All Pond Solutions EF1+ User manual

ON
AQUARIUMEXTERNALFILTERS
EF1+ / EF2+ / EFX+
BUILT IN UV CLARIFICATI
EASY PRIMING SYSTEM
MULTI LAYER FILTRATION
TAP SHUT OFF SYSTEM
QUIET OPERATION
EASY TO MAINTAIN

To ensure your new external filter is set up and running correctly, and to prevent
anyaccidentaldamage orinjury, pleasereadandfollowthebelowinstructions
carefully before using your product.
SAFETY
IMPORTANT! Disconnect the mains electricity supply before attempting any installation/
maintenanceofanykind.Donotattempttomodifythisunitin anywayandonlyusethe
recommendedpartsforreplacement.
 Theexternalfiltershouldneverberundryasthiswillcausetheunitto overheat
andcausepermanent damage.
Allconnections must beearthed.
 Thepowercordofthisappliancecannotbereplaced;ifthecordis
damaged,theapplianceshouldbediscarded.Nevercutthecord.
Donotconnecttoanyvoltageotherthanthatstated.
Thisfilterissuitableforindoorhouseholdaquariumsonly(donotusein exterior
locations,swimmingpools,ponds, bathroomsetc).Donotplacein liquidsotherthan
water.
Donotusewithwaterabove90°For30°C.
Donotcarryorpulltheunitbyitselectricalcable.
Donotusethisunitifithasadamagedcordorplug,ifitismalfunctioning oritis
droppedordamagedinanymanner
Donotyankcordtopullplugfromoutlet.Grasptheplugandpullto disconnect.
Alwaysunpluganappliancefromanoutletwhennotinuse.
 Donotattempttomodifythisunitinanywayandonlyusethe
recommendedpartsforreplacement.
 Beforeinstalling,maintainingorhandlingyourequipment,orbeforeplacing yourhands
inyouraquarium,ensurethattheunitisdisconnectedfromthe electricitysupply.
Alwaysunpluganyelectricaldeviceswhennotinuse.
 Carefullyexamineyourfilterafterinstallation.Donotplugintheunittothe mainsif
thereiswateronanypartsnotintendedtobewet.

Thepowercablemusthaveadroploopto avoid
anycondensationbuildupreaching themains
(seediagram1).Iftheplugdoes get wet, DO
NOT unplug the cord. Disconnectthefuseor
circuitbreakerthat supplies power to the
appliance. Then unplugandexaminefor
presenceofwaterin receptacle.
 Carefully examine your filter after installation. Donot
plugintheunittothemainsifthereis wateronany
partsnotintendedtobewet.
 Iftheunitshowsanysignsofwaterleakage,
disconnectthepowersupplycordfromthe wall
socketandconsultAllPondSolutionsor the
retaileryoupurchasedthisunitfromfor further
advice.
 Iftheplugorunitdoesgetwet,DON'Tunplugthecord.First,disconnect thecircuit
breakerorfusethatsuppliespowertotheappliance.Next, unplugandinspect
forwaterpresenceinthereceptacle.
 Toavoidinjury,donottouchhotormovingpartssuchas,butnotlimitedto, heaters,
reflectors, UVbulbsorimpellers.
Pleasenote–thisappliancecanbeusedbychildrenagedfrom8yearsand
aboveand
personswithreducedphysical,sensoryormentalcapabilitiesorlack of experience and
knowledge, provided they are given supervision and instruction concerning use of
the appliance and understand the hazards involved.Childrenmustnotplaywiththe
appliance.Anymaintenancemustnot bemadebychildrenwithoutsupervision.

