Aqua Medic Reef 500 Operating instructions

Brand: Aqua Medic

Model: Reef 500

Type: Operating instructions

Aqua Medic Reef 500 is an effective and efficient filtration system designed specifically for reef aquaria up to 500 litres (c. 125 gallons). It combines mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration to provide crystal-clear, healthy water for your marine life. The system's three-stage design includes a mechanical prefilter to remove coarse suspended waste, a protein skimmer to remove dissolved organic compounds, and a post-skimming trickle filter to provide biological filtration. The Reef 500 is easy to install and maintain.

Operation manual

for the

filtration system

Reef 500

The Reef 500 is a 3-stage water treatment system for Reef aquaria up to 500 litres (c. 125

gallons). It has been specially developed for aquarium use, has been designed and

manufactured to the highest standards and has been extensively tested. If this filter system

is used correctly, you will be able to reduce organic substances and other waste products in

your aquarium water to nontoxic levels. The filtration system consists of a mechanical

prefilter, a motor driven protein skimmer and post skimming trickle filter.

1. Description

The Reef 500 filter system comprises the following parts:

- the prefilter system with filter sponge and air injection nozzle

- the reaction pipe with one inlet and twin outlets

- the collection cup with top cover

- the post skimming trickle filter module with spreader chamber and trickle tower

filled with Bactoballs

- the venturi pump complete with needle wheel installed below the trickle chamber

2.1 fig ( i ) Reef 500:

1. skimmer

2. collection cup

3. valves

4. pump with Needle Wheel

5. air intake nozzle

6. filter sponge

7. air intake

8. union to inlet pipe (D32)

3. Components

3.1 Mechanical prefilter

The water return from the aquarium is delivered via a 32mm union to the top compartment

of the prefilter. The water flows over a trickle plate and on through a filtration sponge where

coarse suspended waste is retained. The sponge should be washed regularly in tap water.

Other filtration material such as activated carbon such as carbolit or

phosphate remover such as antiphos may be placed in bags below the

sponge.

3.2 Protein Skimmer

The Reef 500 utilises the Turboflotor 1000 as its protein skimmer

Working principle

Protein skimming is a method of physical water treatment. It utilises the phenomenon of

adsorption of surface active substances to air water layers. In daily life it is seen that if a

drop of oil is placed on a water surface it will form a thin film. This is one molecule thick.

Surface active compounds like proteins behave in the same way. The Turboflotor 1000‘s air

bubbles create a huge water surface to which the waste substances can attach.

The Turboflotor 1000 is a new type of protein skimmer, developed and patented by

. The rotation of the needle wheel creates a reduced pressure

area so that not only water but also air is drawn into the pump housing. The air is cut into

fine bubbles by the needle wheel and the air/water mixture is pumped into the reaction pipe

in such a way that the air bubbles have a long retention time in the counter current. To

further extend the contact time a rotational movement is created in the lower part of the

pipe. Enriched with organic substances, the bubbles rise to the top of the reaction pipe and

form a strong foam. The conical shape of the collection cup inner tube dehydrates and

concentrates the foam before it overflows into the cup. Thus organic wastes are removed

from the aquarium water before they become integrated into the biological waste treatment

cycle. The needle wheel system also significantly reduces the noise generally associated

with power venturis and when coupled with very low power consumption, optimum

skimming efficiency is achieved.

The efficiency of protein skimming is not only measured by the quantity of injected air, but is

also dependant on the total engineering of the skimmer. Air quantity, turbulence and calm

areas must be in the right relationship to each other to guarantee the optimum efficiency

that is achieved in the Turboflotor 1000

3.3 Trickle Filter

The output from the protein skimmer flows into a trickle tower filled with

Bactoballs. These have an extremely high surface area (300m

/ m

) and this, coupled with

the fact that the water has already been totally skimmed enables the biological process to

be undertaken in a very small volume of filter. The output of the trickle filter is returned to

the sump for onward return to the aquarium. The use of a suitably sized

Ocean Runner pump is recommended for this purpose.

