With it being just about impossible to make any improvements to a something as good as the bubble bead filter, in early 2003 they did just that.
The NEW BBF-XS series is now here with two MAJOR improvements in the design of the bead filter. All Bubble Bead Filters now have their own built-in stand and all fittings are now marine-grade aluminum fittings. Because of the outstanding quality of the filtration process, there were no changes to it.
The numbering system of the separate models has been changed. The old models represented the number of cubic feet of beads that the filter held. The new way of doing it is that the number of the BBF-XS series represents the number of gallons that can be handled by that particular filter. For example, the old BBF 1 is the same filter capacity as the new BBF-XS 2000.
Inside of the Bubble Bead Filter, the small beads in the bed work very well as a physical filter and provide a high specific surface area for bio-film growth and development. The beads used in the "bead" filters are spherical - approximately 1/8" in diameter. Each bead is made from food-grade, low-density polyethylene plastic. The standard floating beads provide a large surface area for bacterial growth, about 400 square feet of surface area for every cubic foot of beads. The beads are durable and NEVER have to be replaced. Bubble-washed bead filters can be operated with even a small submersible pump commonly used with ponds. The filters are equipped with a specially designed body, which forces the beads to fluidize as they are scrubbed by bubbles, which are literally sucked into the filter when the filter is drained. The cleaning process is designed to remove captured solids without damaging the sensitive bio-films responsible for nitrification. Bubble Bead filters have been sized by the maximum amount of food (dry pellets) that is put in the pond on a daily basis. Approximately One cubic foot of beads in a bead filter can provide complete solid capture and nitrification for a feeding rate about 1 pound of dry pellets per day (based on an average protein level of 35%). The 2000 thru 10000 are made from polypropylene, the 12000 and 20000 are fiberglass bodies.
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