How to set up an external filter

Model Used: All Pond Solutions 2000EF 9w uv filter.

Firstly open the box and check you have all the parts listed as per the manufacturers parts list.



Parts List: Please not parts may vary from different manufacturer


1. Inlet and Outlet hose adapter (with shut off taps)
2. Motorhead (with "o" ring) Check the o ring or seal is present.
3. Filter Case
4. UV Quartz and Bulb
5 Filter media secure plate
6. filter media baskets
7. overflow pope for flow return
8. Connector attachment
9. Spray bar
10. Spray bar end cap
11. Surface skimmer
12. Connector attachment
13. ocerflow pipe for water intake
14. T connector for surface skimmer
15. Down pipe intake tube
16. Strainer
17. suction cups with short clips
18. Water hose.

Unclip the motorhead from the filter case.

The clips first.


Then the flaps


Once the gap has appeared.


Remove the motor head to reveal the baskets and media.

Carefully unwrap the quartz.


and slide out the uv bulb


Line up the pins of the bulb with the holes in the motor head.


and clip into place


Remove the filter media secure plate.


Place the quartz over the bulb with lugs level with the holes


Turn 1/4 turn into position.


Replace the filter media secure plate

Media:

Take your media baskets and new media


Remove the ceramic rings from the plastic packaging but leave in the mesh bag.


Wash the filter case, baskets, bio balls and ceramic rings under the tap to remove any dust.




Its also advisable to wash through the filter floss pad.


Once clean and free of dust you can fill the baskets. I used mature media.


You can see the difference between the new ceramic rings and mature ones.


Place the filter floss pad in the top basket and replace the motor head.


Push the motor head down gently but firmly, if it does not go all the way down until there is no gap, check the baskets are in the filter case correctly and not over filled.


Close the flaps on the motor head


Followed by the clasps, hook over first.


And push into postition.


Your canister section is now ready.

Installing pipework:

First take the inlet and outlet hose adaptor (1)


Make a note of which is the inlet side.


Place onto the motor head.


Push down firmly into postition.


and lock into place


You can on this model, turn the inlet pipe around so you know which is the inlet inside the dark cupboard!

Inlelet pipework:

Find and open the packet with your intake pipework.


To Fit the surface skimmer:

Remove the cap from the T piece


Fit the connecting elbow.


Slide on the top section.


Next connect your intake pipe together, this comes in sections so you can have it long or short depending on the height of your tank.


Connect the pipe to the U bend section.


Next select your pipe


Unscrew the connector on the over pipe all the way.


Push the hose over the end, if it is tight you can use a dap ov vasaline


Push it up as close as possible


Screw down the connector over the hose, finger tight




Position the holding brackets (suckers) inside the tank.


Slide the intake pipe into the tank, with the hose down the back outside the tank


Unscrew the connector on the "IN" section of the hose adaptor and fit the hose.


Tighten up the connector finger tight.


The inlet pipework is now complete.

Outlet Pipework:

Remove your outlet pipework from the packaging


With the APS spray bar system you can have your spray bar high in the water.


Or low in the water.


Fit the hose to the pipework as per the intake, unscrew the connector and push on the hose.


Again pushing the hose on as far as you can.


Tighten fully


Place the outlet section into the tank with the hose down the back of the tank


Connect the hose to the outlet section of the hose connector, unscrew the connector and push on the hose.


And do up the connector.

Starting up the filter.

Once all the hoses are connected correctly you can prime the filter.

Depress the prime button quickly and firmly


Make sure it goes fully down


This will start the syphon action and fill up the canister.


You should be able to hear the canister filling and see water in the inlet pipework.


Once the canister is full, you may hear a pop or hiss as it preasurises and you will not hear any water running. Now you can switch on the filter at the mains, you should see water coming out of the outlet spray bar.




©Star for the fish forum

Trouble shooting:

Filter not priming:

Occasionally you can have problems with the filters auto priming system. First make sure the valves on the intake and outlet connector are open (either on the pipes or the connector itself). Check there are no kinks or bends in the hose and that it has a straight run to the filter itself. If all else fails you can manually suck on the outlet pipe yourself to start the prime.

Noisy operation:

If the filter sounds noisy there maybe air trapped inside the canister. Gently rock the canister forwards and backwards to release the air. If the canister continues to fill with air, check that there is no airstone near the inlet pipe sucking air into it, also check all inlet hoses are fully tightened so no air is getting in.

Leaking water:

If leaking from the hose at the point where it is connected, check the connections are tight and that the hose is pushed fully onto the connector. Leaking from the powerhead: Switch off and unclip the motorhead, adjust the baskets if necessary and replace the motorhead making sure it is pushed onto the canister as far as it will go, you can use vasaline around the seal.

Outlet too powerful/too weak.

Change the settings of your spray bar. On the APS model filters you have extentions to the spray bar, if the spray is too strong use more of the spray bar sections, if too weak use less.

Changing your spraybar settings

Strong Flow:
To have a strong current you can either remove the spray bar completely.


Or have just a short spray bar.


To have a strong current, but not too strong you can turn the outlet or spray bar towards the glass.




For a more gently flow, use the longest spray bar.