process easier Do not use WD 40 or similar automotive lubricants which can prove toxic to fish Take your time and do not rush this procedure Only use tools e g belt wrenches to tighten fittings once they have started to thread in correctly Do not use tools which might damage either the threads or the fittings and avoid using projecting pipework as a lever Never overtighten or force fittings as this might damage them 5 Fit the base fittings A The inlet and waste outlet manifold Fit the T and elbow section of this fitting do not glue the pipe yet It needs the O ring in place and PTFE tape on the threads before it is screwed into the base Tighten it until the O ring touches the body of the filter The O ring is an additional seal The PTFE tape provides the first line of sealing and also makes it easier to unscrew the fitting in future N B Pre assembled pipework is supplied with a horizontal tee B The basic sludge drain kit Fit the sludge drain kit to the 2 BSP outlet in the base using ample PTFE tape The kit provided as standard is a basic version with hose clips and valve This unscreened outlet is used occasionally whilst the filter is running to drain persistent sediments from the filter base If the filter is being u
12. to remove organic waste before it is broken down otherwise blanketweed growth may be a more noticeable problem 42 Trickle Towers can be fed from the outflow of the BubbleBead filter following UV treatment The trickle tower greatly boosts oxygenation of the water and assists nitrification in heavily loaded commercial situations Water then flows back to the pond from the trickle tower under gravity Aeration a Trickle Tower Can be plumbed in to BubbleBead Filter return feed to pond Fluidised Bed Best plumbed independently from BubbleBead Filter BER Foam Fractionator bese I Protein Skimmer Best plumbed independently from BubbleBead Filter Fluidized Bed Filters boost nitrification capacity in heavily loaded systems but are unable to remove solids They can be used alongside the BubbleBead Filter which will remove the solids from the system Foam Fractionators Protein Skimmers aid the removal of proteins and other surface active compounds from the water reducing the load on other filter equipment and improving water clarity by removing staining compounds Although foam fractionators show some benefits in freshwater they work most efficiently on marine systems They are not intended to remove solids from the water Certain foam fractionators can also be used with specialist ozone systems to control yellowing of the water and to reduce slime and algae growth Fluidized beds and fractionators should be plumb
13. Control excess algae growth In heavily stocked systems consider the permanent installation of additional aeration devices e g trickle towers The pH is rising unusually high over 9 0 alkaline conditions gt High pH values can directly irritate fish gills and mucous membranes as well as reducing the efficiency of nitrifying bacteria in the filter Waste products such as ammonia are much more toxic to fish at high pH levels gt Immediate Reduce or cease feeding Check ammonia levels Carry out a series of partial water changes Consider using pond pH buffers designed to lower pH gt Long Term Discover the source of the high pH Uncured cement work may need to be removed from the system or sealed in some way If it is due to the replacement water source get advice from your local supplier If it is due to strong photosynthetic activity by algae carry out algae control measures The pH is unusually low dropping to below 6 5 acid conditions gt gt pH levels can fall due to the build up of nitrates or carbon dioxide CO in the water Minerals in the water do buffer the pH preventing sudden drops but if these minerals have been exhausted the pH may drop suddenly Low pH water irritates fish gills and mucous membranes reduces the efficiency of nitrifying bacteria in the filter and makes some metals e g copper more toxic to fish gt Immediate Reduce or cease feeding Check carbonate hardness KH levels
14. Reduce the density of clouding by increasing backwash frequency or carry out a second backwash just as the filter has refilled If you wish to eliminate clouding fit a tee amp valve or a 3 way valve on the filter outlet pipe and direct this plug of water to waste for a few seconds Use a short piece of clear pipe hose in the waste line to monitor clarity On Auto units set your timer to carry out a second backwash just as the filter has refilled The backwash appears to stop before the filter has emptied gt This can happen if there are airlocks in the waste outlet plumbing or if blanketweed has built up on the inlet strainer and is collapsing back onto the strainer when the filter is drained On Auto Hydraulic units Check that the filter is not sited too low in relation to the pond water level and that there is no additional footvalve on the pump Either could result in the hydraulic valve feed pipe not being able to drain away back into the pond Also carry out routine hydraulic valve maintenance At backwash water appears to run back into the pond gt This can happen if the inlet flap valve is sticking in the open position This is a rare problem Allow the filter to drain down and carry out a full clean and examination of the valve Avoid this problem by using an appropriate strainer on the pump What is the top venturi valve for It sometimes leaks water gt The venturi valve p 37 helps to a
15. User s Guide to BubbleBead Filters Models 1 5M 3M 5M 7M 9M CONTENTS Your new BubbleBead Filter Siting the filter Assembling the BubbleBead Filter Parts List Assembling the BubbleBead Filter Procedure Plumbing In Choosing the correct size of puMp Table Model capacity flow rate pump amp UV sizing Air breaks Underpressure and aeration of return water Starting the filter for the first time The test run Starting the filter with beads The trial backwash Running in your filter When to backwash the BubbleBead filter Table of recommended backwash frequencies Making the backwash fully automatic Long term maintenance The sludge drain BBF 1 5M 3M 5M Winter running Water quality maintenance amp Partial water changing Filter Troubleshooting Appendix One Installing UV units Appendix Two Combining BubbleBead filters with other equipment Appendix Three Using the filter in high pressure situations Appendix Four Water quality Troubleshooting Filter connection sizes References and Sources Guarantee Typical measurements for your BubbleBead filter 16 19 20 21 23 24 25 27 29 30 3 3 32 33 35 40 4 44 45 48 49 50 Your New BubbleBead Filter Congratulations on the purchase of your new filter GREAT WATER QUALITY BubbleBead filters are ideally suited to koi ponds ornamental fish tanks fish holding systems and aquaculture facilities They give excellent water clarity wh
16. ackwash before leaving and carry out a triple backwash on your return Alternatively where someone is coming in to feed the fish they can be shown how to operate the simple backwash process Can I use my pump to drain the pond through the filter Opening the waste valve whilst the pump is still on will flush pond water through the manifold to the waste outlet The beads appear to have lost buoyancy gt In hard water areas and on brand new systems mineral deposits can occasionally build up on the bead surfaces to such an extent that the beads start to sink This is a rare occurrence and has been overcome by fitting electromagnetic scale blanketweed controllers to the system How do I fit the filter below adjacent water level gt The inlet flap valve will not close in such situations and needs to be replaced with a conventional ball valve or a spring loaded valve of sufficient strength to hold back the head of inlet water when the pump is turned off e g a 2lb 900g spring would hold back a head of approximately 38 4m though this will reduce pump efficiency This option is not suitable for Auto Hydraulic valve units On Auto Electronic Units an electronic inlet valve can be fitted in tandem with the electronic outlet valve The waste outlet continues to dribble water Auto units only gt On new systems with an Auto Hydraulic valve carry out the valve membrane stretching described in the specific in
