Filter selection
To choose the ideal filter for any pond you must first know the correct environmental flow to maintain ideal water quality for your pond. (Please remember that the pond size alone does not determine the filter or pump size without first taking into account the many environmental and physical factors)
Ways to get help to establish flow
- Fill in one of our e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you
- Give us a call 1800 607 388 for expert advice
- Do it yourself and use our quick reference flow calculator for rough estimate
- Establish the required flow through the filter keeping in mind waterfall** height if any, or long hose**
- Choose a filter from the chart below (Example if your pond requires a flow through the filter of 7,000 litres per hour, the Filtoclear 12000 would give the best result)
- Choose a pump, they are listed below in order of quality and suitability
Recommended flow through the filter
|
|
5000 |
13000 |
19000 |
31000 |
Minimum flow |
2,500 |
4,500 |
6,500 |
8,500 |
Ideal flow (see hint 4 below) |
4,000 |
7,000 |
10,000 |
13,500 |
Maximum flow (see hint 4 below) |
5,000 |
9,000 |
13,000 |
17,000 |
**Special note, if using a waterfall or a long hose between pump and filter the pump will need to be larger to allow for the reduced flow caused by the head (pumping height, and/or hose length) If in doubt Fill in one of our e-mail help forms and let us do all the calculations for you.
# A little under size for some pond sizes, but would work if the pond were smaller than the filters maximum volume rating.
## This pump is a little too strong, unless a waterfall over 1m is in place. However, you can never have too much pond flow, so, by releasing water back into the pond through a "Tee" and flow valve added circulation is provided for the pond. ***** Head over 5m will damage the filter and could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate head may not provide enough flow through the filter.
In a nut shell ....The height difference between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5 metres (0.5 bar).
So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pressure free outlet must not exceed 6m
There is however another factor in head calculations if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under How to calculate your friction loss if your hose will be more than 3m.
Aussie's additional thoughts
Tip 1: When calculating pump flow, always allow at least a 15% flow loss when a filter is used.
Tip 2: Place the pump at the opposite end of the pond to the water return, and in the deepest part of the pond.
Tip 3: Tornado offer a liquid to prime filter systems, a great way to hasten biological activity. Bio-Starter
Tip 4: How the UVC takes care of algae etc .. When the water passes through the filter, the UV rays from the clarifier disturb the tiny algae spores that would normally pass through the filter, they then clump them together and they are caught next time through by the foam filters. The UV rays also kill off disease-causing agents as the water flows through the clarifier. Your pond therefore virtually cleans itself.
Tip 5: Within reason the slower the water passes over the UV lamp and through the filter the better the result. However, you can never have too much pond flow, so, by having a slightly oversize pump and releasing water directly back into the pond or on to a feature or waterfall through a "Tee" with a valve (tap), added circulation is provided for the pond.
Tip 6: Head over 5m will damage the filter and could even burst the container. On the other hand a pump with inadequate head may not provide enough flow through the filter.
In a nut shell ....The height difference between the filter lid and a pressure free outlet must not exceed 5 metres (0.5 bar).
So if the filter was mounted 1m above the pond surface, the pressure free outlet must not exceed 6m
There is however another factor in head calculations if long hose lengths are used, see "Friction loss in hose" under How to choose your pump / filter if your hose will be more than 3m.
How it all works: Water is pumped into the unit and passes under the UVC lamp into the vortex system (settling zone). Suspended matter and bio-sludge are moved by centrifugal effect and gravity.
Dirt particles are trapped by the outer surface of the filter sponges before the water flows the entire length of the inner chamber.
Pores of the filter sponges form a large inner surface for micro-organisms to colonize and convert ammonium to nitrate. Other parts of the filter system are designed to support colonization of anaerobic micro-organisms that reduce nitrate to nitrogen.
A function switch is used when the dirty water is released, (back washed) at the same time the filter sponges are cleaned using a special pumping handle. The end result is clear / clean pond water.
How to clean your OASE Filtoclear Pressure Filter
Thanks to its unique ”Easyclean Technology”, cleaning Filtoclear is really easy and practical with just a few simple steps:
Filtration
Algae and dirt are flocculated by the UVC clarifier. Then the ”treated” water flows through the filter unit’s fine mechanical and large-pore biological filter elements, which support the filtration process and clarify the water. The pressure produced by the pump allows the water to flow back into the pond via a watercourse or a water feature.
Cleaning
Activate the cleaning function by turning the rotary switch. Next, move the cleaning lever up and down, thus ”wringing out” the filter elements. At the same time, the pond water flows into the filter and forces the dirty water out. Then simply turn the switch back into the filter position.