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 HINTS
AND TIPS ON INSTALLING YOUR
'EstroSieve'
Your 'EstroSieve' is capable of efficient removal of particles from pond
water, yet it only takes up a fraction of the space of typical vortex
units or brush chambers. Water-flow constantly rinses dirt off the main
section of the sieve element, and so reduces blocking. By lifting out
dirt particles and retaining them above water level, less nutrients
dissolve in the water, and algae growth can be reduced. There is also
the added benefit of high levels of aeration as the water passes through
the sieve.
This makes the EstroSieve ideal for
use as a pre-strainer before pumping to an external filter (e.g. a
Bubble Bead filter). The unit can alternatively be used following other
forms of filtration, to provide a final polish to the water.
3 The large and standard sizes of
EstroSieve showing the inlet and outlet and the cable gland for optional
mounting of a pump within the unit.
ASSEMBLY
The unit may have been supplied with the outlet fittings packed inside, if
so:
1) Remove the sieve element to give access to the sump of the unit.
2) Place one washer over the threads of the outlet fitting and
position the fitting by inserting the threaded end through the hole cut
in the side of the unit. Place the other washer over the threads on the
inside of the filter, before threading on the locking nut. It does not
matter if the plastic washer is on the inside and the rubber washer on
the outside, or vice versa. However, to reduce the risk of distorting
the rubber washer, tighten the fitting by rotating the part next to the
plastic washer, whilst holding the section by the rubber washer
stationary.
3) Fix the cable gland in place, with the locking nut on the inside
of the sump. Only remove the centre grommet if a cable is to be fitted.
SIEVE ELEMENTS
Various sieve elements are available for the unit with differing spacing
between the blades. The spacing are measured in microns (μ) (100 micron
= 0.1 mm). Currently the versions available are:
100, 150 and 200 micron – for fine particle removal (200 μ supplied as
standard) 300 and 600 micron – for medium particle removal. The coarser
elements are ideal for use as a pre-strainer before Bubble Bead units,
and will maximise the time intervals between sieve maintenance. Please
ensure that the element supplied with the unit is the appropriate one
for the intended purpose. This is important as your supplier may unable
to exchange the element for you once it has been used. Ensure that the
sieve is pushed firmly down into the unit so that water flows over the
weir and onto the sieve. (99% of the water passes through the sieve. To
catch the last 1% you could fit an extra seal of split 6 -12mm hose to
the lower edge of the sieve, and/or a seal of
split airline pipe to the sides of the sieve, or fix a strip of butyl onto
the side support runners.)
SITTING – GRAVITY-FED OPTIONS
N.B. Site the EstroSieve so that the top flange is only slightly higher (
5 - 10 mm ) than the typical pond water level. Water is then gravity fed
into the unit, directly from the pond. The pool water level should not
be allowed to drop more than 85 mm below the top of the unit. This
should not be a problem if an automatic top-up system is installed on
the pond.
Beside-Pond Option:
The EstroSieve is mounted outside the pond, and fed by gravity from a
bottom drain and/or a side inlet fitted into the pond lining. Ensure
that the unit and pipework are sufficiently supported to prevent
movement. Optionally, fit a valve to the linking pipe to enable the
EstroSieve to be easily isolated for maintenance of the pump or integral
flow regulator. If the unit is fed by both a side drain and a bottom
drain, two separate valves may be required to control the flow between
them e.g. water from the side drain in the winter months and water from
the bottom drain during the rest of the year.
5 Beside-Pond Option
In-Pond Option:
The unit can be mounted inside the pond. This overcomes the need to make
inlet holes in the pond lining, and is a good option when the unit is
being retro-fitted to an existing pond where through-liner fittings
would be awkward to add. The unit fits most neatly into a corner of the
pool. Where this option is chosen, the unit will need to be fixed
particularly firmly to prevent movement – especially the risk of it
rising in the pond water as the pump starts to empty water out of the
sump.
•Bolt a frame to the top flange of the unit and firmly fix this frame to
the pool surrounds e.g. to the deck edging or coping, or into the wall
of the pond above water level.
•The frame used can be stainless steel, hardwood, or a suitably treated
and sealed softwood.
•Ensure that the frame does not obstruct the removal of the sieve element
and round-off or protect any sharp edges that might cause injury. e.g.
Exposed sections of the top flange of the 'EstroSieve' can be masked
with a split section of flexible 12 mm hose.