17. anifold on the outlet right Open bypass or Pressure Regulatin Spring Check Valve lt 0 2 bar 3 psi Excess Flow ByPasses Direct to Pond or Reservoir Pressure Gauge pe Open Bypass or Pressure Regulating Excess Flow Spring Check Valve ByPasses lt Direct to Pond ub 1 bar 14 psi Pump Feed 44 APPENDIX FOUR Water Quality Troubleshooting Questions Comments D and Actions P gt If any problems occur carry out a full range of water quality tests Fish are hanging near and or mouthing at the water surface gt This can indicate a lack of oxygen entering the fish bloodstream It may be due to low oxygen levels in the water or other problems with either water quality or the gills of the fish which are preventing the fish from extracting oxygen from the water Less oxygen dissolves in the water in hot weather in salty water and at high altitude Oxygen levels may also drop due to decaying waste algae growths using up oxygen at night or following the use of certain chemicals gt Immediate Increase oxygen levels by encouraging splashing at the water surface with cascades or fountains Use air pumps and airstones in the pond Temporarily reduce or cease feeding Keep the water surface free from excess floating leaves Examine fish gills for signs of damage or parasite infection Carry out a partial water change taking care to remove decaying sediments gt Long Term
18. atural refreshing processes The backwash process loses some water which will need to be made up with new water added to the pond This is most easily carried out with an automatic top up valve This waste removal and top up acts as a partial water change In a system running at close to maximum pool volume capacity the lower recommended frequency of backwashing might only 33 result in a water change of around 1 in a summer week This level of water changing is much too low to maintain water quality in the long term and additional partial water changes will be necessary SET THE BACKWASH FREQUENCY TO WATER CHANGE FOR YOU An easy option is to carry out backwashes at a rate which will give the level of water change required per week e g 5 per week in the summer is the rate used by many koi keepers The table page 29 gives typical water loss per backwash A high frequency of backwashing does not upset the filter organisms but actually improves filter efficiency Adding water to make up for evaporation is not equivalent to a water change as this does not remove any waste products Water needs to be removed from the pond e g through the backwash cycle from a bottom drain or with a pool vacuum before water is added Use a tap water conditioner or an appropriate tap water filter to make large quantities of chlorinated water safe to add to the pond Take advice from local specialists if your source of water has chloramines is direct fro
19. ays 210 Litres BBF 5M Once or Twice Twice Weekly Every One to 60 Gallons Weekly Two Days 280 Litres BBF 7M Twice Weekly Two to three Once a Day 75 Gallons times a week 340 Litres BBE 9M Twice Weekly Two to three Once a Day 90 Gallons times a week 400 Litres Carry out a series of extra backwashes once per month to reduce the requirement for additional maintenance see p31 On timer automated systems a backwash once or twice a day gives the ultimate filter performance Regular backwashing flushes out solid wastes before they break down and pollute the water Also by removing wastes at this stage nutrients are removed from the water and the growth of algae can be reduced further The process keeps the filter at maximum biological efficiency and minimises the need for any other maintenance Regular backwashing is essential in heavy loading situations On automated aquaculture systems the filter can be set to backwash every few hours if required You simply cannot backwash a BubbleBead filter too often The bubble wash and necked design are keys to the efficiency of the BubbleBead filter They aid cleaning of the beads whilst maintaining a healthy thin film of biological organisms on the bead surface Unlike static chamber filters where media can become coated in an excessively thick biofilm the bubble wash ensures that the maximum proportion of bead surface area is always available for biological filtration to take place 29
20. ced by fish is ammonia and its ammonium salts and this is the first product to build up in the water Bacteria that break down organic wastes and uneaten food also add to the levels of ammonia in the water Within a week or two in a few days in warm weather specific bacteria that feed on ammonia start to build up on the surfaces of the beads in the filter and they begin to break the ammonia down into nitrites As the nitrite levels become more detectable in the water the ammonia levels usually start to fall Finally other specific bacteria increase in numbers to feed on the nitrites converting them to nitrates The whole process that results in the breakdown of these nitrogen containing products is known as nitrification and the fluctuations in these waste products typically follows the pattern illustrated in the adjacent graph 26 TYPICAL WATER QUALITY DURING FILTER MATURATION UOIJBAJUBDUOD gt NHJ NH Ammonia NH3 NH4 and nitrite NO2 are both stressful to fish and whilst they are present in the water further additions of fish should be avoided Once the filter has matured sufficiently these two waste products should be reduced to below detectable levels and only the more benign nitrate NO3 may be detectable However a sudden increase in loading at any stage with fish or fish food may overwhelm the filter resulting in a reappearance of ammonia and nitrite until the filter bacteria can increase in numbers to cope If a
21. ditional nitrification of fish wastes and will also help to polish the water by removing the small particles that can get through multichamber systems However this arrangement does not make use of the BubbleBead filter s ability to remove the bulk of solids from the system before they break down and unless excess solids are regularly removed from the multichamber filter there may be an increased tendency for blanketweed growth in the system It is preferable to adapt the multichamber filter to pump fed operation For existing pump fed multichamber systems the water should be pumped instead to the BubbleBead filter through a UV unit and into the chamber filter before returning to the pond by gravity When regular backwashes are carried out this will make the best use of the BubbleBead s ability to remove solids from the system before they are broken down The multichamber filter will then remain cleaner and more able to function as a biological filter rather than a mechanical trap for sediments It is important to use a suitable strainer on the pump feeding the BubbleBead filter to remove larger solids and to ensure sufficient aeration in the chamber filters transfer ports This arrangement is not suited to pressurised chamber filters With Vortex Units and existing gravity fed settlement or brush chambers water can be pumped from these to the BubbleBead Filter as shown However it is important to clean these chambers very regularly
22. duced if solids of greater than 1 5 2 mm and strands of blanketweed are removed before being pumped to the filter This greatly reduces the need for screen maintenance Therefore it is very important to fit an appropriate strainer before the inlet Also see Appendix Two Very fine additional strainers e g fine open cell foam blocks are neither necessary nor desirable unless specified by pump manufacturers The correct size of ultra violet UV unit UV units are a recommended option for control of ultra fine green algae and bacteria causing milky water Their use is described in Appendix One and the table on the previous page gives suggested wattage ratings Important points AIR BREAKS AND UNDERPRESSURE If the filter return outlet beside the pond is below the level of the air inlet checkvalve on the filter there is a slight risk of siphoning occurring If siphoning occurs air can be drawn into the filter through the air inlet during normal running These bubbles can disrupt the filter media causing water cloudiness and also result in a dripping air inlet This is more prevalent on new or very clean filters filters with undersized or low pressure pumps filters with long runs of wide bore piping on the return to the pond and filters where the pump flow has been throttled back either by a valve on the pump outlet or because the pump inlet strainer is clogging 21 You can tell if underpressure is the cause of a dri
23. e BSP British Standard Pipethread A This is a dismountable union B This vertical outlet is best adapted with a 90degree bend to either a dismountable 40mm hosetail or a 1 2 dismountable solvent union C This outlet is supplied with a basic sludge drain kit to hose D This vertical outlet is best adapted with a swept 90degree bend to either a dismountable 50mm hosetail or a 2 dismountable solvent union E The top outlet size on the BBF 9 can be specified at the time of order Optional connectors are available for other outlets e g to adapt 2 male BSP to socket solvent or dismountable 40 50mm hose References and Sources AST technical literature and Malone R F Beecher L E 2000 Use of floating bead filters to recondition recirculating waters in warmwater aquaculture production systems Aquacultural Engineering 22 57 73 Malone R F Rusch K A 1998 Using the bead filter in your koi pond Second Edition Louisiana Sea Grant College Program 50pp Drennan D G Golz W Ahmed H Malone R F 1995 Clarification abilities of floating bead filters used in recirculating aquaculture systems In Aquaculture Engineering and Waste Management Proceedings from the Aquaculture Exposition VIII and Aquaculture Mid Atlantic Conference Washington D C June 24 28 pp 256 267 W J Golz K A Rusch and R F Malone 1996 Developing Backwash Protocols for Floating Bead Filters A Model of S
