Lifegard FB 300 Hoja De Instrucciones

LIFEGARD FLUIDIZED BED FILTER
INSTRUCTION SHEET FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
INTRODUCTION
Due to its
u n i q u e
O
2
shape, the
CO
2
L i f e g a r d
NH
F l u i d i z e d
AMMONIA
SAND
Bed filter is
GRAIN
an extremely
NITRITE
efficient high
BACTERIA NO
c a p a c i t y
LAYER
NITRATE
"biological"
filter. Aquatic
organisms excrete toxic ammonia as a meta-
bolic waste product with additional ammonia
produced as food and other organic matter
breaks down and decomposes. This toxic
ammonia (NH3) is converted to another toxic
compound nitrite (N02) by the Nitrosomonas
species of bacteria. The nitrite is then converted
to a relatively non toxic compound, call nitrate
(N03) by the Nitrobacter species of bacteria.
This process is known as "nitrification". A
"biological" filter is a vessel where nitrification
occurs and soluable waste is removed.
Beneficial bacteria attach to the media within
the Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter creating a thin film
around the sand grains. Water is pumped up through
the unit lifting the sand into a "fluidized bed". The ben-
eficial bacteria attach to the media draw in dissolved
wastes (ammonia and nitrite) oxygen, supplied by
Rainbow's exclusive water fall device and other
required nutrients from the passing water converting
them to relatively harmless nitrate. The sand grains are
in continual free fall through the water resulting in an
excellent transfer capability between the liquid and the
bacterial film on the media. The enormously high
surface are combined with this excellent transfer
capability creates the perfect habitat for bacterial
growth. In addition, the sand grains bump into each
other frequently knocking off excess debris and providing
a self-cleaning function which allows new areas for
bacterial growth. The Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter has
been tested and proven to supply the highest level of
effluent water quality and will respond quickly and efficiently to severe changes in ammonia
levels caused by over feeding or the addition of too many fish at one time. To obtain
highest water quality, a Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter should be part of the system.
CAPACITY
Please refer to the following chart to properly size your Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter to your
aquatic system.
MODEL SYSTEM SIZE
FB 300 Up to 300 Gallons
FB 600 Up to 500 Gallons
FB 900 Up to 900 Gallons
Multiple units can be connected together for larger volume installations or
systems with extremely high bio-loads.
FLOW RATE
The Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter is most effective at low rates. Lower flow rates increase
the contact time between the bacteria and the toxic ammonia and nitrite compounds that
they utilize.
MATURATION
The Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter can be installed in a short period of time, however, the
biological maturation takes considerably longer. In most cases, the maturation
period should take no longer than 40 days. during this period the nitrifying bacteria will
attach themselves to the media within the filter.
This maturation period can be greatly reduced by introducing live nitrifying bacteria into
your filter, inoculating your filter with a small amount of detritus from a mature aquarium,
or by the addition of specific chemicals. Please consult your local dealer for details.
Test your aquarium water
daily during the first 40 days
to insure the nitrification
cycle has occurred and is
completed.
3
–
NO
2
–
3
MEDIA WEIGHT SURFACE AREA
3 Lbs. 214 ft
6 Lbs. 428 ft
9 Lbs. 642 ft
24
AMMONIA-N
21
NITRITE-N
18
ACCLIMATION
15
12
9
6
3
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
TIME IN DAYS
The ammomia and nitrite curves that result from acclimation of a biological filter with aquatic species.
Recommended POWER HEAD PUMP
MANUFACTURER
HAGEN AQUACLEAR
RIO AQUA PUMP
OTTO
AQUARIUM SYSTEMS MAXI-JET
MARINELAND PENGUIN
TETRA SECOND NATURE
PENN-PLAX SHARK
The above pump recommendations are the minimum that is required to operate the filters.
Larger pumps can be used, however, the flow control valve must be adjusted accordingly. The Quiet
One Pump or any magnetic drive pump can also be used if a by-pass valve is plumbed into the sys-
tem so only a portion of the pump flow is diverted to the filter.
INSTALLATION OPTIONS
Note: Hard plumbing may be substituted for
flexible tubing if desired.
Please choose one of the following options and follow the
appropriate instructions.
1. HANGING ON THE AQUARIUM
A. Screw in plugs on
each side of bottom
manifold. Make sure
plug "O" rings are seat-
NITROSOMONAS
BACTERIA
ed properly. The bot-
tom inlet ports will not
SAND
be needed in this type
of installations.
B. Screw in check valve
NITROBACTER
BACTERIA
assembly in top inlet
port. Make sure check
SAND
valve "O" rings is seated
properly.
C. Wrap teflon tape on
the male threads of one
¾" MPT x ½" barb elbow
and the waterfall assem-
bly. Wrap each fitting 5-7
times with teflon tape. Only
one ¾" MPT x ½" barb elbow
will be needed for this type of
installation.
D. Screw in the ¾" MPT x ½"
barb elbow into the check
2
valve assembly located on
2
the top inlet port. Screw in
2
the elbow so that the barb
portion is pointing down
towards the aquarium water.
E. Screw in the water fall
assembly into the outlet port
located at the top of the filter.
F. Install the filter on the side or back
of the aquarium by pushing the
mounting bracket spring assembly
located at the top of the filter with
your thumb and hanging the unit
over the edge of the aquarium. It may
be necessary to move the triangular
portion of the water fall assembly to
one side so that the mounting brack-
et can be pushed far enough to clear
the molding on the top edge of the
aquarium.
G. Make sure the unit is completely
FILTER level by adjusting the white screws
located on each side of the filter.
H. Remove the retainer screws
from the flow control valve located at the top outlet side of the fil-
ter.
I. Pull the flow control valve straight up and remove.
J. Pour all the media into the filter through the valve chamber.
30 35 40
Wipe off any media that may be in the valve chamber with a dry
cloth. Lubricate the valve and valve chamber with the sili-
cone lubricant supplied with the unit.
PUMP MODEL FLUIDIZED BED FILTER
#301 FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
#200 FB 300
#400 FB 600
#600 FB 900
PH 600 FB 300, FB 600
PH 800 FB 900
MJ 500 FB 300, FB 600
MJ 750 FB 900
#550 FB 300, FB 600
#660 FB 600
#640 FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
SK-13 FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
A
RAINBOW
LIFEGARD ®
FLUIDIZED
BED FILTER
B
E
F
H
I
D
G
J
RAINBOW
LIFEGARD ®
FLUIDIZED
BED FILTER