AQUA FORTE UltraBead UB-60 Manuel D'installation Et D'entretien page 10

FILTER MATURATION
This has been stated earlier, but is very important. It takes 4-6 weeks of operation at temperatures above 16-18°C. Before
there is a large enough colony of bacteria to handle the bioconversion of ammonia and ne particulate straining. During
this transition period the pond owner must watch the ammonia and nitrite levels in the pond. If they become dangerously
high, steps should be taken to correct the problem, such as a water change. Also during this period ne particulate straining
will not be fully mature and you may notice your water being less polished than you would like. Both of the above issues
will improve with time and the growth of the bacterial colony. This will occur with any type of bead lter used. To help the
nitri cation process you can add bacterial cultures such as Microbe-Lift Super Start, Microbe-Lift Nite Out II, or Microbe-Lift
Filter Gel (availabe at your UltraBead dealer).
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT STERILIZERS
Bead lters will remove suspended particles down to 5-10 microns in size. However, some algae particles are smaller than 5
microns and will not be removed by the beads. These tiny algae cells will give the water a green cast and a ect the clarity of
the water. If the pond owner wants crystal clear swimming pool clarity, then a UV-light is needed. Uv-lights will also remove
many harmful bacteria and decrease the suspended bacterial counts in the water. We recommend the use of uv-lights for
the above reasons.
*Note* If you leave you lter unbackwashed for two or more weeks, it is a good idea to do an extra long blower treatment
on the beads.
*Word of Caution* If you leave you lter unbackwashed for extended periods of time, and you live in an area with relatively
soft water, you may want to bu er your pond water. The bacteria in the lter can consume enough alkalinity (KH) in the
water to cause a dangerous pH drop. Total alkalinity should be kept above 50ppm (3°dH) to avoid potentially dangerous
shifts. To increase alkalinity, add sodium bicarbonate, change the water, or add a commercially prepared pH Bu er like
AquaForte BioStabil.
NOTES ON NITRIFICATION
When ammonia removal is desired rst start with MICROBE-LIFT Clean & Clear to reduce the organic waste in the pond as
high levels of BOD can inhibit nitri cation by competing with the nitrifying micro organisms for necessary oxygen. After
applying MICROBE-LIFT Clean & Clear wait 24 to 48 hours to do its job, and then apply MICROBE-LIFT NITE-OUT II. Prior to
the addition of NITE-OUT II (to start and maintain nitri cation). Check to make sure that the pond' pH is in the correct range
for nitri cation. Adjust the pond pH to a range of 7.5 to 8.7, and check to see if adequate alkalinity is present as you must
maintain a level of at least 50/ppm (3°dH) of alkalinity at all times. This is necessary as nitrifying micro organisms use 7 parts
of alkalinity for each part of ammonia removed (oxidized). If proper alkalinity is not present, NITRIFICATION WILL NOT
OCCUR, and if alkalinity is lost nitri cation will cease and the pond pH will drop due to the nitrifying cultures activity. To
increase alkalinity add pH bu er or AquaForte BioStabil until you achieve an alkalinity level of 50/ppm (3°dH) to 100/ppm
(5,6°dH) (minimum), and then maintain the alkalinity at a level of at least 50/ppm (3°dH).
WINTERIZING YOUR FILTER
It is best for all biological lters to operate 24/7. If you live in an area where you experience hard freezing, you may decide to
shut your lter down for the winter. Do the following:
1. Do a good backwash of the lter. Move the multiport valve to the "winter" position (between CLOSED and WASTE).
2. Turn o your pump and open the drain plugs on the pump strainer basket.
3. Open the waste valve at the base of the main lter and then the air release valve at the top of the lter. CAUTION! The
UltraBead lters do not have a valve outlet with strainer which causes the beads to come out of the lter. Keep close
attention when the beads start coming out of the lter and close it. Then open the valve a little bit so only water can come
out and no beads.
4. Loosen all connections and drain exposed pipes, so that no water will be trapped. This is especially important for your UV
lights!
In the spring:
1. Tighten all the connections that you loosened in the fall.
2. Move the multiport valve to the lter position and open the air release valve at the top of the lter and close the drain
plug. Turn on the pump. When water comes out of the air release valve at the top of the lter, shut it and turn o the pump.
Now do a good backwash and rinse before going to the lter mode. Back up to full capacity. During the rst few weeks of
operation in the spring, it is a good idea for the pond owner to do frequent checks of the ammonia and nitrite levels.
AQUAFORTE ULTRABEAD MANUAL • 10