24. e pressures likely to be found in the system e To prevent strain on the filter inlet outlet fittings support pipework with pipe clips etc it is heavy when full of water avoid the weight of pumps or external UVs being carried by the inlet outlet fittings Failure to do so could void your guarantee You may not want to fix the pipework permanently until after the test run has taken place e To prevent leaks of water out or air in use ample quantities of PTFE plumbers tape on all threaded fittings set up solvent fittings in a dry run to check positionings before final gluing takes place Use solvent cleaner on any solvent weld fittings before fixing with ample amounts of an appropriate glue Glue needs time to set use correctly sized hosetails and appropriate hose clips If the hose is slightly loose on the hosetail run a strip of silicone sealant or Innotec Adheseal around the hosetail before fitting the hose and clamping down Some clips can distort hose causing leaks if over tightened TIP To reduce this risk wrap the end of the hose with a single layer strip of rubber liner before fitting the clip e To prevent excess pump vibration reaching the filter use flexible hose in the outlet pipework from surface mounted pumps e To avoid corrosion or poisoning problems avoid metal fittings if metal parts are used choose quality materials e g 316 stainless steel Choosing the correct size of
25. eatments gt Long Term As for yellowed water above Check that any open cell foam products used in the pool are fish grade quality Consider a surface skimmer How can I control blanketweed in a pond Avoid debris or soil washing into the pond Provide shade from excess sunlight Avoid limestone rocks Avoid long shallow streams as these tend to encourage algae Avoid overfeeding fish Use plants to soak up nutrients Physically removal algae using a stick net or plastic lawn rake fairly effective but time consuming Remove the bulk of blanketweed growth before using any chemical or electronic controls as dying algae can rapidly pollute a pond Regularly remove sediments from the pool with a bottom drain or vacuum Clean strainers and settlement areas in filters on a regular basis Some algae are to be expected in all garden ponds Mature ponds that are not overstocked with fish tend to have the fewest problems Do remember to backwash the BubbleBead filter at suitable frequencies 47 Pipe fitting sizes on inlet outlets Typically the fittings are as follows Check with your dealer special order pipework sizes may vary Inlet Top Waste Sludge Drain Outlet Return Outlet BBF 5M 72 fem solv B I 72 fem BSP I 72 fem solv B I 72 fem BSP 72 fem solv P 2 12 fem BSP male BSP male BSP oo 2 3 fem solv E eooo Fi Notes solv Solvent Weld pressur
26. ed independently from the BubbleBead Filter Heating devices are also best run in an independent loop to avoid overheating during the backwash cycle 43 APPENDIX THREE Using the filter with a high pressure pump Fitting manifolds to the outlet pipework for returns to multiple tanks e g shop and aquaculture systems Using flow control valves on the return pipework When using high pressure pumps on the inlet a bypass is essential to prevent damage to the filter body Failure to use a bypass tee in such situations will void the filter guarantee The filter is rated to peaks of 1 5 bar 15 metres head but as some pumps can create pressure surges well in excess of this on start up especially where there is air in the pipework we consider it essential that a bypass pressure release is used on systems with pumps rated with heads of over 10 metres and that no pump is used with a head exceeding 2 metres A pressure gauge is also recommended Using narrow pipe manifolds small bore UV units or valves on the filter outlet can create unwanted backpressure in the filter system increasing the likelihood of weeping from the threads and hydraulic valve In cases with high pressure pumps the pressure in the filter system can also exceed rated limits Fit a bypass or pressure release on the outlet manifold The diagram shows where a bypass or pressure release valve could be fitted in a system with a high pressure pump left or with a m
27. elease airlocks Ensure that the unit is accessible for maintenance dismountable for repair replacement and that electrics are protected from water OPERATION It is generally safe to leave the UV turned on for the few minutes it is left dry during the filter backwash If it is likely to be left dry for longer it should be turned off during the backwash If it is connected to the same supply as the pump it will automatically switch off during the backwash though excessive switching of the lamp can shorten its effective life Follow the manufacturer s guidance on safety maintenance and lamp changing On new systems it is best to leave the UV turned off during the first two to four weeks of filter operation to minimise damage to beneficial bacteria present in the water flow whilst the filter beads are becoming colonised 40 APPENDIX TWO Combining BubbleBead Filters with other filter equipment The BubbleBead filter is ideal to use alongside existing filter equipment and can boost the filtration capacity of any system This is particularly useful if an increase in fish stocks is overloading the existing system In particularly high loading situations the BubbleBead filter can be supplemented with ancillary equipment to give the best results Aeration is recommended in all cases Where natural aeration from waterfalls or fountains is limited the most convenient form of supplementary aeration is to use a high efficiency air pump with ai
28. ent future disruption overloading of the filter Add commercial cultures of nitrifying bacteria to the system Nitrite levels NO are high gt Outside the filter maturing period high nitrite levels are usually caused by overloading or disruption to the filter organisms or pockets of decaying material building up in anaerobic low oxygen areas in the system gt Immediate Reduce feeding Increase aeration For salt tolerant fish such as koi add gram per litre 0 1 of food grade salt to the water as this reduces nitrite toxicity may affect sensitive plants gt Long term Avoid disruption of the filter organisms by e g medications and other chemicals ensure that the filter is being backwashed sufficiently add commercial cultures of filter bacteria Monitor the KH level too Nitrate levels NO are high over 100 mg L total nitrate gt Nitrates build gradually in most closed systems They are not especially harmful to freshwater fish and immediate action is not called for unless levels exceed 300 mg L However chronic high levels of nitrate are considered to lower the immunity of fish to disease and may reduce growth rates gt Long term Carry out more frequent backwashes and or partial water changes Consider using plants or trickle towers to reduce nitrate levels Monitor KH 46 There is a high level of suspended solids in the water gt Suspended solids can irritate fish gills Or
29. erate water returning to the pond and it can reduce or eliminate the issue of underpressure in the filter by breaking siphon action in the return flow When open this valve can leak a 37 small amount of water at the start or end of the backwash cycle in some outlet pipe configurations Ask your dealer about the one way valve accessory for this alternatively pipe the water to waste Where restrictions are placed in the return pipework e g UV units or valves N B see page 44 on valve use or you are pumping to a higher outlet then the venturi valve will not function properly and must be kept closed Pm going away on summer holiday for two weeks gt In lightly stocked water garden ponds the fish will find some natural food This can be supplemented by small amounts of food from an automatic fish feeder Double check that all the valves in the system are working correctly It is recommended to carry out routine maintenance page 27 31 some days before you go on holiday to check that everything is in order If an automatic upgrade kit and timer is installed and you also have an automated top up system the filter will carry out the backwashes for you Alternatively as the reduced feeding will reduce the loading on the filter it should be possible to leave the filter for the two weeks without a backwash Remember that very high pressure pumps must always be fitted with a pressure release bypass see page 44 Carry out a triple b
