Installation & Operating Instructions

Note: Please read this manual thoroughly before installation and operation

Manufactured by Evolution Aqua Ltd. Evolution House, Kellet Close, Wigan, WN5 0LP Tel: +44 (0) 1942 216554 Fax: +44 (0) 1942 216562 Web: www.evolutionaqua.com E-mail: info@evolutionaqua.com

Thank you for purchasing your new Eazy Podâ„¢ filter. We are sure you will be delighted with its performance. If you are unsure about anything, please consult your Evolution Aqua dealer or contact us.

The Eazy Pod filtration unit has been designed on the principles of high performance, minimum maintenance and a compact foot print. This design delivers optimum water quality by using Kaldnes K1 media. The concept of the Eazy Pod is based on the world renowned Nexus Eazy system -please see our website for full details - www.evolutionaqua.com

Eazy Pod Overview:

The concept is simple and yet innovative. Water enters via the inlet A (fig. 1) and enters the outer chamber B, which runs around the entire circumference of the Pod. Between B and the central chamber C, is a stainless steel perforated screen.  These perforations are situated in the lower half of the screen and around its entire face.  This means that when the water passes from the outer to inner chamber (B to C), a downward flow is created.  This causes many of the larger solids to settle in the base of the outer chamber, due to the force of gravity.

The size of the perforations will not allow large mechanical waste to enter the central chamber, this acting as a fist stage mechanical filter.  The central chamber holds 30 liters of static K1 media.  As the water enters the central chamber, the fine smaller solids become entrapped in the K1. After passing through the K1 media, the clean water then rises and overflows into the inner return pipe D of the Pod. From here it returns to the pond via the return outlet E.

The Eazy Pod filtration system gives water quality and clarity that surpasses all expectations. The nature and volume of the K1 media means, that when static, apart from being a very efficient mechanical filter, there is more than enough surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize. Therefore on a smaller pond, the Pod is an excellent complete filter.

Please note that in normal running, the K1 has to be static – it is only moved during cleaning and maintenance. If the K1 is moved in normal operation, whether by air or by hand, all of the debris it has collected will be returned to the pond! The K1 is cleaned and moved by connecting an air pump to the airline in the Pod, which in turn goes to an air ring in the base of chamber C. This has small holes, which cause the K1 to move and therefore clean itself. During the cleaning cycle, the finer particles escape into chamber B from the K1. This wastewater can then be dumped via a 1.5 inch/40mm ball valve F.

Please check the table to make sure you run your Pod within the specified limits to achieve best results The ‘new’ Pod is truly multi-functional. It can be run in several different ways for different applications.

The Pod can be used:

• as a complete filter on a quarantine system
• as a pre-filter at the front of any new or existing system
• as a polisher at the end of any system • off a mid water feed to aid mechanical filtration • on a skimmer line as a mechanical filter

Remember that if you use the Pod solely as a mechanical filter, you will also get an enhanced biological benefit in your system.

Eazy Pod Specifications and Flow Rates

Follow this manual carefully and your filter will provide a perfect environment for your fish. One of the factors that can have a significant influence on our ponds is the turn over rate. This is the time that it takes for the total water volume of the pond to pass through the filter system once. On Eazy Pod ponds, where is used as the only filtration system, a total pond volume turn over of every 2 hours is found to be best. Therefore if you have a 10,000 litre koi pond, a flow rate of 5,000 litres per hour is ideal. On an ornamental pond of 20,000 litres, 10,000 litres per hour is the maximum flow rate and is ideal for that size and type of pond. The lower the flow rate you use, the better the performance will be - as long as it does not result in a turn over rate of more than two hours.

Max flow rate: 10,000 litres/hr 2,200 UK gallons/hr 2,640 US gallons/hr

 Max koi pond size: 10,000 litres / 2,200 UK gallons / 2,666 US gallons

Max ornamental pond size (goldfish, shubunkins etc): 20,000 litres / 4,400 UK gallons / 5,333 US gallons

Kaldnes K1: 30 litres Max feed rate: 100-120g per day

Recommended air pump: Airtech 40 or Airtech 40e

Pump Fed Systems (Water pumped into Pod and returned to pond by gravity)

The Eazy Pod filtration system can be set up in two ways, pump or gravity fed.

Please Note: The pump must not be placed on the base of the pond, as failure in the pipe work or connectors could lead to complete drainage of the pond. The pump should be raised high enough to leave sufficient water for the fish to survive, in the unlikely event that this occurs.

Gravity Fed Systems (Water gravity fed into Pod and returned to pond by pump)

Gravity feed users please note, you will have to alter return pipe D…see instructions page 5.

Installation Section (Pump + Gravity Fed)

• Preparation
• Installation Equipment
• Pump Fed Installation
• Gravity Fed Installation

Preparation

A base with level solid ground is required. It should be a minimum of 600mm x 600mm, to allow easy access to your valves and for maintenance purposes. Important: The Eazy Pod filter needs to be supported evenly on a level base (a paving flag is ideal). Failure to do so could cause damage when it is full of water.

Installation Equipment required:

1. Pond Pump. Please ensure that the pumps maximum actual flow rate is no more than the specified limits.
2. Air Pump for cleaning the Kaldnes K1 media. An Airtech 40 or 40 e is recommended.
3. A length of garden hose or braided pipe (10 mm inner diameter) to connect your air pump to the air ring in the Pod. Tip: When connecting to your air pump, cut an inch from the airline supplied on the Pod. Insert this into the hosepipe that connects to the air pump. This will help maintain the hosepipe’s rigidity when inserting it into the rubber connector and clip supplied with your air pump (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

5. Pipe work from the unit’s waste valves to the intended discharge point. This can be rigid pipe work or a simple flexible hose.

