G
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a Little Giant BioVort™ Filter. This instruction sheet will
provide you with all of the information required to safely own and operate your new Little Giant
filter. The filter you have purchased is made of the highest quality workmanship and material.
It has been engineered to give you long and trouble free service. Only minimal maintenance
of cleaning the filter element should be required. Please read the entire instruction sheet
before installing, so that you may be able to note any special circumstances that your
installation may require.
The BioVort™ filters are primarily designed for use in an out-of-pond installation. When
installed correctly and matched with the correct pump, the BioVort™ will provide filtration
through mechanical, organic, and biological means. The filters contain a screened bag
element that is filled with a zeolyte/activated carbon mixture that will assist in removing
ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. In addition to the element, each filter contains a screened
bag of bio-media to aid in the formation of helpful biological growth. Depending upon the
filter model, the filter will contain both fine and course meshed filter pads to aid in the filtra-
tion of the pond. Filter models FC-1200 and FC-2400 contain a specially designed separator
that helps in diverting water evenly over the filter pads. This separator also helps to keep the
larger debris from causing blockages on the filter pads.
The filter should run 24 hours a day to be fully effective in removing green water and clear-
ing the pond.
Recommended pond size and gallon per hour (GPH) flow rate for each filter:
MODEL NUMBER (FILTER)
RECOMMENDED MAX
POND SIZE (GALLONS)
RECOMMENDED FLOW
RATE (GPH)
FC-800
800
500-1000
FC-1200
1200
1000-2000
FC-2400
2400
1500-3000
For larger ponds and water features, larger, higher volume pumps are needed. When the
pump performance exceeds the recommended flow rate, it is necessary to bypass the filter,
rather than using the entire pump capacity. Little Giant’s dual discharge pump is ideal for
accomplishing this task.
If using a fountainhead or waterfall, please note the flow rate (GPH) into the filter will be
higher than the flow rate (GPH) out of the filter, due to restrictions caused by the fittings on
the filter. To measure the filter output (GPH) the following procedure can be used: Using
a 5 gallon bucket and a stop watch, track the time it takes to fill the 5 gallon bucket with
the water coming from the filter discharge. The following formula can be used to determine
the flow in GPH if using this technique: (60 divided by number of seconds to fill bucket x 5
gallons x 60 minutes) = flow in gallons per hour. Example: If it took 15 seconds to fill the 5
gallon bucket then: (60/15) x 5 x 60 = 1200 gallons per hour.
Little Giant products are carefully inspected and packaged to ensure safe operation and deliv-
ery. When you receive your product, examine it carefully to determine that there are no broken
or damaged parts that may have occurred during shipment. If damage has occurred, make
notation of the damaged part and notify the firm from which you purchased the product. They
should be able to assist you in repair or replacement of the product. If not, please do not hesi-
tate to contact Little Giant Customer Service at 1-888-956-0000. Please have the model number
and catalog number of the product before you call to speed up the process of assisting you.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
NEVER ENTER A POND WITH ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE PLUGGED IN. ALWAYS UNPLUG OR
SWITCH OFF THE BREAKER(S) TO ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES CONNECTED TO THE POND.
DO NOT HANDLE PUMP WITH WET HANDS OR WHEN STANDING ON A WET OR DAMP
SURFACE, OR IN WATER.
TO AVOID ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD, UNPLUG THE PUMP BEFORE SERVICING FILTER.
INSTALLATION
Unit should NOT be installed with pumps or water sources that generate a pressure greater than
10 psi. Pressures of 10 psi or above could cause permanent damage to the filter housing.
The construction of the BioVort™ filter varies slightly from one model to the next. Please
proceed to the section of the manual that applies to the BioVort™ filter that has been pur-
chased. Water enters the BioVort™ filter on the bottom and exits from the top.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Screwdriver, adjustable wrench, Teflon
®
tape, and flexible tubing or rigid PVC pipe for
connecting filter to pump and other water features.
VERIFYING THE PARTS
1. Remove the filter kit from carton and verify all of the parts have been supplied: See
Figure 2 depending upon the filter model. If any parts are lost or broken please make
notation and notify the firm from which you purchased the product. They should be
able to assist you in repair or replacement of the product. If not, please do not hesitate
to contact Little Giant Customer Service at 1-888-956-0000. Please have the model
number and catalog number of the product before you call to speed up the process
of assisting you.
RINSING THE ELEMENT
2. It is important to rinse the filter element before using, to remove any excess dust.
First, remove the band clamp from the BioVort™ filter. For FC-800 models, remove
the single band clamp from the filter. For FC-1200 and FC-2400 models, remove
the upper band clamp (this should be the clamp that is closest to the to the wire
handle that is used when lifting the filter).
3. Once the band clamp is removed, lift off the canister lid and remove the element. Make
note of the seal located in the groove.
4. The element can be rinsed by using a bucket filled with water or simply laid out on con-
crete or a rock path and rinsed with a garden hose. Do not rinse the element for more
than 2 or 3 minutes. A new element will always emit a small amount of dust.
5. Once the element is rinsed, re-install element and screen plate. Apply a thin coat of
lubricant to the seal to ease assembly. Make sure that the seal is located in the
sealing groove. Re-apply the lid and tighten the band clamp.
PLACING THE FILTER
NOTE:
Placing the filter in direct sunlight all day will result in elevated temperatures inside
the filter chamber. This elevated temperature reduces the effectiveness of the filter as well
as heating the pond and reducing the biological activity.
6. The BioVort™ filter should be placed on a firm surface so that it will not tip over if
accidentally bumped or hit.