30. ganic solids reduce oxygen levels amp increase levels of bacteria in the water amp may lead to gill disease gt Immediate Find and remove the source of the solids e g poor quality or inappropriately sized food run off from surrounds following rain air being drawn into the BubbleBead see page 39 point 2 gt Long term Increase circulation to draw particles into the filter more quickly Use bottom drains to remove sediments Use quality foods Don t overfeed fish The water has a yellow tint gt In any closed system there is a gradual build up of complex waste compounds e g phenols which cannot be easily broken down by the filter These can eventually discolour the water but are not normally harmful gt Long term Increase the level of backwashes and or partial water changes Temporarily use activated carbon in the system Use a protein skimmer foam fractionator especially in salted systems Cautious use of ozone dosing devices can help Changing food brands can sometimes help The water has excessive amounts of foam at the surface gt Foaming is caused by high levels of surfactants in the water the most common being types of protein Some foaming may be expected during the filter maturing process but this usually disappears once the filter has fully matured gt Immediate Carry out a partial water change taking care to remove uneaten food and excess sediments Consider the use of pond anti foaming tr
31. ilst at the same time working as an efficient biological filter breaking down fish wastes A correctly sized unit can achieve this clean and clear water quality on its own or it can be used in conjunction with other filter equipment EASY CLEANING The BubbleBead s major advantage is the ease with which it can be cleaned this simply involves turning off the pump and opening the waste valve to start the patented backwash process no wet hands Trapped dirt is loosened from the media and flushed to waste By carrying out this backwash regularly fish wastes can be removed from the system before they have fully broken down This greatly reduces the nutrient loading on your system and further improves water quality for the fish On the automatic upgrade models the whole process can be fully automated by using an appropriate timer to trigger valve opening and backwashes ADAPTABLE AND VERSATILE Use the unit as a standalone filter or use it to boost an existing filter system Fit the BubbleBead filter near your existing pond or at a distance Site it at the pond edge or well above the pond Hide it behind a bush or fence or even in a shed or garage The unit takes up a fraction of the space of some other types of filter and no labour intensive excavation is necessary to site it STRAIGHTFORWARD TO FIT AND USE BubbleBead filters require no additional blowers or multiport valve operations to run or backwash But as with any equipment the
32. irs or modifications may void the guarantee 39 APPENDIX ONE Installing UV units Germicidal UV controls free floating algae and blooms of bacteria that are too small lt 5 micron to be readily captured by the filter Despite design differences the major factor in UV unit performance is the lamp wattage See the table p 20 In heavily shaded ponds green water control may be achieved at 50 of the wattages listed whereas in very shallow ponds and areas of intense sunlight higher wattages will be required Much higher wattages are required for full parasite control INSTALLATION Closed chamber UVs with a protective quartz sleeve for the lamp are recommended Plumb them into the return pipe as the clean water flow gives the best UV performance and pressures are lower Choose a unit with wide bore connections rated for flows in excess of the maximum filter flow The fittings on the unit should be at least as large as the return pipework used to prevent back pressure across the UV e g if 2 hose is being used on the return pipework the unit should be used with 1 2 hosetails A unit with connections adapted up to 1 2 hose would not be suitable unless a bypass was fitted Fit multiple units in parallel Support the UV and pipework sufficiently with brackets and pipe clips to avoid damage to the filter Mount it in a way that encourages the unit to be full of water during running with a side upward pointing outlet to r
33. itrite On Auto Hydraulic units the waste valve opens automatically following a powercut leaving the filter beads moist but well oxygenated Filter bacteria can survive for many hours if not days in this state 35 The filter takes much longer to drain during a backwash I can hear the bead bed dropping in one lump with a thunk during the backwash cycle The filter sounds different during the backwash cycle The pressure gauge reading does not drop to the normal level after cleaning gt Slow draining can be due to gradual clogging of the waste outlet screen and or dirt collecting around the hydraulic valve piston and or gelling of the bead bed Screen clogging can be due to strands of algae growths of sponge like bryozoans within the filter or tiny snails which have become wedged in the slots Gelling of the bead bed is caused by beads sticking together due to an excessive growth of the biological film on the bead surfaces as a result of infrequent backwashing Regular backwashing of the BubbleBead filter can eliminate most of these problems before they occur If these problems occur backwash your filter four or five times in a row and increase the frequency of the regular backwash If problems persist Drain the filter Check that the main pump strainer is not clogged If the lower or upper outlet screens have clogged rapidly improve the strainer on your pump inlet p 21 41 Remember t
34. lter outlet see Appendix Three If a pressure gauge has been fitted note the typical pressure on the dial and make a note of it e g in this guidebook THE TRIAL BACKWASH Now is a good time to carry out a trial backwash cycle There is no need to get your hands wet or dirty from cleaning media Simply turn off the pump and open the waste valve The water inlet valve flaps shut to prevent water from flowing back into the pond through the pump The top outlet checkvalve will close and waste water starts to run from the waste outlet 2 Immediately make a note of the time or use a stopwatch Put your ear to the side of the filter and listen Air is sucked into the filter through the air inlet check valve As beads tumble clean in the cascade of air bubbles they rattle against the side of the filter body Allow the filter to drain down completely This first time the water from the waste valve should be no more dirty than the pond water itself Listening to the unit lets you hear how a normal backwash should sound 24 3 As soon as the flow from the waste outlet drops to a trickle make a note of the time or turn off your stopwatch The time taken to drain the filter is representative of the minimum time that your filter is likely to take for a backwash cycle and acts as a benchmark to compare with in future Note this time in the space on page 50 Always allow time for the filter to drain down completely 4 Close the wa
35. m a borehole or is high in metals such as iron MONITOR YOUR POND AND FISH TO AVOID PROBLEMS Monitoring the general water appearance and the behaviour of fish is invaluable as a guide to water quality but the only sure way to know is to carry out regular water quality checks Use a range of good quality pond test kits as stocked by all major aquatic stores Keep a record of changes in water quality in a logbook noting dates and times This is useful to keep an eye on the natural daily and seasonal fluctuations in water quality and the affects of any treatments or water changes It also allows problems to be dealt with before they take hold and so helps maintain the overall health of the fish and pool system The following troubleshooting guide to water quality is a summary to be used in conjunction with other sources of information on good fish husbandry It is best to read through it before problems occur 34 Filter Troubleshooting The water has suddenly become green milky grey gt Algae blooms green water and bacterial blooms milky grey water can sometimes occur especially during the maturing period or following a sudden increase in dissolved nutrients The problem will be controlled by an effective UV unit If a UV does not appear to be working check the lamp and clean the quartz sleeve if necessary Water with high mineral content can sometimes coat the quartz sleeves and the filter beads in scale use of magnetic elec
