Additional Information

Pentair Aquatics/Rainbow LifeGard:
Fluidized Bed Filter - Model 300

Due to its unique shape, the Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter is an extremely efficient ... high capacity "biological" filter. Aquatic organisms excrete toxic ammonia as a metabolic waste product ... with additional ammonia produced as food and other organic matter breaks down and decomposes. This toxic ammonia (NH3) is converted to another toxic compound called nitrite (NO2) by the Nitrosomonas species of bacteria. The nitrite is then converted to a relatively non toxic compound called nitrate (NO3) by the Nitrobacter species of bacteria. This process is known as "nitrification". A "biological" filter is a vessel where nitrification occurs and soluble waste is removed. Beneficial bacteria attach to the media within the Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter ... creating a thin film around the sand grains. Water is pumped up through the unit... lifting the sand into a "fluidized bed". The beneficial bacteria attached to the media utilize dissolved wastes (ammonia and nitrite), oxygen supplied by Rainbow's exclusive water fall device and other required nutrients from the passing water converting them to relatively harmless nitrate. The sand grains are in continual free fall through the water resulting in an excellent transfer capability between the water and the bacterial film on the media. The enormously high surface area combined with this excellent transfer capability creates the perfect habitat for bacterial growth. In addition, the sand grains bump into each other frequently knocking off excess debris and providing a self cleaning function which allows new areas for bacterial growth.

Construction: Rainbow's quality molding and assembly presents a unique shape designed to actually hold more media than round tubes. Its flat back aesthetically brings the unit close to aquarium wall. The unit includes all necessary fittings for installation plus a self adjusting clamp, free standing base, and media. Flow Control Valve: Simply turn the valve for adjustment of fluidization level. Can be removed to add media. Water Fall Attachment: Increases oxygen level by spreading out a thin sheet of gently falling water. Bottom Diffuser Plate: Lifts the sand bed evenly for perfect fluidization each time. External Check Valve: Mounted externally for easy servicing. Prevents sand from clogging inlet pipe when power shuts off. Top & Bottom Inlet Ports: Top inlet port allows easy installation to submersible power head pumps when unit hangs on aquarium. Two bottom inlet ports allow installation to a Lifegard Modular System or any in-line filter system when unit is installed inside aquarium cabinet. Two or more filters can be plumbed together with bottom inlet ports on each side. Maturation: The Lifegard Fluidized Bed Filter can be installed in a short period of time, however, the biological maturation takes considerably longer. In most cases, the maturation period should take no longer than 40 days. During this period the nitrifying bacteria will attach themselves to the media within the filter. The maturation period can be greatly reduced by introducing live nitrifying bacteria into your filter, inoculating your filter with a small amount of detritus from a mature aquarium, or by adding specific chemicals.

Model Part No. Capacity Media Weight Sq. Ft. of Media Surface-Area Height Width Depth FB300 270203 300 GALLONS 3 LBS. 214 17" 7 ½" 3" FB600 270206 600 GALLONS 6 LBS. 428 26 ¾" 7 ½" 3" FB900 270209 900 GALLONS 9 LBS. 642 34 ½" 7 ½" 3" N/A 270241 ADDITIONAL SAND 3 LBS. 214 Not Applicable

Recommended PowerHead Pumps

Manufacturer	Pump Model#	Fluidized Bed Filter
Hagen Aquaclear	301	FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
Rio Aqua Pump	200 400 600	FB 300 FB 600 FB 900
Aquarium Systems Maxi-Jet	MP 600 MP 900	FB 300, FB 600 FB 900
Marineland Penguin	550 660	FB 300, FB 600 FB 900
Tetra/Second Nature	640	FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
Penn-Plax Shark	SK-13	FB 300, FB 600, FB 900
Otto	PH 600 PH 800	FB 300, FB 600 FB 900

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