4. Installation

The Reef 500 external filtration system must be installed in a sump tank which is usually

placed under the aquarium. A suitable sump tank is available from – part

number 501.11. The water level in the sump tank has to be maintained between 10 and 15

cm for optimum performance of the venturi pump. Ensure the air injection nozzle is fitted to

the short length of 25mm pipe and that this is pushed through the base of the trickle tower

into the suction side of the pump. The 6mm air inlet hose should be connected to the rigid

riser mounted on one side of the pre-filter tower so the open end is above water level.

Ensure the Turboflotor 1000 is connected to the flow side of the pump and that its outflow

pipes penetrate the top of the trickle tower spreader chamber. To avoid excessive algal

growth it is best to exclude light from the filter by, for instance, installing it in the cabinet.

5. Operation

The Reef 500 is placed in the sump and set up as in 4. above. Once the water level is

adjusted to the correct height (10 - 15 cm), the venturi pump can be plugged in. The pump

now forces water into the reaction pipe. Simultaneously low pressure is created at the

suction side of the pump and air is sucked in. As long as the water level in the sump tank is

at the correct level, the relationship between air and water is optimised. Should the noise

created in the air inlet hose be unacceptable then a silencer – part number 410.72-4 is

available as an extra from .

From initial start up it takes some time - hours or even days - before the first foam is

pushed into the collection cup. This is the time taken to build up fatty acids on the acrylic

wall. After this the foam should be pushed evenly into the collection cup. The quantity of

waste removed is, of course, dependant on the organic load of the aquarium.

6. Maintenance

The collection cup can be removed from the reaction pipe very easily and should be

cleaned regularly (weekly or even daily depending on the organic load). The reaction pipe

should not need to be cleaned for a long period and then only if it becomes really dirty.

The air inlet pipe should be flushed through with hot water on a regular basis to remove

calcium deposits that will build up naturally because of the interaction between calcium in

the sea salt and CO

in the air.

The pump chamber and needle wheel should be cleaned as required.

The trickle filter requires virtually no maintenance.

Safety instruction

The filter system may only be used indoors. Before undertaking any work on the

pump, disconnect the power plug from the mains.

7. Fault finding

The unit may not skim correctly if the relation between the demanded air and the water is

not in the right range. Some reasons may be:

- the water level in the sump is incorrect. It must be maintained between 10 and 15 cm.

- the capacity of the return pump to the aquarium is too low. It is possible that the water

level in the prefiltration chamber where the venturi pump is located is lower than in the

sump tank. The capacity of the return pump has then to be increased. Subject to the

operating parameters a suitable pump for this system may be the Ocean

Runner 3500

- the air injection pipe or hose or the pump housing with the needle wheel is obstructed

and requires cleaning. Do not use a sharp object

- the air injection pipe of the nozzle is under water or disconnected. Rectify the situation.

- the needle wheel is damaged and requires replacement

8. Warranty

Should any defect in material or workmanship be found within twenty four months of the

date of purchase undertakes to repair or, at our option, replace the defective

part free of charge – always provided the product has been installed correctly, is used for

the purpose that was intended by us, is used in accordance with these operating

instructions and is returned to us carriage paid. The warranty term is not applicable on any

consumable products.

Proof of Purchase is required by presentation of an original invoice or receipt indicating the

dealer’s name, the model number and date of purchase, or a Guarantee Card if appropriate.

This warranty may not apply if any model or production number has been altered, deleted or

removed, unauthorised persons or organisations have executed repairs, modifications or

alterations, or damage is caused by accident, misuse or neglect.

We regret we are unable to accept any liability for any consequential loss.

Please note that the product is not defective under the terms of this Warranty where the

product, or any of its component parts, was not originally designed and / or manufactured

for the market in which it is used.

These statements do not affect your statutory rights as a customer.

If your product does not appear to be working correctly or appears to be

defective please contact your dealer in the first instance.

Before calling your dealer please ensure you have read and understood the operating

instructions. If you have any questions your dealer cannot answer please contact us

Our policy is one of continual technical improvement and we reserve the right to

modify and adjust the specification of our products without prior notification

- Bissendorf 1/ 03

Aqua Medic Reef 500 Operating instructions

Aqua Medic Reef 500 Operating instructions

Aqua Medic Reef 500 Operating instructions

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