36. may not suit longer pipe runs or high head situations If in doubt it is better to have a slightly larger pump and use a valve on the pump or a bypass to control excess flow rather than to have a small pump with no spare capacity Surface mounted pumps should be of the self priming type or installed in a way that ensures they cannot run dry Model Model number refers to cubic feet of media Max Feed Rate per day Max Koi load 1 feed rate Max Rec FlowRate gph Ipm Maximum Pond Volume Gallons Litres at maximum rec flow rates 2 hour turnover 3 hour Standard Stock Light Stock Suggested Pump Size Pre straining or pre settlement is essential when using solids handling pumps Recommended UV for algae control at standard stock volume in full sun Standard models with BBF 5M 0 75 Ibs 1 250 2 500 3 750 inlet flap valves suit sites 30 1 5m high 340 gm 2 4 with the inlet above the Ww 0 59m dia 95 11 000 17 000 adjacent pond level For or 2x I Iw PL 70L backwash 34 Kg use below adjacent pond level the flap valve is BBF 3M 1 5 Ibs replaced with a ballvalve BPSM 0 2 500 5 000 7 500 55w g Maximum head of the or 2 x 30w 0 79m dia 190 22 500 34 000 pump should be at least or 4x Ilw PL 210L backwash 65 Kg 2 0 metres more than the working head or exceed BBF 5M 2 5 Ibs 4 0 metres whichever is 1 95m high L Kg 3 300 6 500 0 000 the higher figure Use a l 9 ressure
37. minutes can help to oxidise the plastic surface and leave a thin deposit that can encourage bacterial attachment Rinse the beads in fresh water before adding them to the filter 25 2 Do not immediately introduce large numbers of fish Build up fish stocks gradually using hardy fish of lower value to begin with 3 Feed fish more lightly than normal in the first two months 4 After the first few days of operation add a commercial filter seeding agent that contains filter bacteria Alternatively swill out the debris from an existing healthy pond filter and pour it into the pond near the pump intake 5 Avoid the use of pond medications during the filter maturing period Some medications can severely disrupt filter organisms and many medications can temporarily reduce filter activity especially on the first time of use If in doubt ask a specialist before using any treatments 6 Avoid turning on UV units during the first month The water may green temporarily but this is rarely harmful You can monitor the maturing process by using standard pond test kits The most useful ones at this stage are pH nitrite NO ammonia ammonium NH3 NH4 and nitrate NOs The pH should remain relatively stable and need only be checked occasionally at this stage Typically acceptable pond pH values range from 6 5 to 9 0 with the ideal range for pondfish being between 7 0 and 8 5 ESTABLISHING NITRIFICATION The major soluble waste product produ
38. mmonia or nitrite appear in the water after the maturing period it can suggest problems and these are dealt with in the Troubleshooting section on Water Quality in this guide p 45 When to backwash the BubbleBead filter During the maturing period whilst new ponds are relatively free of waste the filter will take some time to become dirty The delicate film that supports the growing filter bacteria will also begin to form on the surface of the beads In order to avoid disrupting the bacteria at this crucial early stage avoid backwashing the filter for two to four weeks especially in ponds with clean water The major sign that a backwash is necessary is when there is a notable drop in the flow from the filter outlet Check that this is not merely due to the strainer on the pump becoming clogged 27 If the flow has dropped to around a half to two thirds of the initial rate or the inlet pressure gauge where fitted has risen to 1 4 psi 0 1 bar above the typical level when clean then the backwash procedure must be carried out MONITORING THE STANDARD BACKWASH Turn off the pump The water inlet valve flaps shut to prevent water from flowing back into the pond through the pump and the top outlet checkvalve closes Open the waste valve 2 As water drains air is sucked into the filter through the air inlet check valve Remember to listen for typical sounds as the filter empties The beads drop through the washing throat and are
39. o use the sludge drain as recommended On Auto Hydraulic units check that the hydraulic valve control hose is not blocked or kinked Check that the hydraulic valve piston is free moving and clear of debris Take steps to improve the backwash strength e g increase the siphon action by increasing the waste pipe length or head see page 5 and minimise restrictions on the waste outlet For persistent gelling of beads either Turn off the pump leaving waste outlet closed and the filter full of water Inject air into the air inlet valve with a blower or strong aquarium airpump for 30 to 60 minutes The air accumulates under the bead bed eventually working its way upwards and breaking up the beads Then carry out the backwash process 4 or 5 times in a row before restarting the filter 36 Partially drain the filter remove the top outlet assembly and break up the beads with a jet of water from a powerful hose or jet washer Reassemble the outlet and carry out a series of backwashes The air inlet drips water gt Check Underpressure symptoms overleaf If this or cleaning the valve does not help fit a 90 bend to the exposed end of the valve and fix a 30 cm 12 long upright vertical pipe into this This should stop the drip I don t like the plug of cloudy water that is sometimes seen in the filter output just after restarting the filter This is normal for all bead filters and does not harm the fish
40. of an automatic hydraulic valve if fitted The inlet valve may be sufficient to maintain prime following short periods when the pump is turned off but to guarantee prime site the pump at a level below that of the water in the adjacent pond 22 Starting the filter for the first time the test run Start up the pump do not turn on UVs at this stage The waste outlet valve should be in the closed position On this first time of running you may wish to direct the first few gallons of water from the top outlet to waste as any dust from the pipework will be flushed out Check for leaks If any of the threaded fittings leak and gentle tightening does not help the filter will need to be drained the offending fitting removed and rewound with extra PTFE tape or aquarium silicone sealant before refitting Do not attempt to seal leaks by smearing the outside of the filter with sealant glue mastic or repair compounds This rarely solves the problem it may make future dismantling difficult or impossible and it may damage the filter body voiding your guarantee Leaks from solvent weld joints will need to be completely dried before attempting to reseal them If there are no leaks and water output is flowing evenly your BubbleBead filter is operating properly and is now ready to fill with beads Turn off the pump The inlet valve will close immediately the top outlet checkvalve will close by itself Open the waste valve and water will drain
41. olids Loading and Biofilm Retention Effects on Nitrification In Aquacultural Engineering Society Proceedings II 196 205 W J Golz K A Rusch R F Malone 1999 Modeling the Major Limitations on Nitrification in Floating Bead Filters Aquacultural Engineering 20 43 62 48 If the filter should arrive damaged or with parts missing please contact your supplier immediately and confirm losses in writing within seven days to allow the problem to be corrected FILTER GUARANTEE The filter manufacturer guarantees that the filter material and workmanship are free of defects The guarantee is valid for paid goods and runs for one 1 year from the date of delivery Any filter returned to the dealer or distributor carriage paid which is proved to the manufacturer s satisfaction to be faulty by reason of defective material or workmanship will be replaced or repaired at their option free of charge provided it has not in the manufacturer s opinion been subjected to misuse neglect or accident In particular The filter should have been installed and maintained in accordance with the instructions 2 Excessive weight due to heavy pipes valves etc should not be carried by the inlets or outlets 3 The filter hull pressure is at no time to be allowed to exceed the maximum pressure rating as specified by the manufacturer The guarantee does not apply to filters used for other than the intended purpose those altered repaired
42. or modified by other than an authorised repairer or those used with other items where the integrity performance or safety of these items is affected Damage by natural forces such as storm ice or animal is excluded from the guarantee The distributor and the filter manufacturer will not be liable for any direct or consequential loss Any claim made under this guarantee must be accompanied by proof of purchase This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer If problems should arise in the first instance contact your local dealer or your nearest distributor see page 50 49 Typical measurements for your BubbleBead filter see page 25 Time taken to drain the filter when relatively clean Time taken to refill the filter when relatively clean Troubleshooting If you have problems with water quality please first read the guidelines starting on page 45 If you are encountering difficulties in maintaining your filter please firstly read the sections starting on page 27 31 amp 35 The BubbleBead Web Site carries useful support information www bubblebeadfilters co uk If you require further assistance please contact your dealer or contact your local area Distributor It is a help to have all the relevant information about the filter model number pump type valves and hoses etc to hand BubbleBead Filters undertake continuous product development may make technical modifications to current models The inf