4 In-Pond Option showing
the positioning with respect
to the pool water level
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SITTING – PUMP-FED OPTION
An alternative sitting option is to position the unit above the pool level
and pump water into the unit. Water then returns by gravity into the
pool e.g. down a cascade. This is an option when the EstroSieve is being
used as a final polish to the water returning from a filter system to
the pond e.g. with a fine sieve. The gravity-fed options are to be
preferred when feeding dirty water directly from the pond.
INLET PLUMBING
The 110 mm stainless steel inlet can be adapted to standard koi-pond
piping fittings. Use a socket type fitting:
• A sealant must be used when plumbing the unit outside of the pond:
Aquarium silicon sealant acts as a waterproof gap filler between the
stainless steel and plastic socket fitting and can usually be peeled off
at a later date if required. Low modulus polyurethane sealants give a
more permanent seal
( e.g. 'Everfix Polyurethane 40' ; 'Polyfix-LM' ).
• Ring-seal sockets can be used (however, these are not always 100%
effective)
• A simple push-fit is acceptable on 'in-pond' fittings
• Keep pipe runs as short and level as possible; where necessary use
swept bends or 45° bends rather than 90° knuckle bends.
• Some form of guard must be used to prevent fish from being drawn into
the unit. Koi-pond bottom drains will keep all but the smallest fish
out.
3 For side feeds a koi-pond domed filter-feed keeps fish out
and is less vulnerable to clogging than grills.
4 An alternative for side feeds
is a tee and twin cowling which draws water from both the base and upper
layers of the pool.
3 A 110 mm cowling grill is a cheap and simple alternative, though
this will need checked more frequently if blanket weed is present, or if
there is a high flow through the pipework.
PUMPS
Where the EstroSieve is gravity fed, the water is pumped out and on to the
next stage of filtration. A submersible pump is mounted inside the unit,
and the supply cable can run out through the cable gland. A number of
types of sump-style pump will fit inside the base of the EstroSieve,
under the sieve element, and draw water from the sump of the unit. Other
types of submersible pool pump will often fit inside the unit, but may
require the removal of bulky outer strainer cases, if fitted. In all
cases where the pump is not drawing water from the base, the inlet will
need to be adapted so that air cannot be drawn from the water surface
(see the diagrams overleaf). An optional plastic moulding is available
to fit over the pump and under the sieve, that directs water flow evenly
to the sump and reduces splashing and air bubbles. Make sure that any
pump fitted inside the unit does not obstruct the function of the float
assembly.
All pumps must be earthed and have
appropriate RCD protection.
3Remove any foam strainers and bulky outer strainer casings as these are
not essential
3
To prevent pumps with side-inlets from drawing in air from the surface,
fit a simple bend or manifold to draw in water from the base. Pumps
suited to external use can be mounted outside the EstroSieve and plumbed
to draw water from the sump area below the sieve element. Use with a
manifold assembly as shown above.
OUTLET PLUMBING
The pipe from the pump can be fed through the outlet. This is supplied
with a fitting, which is either 90mm or 110mm external (according to
your suppliers specifications):
• For solid pipe, use internal reducers (e.g. 75 > 50mm) to gap-fill
between the pipe and the fitting.
• The fitting can be capped and the
cap drilled to take the necessary hose tails , tank connector, or solid
pipe. Alternatively, internal adaptors are available to reduce the
outlet to a smaller thread & hose tail. Your dealer should be able
to help you with the necessary fittings.
OTHER TIPS:
Achieve maximum flow through the unit by keeping pipe
restrictions, bends and cowlings to a minimum. Typical max.
flow rates are in the region of 2,000 - 2,500 gph. Use a simple ventilated
cover over the unit to keep out leaves, and keep out light that
encourages algae growth.
MAINTENANCE:
•Regularly check gravity-feed inlets and remove any
obstructions e.g. blanket weed or leaves.
• Keep the pond topped up to the correct level.
•Periodically lift out the sieve element and rinse dirt to waste. Regular
cleaning of the sieve element removes solids from the system and so
lowers nutrient loading and algae growth. A thorough clean of the sieve
element once or twice a year (e.g. in a dishwasher) will remove more
persistent biological slime.
•Check that the integral flow regulator and float have not become fouled.
Check particularly that grit has not become lodged around the float
spindle in the inlet chamber.
4 For further information, contact
Barry as always willing to help.
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