INSTALLATION &USE
Pleasereadthebelowinstructionscarefullybeforebeginningtosetupyour filter.DO
NOTCONNECTTHEUNITTOTHEMAINSUNTILSETUPIS COMPLETEAND
UNITISFILLEDWITHWATER.
Important installation information:
 Thebaseoftheunitmust NOT bemorethan1.4m(4.5ft)belowthetank water
level.
 Thewaterlevelmust NOT bemorethan17cm(7inches)belowthetankrim.
ItisessentialtopositionyourexternalfilterBELOWyouraquarium.
ThegreenhosemustbekepttautwithnoloopsandfollowaSTRAIGHT LINE from
thefiltertotherimoftheaquarium.Ifthehosingistoolongthe filterWILLNOT
WORKCORRECTLY.
 Theinletpipeshould NOT bepositionedtooclosetoanairstone,aeration deviceor
theoutputvalvetoavoidreducingtheeffectiveness ofthefilter.
Thisunitcomescompletewithageneroussupplyof3corecable,however shouldany
additionalcableberequired,theuseofanapprovedwaterproof cableconnectorwitha
properratingisessential.Acordratedforlessamperes orwattsthantheappliance
ratingmayoverheat.
PleaseEnsure:Thepowersupplymustbeearthedandfusedat3amps. Regularly
inspectthecablefordamageanddeterioration.Consultaqualified electricianifin
doubtaboutanyaspects ofwiring.

Unpack the unit and identify all parts using the parts diagram in this manual.
1. AttachtheEFtaptothefilterhead,pullupthetaphandletoallowinsertion (1),push
thetapintotheheadtaparea(2),fastenthetapintoplaceusingthe tap handle(3).
2. Unclampallfourheadandbodyclipsandseparatethefilterheadfromthe filter
body.
3. Takeoutthefiltermediasecureplateandpulloutthefiltermediabaskets usingthe
handlesprovided.Usingthebaskets,rinseyourfiltermediaunderthe tapuntilitrunsclear.
Onceyouhavedonethisyoushouldplacetherinsed basketsandfiltermediaback
insidethefilterwiththefiltermediasecureplate atthetop.Beforereplacingthemotor
headonthefilter,fillyourfilter3/4full withwaterfrom youraquarium.
4. Placethemotorheadback ontop of the unit.
5. Shutbothofthemotorheadleversdownandfastenthebucklestotheside of the
filter.
6. CheckthattheEFtapisshuttoavoidleakage(leverdown),andensureyour pipework
issetup as pertheSetUpDiagram
Fityourhosetoyouraquariumsoastheinlethoseisfittedtotheoverflow pipe andthe
outlethoseisfittedtothespraybaraspertheSetUpDiagram.Please ensureyour
aquariumwaterlevelishighenoughtocoverallinletandoutlet pipeworkconnection
points,asotherwiseyoucanletairintothefiltersystem whichwillstopitfrom priming
properly.
Youmayneedtocutoffanyexcesshosingtoensurethehoseisnotslackor causes
looping.Ensurethatthehosefollowsastraightlinefromthecanisterto youraquariumand
itsintakeconnectionpointisapproximately7.5cm(3inches) belowthewaterline.Itis
advisabletoallowasmallsurplusbeforecuttingthe hose–youcanalwayscutthehose
furtherduringfinalinstallation.Thisis extremelyimportantasifthehoseistoolong,the
filtermaynotoperate correctly.
IMPORTANT! –the'cut'sideofthehosemustalwaysbeconnectedtotheinlet andoutlet
pipeworkconnectionpoints,NOTtotheinlet / outlettaphose adapters.Thecutendof
thehosingmustalsobekeptunderwatertoensurea watertight seal.

