Bead filter question

[kohospam]

Do they actually work?

Also, there are so many brands that I've seen

Aquadyne, advanced, probead...

What brand is the best?

Let's start a discussion on people's experience with their perspective bead filters and experience. Thanks!

[KoiCop]

That would depend on your pond's design and what you're looking for from the filter?

1. For mechanical filtration before the biofiltration?

2. For polishing after the biofiltration?

3. For stand alone mechanical and biofiltration?

[kohospam]

I was thinking about using it for a mechanical filter before a bio filter

[KoiCop]

We have (2) Ultima 6K's. One is a stand alone on a skimmer circuit; the other is for mechanical (after settlement vortex and before J-mat biofilters).

Couldn't be happier with them; dependable, don't pack, easy to backwash and flush (which we do daily).

Good luck,

[kohospam]

What type of pump do you have for the bead filter?

I know some bead filters have blowers...what is your backwash setup like?

And how big is your pond for those 2 filters. Thank you so much for your information!

[KoiCop]

Kelsey . . .

The Ultima on the skimmer circuit is fed by a 1/3 hp Artesian Performance Pro pump; the Ultima on the main circuit is fed by a 3/4 hp Artesian Performance Pro pump.

Aqua UV Ultima II's don't require a blower for backwashing or rinsing.

Ultima II FIlters Filtration & Media - Eastern Nishikigoi

Our pond is 6K gallons.

[kohospam]

Don,

I heard a lot about the artesian pumps. They seem to be pretty efficient although a little on the pricey side. Are you happy with the pumps?

I was looking at using a DIY vortex, then the bead filter, then some sort of bio filtration. Unlike you however, I wanted both my skimmer and 2 bottom drains running through one bead filter. To power the whole thing I was going to use an artesian pump.

My pond is looking to be about 1800-2500gal with that in mind, which ultima filter would you recommend?

Thanks so much for your information and help.

[MCA]

why not a 3 barrrel filter set using

first barrel....static K1
second barrel...fluid bed K1
third barrel...static K1 or matting?

if digging out a filter pit is a problem....do a semiraised pond so there is less digging on the pond and on the filter pit.

[kohospam]

Quote: Originally Posted by MCA why not a 3 barrrel filter set using first barrel....static K1 second barrel...fluid bed K1 third barrel...static K1 or matting? if digging out a filter pit is a problem....do a semiraised pond so there is less digging on the pond and on the filter pit.

I've read about these around the forums. Is there a good guide that explains how to construct each of these. Also would these be just as low maintenance as a pressure filter with backwashing capabilities?

Thanks so much for all the help

Kelsey

[Steve Nguyen]

first and most important, don't get a bead filter with the air pump for back wash like those advantage bead filters. get an Ultima II bead filter. Ultima that Don mentioned is the one to go with. with your pond size, you can do one Ultima I I 6000 for both bottom drain and skimmer. Follow by biofilter with Matala up flow or J-mats. I recomend the biofilter size equivalent to at least 15% of your pond water. that's 375 gals biofilter for 2500 gals pond. my friends use Artisian pumps are whisper quiet. it's amazing. Artisian pump is my next replacement pump.

Using Utima as mechanical after settling tank is a good approach. it helps with weekly maintenance. here is what I do. I do partial flush settling tank each morning to get the overnight fish poops out and another partial flush when I get home from work. I build it so that I can do partial flushes with gravity force. it takes a few seconds for each partial flush by opening the knife gate valve. I empty the settling tank once a week on weekends and backwash the Ultima once a week but it's either on tuesday or Weds.

I don't use UV light in my pond ever even when it was brand new. the water is clear enough to see the bottom so why bother with UV light. My pond gets about 90% of full sun from morning until sunset. I feed my fish a lot and I meant a lot.

Steve