HydroFlush™ 200
1½" and 2" Backwash System
HydroFlush™ 300
3" Backwash System
Download HydroFlush™
Owner's Manual
HydroFlush™ Backwash Systems for Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filters make cleaning and backwashing as easy as "turning two valves!" Your existing pump cleans the filter for you!
Compare cleaning a Hydro Vortex™ filter with cleaning "Pad-&-Media-Bag" style waterfall filters.
The HydroFlush™ Backwash System is easily installed during "New Construction" of pond and pondless waterfall features. It is also easily "Retro-fitted" onto existing Hydro Vortex™ pond and pondless waterfalls.
HydroFlush™ Backwash Systems consist of a 3-Way Diverter Valve that gets installed inside a valve box along the main plumbing line between the pump and the Hydro Vortex™ filter.
Water flows straight through the valve during normal "FILTER" operation. Water is diverted out the side of the 3-Way Valve to the HydroFlush™ Froth Jet during the "BACKWASH" cycle.
Download HydroFlush™ Installation Instructions and Owners Manual
Hydro Vortex™ filters equipped with the HydroFlush™ option allows you to completely clean the filter without you getting dirty or harming your biofilm.
No other waterfall filter on the market uses Highly Oxygenated Pond Water to GENTLY rinse sediment and detritus from the filter. Gently rinsing the bio filter with pond water does not harm the bio film. This keeps the filter, and the bio film performing at maximum efficiency.
A clean bio filter is better able to capture and remove particulates from the water and metabolize ammonia and fish waste.
When you stop to think about it, ALL DIRTY FILTERS PERFORM POORLY. Whether it be the air or oil filters in your vehicle, your dryer lint trap, the bag or trap on your vacuum, and of course .... the filter on your pond!
Russell Watergarden = Easy to Clean Filtration Systems.
Easy to Clean Filtration Systems = Cleaner Water Features.
Cleaner Water Features = Happier People!
Yes! I'm ready to purchase a HydroFlush™
Backwash System!
Download HydroFlush™ Installation Instructions and
Owners Manual
Russell Watergardens developed the Revolutionary, Highly Efficient, Easy to Clean Hydro Vortex™ biological waterfall filters to increase the filtration capabilities of waterfall filters so they can be used in Koi pond and Hybrid Pond™ applications. Traditional "pad-&-media-bag" or "strapping-tape" style waterfall filters are extremely inefficient at removing the huge amount of waste and ammonia created by Koi. Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filters are designed specifically to efficiently remove the waste and ammonia created by big lovable Koi. Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filters are the only waterfall filters on the market that comes complete with a vortex chamber, settling cone, highly efficient Hydro FilterSilk™ media, and a bottom drain for easy cleaning of the filter. Cleaning a Hydro Vortex™ filter simply requires you to open the bottom drain and rinse pond water in from the top. You never want to use chlorinated water or high pressure water to clean biological filtration media as the chlorine and high pressure will cause fatal harm to the biofilm. The HydroFlush™ System uses highly oxygenated pond water at low pressure to gently rinse and backwash the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter.
The HydroFlush™ 200 System is designed to work with 1½" and 2" Main-Line pipes.
The HydroFlush™ 200 System includes:
- 3-Way Divert Valve 2"x2"x2".
- 15' of 1½" Flexible PVC pipe.
- 10" Round Valve Box with lid.
- 1½" Bulkhead Fitting.
- Two 1½" PVC Male Pipe Adaptors.
- Small 1½" Flexible PVC pipe stub.
- 1½" PVC 45 degree elbow.
- Large 1½" Flexible PVC pipe stub.
- 1½" PVC 90 degree elbow.
- 2" - 1½" PVC reducer bushing.
The HydroFlush™ 300 System is designed to work with 3" Main-Line pipes.
The HydroFlush™ 300 System includes:
- 3-Way Divert Valve 3"x3"x3".
- Two 3" PVC Couplers.
- 15' of 1½" Flexible PVC pipe.
- Jumbo Valve Box with lid.
- 1½" Bulkhead Fitting.
- Two 1½" PVC Male Pipe Adaptors.
- Small 1½" Flexible PVC pipe stub.
