Fluidart Pinnacle Filter Owner's Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

Pinnacle
Filter

®

by Fluidart

Congratulations on making the smart choice!

Fluidart Technologies filtration systems are designed
with the pond owner in mind. Our filtration systems
are unparalleled in quality, performance, ease of
operation, and maintenance. We are certain that you
will have many years of happy KOI keeping with our
system.

Contact us at [e-mail] or phone [phone]

or 405-843-9060

Fluidart Technologies

Bead Filter

Owners Manual

Challenger Internals

Bead Pack

Laterals

Multiport
Valve

Drain Plug

Spinner And
Backwash
Laterals

Sludge Drain

Suggested installation of
Fluidart Filtration System

Swing check
valve

Swing check valve installed below water
level in an easily accessed location will
make keeping the pump and Turbovortex
primed much more easy.

Vortex
Tank

Pump

Filter

Introduction to Bead Filtration

How long have bead filters been in use?
Bead filters have been around since the mid-70's and got their start

In the food fish industry. Bead filters have been tested at various universities
around the country, including Louisiana State University and Langston
University in Oklahoma. In these tests, bead filters out performed
other filtration systems, when considering both biofiltration and clarification.

What is the theory behind bead filter operation?

Bead filters accomplish two goals, one being water polishing (solids capture) and the other being
biofiltration. Other filtration systems accomplish these goals, but are much larger and more difficult to

clean. The advantage of the bead filter is that it
provides a home for beneficial bacteria with high surface area for a large colony
per cubic foot and fine particulate straining all within the same vessel. The other
big advantage the bead filters have over other types of filters is that they are much
easier to clean. This makes the hobby of KOI or pond keeping much more

enjoyable, with less work involved in maintaining a healthy environment for the

fish.

How does a bead filter perform Mechanical Filtration?

Mechanical filtration or clarification is the process of removing suspended solids
from water. Suspended solids in a recirculating system are generally small particles
of undigested food, bacteria, and algae. These solids tend to reduce the clarity of
water and cause problems in consuming tremendous amounts of oxygen, also needed
by our beloved fish. Bead filters remove solids from water by different mechanisms.
Physical straining is probably the most dominant mechanism removing larger
particles (>50 microns). Finer particles (<20 microns) are removed at a lower rate
by a process called bioabsorption. The particles are captured by bacterial biofilm
on the surface of the bead. Studies show that bead filters capture 100% of particles
>50 microns and 48% of particles in the 5-10 micron range per pass. The more
passes the more solids captured.

**Important** in order for the bead filter to perform FINE micron straining it
MUST be fully colonized with bacteria. Depending on the temperature this can
take up to 4-6 weeks, at temps. above 60-65 degrees F.

How does a bead filter perform Biofiltration?
Biofiltration depends on the establishment of a colony of bacteria on the surface of

the beads large enough to convert dissolved toxic nitrogenous waste to harmless
compounds. When the bacteria are given the proper environment, they grow in a
thin biofilm on the surface of each bead. Each cubic foot of beads contain about
600,000 beads. This is one of the secrets of the bead filters success--high sur face
area per cubic foot for a large bacterial colony per cubic foot of filter media. The
two most common types of bacteria are, Nitrosomonas which is responsible for the
break down of ammonia in the system. The next is Nitrobacter, which is responsible
for the breakdown of nitrite into relatively harmless nitrate.

**Important** in order for the bead filter to perform Biofiltration the beads
must be colonized with a large enough colony to handle the load of dissolved
ammonia presented to it. This may take up to 4-6 weeks at temps. above 60-65
degrees. Until the colony has grown large enough, the pond owner MUST be
responsible for monitoring the levels of ammonia and nitrites in the pond water and
taking appropriate measures to correct dangerously high levels.

How do you size a bead filter?

When we start talking bead filter size, usually the first thing said is "I have a ___
gallon pond. What size filter do I need?" This just gets the conversation rolling.
The next question should be, "How many fish do you plan to keep in the pond?".
Fish have to eat and what it really boils down to is how many pounds of food is the
pond keeper going to feed per day. The larger the fish load and the more food that
will be fed, the larger the filter needs to be. A good rule of thumb when dealing
with bead filters is this: 1cu. ft. of beads will handle the solids capture and
nitrification of up to one lb. of food per day. 100lbs of fish fed at 1% body weight
or 50lbs of fish fed at 2% body weight. This is feeding 35% protein food. Water
quality and clarity can be achieved by adjusting feeding rates and/or stocking
densities.

What pump do I use with my filter?
Almost any out of pond pump will work with a FLUIDART FILTER. 2 speed

pumps have proven to be favorites among many bead filter owners. 2 speed pumps
have the versatility of running on low for normal filtration and saving energy
dollars, while using high for backwashing. High is also great to have when you are

having friends over and you want your waterfall to really roar!