UltraBead filters are based on the American Challenger beadfilters, which have a very good reputation for their quality and functionality. The UltraBead filters are constructed from a high quality fibreglass (conforming drink water standards) with a 10 years warranty! The UltraBead filters are standard equipped with a 2” multi-port valve, a transparent access cap, powerful blower, a unique water inlet system that makes the solids go down and a sludge drain at the base of the filter. Especially this sludge drain has already proven itself in the past! Unlike the most of the traditional multi-chamber filters we do not only regard pond capacity but also to the (future) fish load. One often forgets to keep in mind that our koi grow very fast each year and we often buy a new fish. In case of a multi-chamber filter this means we need a lot of space to install the filter but in the case of an UltraBead filter the difference in dimensions is not that big. What matters is the amount of beads. The biggest model can be placed on a surface of 1m2! So first check the max. fish load for each model that suits your (future) fish load. For ornamental ponds without koi you can multiply the max. pond content by 2.Since UltraBead beadfilters are pressure vessels, the pump sits before the filter. Almost any out of pump will work. Pumps that are very suitable are swimming pool pumps like the ITT or Speck pumps but also out of pond pumps like the Oase Nautilus serie and the Messner M series. Keep the head pressure in mind regarding the filter and the pipe work. A good rule of thumb is that the pump must be capable to have a flow of about 40 - 50% of the pond contents per hour with a head pressure of 0,2 – 0,3 bar (2 - 3 meter). Since the backwash operation needs some pressure, open impeller pumps like the Oase Aquamax are not suitable for the UltraBead.