Youmustalsomakesurethatthestraineronyourinletpipeworkisatleast 7.5cm(3
inches)fromthebottomofthetank.Ifyourwaterintakepipeistoo long,youwillneedto
cutthepipewithahacksawtothedesiredlength, beforereplacingthestrainer.Onceitis
correctlypositioned,securethesuction cupagainstthe tank glasstoholdinplace.
7. Onceyouhaveyourfilterinplaceanditshosessecurelyattachedtoyour aquarium
youarereadytoprimethefilter.Usingthepalmofyourhand,push thebluebutton
directlyontopofthemotorheadasfardownasitwillallow youtoandrepeatif
necessary,untiltheoutputhosehasfilledwithwater.You arenowreadytoplugyour
externalfilterin.
IMPORTANT! –topreventanydamagetoyouunit,ensurethecanisteris
completelyfullofwaterbeforetheunitisswitchedon.
Watershouldflowconstantlyfromtheoutput–ifitdoesNOT,checkto confirm
thefollowing:
Thecanistercoveris fullyclosed
Anykinksorslack inthehosehavebeenremoved
 Thewaterlevelinthetankisnotmorethan17.5cm(7inches)belowthe tank rim
 Thebaseoftheunitisnotmorethan1.4m(4.5ft)belowthetankwater level
 Thereisnoairbubblingorwaterescapingfromwherethewaterintake orreturn
pipesareconnectedtothehose
Thehoseadaptersarefixedsecurelyintothefiltermotorhead.
 Theinletpipeissecurelyattachedtotheaquariumwallwiththesuction cup
E F 1 + / E F 2 + E F X +

SET UP DIAGRAM
MAINTENANCE
Toensureoptimalperformanceandthatyourunitfunctionscorrectly,regular maintenance
isessential.Failuretodosomayresultindamagetoyourunitand mayinvalidateyour
warranty.
Werecommendthataregularcleaningandmaintenance scheduleisfollowedto ensure
responsiblefishkeeping.Dependingonwatervolumeandstockinglevels, regularcleaningof
thefiltermedia,foams,impeller,inlet/outletpipeworkduringa 10-25%waterchangewillhelp
ensurethattheproductworksefficiently andthe aquarium remainshealthy.

information below:
1 MONTH
3 MONTHS
6 MONTHS
ANNUALLY
Impeller
Clean & Inspect
Replace
Ceramic Shaft
Clean & Inspect
Replace
All Pipework
Clean & Inspect
Green Hose
Clean & Inspect
O-Rings
Clean & Inspect
Lubricate &
Clean
Replace
Filter Foams &
Other Media
Clean & Inspect
Replace
Carbon
Replace*
Filter Maintenance
IMPORTANT!Iftheunitisswitchedoffensuretheoutlet/unittapisclosed.
Ingeneral,itisrecommendedtodisconnectyourfilterandcleanthepipes, impeller
andfiltermediamonthly.Pipeworkwillbecomeblockedwithwaste andproteinslime
overtime,soregularcleaningisimportantforoptimal performance.
Thefrequencyofhowoftenyouwillneedtocleanandinspectyourunitof coursewill
dependonalotoffactorslikehowdirtythewateriswhenyoufirst startusinganexternal
filter,thevolumeofyourwaterandalsohowmanyfish youhave.Howoftenyoufeedyour
fishandhowlongyourlightingisonforwill alsoaffect howquicklyyouraquariumwater
getsdirtyandwillneedtobetaken intoconsiderationwhenplanninghowoftentoclean
yourexternalfilter.
ItisvitalthatO-ringsareregularlyinspectedandreplacedastherubber
Beforereplacing
youro-rings,ensuretheyarewelllubricated.

Impeller andShaft
Acloggedimpellerisoftentheprimarycauseofallfilterfaults,soitisextremely important
to clean and inspect your impeller every month to ensure it is functioningcorrectly
andremoveanydebris.Keepingtheimpellercleanwill improvetheperformanceofyour
filterandlengthenthelifeofthemotor.The impelleritselfisaperishablepartandwillbe
subjecttowearandtearovertime. Asaresult,itisalsoveryimportanttoreplaceyour
impellerandceramicshaft annually.
Togainaccessandcleanyourimpellerand shaft
openupthefilter(disconnectthepipes andturnthe
filteroff).Youshouldbeableto then see the
impeller through an impeller guardinthemiddle
ofthemotorhead.Turn theimpellerguardandpull
itawayandoutof
themotorhead-youwillthenhavefull
accesstotheimpellerandshaft.
E F 1 + / E F 2 + E F X +
Simplywashthisandcleanthiswithyouraquariumwater(fromawaterchange)
-whilstdoingthisyouwillbeabletocheckthattheimpellerandshaftareboth ingood
condition.Whenreturningthistothemotorheadensurethisisseated correctly with the
two rubbers on either end of the shaft (sometimes the rubbersstayintheholesthat
theyfitintoandwillnotbeobviouslyevidentwhen firstremovingtheimpellerandshaft).
Note: Handletheceramicshaftwithcareasthiscanbreakveryeasilyduringthe cleaning
process.
Filter Media
Thefiltermediaprovidedwithyourexternalfilterandtherepositioningwithin themedia
traysaredesignedtogivecompleteandoptimumfiltrationforyour tank:

