BEAD FILTERS

A bead filter is a sealed pressure tank containing millions of 1/8" diameter plastic beads that support significant bacterial growth and provide effective biological treatment. Originally developed for the commercial aquaculture industry, this type of filter is ideal for koi ponds or any ponds with a large fish population. Of the many bead filters available today, we believe Aquadyne filters are the best designed and will provide the most reliable, low-maintenance operation. Although they look like swimming pool filters and are, in fact, built from the same tanks and external fittings, they have been completely re-engineered internally.

bead filter installation with a self-priming external pump and ultraviolet sterilizer

INSTALLATION: Since bead filters systems are sealed and pressurized, there are few design limitations. The water to be filtered can be drawn over the pond edge, through the pond wall, or through a bottom drain. The pump and filter can be installed above ground, below ground, near the pond, or a distance from the pond: whatever is the least visible or most convenient location. In the simplest configuration (see illustration above), a self-priming external pump draws water over the pond edge and conveys it through the bead filter and back to the pond, often passing through an ultraviolet sterilizer. In more sophisticated installations, water flows by gravity through a bottom drain and into an underground vortex filter before reaching the pump. Regardless of what design is chosen, unions must be used for each of the pipe connections to facilitate removal of the multi-port valve for internal cleaning, and sufficient vertical clearance must be left to remove the valve (approximately twice the tank height).

OPERATION: Water enters and exits through a sophisticated yet easy-to-use multi-port valve with filter, backwash, and rinse settings. Attached to the bottom of the multi-port valve is a patented low-friction central diffuser column that virtually eliminates the frequent clogging associated with other bead systems on the market. With the valve set to filter, the water flows out of slots at the bottom of the diffuser column, passes through the floating beads where it is mechanically strained and biologically filtered, and flows out through slots at the top of the diffuser.

MAINTENANCE: Routine maintenance takes only a few minutes each week. First, the pump is turned off, the multi-port valve is set to "Rinse", the blower valve is opened, and the blower is turned on. Running the blower creates internal turbulence that breaks up the beads and dislodges organic matter. After two minutes the blower is turned off, the blower valve is closed, the multi-port valve is rotated to backwash, and the pump is turned on. Backwashing reverses the flow direction, causing water to flow in the top slots of the diffuser column and out the bottom slots, carrying away the organic matter dislodged by the blower. When the waste line becomes clear, indicating that backwashing has been completed, the multi-port valve is set to again to "Rinse". This restores the normal flow of water through the filter but sends any remaining organic matter through the waste line instead of back to the pond. After a few seconds, the valve is rotated to "Filter" and normal operation resumes. Finally, the sludge valve is opened for a few seconds to purge any heavy solids that have settled to the bottom of the tank.

SIZING: We offer five bead filters (see specifications below) for ponds up to 28,000 gallons; larger ponds can be filtered with multiple 8.8C filters. Each filter is supplied with an air blower to facilitate backwashing using low-pressure energy-efficient pumps. For best performance, select a pump consistent with maximum recommended filtration flow rate and the minimum recommended backwash flow rate shown, such as the Artesian pumps we recommend. The 0.6B, 1.1B, and 2.2B filters are supplied with 1-1/2" multi-port valves; The 2.2BH, 4.4C, and 8.8C filters are supplied with 2" multi-port valves.

BEAD FILTER SPECIFICATIONS
Model	Pond	Fish	Filtration	Backwash	Pump	Waste	Beads	Size
0.6B	1800 gal	45 lbs	2200 gph	2800 gph	A-1/8	25 gal	20 lbs	16"d x 33"h
1.1B	3500 gal	65 lbs	3000 gph	2000 gph	A-1/8	30 gal	40 lbs	18"d x 34"h
2.2B,BH	7500 gal	150 lbs	4000 gph	2500 gph	A-1/4	50 gal	80 lbs	24"d x 42"h
4.4C	14,000 gal	300 lbs	6000 gph	4000 gph	A-1/3	60 gal	160 lbs	30"d x 46"h
8.8C	28,000 gal	480 lbs	6000 gph	4000 gph	A-1/3	80 gal	320 lbs	36"d x 48"h

Aquadyne 0.6B Bead Filter, 1800 gal, $1016.00
Aquadyne 1.1B Bead Filter, 3500 gal, $1264.00
Aquadyne 2.2B Bead Filter + Blower, 7500 gal, $1768.00
Aquadyne 2.2BH Bead Filter + Blower, 7500 gal, $1920.00
Aquadyne 4.4C Bead Filter + Blower, 14000 gal, $2344.00
Aquadyne 8.8C Bead Filter + Blower, 28000 gal, $4052.00