- 1½" PVC 45 degree elbow.
- Large 1½" Flexible PVC pipe stub.
- 1½" PVC 90 degree elbow.
- 3" - 2" PVC reducer bushing.
The HydroFlush™ Backwash System was created to make cleaning your Hydro Vortex™ filter even easier! The HydroFlush™ Backwash System uses your existing pump to pump pond water into a Froth Jet on the top of the Hydro Vortex™ filter. The HydroFlush™ Backwash System uses low pressure, non-chlorinated pond water that is the same temperature and pH that the biofilm inside the filter is used to - so routine HydroFlushing™ never "shocks" or harms the biofilm. The HydroFlush™ Backwash System's Froth Jet uses Highly Oxygenated pond water, that is essential for biofilm health, to gently rinse the sediment, waste, and detritus from the filter and media. This not only cleans the filter, it gives the biofilm an added "boost" of oxygen that stimulates biofilm health and growth. And, as we all know, healthy biofilm metabolizes more ammonia and fish waste than unhealthy biofilm. A healthy biofilm is critical in maintaining fish health.
With your Hydro Vortex™ and HydroFlush™ Backwash System in "FILTER" mode, water runs straight through the HydroFlush™ 3-Way Valve. In the "FILTER" position, the HydroFlush™ Outlet is "CLOSED" and the Outlet to the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter is "OPEN" as seen in the photo on the left.
Click on the photo to enlarge it for easier viewing.
With your Hydro Vortex™ and HydroFlush™ Backwash System in "BACKWASH" mode, water is diverted out of the HydroFlush™ Outlet on the side of the 3-Way Valve. In the "BACKWASH" position, the HydroFlush™ Outlet is "OPEN" and the Outlet to the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter is "CLOSED" as seen in the photo on the right.
Click on the photo to enlarge it for easier viewing.
When your Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter is in "FILTER" mode - the HydroFlush™ 3-Way Diverter Valve is in the "FILTER" position and the Hydro Vortex™ filter's Cleanout Valve in the "CLOSED" position. The Cleanout Valve is in the "CLOSED" position when the Lever is pointing skyward.
When your Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter is in "BACKWASH" mode - the HydroFlush™ 3-Way Diverter Valve is in the "BACKWASH" position and the Hydro Vortex™ filter's Cleanout Valve in the "OPEN" position. The Cleanout Valve is in the "OPEN" position when the Lever parallel to the drain pipe.
To HydroFlush™ your Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter, simply open the Filter's Cleanout Valve Box that is located near the back side of the Hydro Vortex Waterfall Filter.
The Cleanout Drain Valve is in the "CLOSED" position when the handle is pointing towards the sky.
To open the Cleanout Drain Valve, simply push the handle forward and downward. Forward is towards the drain outlet and away from the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter. There is also a directional arrow on the valve itself.
HydroFlush™ 200 Operation
Between the HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer and the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter is the HydroFlush™ 200 Valve Box.
Open the valve box for access to the HydroFlush™ Valve.
In "FILTER" mode, the handle on the HydroFlush™ Valve points the word "CLOSED" towards the side Outlet Port that runs to the HydroFlush™ Froth Jet. The Inlet Port from the Pump and HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer, as well as, the Outlet Port to the Hydro Vortex™ Filter's inlet are listed as "OPEN" on the HydroFlush™ Valve dial.
In "BACKWASH" mode, the handle on the HydroFlush™ Valve points the word "CLOSED" towards the Outlet Port that runs to the Hydro Vortex™ Filter's Inlet. The Inlet Port from the Pump and HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer, as well as, the side Outlet Port to the HydroFlush™ Froth Jet are listed as "OPEN" on the HydroFlush™ Valve dial.
HydroFlush™ 300 Operation
Between the HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer and the Hydro Vortex™ Waterfall Filter is the HydroFlush™ 300 Valve Box.
Open the valve box for access to the HydroFlush™ Valve.
In "FILTER" mode, the handle on the HydroFlush™ Valve points the word "CLOSED" towards the side Outlet Port that runs to the HydroFlush™ Froth Jet. The Inlet Port from the Pump and HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer, as well as, the Outlet Port to the Hydro Vortex™ Filter's inlet are listed as "OPEN" on the HydroFlush™ Valve dial.