43. ormation and pictures shown here are for guidance only Distributors Aquatica International England Tel 020 8669 6643 Fax 020 8773 2035 Email info bubblebeadfilters co uk WATER GARDEN GEMS Texas Tel 210 659 5841 Fax 210 659 1528 Email USinfo bubblebeadfilters com Version EN 3 51 2003 2004 2006 50 Notes Dealer Details 5 52
44. pping air inlet by placing your hand temporarily over the return outlet to the pond If the dripping stops within a minute then underpressure is the likely cause Higher return outlets e g to a cascade reduce the risk of siphoning Ideally the return pipe to the pond should enter above water level to create an air break This also reduces the risk of siphoning and at the same time helps aerate the water returning to the pool The venturi valve on the top filter outlet can also be used to provide aeration and overcome underpressure see page 21 AERATION OF FILTERED WATER RETURNED TO THE POND System water must be aerated at some point as both the fish and the filter bacteria can consume high amounts of oxygen especially in warm weather Consider using a sieve unit before the filter or a return that encourages some re aeration of the water e g cascades Venturi devices in the pond are an option but many create a great deal of undesirable backpressure whilst others can encourage the underpressure symptoms noted above Consider using the filter s integral venturi instead see page 37 NON RETURN VALVES FOOTVALVES To prevent surface pumps from losing their prime manufacturers may recommend that a non return valve footvalve is situated by the pump If the filter inlet is fitted with a flap valve this acts as a non return valve and any additional foot valve should not be used it would also prevent the correct operation
45. pump Pump size is related both to the volume it pumps and the pressure with which it pumps The maximum pump flows to aim for are listed on the table on page 19 It is possible to run the filter at lower flow rates when used on smaller systems or if ticking over during winter months For best results the filter should be run at no less than 30 of the rated maximum flow This flow is required to supply the filter organisms with the necessary oxygenated water for efficient filtration THE MINIMUM HEAD There is some loss of pressure across the bead bed especially as the filter approaches the time for backwash Although pumps with a relatively low maximum head 2 metres may be powerful enough to completely fill the filter when the pump is first switched on there is a risk with such pumps of underpressure see page 21 which leads to poor filter performance To avoid this we recommend using pumps with a rated head of at least 4 0 metres 13 feet or at least 2 metres more than the working head of the pump see the table overleaf The working head is the vertical distance between the water level in the originating pond tank and the highest point in the filter pipework loop that returns to the pond Flow rates should be calculated at the pump s working head not the maximum pump flows quoted by some manufacturers which are taken at zero head MAXIMUM PRESSURES On these filter models we recommend that the filter hull is no
46. removes ee e a a dirt whilst leaving just the right amount of biological film on the bead surface Alternative means of cleaning the beads e g propellers blowers or water jets can carry a risk of removing too much of the beneficial biological film with a consequent drop in water quality BubbleBeads avoid this risk Fitting an automatic upgrade kit will further simplify the washing process by automatically opening the waste valve Linking with a timer will ensure the backwashes are carried out as frequently as necessary Assembling your BubbleBead Filter Parts supplied CHECK THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE RELEVANT PARTS READ THIS GUIDE BEFORE YOU START POSITIONING THE FILTER DO NOT GLUE ANY PARTS YET You should have gt Main filter body gt Stand gt Bead media gt Sludge drain kit gt PTFE tape above items not pictured A Air Inlet Assembly A I Checkvalve A 2 Screen B Top Outlet Assembly B I Screen B 2 Venturi B 3 Checkvalve C Inlet amp Waste Outlet Manifold D Inlet amp Waste Outlet Screen E Screen retention screw F O ring pack for items A B C N B Pre assembled pipework is supplied with a horizontal tee to special order You will also need a screwdriver some solvent cleaner and solvent pipe cement for the PVC pipe a pipe cutter or saw to trim pipes to length and suitable hose and fittings to connect to the inlet and waste outlet both 172 BSPM and the top outlet 1 2
47. rstones in the pond Ensure air bubbles do not get drawn into the BubbleBead filter Aeration gt gt UW lt lt _ a mm Multi Chamber Filter Vortex Unit p A For best results pump water through the BubbleBead before feeding a multichamber filter Pre Filtration can be achieved with sieve devices BioSieve EstroSieve gt surface skimmer boxes in line coarse strainers vortex units and existing gravity fed settlement or brush chambers Water can be pumped from these to the BubbleBead Filter as shown However it is important to clean these pre filters very regularly to remove organic waste before it is broken 4 down otherwise blanketweed growth may be a more noticeable problem Any pre filter to the BubbleBead should aim to remove particles larger than 1 5 mm This will prevent large solids from clogging the strainers of the BubbleBead Filter and also assist the main filter in removal of organic particles before they break down so helping to reduce algae growth Ask your dealer for further information on these options With existing gravity fed multichamber systems the most straightforward option is to pump the water from the last chamber of the filter to the BubbleBead filter and then back to the pond through a UV unit Alternatively the existing pump can be throttled back and an additional pump can draw water from the middle chamber of the filter to the BubbleBead The BubbleBead filter will give ad
48. sed in heavily loaded systems and aquaculture systems this should be upgraded to a heavy duty version with 2 hose and ballvalve C Plug for spare port This 2 port is used on some other versions of the BubbleBead filter In this model plug it with the 2 BSP threaded plug provided using ample PTFE tape on the threads 6 Fitting the extension pipes to the inlet and waste outlet manifold The parts on the manifold have deliberately not been supplied glued This allows changes to be made to suit the particular site OPTION SWIVELLING THE WASTE OUTLET ELBOW Normally the upper inlet extension and lower waste extension will protrude from the same side of the filter stand and two holes have been cut one above the other in the stand for this purpose However if you wish to drain waste water in a different direction or if you want to give extra access room around the waste outlet valve manual or automatic versions then you might want to cut an alternative hole in the filter stand and swivel the outlet elbow to suit N B Pre assembled pipework is supplied for this format with a horizontal tee If you do need to cut an extra hole in the filter stand take steps to preserve the strength of the stand e g Avoid placing a new hole too close to existing holes Use a circular cutter to make a clean round hole TRIAL POSITIONING Ensure all threads are wrapped with PTFE Before gluing any parts lift the filter
49. stallation guide Persistent dribbling can be a symptom of Underpressure see the section on page 21 Test to see if this is the case by temporarily holding your hand partially over the return pipework to increase the pressure in the filter If the valve then closes within a few minutes underpressure is the problem Solutions to underpressure include cleaning the pump strainer or using a more powerful pump raising the end of the pipe where water returns to the pond so that it is higher than the filter inlet opening the small venturi inlet valve fitted to the top outlet see above checking that the spring in the filter inlet valve is clean and functioning alternatively placing a small restriction in the return pipework to the pond to increase pressure in the filter Larger restrictions and valves create excess backpressure which should be avoided see p 44 Also carry out routine hydraulic valve maintenance taking care to clean the hydraulic valve seat and check that the hydraulic feed pipe is not clogged or kinked If blowing into the hydraulic feed pipe does not completely close the valve or if you can blow right through the membrane contact your dealer Further answers may be on the website F A Q pages www bubblebeadfilters co uk If you experience other problems not mentioned here please seek further advice from your dealer or the distributor contact details on the inside back page Unauthorised repa