BOTTOM MEDIA
TRAY
Ceramic Rings
Mechanic Filtration
Removes small
waste particles from
the water.
MIDDLE MEDIA TRAY
Bio Balls
Biological Filtration
Creates environment
for nitro-bacteria to
cultivate and help
oxygenate the water.
TOP MEDIA TRAY
Activated Carbon
Chemical Filtration
Removes soluble
waste, chlorine and
cultivates nitro-
bacteria.
IMPORTANT! Alwaysusewaterfromyourfishtanktocleanyourfiltermedia.Do notuse
mainswateroranycleaningproductstocleanyourmedia.
Thesuggestedfiltermediaorderisceramicringsatthebottom,bioballsinthe middleand
activecarbonatthetopwithonebiochemicalcottonineachtray, providingmechanical,
biologicalandchemicalfiltrationasthewaterflowsup through the mediabaskets.
Pleaseremembertochangeyouractivatedcarbonatleastevery2-3monthsas afterthis
timeitispossiblethatthecarboncanhaveanegativeeffectonyour aquariumasthevery
wasteitremovescanbereleasedfromthecarbonback into theaquarium.
Whencleaningmechanicalorbiologicalmedia, NEVER rinsewithtapwateror useany
soapordetergent,onlyyouraquariumwater.Thebesttimetorinseyour filterfoams,bio
ballsandceramicringsthroughiswhendoinga10 / 20%water changeasyoucanuse
thiswatertowashthemediathrough.
Whenreplacingmediainyourfilter,donotreplacemorethan50%ofyour mediaat
once.Thisistoensurethatthenitrifyingbacteriapresentintheold mediaareableto
repopulateinthenewlyaddedfiltermedia.
Draining YourFilter
Shouldyouneedtodrainyourfilterformaintenanceorrepairpurposes,please follow the
stepsbelow:
1.Closetheinlet
/ outlettapbyliftingtheleverallthewayup.Thissealsoffthe inputand
outputhosingconnections,keepingthevacuumneededinorderto restartthefilter
withoutpriming.

2. Unplugthepowercordfromthemains.
3. Removethehoseadapterbyliftingthehoseadaptersecuringbuckleand pulling
theadapteroutofthemotorhead.
4. Holdingthecanisteratthebase,moveittoaflatstablesurfacenearasinkor other
drain.(Besuretoholduprighttoavoidspillages.)
5. Toopentheunit,unfastenthe2bucklesthataresituatedatthefrontand backofthe
filterthenliftthe2leversthatareattachedtotheleftandrightsides ofthemotorhead.On
doingthisthemotorheadwillliftawayfromtheunit.Set aside.
6. Holdingthemediabasketsinplace,tiltthecanisteroverthesinkordrain,and pourout
asmuchwateras possible.
7. Yourmediaandfoamswillbesaturatedwithwater.Liftthefiltermedia baskets
outofthecanisterandplacetheminyoursinkoralargebucket.
8. Rinsetheinsideofthecanisterwithclearaquariumwater.NEVERusetap water,or
soapordetergents,whencleaningyourunitorrinsingmedia.
9. Rinsetheinsideoftheprimingcylinderwithclearaquariumwater.Makesure nodebris
istrappedinsidethecylinder.
10. Whenyouarereadytoreconnectyourfilter,reinsertthefiltermediatrays and
repositionbeneathyouraquarium.Beforereplacingthemotorheadonthe filter,fillyour
filter3/4fullwithwaterfromyouraquarium.Placethemotorhead backontopoftheunit,
shutbothofthemotorheadleversdownandfastenthe bucklestothesideofthefilter.Fit
thehoseadapterbackintothemotorhead andre-fastenit usingthesecuringbuckle.
11. Topupyouraquariumtankwaterlevelfromanywaterused.
12. Reconnectthe powercordtothemains.

