Biofall Installation

It is best to place the filter opposite the skimmer. The filter should be installed as the starting point for your waterfall or to spill directly into the pond. Determine the height of the filter spillway above the planned pond water level and prepare a firm base for the bio-filter. Compact the soil if necessary to prevent uneven settling. Level the filter front to back and side to side. Tighten the bulkhead fitting. Utilize the male adapter fitting to attach 1 1/2" PVC flex pipe to the bulkhead at the base of the bio-tilter.

Apply Teflon tape or pipe thread compound on the male adapter, screw into the bulkhead fitting and tighten one complete turn past hand tight. Glue the PVC pipe to the male adapter. After the glue dries check the fitting is watertight before covering with any rocks or soil. Position the flex pipe around the perimeter of the pond to the skimmer box. Use excavated soil to backfill the bio-filter.

If the bio-filter spillway extends over the pond bring the liner up to the level of the spillway, or as high as possible under the spillway lip. Secure the liner to the bio-filter with 6'' adhesive liner tape or silicon. Wipe the liner and filter with plumbing primer before applying tape.

If the bio-filter is located away from the edge of the pond you will need to build a watercourse. Additional liner material may be required.

The bio-filter may be buried and the top perimeter landscaped with rocks and other natural materials. Flat stones may also be placed on the spillway.

Seal these rocks on the bottom and sides with landscape foam. Apply foam all the way across spillway to insure the water will flow up and over flat rocks. Foam may also assist in arranging rocks around the perimeter of the tilter and waterfall.

Bio-tilter bacteria/bio-activity may take a few weeks to develop. It is suggested not to add fish for at least 3 to 4 weeks after pond is tilled and running.

Check water flow through the bio-filter and over the spillway. Determine there are no water losses and that all water falling from the spillway reenters the pond. If the spillway "drips" water, use fine sand paper to lightly smooth the underside of the spillway lip.

Bio-filter media should not be completely removed once installed. lf the media starts to clog it may be washed with a hose. However do not remove all the media at one time. It is convenient to have several separate bags for media. Then one bag may be washed and several weeks later a second bag may be washed.

You can remove the filter media and clean it with water once a year or as needed depending on water flow. Additionally, you can back flush (with garden hose) the filter media by disconnecting the PVC pipe from the pump and running water into the yard.