50. ste valve and restart the pump Note the time taken for the filter to refill This will also act as a benchmark for the future as it gives an indication of the cleanliness of the strainer on your pump Note this time also in the space on page 50 Your filter is now tested and operating correctly The floating bead media packs down in the top of the filter and will soon start to filter out particles Filtration of finest particles and biological breakdown of wastes also takes place here once the filter has matured Running in your filter Apart from backwashes your filter should run 24 hours a day to support the biological organisms that will colonise the filter media just like your fish they need oxygenated water to flourish Although mechanical filtration starts straight away it can take up to three months for full biological activity to mature especially in brand new ponds and in cold weather Patience is necessary during this phase If there are no fish in the pond commercial additives are available that contain ammonium salts and nitrites that imitate fish waste and help the filter to mature Otherwise there are a number of steps that you can take to aid the maturing process Consider curing the beads All plastic media have a smooth surface that can take some time for bacteria to colonise There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that soaking the beads in a strong solution of Potassium Permanganate Igram per 10 litres for ten
51. such sediments The basic kit provided is suited to most conditions though in heavily loaded systems e g aquaculture or where clay particles wash into the pond this could be upgraded to 1 2 Waste from this outlet can be run into a bucket and poured away or directed to waste through further hose This outlet is an unscreened drain and should only be turned on when the filter is running full of water otherwise a lot of beads can be lost A few beads may still become trapped in the pipe amongst sediment but losses are minimal 3 As a guide this valve need only be turned on once a month for a few seconds If very little sludge is apparent you can reduce using the valve to once every two months Conversely if this valve releases noticeable amounts of sludge increase the frequency of draining as appropriate CHECKVALVES The top outlet checkvalve and air inlet checkvalve are low maintenance items Very occasionally the facing or seating may need cleaned If the air inlet drips see the troubleshooting guide page 35 onwards and the section on air breaks and underpressure page 21 PUMP STRAINERS Remember that the strainer on the pump will need to be cleaned from time to time If this becomes clogged with debris or blanketweed the filter may not fill or drain correctly flow rates will be affected the air inlet may drip and water may seep past the hydraulic valve to the waste outlet WASTE AND TOP OUTLET SCREENS Over
52. t exposed to pressures exceeding bar 14 psi equivalent to a head of 10 metres Take care if you use a high pressure pump e g a powerful swimming pool pump as these may exceed the pressure rating Such pumps can also give high pressure surges when started Therefore for all pumps with a quoted head exceeding 10 metres we consider it essential to use a bypass tee before the filter inlet with an appropriate pressure regulating spring check valve min 1 5 bore to prevent excess pressures building on the filter Appendix Three N B Failure to use a bypass in such situations will void the filter guarantee A pressure gauge is also very useful in such situations Even with a bypass do not use pumps with heads exceeding 12 metres Some swimming pool pumps are not designed to be run at low pressures or low heads As the pressure through a BubbleBead filter may drop as low 19 as 0 15 0 20 bar 2 3 psi 1 5 2 0 metre head equivalent only use pumps whose recommended range drops this low WHICH PUMP The table below notes the maximum filter flow rates and the volumes that might be filtered at a two or three hour turnover rate On heavily stocked commercial systems the required turnover rate might be once or more per hour and the volume treated would need to be reduced accordingly Your dealer should be able to recommend suitable pump models or download a list of suggested pumps from our website Remember that a small pump
53. the threads wound with PTFE tape and then screwed back in Hand tighten so as to leave the tap uppermost In normal use the valve should be in the closed position Venturi use page 37 In marine systems this valve should be replaced or removed and the outlet sealed off Check that the O ring is in place in the cut out groove arrowed and the threads wound with PTFE tape Lower the assembly into the filter taking great care to align it vertically so as to avoid cross threading see p 10 Screw this fitting in by hand at first Tighten using the hexagonal section as a grip either with a belt wrench as shown or a specific tool that fits the hexagonal fitting Do not use the venturi valve as a lever to tighten the assembly PTFE on the threads provides the main seal The O ring is an additional seal Only continue to tighten the fitting to compress the O ring if the fitting turns easily If it seals sufficiently when only threaded three quarters of the way in there is no need to tighten any further Plumbing in Always fit the inlet and outlet pipework in a way that allows it to be easily disconnected for maintenance Plumbing the top outlet Plumb the socket in the top of the filter using solvent weld fittings We recommend extending this top outlet with a 90 bend leading to a solvent union or a dismountable hosetail One other option is shown here Use wide bore bends On the larger models
54. time the waste outlet screen or very rarely the top outlet screen may slowly clog with more persistent immoveable dirt strands of algae or snails Periodic removal and cleaning of the screens may prove necessary in these cases especially if too coarse a strainer is being used with the pump Using a suitable pre strainer page 21 amp 41 and carrying out the regular series of extra backwashes page 31 will minimise the need for maintenance to these screens Winter Running In the winter when temperatures are lower below 8 10 C feeding rates for koi should be reduced and maintenance can be less frequent To avoid chilling the fish in water currents avoid drawing in water from the pool base and instead draw from 30 60 cm below the surface Consider reducing the flow rate through the system biological and filtering activity will still take place in the BubbleBead Filter even at only 30 of maximum recommended flows though this may lead to underpressure p 21 32 Ice can damage your filter Wherever penetrating frost may be a problem insulate filter pipework valves the filter external UVs and top up valves and pipework Take special care of pipes where there is little water movement e g the waste pipe Standard closed cell pipe insulation wrap and hot water cylinder jackets can be used but make sure that they are kept dry for maximum insulation As the filter is sealed and produces no smells it is often desirable to posi
55. tion it in a frost free outhouse garage or utility room This gives additional protection from freezing even if the pump should stop due to power failure CLOSING THE FILTER DOWN AS AN OPTION On smaller systems and in very cold climates an option is to turn the filter off after the first severe frost and leave it clean and dry until the spring To prepare it for winter carry out four backwashes in a row to leave the beads as clean as possible and then leave the filter dry Disconnect the pump from the inlet and leave the outlet completely open Water Quality Maintenance The filter may have passed its initial maturing period but biological filters continue to mature over months and years as different micro organisms establish on the filter media This maturing process can be set back by long power cuts or when pool treatments are used especially for the first time PARTIAL WATER CHANGING The water quality also continues to change due to the gradual build up of products in the water e g nitrates NO3 amp dissolved solids Conversely some minerals may become depleted in the water as they are used up by the fish plants and filter organisms In lakes this aging process in the water body is offset by streams and heavy rains which bring in fresh water and new supplies of minerals and flush out wastes that are building to excess In a closed system like a koi pond it is necessary to carry out regular partial water changes to mimic these n