CheckregularlythatyourUVbulbisoperationalbylookingattheUVindicator locatedon
topoftheEFfilterheadnexttotheUVswitch.
NEVER look directly at the UV light.
When replacing your UV bulb, use this time to clean your quartz
sleeveandcarefullyexamineforanydamageorcracks. Takecare
whenhandlingthequartzsleeveandUVbulbto avoidanydamage
totheglass.
Pleasenote: theUVbulbshouldbereplacedevery6months evenif
thebulbisstillworking.DoingthiswillensuretheUV operates
effectively at alltimes.
1. TurntheUVquartzuntilyoucanseetheUVquartzclipsline upwith
thegaps,pullthequartzawayfromtheEFfilterhead.
2. Remove UVbulband replace.
3. Re-inserttheUVquartzandturntolockinplace.

No Filter Operation / Water Flow
 Alwaysensurethepowerhasbeenturnedon.
 Checkthatyourimpellerandshaftareseatedcorrectlyandnot damaged
inanyway.
 Ensuretheimpellerisfreeofanytypeofblockageandcanrotatefreelyinside the
motorhead.
 Checkcablefordamage-ifdamageisevident,unplugtheunitanddonotusetheEF.
Donotattempttofix,consultanelectricianorotherqualified person. Replacefuse
ifnecessary.
 Checkallhosing(part7)andpipeworkareconnectedcorrectly,airtightandunrestricted.
 ChecktheEFfilterbody(part5),filtermedia,hosing(part7)andallpipework forabuild
upofrestrictivewasteandcleanifrequired.
No Water Is Coming Out Of My Filter
Causes:
 Theimpellerisblocked-pleaserefertotheimpellermaintenancesection
above.
 Thereisnowaterinthefilterbody
 Thefilterisnotswitchedon.
 Theinletpipe isclogged.
Solutions:
 Useasmalljugandscoopsomewaterfromthesurfaceofyourtankandpourinto
thefilterbody.
 Checkyourfilterispluggedintothemainsandisswitchedon.
 Removethefilterfromyourtankandcleantheinletpipe.

If the UV indicator on top of the EF filter head is not lighting up, disassemble
the EF and remove the UV bulb from the EF filter head. Visuallyinspectthe
bulbtocheckthatnofilamentshavebrokeninsidethe UVbulb.
Re-insert the UV bulb, ensuring that it is seated correctly in its holder and re-
assembletheEF.TesttheUVbulbagainbypressingtheredswitchon topoftheEF
filterhead.
IftheUVindicatorisstillnotlightingup,itisrecommendedtotryanewUV bulb.
IftheUVindicatorstilldoesnotlightupwithanewUVbulbinserted,we
recommendyoucontactthesupplieroftheEFfilter.