Pump Fed Installation

The Pod comes to you ready for a pump fed installation – all you need to do is fit the rubber connector (Fig.1.1)to outlet E. The unit should be situated at a height above the pond water level, to allow adequate gravity return to the pond (subject to the maximum performance of your chosen pump). The gravity return pipe work from the exit point of the Pod to the pond needs to be a minimum of 4 inches (90-115 mm external diameter) and should have no restrictions. Great care should be taken to ensure that no air locks are created within the gravity return pipe work. Downward returns with no bends are recommended. The pipe work from the pond pump to the inlet of the Pod will need to be connected to the 1.5 inch (40mm) slide valve G. The 4 inch / 90-115 mm (minimum) gravity return pipe work will need to be connected to the rubber adaptor E on the exit point of the Pod. This fitting when first connected to this pipe could appear too big (especially 90mm) – it will however reduce with the clip provided and make a tight seal – this is done with a screwdriver. The return pipe is then extended and returned to the pond or waterfall as required.

Gravity Fed Installation Section

IMPORTANT…For gravity fed installations, you will need to swap pipes D and E for eachother, (no cutting required) and change the configuration of the inlet, outlet fittings and valves.

The return pipe D although crucial for a pump fed system would impede a gravity unit when slight fouling of debris occurs in the Pod.

1. Remove the overflow assembly and safely store the 3 screws which secure it. Fig. 7
2. Remove the stainless steel perforated pipe by pulling gently. Fig. 8


Fig. 7

Fig. 8

3. Loosen the upper clip on the rubber connector Fig. 9
4. Invert the Pod and remove the 2 screws and plastic pipe support bracket Fig. 10
5. 

   Fig. 9

   Fig.10

6. Pull the pipe assembly from the Pod body. Fig. 11
7. NOTE – The return pipe D is part of a pipe assembly comprising of a 90 degree elbow and two lengths of pipe. The return pipe D (as delivered), is longer than the outlet pipe E. Turn the assembly around 180 degrees and replace the shorter length as the return pipe and the longer length as the exit pipe. You have now swapped E for D over for each other.


Fig. 11

Fig. 12

8. The assembly is refitted by pushing the shorter pipe through the inverted Pod’s central exit hole. Fig. 11
9. Tighten up the rubber connector to form a watertight seal, on the now shorter pipe D. Fig. 12
10. Refit the steel pipe with the perforations at the top, not at the bottom. Fig. 13

The Pod must be situated at pond water level. That is to say, that when the circulating pump is switched off, water is level with the overflow assembly. This level will lower when in operation. (see Fig. 14)

The 2 rubber connectors on the inlet and outlet ports must be swapped over so that on the inlet you will have the 4 inch (90-115mm) rubber connector E (Fig.1.1) to take your pipe work from the pond and on the outlet you will have the 1.5 inch (40mm) connector for your return pressure line.

The slide valve G is no longer necessary; however you could reposition it directly after your pump for maintenance use.

Recommendations:

It is important be able to isolate the Pod for maintenance purposes. Therefore we recommend that you install an isolating valve (4 inch / 90-115 mm slide or ball valve) on your inlet gravity line before the Pod.

Air Pump Installation (Pump + Gravity Fed)

Now that you have your Pod installed, you will need to connect your air pump to the Pod for the cleaning cycle. This will agitate the K1 so that the waste that has collected in the media can be removed from the system. We recommend an Airtech 40 or 40e.

The air pump is connected to the air ring inlet using a garden hose or braided pipe (10 mm inner diameter). The air ring inlet is positioned on the outside of the Pod. It is recommended that the air pump is positioned higher than the water level in the Pod to prevent water flowing back into the air pump when it is switched off. However, the air valve should be in the off position, and the air pump switched off or in use elsewhere when not in the cleaning mode.

Getting Started

Completely empty your bag of K1 into the inner chamber C. It is essential NEVER to remove or add any media other than the 30 litres supplied. Cleaning and maintaining the Pod will depend on flow rate, feed, stocking, blanket weed etc. A Pod on a summer pond with heavy blanket weed will need more frequent maintenance than a pond in December with no food fed. Be aware that any movement of the Pod’s K1 whilst the pond pump is in operation will dislodge the waste collected and will be sent back to the pond and clarity will suffer. If this does happen, the Pod will eventually remove this waste again in time. The cleaning regimes for both pump and gravity installations are listed below.

Please Note. A pump fed system will need cleaning when the water level in chamber B/C has risen and is close to the overflow assembly. A gravity fed system will need cleaning before the water level in chamber B has lowered by 4 inches / 100mm.

Dimensions

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Distributed by: Evolution Aqua Ltd Evolution House, Kellet Close, Wigan, WN5 0LP United Kingdom.

Contact

UK Sales: +44 (0) 1942 219 898

Technical: +44 (0) 1942 219872

Eazy Pod Guarantee

This product comes with a 2 year warranty, which is valid from date of purchase. Proof of purchase will be required. Any unauthorized repairs, modifications or alterations to this unit will invalidate the warranty. Evolution Aqua accepts no responsibility or liability due to accident, improper installation or misuse. Liability is limited to replacement of the defective parts. This guarantee is not transferable. It does not affect your statuary rights. If there is a warranty issue please contact Evolution Aqua’s Technical Service department. Claims for transport damage shall only be recognized if the damage is reported within 24 hours after delivery and confirmed by the carrier.

Evolution Aqua reserve the right to change this product specification without prior notice.

All products designed to ISO 9001 and manufactured to ISO 9000

Patent Information: GB2.293333B; WO/00 61258; PCT/GB01/05533; PCT/GB01/05549; 0750591; 0575314; 5,543,039; 5,458,779; 6126829; 689246; 2119893; 3183406

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