To support aquatic life whether at an aquaculture facility, backyard pond or large aquarium system it is essential to remove both ammonia and accumulated debris. The most efficient way to accomplish this is by installing an Ultima II biomechanical filter. The patented media has the highest biofilm surface for bacterial growth. The beneficial bacteria convert ammonia into harmless compounds. In field and independent laboratory testing the Ultima II filter with its patented media is the first to nitrify fish waste.

The dense bed of ridged media traps solids without clumping. Internal jets in the filter are activated during the backwash separating the waste from the media and sending it out the waste line. Backwash is performed simply by rotating the valve.

Watch the Ultama II Video for a complete demonstration >>>

Optimal flow 20,000 gph at 10' of head. Direct drive self priming pumps recommended.

Bead filters use raw pellets
Bead filter manufactures just take these inexpensive pellets and load them into a filter body as is. The wax based plastic and smooth shape encourages clumping which is an inherent problem in bead filters. Some bead filter owners have been forced to backwash every day to prevent this clumping.  When the beads stick together, water and waste pass around the large mass making much of the beads surface inaccessible. This allows untreated ammonia and solids to pass right through and return to the pond.

Ultima Media is specifically designed to support aquatic life
Using non wax based plastic Aqua Ultraviolet extrudes a patented media with the highest surface area of any on the market. The small tubular design has ridges on the outside and a cross section on the inside increasing bio surface area and preventing clumping. The ridged design helps to create a dense bed for superior trapping of solids that is easily separated during the backwash.

How can the  Ultima II filters be smaller than bead filters and handle more fish
The Ultima II patented media design has 800 cubic feet of surface area per square foot. This is the highest surface area of any product on the market. The high surface area means less volume of media is needed so the filter itself can be smaller.

Backwashing a bead filter may not be enough
When you try to backwash a bead filter the biggest problem is large masses of beads stuck together by the waste material. Specialized blowers are often not enough to break them apart and remove the debris. It isn’t unusual to see the pond owner with the filter apart breaking up the clump with a stick. Bead filter manufacturers list ease of accessibility to the beads as a selling feature because this is often necessary.

Ultima II Backwash is easy, see for yourself  >>> (Click Here To Watch Video)
The Ultima II Filters are manufactured to make maintenance a snap. Using non wax based plastic Aqua Ultraviolet extrudes a patented media with the highest surface area of any on the market. The small tubular design has ridges on the outside and a cross section on the inside that prevents clumping and facilitates the removal of waste. The ridged design helps to create a dense bed for superior trapping of solids that is easily separated during the backwash. The Ultima II patented cyclonic backwash is aided by jets in the standpipe that lift the media bed and spin it easily separating the waste and flushing it out the waste line.

Bead filters take weeks longer to begin nitrifying fish waste
Independent laboratory tests show that the Ultima II is the first filter on the market to convert ammonia to safe compounds in 2-4 weeks from installation. Bead filters begin this process at 6 weeks. Both the Ultra Media’s superior biofilm area and the natural bacteria that is seeded in every new Ultima II Filter contribute to this significant advantage.