In "BACKWASH" mode, the handle on the HydroFlush™ Valve points the word "CLOSED" towards the Outlet Port that runs to the Hydro Vortex™ Filter's Inlet. The Inlet Port from the Pump and HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer, as well as, the side Outlet Port to the HydroFlush™ Froth Jet are listed as "OPEN" on the HydroFlush™ Valve dial.
The pump will gently clean and rinse your Hydro Vortex™ filter with highly oxygenated pond water. The HydroFlush™ process safely cleans and rinses your Hydro Vortex™ filter WITHOUT HARMING THE BIO FILM!
Yes! I'm ready to purchase a HydroFlush™
Backwash System!
Download HydroFlush™ Installation Instructions and
Owners Manual
Compare cleaning a Hydro Vortex™ filter with cleaning "Pad-&-Media-Bag" style waterfall filters.
With the optional HydroFlush™ System for your Hydro Vortex™ filter - your pump cleans the filter for you!
Here's all you have to do:
- Open the Hydro Vortex™ filter's drain valve.
- Turn the 3-Way diverter valve from the "FILTER" position to the "BACKWASH" position.
- Water will "jet" upward into a highly oxygenated froth on top of the filter. The water will fall back down onto and into the filter. With the Hydro Vortex™ filter's bottom drain open, all the sediment and detritus will rinse downward and out of the filter's drain pipe.
- When the water exiting the drain pipe runs "clear" - the filter is clean!
- Turn the HydroFlush™ 3-Way valve back to the "FILTER" position.
- Close the Hydro Vortex Filter's Cleanout Drain and enjoy your waterfalls!
With the 3-Way Diverter Valve in the "BACKWASH" position - water will jet upward out of the filter into a highly oxygenated "froth". The height of the oxygenated froth is determined by your pump's flow rate. The higher the flow rate, the higher the froth. Some water splashes out of the filter's perimeter, and this is considered "normal" - but if too much water splashes outside the perimeter of the filter, throttle back the 3-Way diverter a little. With larger pumps, water entering through the HydroFlush™ froth jet can exceed water exiting the bottom drain. When this happens, and the Hydro Vortex™ filter starts to "fill up" with water, simply unplug the pump and let it completely drain again then restart the pump. Depending on your total fish and organic load, it may take 3 to 5 HydroFlush™ cycles to fully clean the Hydro Vortex™ filter of all detritus.
This photo on the left clearly shows you what is being backwashed out of the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter. Cleaning any type of filter on a regular basis keeps that filter performing at its peak of efficiency - waterfall filters are no exception! The HydroFlush™ Backwash System lets you backwash your Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter simply by turning two valves!
When the water exiting the Hydro Vortex™ filter's backwash drain pipe runs "clear" - the filter is clean! Now simply close the bottom drain valve and switch the HydroFlush™ 3-Way diverter valve back to the "FILTER" position and you're done!
Yes! I'm ready to purchase a HydroFlush™
Backwash System!
Download HydroFlush™ Installation Instructions and
Owners Manual
Compare cleaning a Hydro Vortex™ filter with cleaning "Pad-&-Media-Bag" style waterfall filters.
The valve's are this easy to turn:
To "Open" the Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter's drain valve simply push the lever forward and down. When the lever is parallel to the pipe, the valve is "Open". To "Close" the valve simply pull upward and back until the lever is perpendicular to the pipe.
To switch the HydroFlush™ 3-Way Diverter Valve from the "FILTER" position to the "BACKWASH" position simply turn the handle counter clockwise 1/4 turn.
To switch the HydroFlush™ 3-Way Diverter Valve back from the "BACKWASH" position to the "FILTER" position simply turn the handle clockwise 1/4 turn.
Operating your Hydro Vortex™ and HydroFlush™ valves is super easy!
Yes! I'm ready to purchase a
HydroFlush™ Backwash System!
Download HydroFlush™ Installation Instructions and Owners Manual
Compare cleaning a Hydro Vortex™ filter with cleaning
"Pad-&-Media-Bag" style waterfall filters.
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