7. Select a site for the filter, preferably where it will be shaded or only get minimal sun-
light, as well as being easily accessible for maintenance.
INSTALLING THE FITTINGS, PRESSURE GAUGE, AND
BACK-WASHING VALVE
Once the location and pump size have been picked for the BioVort™ filter it is time to install
the various fittings that will be used. Each BioVort™ filter contains four threaded ports; 2 ports
on the top lid and 2 ports on the bottom lid. The large threaded port on the top lid is the outlet
port. The large threaded port on the bottom lid is the inlet port. The smaller threaded ports
are meant for use with a pressure gauge, a back-washing valve, or a threaded plug (if the
pressure gauge or back-washing valve is not being used).
NOTE:
Depending upon the pump and filter combination that was chosen, the fittings will
vary as to which ones should be used. However, always be sure to use the same size adap-
tor on the inlet of the filter as on the outlet of the filter. For example, if you use the 1-1/2"
MNPT x 1" barbed adaptor on the inlet of the BioVort™ filter, it is recommended to use the
same sized adaptor on the outlet of the BioVort™ filter.
The FC-800 is supplied with adaptors that fit either ¾" or 1" inside diameter (ID) tubing.
The FC-1200/2400 is supplied with adaptors that fit either 1" or 1-1/4" ID tubing. Each
BioVort™ filter is supplied with hose clamps to assist in the sealing of the tubing against
the adaptors.
8. INSTALLING ADAPTORS: After selecting the correct adaptors, apply 3 or 4 wraps of
Teflon
®
tape around the threads to assist in sealing the fitting to the lid. Apply the adap-
tor to the appropriate port and tighten. (
NOTE:
An adjustable wrench can be used to
tighten the adaptor, but extreme care should be used to not over tighten the adaptor
and crack the housing.)
NOTE:
Some models allow for the option of installing a pressure gauge or a ¾" threaded
plug to seal off the smaller port on the bottom lid. The pressure gauge should not be installed
until the filter is set in its permanent place next to the pond. Any unnecessary jarring or
dropping of the filter could permanently damage the pressure gauge. Installing the pres-
sure gauge requires use of a ¼" FNPT x ¾" MNPT bushing (included with FC-1200 and
FC-2400).
9. INSTALLING BUSHING AND PRESSURE GAUGE (IF REQUIRED): Apply 3 or 4 wraps
of Teflon
®
tape around the threads of the ¼" FNPT x ¾" MNPT bushing and install in
the smaller port (3/4" NPT) on the bottom lid. (
NOTE:
An adjustable wrench can be
used to tighten the adaptor, but extreme care should be used to not over tighten the
adaptor and crack the housing.)
10. Take pressure gauge out of box and apply 3 or 4 wraps of Teflon
®
tape around the ¼"
threads on the gauge. Be careful not to allow the tape to cover up the inlet hole on the
end of the gauge. This could cause the gauge to not work properly. Install the pres-
sure gauge into the ¼" x ¾" bushing in the bottom lid and tighten using an adjustable
wrench. Be careful not to over tighten the pressure gauge.
NOTE:
ONLY MODEL FC-800 IS RECOMMENDED FOR IN-POND INSTALLATION. MODELS
FC-1200 AND FC-2400 ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR IN-POND INSTALLATION
BECAUSE THE FILTER BECOMES TOO HEAVY TO LIFT FROM POND ONCE IT IS FILLED
WITH WATER. THIS MAKES ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND FILTER PAD CLEANING
DIFFICULT.
If the BioVort™ filter is to be installed in a submersed environment, it is highly recommended
to install the ¾" MNPT bushing in the smaller port in the bottom lid and NOT install the pres-
sure gauge.
11. INSTALLING THE BACK-WASHING VALVE (IF REQUIRED): Apply 3 or 4 wraps of
Teflon
®
tape around the ¾" threads of the valve. Insert into the small port on the top lid
and tighten with an adjustable wrench. Be careful not to over tighten the back-wash-
ing valve. This valve is equipped with a garden hose threaded port. Connect garden
hose and run water back through the filter to help flush out the system.
NOTE:
Back-
washing is a quick way to cleanse the filter without completely disassembling the filter.
When back-washing the filter, be sure to not let the water flow back into the pond. It is
preferred to disconnect the tubing on the inlet of the filter and allow the water to drain
somewhere outside the pond. This is a good way to partially clean the filter. To ensure
maximum cleansing of the filter pads, the filter media must be removed.
INSTALLING THE TUBING AND PUMP
NOTE:
Pump should ideally be installed in a location opposite the return of the water to the
pond (i.e., waterfall, stream, bog pond or other water feature), so that a good circulation of
the pond can be achieved to maximize filtration of the entire pond. An adequate length of
tubing should be used to allow for movement of pump or filter, if needed, without worrying
about binding the tubing. Smooth black tubing is the best recommended for use with the
included fittings.
12. After determining the pump location and filtered water return (whether through water-
fall, stream, fountainhead or some other water feature), cut the correct length of tubing
to reach each and back to the filter. Be sure to leave enough extra tubing for any adjust-
ments that may need to be made.
1
B
IO
V
ORT
™ FILTER SERIES
B
IO
V
ORT
™ SÉRIE
DE FILTRE
B
IO
V
ORT
™ FILTRAN SERIE
Models • Modèles • Modelos
FC-800, FC-1200, FC-2400
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
P. O. Box 12010
Oklahoma City, OK 73157-2010
405.947.2511 • Fax: 405.947.8720
www.LittleGiantPump.com
