The HydroBead Vortex™ bead filter's inlet vortex lateral jet forces water to spin from the outside edges of the tank in a "true vortex". Spinning water from the outside edges in a true vortex causes heavier solids to collect in the middle of the vortex where gravity causes the solids to settle downward to a collection area where they can be easily removed simply by opening the bottom drain valve. Filters that spin water outward from the center negate the vortex motion and force the debris upward into the bead pack instead of letting the vortex drop the debris to the bottom. TheHydroBead Vortex™ bead filters creates a "true vortex" to draw debris downward - and out of the bead pack. This reduces the burden on the bead pack - and makes the bead pack easier to clean and keep clean.
Inside theHydroBead Vortex™ bead filter, after the vortex stage has settled the heavier debris down and out of the bead pack, the lighter weight debris is forced upward into the bottom half of the HydroFoam™ bead pack for capture until the next backwash cycle. The advantage of the HydroBead Vortex™ bead filter is its exceptional solids capture and removal abilities, combined with its relatively high Specific Surface Area (SSA) for the nitrification cycle. The other big advantage of HydroBead Vortex™ filters is, like all Russell Technologies' filters, it is EASY TO CLEAN! This makes the hobby of Koi keeping much more enjoyable, with less work involved in maintaining a healthy environment for Koi.
How Does the HydroBead Vortex™ Filter Perform Water Polishing?
Water Polishing is the process of removing suspended solids from water. Suspended solids in a recirculation system are generally small, light weigt particles. These particals tend to reduce the clarity of water and cause problems by consuming tremendous amounts of oxygen - oxygen that is also required by your beloved Koi and other pond fish. HydroBead Vortex™ bead filters remove suspened particals from water more efficiently than any other brand of bead filter by combining the power of a vortex with micro-straining with HydroFoam™ Styrofoam beads. Physical straining in the vortex and the HydroFoam™ bead pack is the most dominant mechanism for removing larger particles (>50 microns). Finer particles (<20 microns) are removed at a lower rate by a process called "bio-absorption". The particles are captured by bacterial bio film on the surface of the bead. Studies show that HydroBead Vortex™ 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. This is why it is recommended to pass 100% of your pond water through your bio filter at least once per 4 hours - preferably once per hour.
*IMPORTANT! In order for the HydroBead Vortex™ bead filter to perform FINE micron straining, it MUST be fully colonized with nitrifying bacteria such as HydroClear™ Nitrification Cycle. Depending on the water temperature, this can take up to 4-6 weeks at temperatures above 60-65° F.