Why Is My Aquarium Water Cloudy?
Causes:
 Bacterialblossom-Asthenewaquariumgoesthroughtheinitial break-in
cycle,thewatercanbecomecloudyoratleastalittlehazy.It mighttakeseveral
weekstoestablishbeneficialbacterialcoloniesthat areabletoclearwastefrom
thewater.Overtime,thatcloudinesswill resolveitself.Decayingplantsor
excessfoodthatremainsuneatencan also cause the cloudy water seen in
bacterial bloom. Keep the aquarium clean by removing any decaying plants
and uneaten food, vacuumingthegravelregularly,andperformingpartialwater
changes. ItisalsoagoodideatoinvestinaUVsteriliser,whichsimplykillsthe
microorganismscreatingthecloudyaquariumwaterproblemand helpsto
controlalgaeissues.
 Gravelresidue -Ifthewateriscloudyimmediatelyorwithinanhourortwooffilling
thetank,it'sprobablyduetoinsufficientlywashedgravel. Drainthetankand
rinsethegraveluntilthewaterrunsclear.That should resolve theproblem.
 Dissolvedconstituents-ifwashingthegraveldoesn'tsolvethe problem,the
nextmostlikelycauseofcloudywaterinanewlyfilled tankisahighlevelof
dissolvedconstituents,suchasphosphates, silicates,orheavymetals.Ifyou
testthewater,you'lllikelyfindthatthe pHishigh(alkaline).Inthesecases,treating
thewaterwithconditioners willoftenresolvetheproblem.
Other things to try:
Ÿ Reducefeeding.Overfeedingintroducesalotoforganicwasteandis oneofthe
maincausesforcloudywaterproblems.
 Donotperformlargewaterchangesastheycanseverelyaffectthe balanceof
theaquariumleadingtoafurtherdeteriorationofthewater quality.
 Aseverelyoverstockedaquariumwillresultinexcesswastesoconsider yourfish
population.Werecommendtonotexceed1inchoffishper3.7 litres of aquarium
water.
Why Is My Aquarium Water Green?
Causes:
Toomuchlight-Reducetheamountoftimethelightsareon,and movethe
aquariumtoalocationoutofdirectsunlight.Thiswillreduce the
photosynthesisthatallowsthealgaetogrow.

andfrom
thewatersource.Ifyourwaternaturallyhasahighlevelof phosphate,youwill
needtouseaphosphateremovertotreatitafter
give yourfish.
Nitrates-Astheamountoffishwasterisessodothenitrates.Make
adequate for
youraquariumsizeanddonotoverstockit.
CheckiftheUVlightisworking.

 Checkthatyourimpellerandshaftareseatedcorrectlyandnot damaged
inanyway.
 Ensuretheimpellerisfreeofanytypeofblockageandcanrotatefreelyinside the
motorhead.
Priming Problems
Ifairremainstrappedinthesystemafterinitialsetup,pleaserestartthe processand
followtheseguidelines:
 Checkallhosingandpipeworkisconnectedcorrectly,airtightand
unrestricted.
 ReinserttheInlet/Outlettap(part1)tobesureitissecurelyinstalledandset to open
(leverdown).
 EnsureallInlet / Outletpipeworkconnectionpointsarefullysubmergedwhilst
priming.
 FilltheEFfilterbody(part5)withaquariumwater,thiswillaidtheprimingof the EF.
 PrimetheEFwithoutthesurfaceskimmer(part15)attached-thiscanbere- attached
afterpriming.
 EnsuretheEFfilterbody(part5)isnotoverstockedwithmediaandfoamasthiscan
restrictwaterflowandaffect theprimingfunction.
The Water In My Aquarium Is Dirty
Causes:
 Thebeneficialbacteriahavenotyetestablishedinyournewfilter.
 Yourfilterisnotthecorrectsizeforyouraquariumsetup.
 Youhavetoomanyfishforyoursizefilter.
 Yourfiltermediamaybedirty.
Solutions:
 Yourfishtankcantakeupto3weekstosuccessfullycycle.Youmay alsowant
toaddabacteriastarttreatmenttoyourtanktospeedupthis process.
 Youmayneedtoupgradetoalargerfilter.Forreference,youshouldallow 1gallon
ofwaterper1inchoffishinyouraquarium.
 Followtheinstructionsinthemaintenancesectionabove.
 Ifyouhavenotyetdoneso,youmayalsoneedtocarryoutmoreregular
waterchangesinyourtank.