Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean the Bio-Reactors?

Cleaning the Units bio-reactors are made simple with the integrated air systems. These can found inside each bio-reactor. Air is passed up through the media making it bubble, the media is spherical and rotates when being cleaned, this discharges any debris trapped on the media. Once the media is clean the waste water is then removed. No waste water is left in the bio-reactors after discharge; this is due to the unit’s waste systems being flush fitting with the base. You can also purge directly to waste by by-passing the biological stage of the filter. 

The-Qube range of filters are designed to be fed directly either from bottom drains or by submersible pumps. They can have a mechanical stage prior to the units although this is not necessary.The slow oxidisation of the waste matter prevents the build up of harmful toxins. In fact in trials the units have been left for long periods of time without cleaning and no detrimental effects were noted. The units have now been running for a number of years on a comparison basis and have in every instance they have  out performed their rivals both in water quality and clarity. 

How Does The Qube Work?

The-Qube works by removing waste and harmful toxins namely Ammonia & Nitrite and converting them into less harmful Nitrate. This is known as the Nitrogen Cycle. Pond water containing fish waste and toxins enter The-Qube via the 4” water inlet (Gravity Fed) or 1.5” (Pump fed). Water then moves upwards to Bio-reactor one. Water then travel’s downwards through Bio-reactor one. On Leaving Bio-Reactor one water moves upwards and enters the U.v units. (600 & 800 units only) On exiting the U.V unit water passes through Bio-reactor two and exits through the bottom drainage back to the pond.

How is it fitted?

The-Qube is a watertight unit that can be fitted above the water level, level or below water levels in fact the Qube can be fitted almost anywhere. The-Qube is also pleasing to look at and can easily be disguised as an ornamental object. The units are only pressurised with water and allow water to flow freely through them. The-Qube comes complete with media and all necessary pipe work fittings to get you started, just simply plug and play. 

O.R.B.S - How Do They Work?

In Order for filter media to work efficiently it has to follow certain criteria. O.R.B.S (Oxygen reactive biological spheres) fulfils all of these and more. Its unique design allows for a massive surface area and is more than 80% more efficient than its leading rivals. O.R.B.S is also chemically resistant and fish safe Its surface is not smooth and has multiple cavities allowing nitrifying bacteria to colonise with ease. 

O.R.B.S has a specific gravity which allows it to be semi-buoyant. Also unlike other similar media O.R.B.S has been designed with a void space in mind. Once compacted by the water flow most other media’s fail to achieve their full potential, this is mainly because water cannot penetrate to all the surface area. O.R.B.S has overcome this problem with a row of E.V.Ps (external void protectors) these surround the centre of each sphere. Each sphere cannot totally close the gap to the next. This allows water to flow evenly around and through. 

Another important design feature is the media’s ability to self clean. Every time you backwash the media it rotates slothing off any dead bacteria this allows for new bacteria to colonise. The-Qube has been designed around the media; backwashing uses a small amount of water and can be carried out on a regular basis. All media start out being productive, over time organic waste builds up and reduces the nitrifying bacteria’s ability to remove toxins. Regular cleaning of the O.R.Bs media will prevent organic build up prolonging bacterial life.

What are Bio-Reactors?

Inside the unit’s bio-reactors hundreds of different species of bacteria will be colonising. Most of these are classified as Heterotrophic which actively breakdown organic waste into carbon dioxide. Most important of these are the nitrifying bacteria’s Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter which convert the toxins’ Ammonia and Nitrite into less harmless Nitrate. 

The-Qube’s are so much more efficient than filters which are much larger in capacity. Being a sealed unit the waste products from the pond oxidise at a much slower rate than filters, which are open to the atmosphere, and heavily aerated. This becomes more evident when cleaning these filters; you can have a heavy unpleasant odour similar to rotten eggs. The-Qube range eliminates these odours and prevents the build up of Hydrogen sulphide gases which are toxic to fish. Also adding heavy aeration to the media destabilises organic 

matter returning it to pond, this process is called de-particulation. 

The-Qube’s use a different method and actually particulate organic matter through its unique flow patterns. The cleaning process is the only time heavy aeration is added and de-particulation of the organic matter can take place. The cleaning process removes all the organic matter from the orbs 

and the liquid waste can be drained away. Another significant feature is the lack of Gnat larvae making 

The-Qube range ideal for indoor use (no flies or unpleasant smells). 

The unit’s second Bio-reactor has been designed with a central sliding tower array. The tower array slides down to keep the media in suspension. This prevents detritus from escaping the media bed. The water exits through a bottom drain; the bottom drain plate has the main air/water cleaning system integrated within it. This particular design enables total control over the cleaning cycle. 

What pumps can be used with The Qube?

The-Qube has been designed with low wattage pumps in mind. Low wattage pumps or recirculating pumps require a small head height and little resistance if they are to perform to their full potential. The Qube’s unique UV assembly allows clean water to flow through the filter to the Pump. The pond water 

is then pumped directly back to the pond without having to encounter resistance from the UV.