56. tion of the water changes required in any system stocked with numbers of fish 30 Long term maintenance MONITORING It is very important to periodically monitor the backwash operation listen to the beads sloshing in the filter check the backwash time and the action of the checkvalves Aim to monitor this operation at least once per week This will show up any possible problems before they become serious ADDITIONAL MONTHLY MAINTENANCE Once a month an additional series of backwashes should be carried out three to five times in a row This dislodges any more persistent wastes that may have collected in the filter and further reduces the risk of bead clumping On heavily loaded aquaculture systems this procedure can be carried out every one to two weeks THE SLUDGE DRAIN BubbleBead filters main waste outlet is positioned in the base unlike some other filters and this facilitates good removal of the particles loosened from the beads during backwash Nevertheless sediments from soil or sand drawn into the filter and sludge residue can build up on the filter base in long term use especially if backwashing has been carried out irregularly Build ups tend to be a more common problem on aquaculture and grow on systems where there is a constant heavy loading and on those watergarden ponds where there is soil seepage into the water Models 1 5 3 amp 5 are now fitted as standard with a sludge drain to assist removal of
57. tions in the pipework that might introduce airlocks Where longer runs of pipework are used some users install a sight glass close to the filter so that they can easily see how much dirt there is in the waste water The very final section of waste pipe whether a vertical or horizontal drop can be fitted with a small restriction This slight restriction ensures that when the filter is drained the entire waste pipe fills with water driving out air and starting a siphon action which helps to suck dirt from the filter A relatively long horizontal outlet in solid pipe also encourages this siphon action and is an ideal alternative where raising the filter is not feasible Remember Rapid draining of water from the waste outlet is essential for an efficient filter backwash The filter should ideally be relatively close to your drainage system or soak away for ease of waste water disposal If this is not possible see the option shown on page 4 Plumbing tips e To minimise pressure loss on the inlet and backpressure on the outlets use larger bore pipe hose wherever an option is possible all pipe fittings including UVs must be as large bore as possible avoid multiple fittings with internal restrictions avoid using valves on the top filter outlet see Appendix Three consider swept rather than knuckle bends and keep bends to a minimum flexible hose should be heavy duty crushproof opaque smooth bore and suited to th
58. tromagnetic devices often alleviates this problem Other sources of cloudiness include excess food and particles washed in from surrounding soils Temporarily cease feeding and consider the very sparing use of flocculating agents but not in very soft water The water has suddenly become very dirty gt If air is being drawn into the filter system during normal running it will disturb the beads and prevent them from catching dirt properly Check that there are no pipework leaks around the pump or filter inlet and that the pump is not clogged or drawing in air from e g airstones Check that the filter return to the pool has not been moved to a lower position or into the water itself as siphoning at this point can draw air into the filter through the air inlet valve see page 21 air breaks There has been a powercut If the powercut has only been for a few hours there should be no problems providing the filter has been maintained correctly RCD devices on the system should be latching types that will restart automatically If the filter has been particularly dirty or feeding levels particularly high or the weather particularly warm then the filter organisms may run out of oxygen more rapidly In these cases or where the powercut has been lengthy over 2 hours carry out a backwash as soon as the filter has refilled to remove foul water and dying organisms Avoid feeding for a few days and monitor the water for ammonia and n
59. tumbled clean in churning water and air bubbles Observe the waste water Dirt trapped by the beads will wash out near the end of the flush For best results allow the filter to drain down completely 3 Once the flow drops to a trickle from the drain close the waste valve and restart the pump 4 It is quite normal for the first few gallons of water from the filter top outlet to the pond to be a little cloudy This is not harmful and the filter will soon remove these particles and maintain the clarity of the pool It makes sense not to carry out a backwash immediately before any important viewing of the pond If the filter was particularly dirty carrying out a partial fill and further backwash will remove additional wastes Once the filter has matured the standard backwash frequencies must be implemented Once established the beneficial bacteria on the surface of the beads can withstand numerous backwash cycles without any major disruption of nitrification Indeed tests have shown that the gentle bubble wash actually improves the efficiency of nitrification by the filter bacteria If in doubt backwash 28 The Recommended minimum backwash cycles for your model MINIMUM BACKWASH Typical FREQUENCY Packwash Water Loss Spring amp Summer yest approximate BBF 1 5M Once or Twice Twice Weekly Every One to 15 Gallons Weekly Two Days 70 Litres BBF 3M Once or Twice Twice Weekly Every One to 45 Gallons Weekly Two D
60. ued into place taking care that the valves are aligned in the correct positions and that the waste outlet valve is accessible Allow the glue sufficient time to set 7 Fit the Air Inlet Some units are supplied with brass stainless fittings but filters for marine use should have the plastic strainer screen and plastic flapper valve option Ask your dealer If a white flapper is supplied in your pack it may need to be glued onto the grey threaded fitting The flapper direction is into the filter so the flap can be lifted by pushing from the outside in Screw the grey fitting into the side of the filter body taking care to avoid cross threading Hand tighten and leave the bulge on the white flapper valve uppermost marked HORIZONTAL USE THIS SIDE UP 8 Fitting the Top Outlet Assembly Although the filter could be filled with beads at this stage we strongly recommend a test run without beads This wet run points out any possible leaks in the system Any pipework modifications that might be necessary will be much easier to carry out whilst the filter has no beads The top outlet assembly is pre assembled on most units but in some cases on the larger models they may be supplied in two parts to simplify packing and prevent damage in transit Where they are supplied in two parts a stainless screw is supplied to hold the sections together 14 The small metal venturi valve in the side of the top fitting should be removed
61. ular access is required to the waste outlet valve and sludge drain The internal strainers could also need removing occasionally The fittings at the base and top of the filter should therefore be readily accessible and not permanently boxed in or buried Use dismountable connections OUTSIDE OR UNDER COVER The filters are suited to outdoor use but if sited in an outhouse shed or garage they will not only be out of sight from the pond but also better protected from severe frosts see the Winter Running section page 32 STANDARD FLOW PATTERN Water is pumped in through the inlet valve and up through the unit The floating beads pack down into the top of the unit forming a filter bed where both biological breakdown of wastes and mechanical filtering of solids takes place Filtered water leaves through the outlet screen and outlet checkvalve CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY Top outlet Venturi and Checkvalve Top Outlet Bead filters have been in tii development since the 1970 s leading to the design and patenting of the BubbleBead filter by Ronald F Malone at Louisiana State Univer sity The distinctive necked design and the bubble washing process are a key to its effective ness These features are missing from systems that seek to imitate the BubbleBead filters suc cess Air inlet with Checkvalve Outlet The bubble wash as the beads tumble through the BubbleBead Filters 1 5M 3M 5M Cutaway View washing throat

User's Guide - BubbleBead Filters

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