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ClariSea Fleece Filter - SK series Patent Pending GB 1611786.3

OPERATION MANUAL Dear customer, Thanks for purchasing our product! Please read the following instructions carefully

before installing and operating your Fleece Filter.

Product description

ClariSea is a particle-filtration system designed for cleaning water to achieve unparalleled clarity.

ClariSea will remove suspended particles from the water column such as micro algae, detritus, food

and organic waste in:

Fresh and marine aquariums

Pools and ponds (with external filtration)

Propagation systems for corals

Fishbreeding systems

The use of ClariSea results in brilliantly clear water and offers the following advantages:

Highest possible light penetration for optimal photosynthetic processes.

Constantly removes organic waste, which helps to reduce the accumulation of metabolic waste products!

Reduced load on skimmer

Reduced maintenance of items such as pumps, wave makers and skimmers.

Drastically reduces accumulation of detritus

ClariSea SK series filters are available in 2 sizes to suit user requirements.

SK 10 fleece width 10 cm: SK10 footprint: 10 x 13.5 x 45cm; Nominal flow rate 1875lph SK 15 fleece width 15cm: SK15 footprint: 22 x 16 x 45cm; Nominal flow rate 4700lph Installation inside sump – “hang on” design

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Description: ClariSea FLEECE FILTERS utilize automatic fleece propulsion to achieve unparalleled water clarity. The

take up spool (IAS) has an integrated motor - this motor is operated by a float switch inside the filter

body to advance new fleece into the filter when the current fleece becomes clogged with detritus.

SK 15: The fleece is guided through a “U” shaped inner basin, and retained by outer sieve plates. A

specially designed inlet tube in this basin distributes the incoming water stream uniformly and

reduces turbulence, especially on high flow rates.

A bypass aperture is provided and offers the ability for the user to adjust the amount of bypass from

no bypass, to fully bypassing the fleece – the later is especially useful when feeding the

aquarium/pond. The water outlet after the fleece is through a central outlet at the bottom of the

unit into the sump. This outlet is designed to be submerged to reduce any water noise.

SK 10: In contrast to the SK15version above, the incoming water to be filtered is fed from the bottom of

the filter into a specially designed distributor on the bottom plate. The flow is guided to keep particles

in suspension. After water has passed through the fleece, it exits into an inner space of a hollow sieve

cassette, which has an outlet at the back of the filter into a channel. This channel guides the water back

to sump. The sieve cassette is easily removed (vertically) for quick fleece roll exchange or maintenance.

Optionally, a small pump can be mounted into the water inlet of the filter (with an adapter) to allow an

“in tank” installation, without the need for a sump.

SK10 footprint:10 x 13.5cm (above sump top +3cm either side) height 45cm (max)

o Maximum water flow rate 2500 lph (655 gph)

o Nominal flow rate 1875 lph (495 gph)

o Suitable for tanks up to 400 litres (105 gal)

o Inlet32mm (1 ¼”) o removable sievecassette

o adjustable “hang on” mount (+/- 5cm (2”)adjustment)

o Bypass function

o integrated fail safe overflow

SK15 footprint:16x22cm in sump, (above sump top +3cm either side)

height50cm (max)

o Maximum water flow rate 6,300L/h (1655 gph)

o Nominal flow rate 4,700L/h (1235 gph)

o Suitable for tanks upto 1000 litres (260 gal) o Inlet40mm (1 ½”)

o adjustable “hang on” mount (+/- 20 cm (4”) adjustment)

o Bypass function

o integrated fail safe overflow

Fleece specifications ClariSea utilizes a specially designed fleece – the texture and structure is designed for reliable

operation and filtering of particles up to 25 micron (nominally). It is also highly tear-resistant. Rolls are

25m length and will last typically up to 2 months. Usage rate depends on water conditions and also

flow rate through filter - see section on flow rate and fleece usage for further information.

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UNPACKING After unpacking, please make sure that all components are present as below and inspect all items

for any damage during transit.

ClariSea filter unit

IAS take up spool and fleece clip

Float switch assembly

Stabilization foot

12VDC power adapter with manual advance button

Please follow the installation guide in next sections.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Use this device only for recommended purposes.

The advance motor (IAS) is operated by a safe low voltage - 12VDC via supplied adaptor.

Make sure the area surrounding the take up spool and clean roll are free from obstructions.

Please ensure that the glass thickness of sump tank is above 5mm when hanging the unit into sump

tank using the supplied “hang on” mount. Be sure to attach the stabilization foot ( supplied to SK

15) to ensure the loading on the sump glass is reduced.

Please ensure that your overflow system ultilises a “grate” to prevent large items such as stones

or gravel being flushed into the filter.

Be careful if moving/stirring substrate/gravel. This can cause larger sharp edged particles and/or

larger clusters of detritus/algae to be in suspension and can jam or slice the fleece.

Keep out of reach of children.

Detailed discussion of Flow Rate/Fleece usage Automatic advancing fleece filtration is a seemingly simple filtering system for removing

suspended particles from the water column, but there are many things that can affect

performance of the device. This makes it very difficult to state a flow rate for the Clarisea

Filter.

For example, if we operate at SK15 with “clean” tap water, then we will find that it can pass

around 6000 litres per hour before the water level starts to increase faster than the water

can pass through the filter fleece. If we actually undertook running the ClariSea SK15 like

this, what we would find is that what you think is clean water, actually does have particles in

it and the ClariSea will start filtering them out straight away. This would result in the fleece

advancing as these particles are caught and cause the water level inside the filter to increase

and operate the float switch. However, after a very short time all particles will be removed

from the water and then filter will operate with its water level at just below the float switch.

The filter will comfortably continue to operate like this indefinitely without any advance of

the fleece – this is because all particles have been removed from the water. In this situation,

we can comfortably state the max flow rate of this filter is 6000 litres per hour.

However, when connecting the filter to an aquarium, things change. As above, particles will

very quickly be initially filtered out of the water column. But, particles are constantly being

created in the aquarium and the rate of this creation of particles varies immensely from

aquarium to aquarium – it can even depend on the species of fish that are kept as some fish

produce more waste than others and also some fish are more prone to disturbing the

substrate, which again will cause particles to be suspended in the water column. Clearly, this

can make a substantial difference to the rate of usage of filter fleece – the more particles, the

quicker the fleece advances.

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In addition the flow rate through the filter will also make a difference – the higher the flow

rate through the ClariSea filter, the more “sensitive” the filter is to the filter fleece

becoming blocked by particles. Higher flow rates will cause greater amounts of fleece

advance – i.e. the float switch is triggered more frequently with more flow as the water

level in the Clarisea filter rises more quickly.

So, from the above it is clear that there are numerous factors that affect the “performance”

of the ClariSea filter. All of these factors will have an effect on the rate of usage of the

fleece!

When stating flow ratings, we have used 2 figures – the max flow rate and also a “nominal” rating.

The max flow rating is the maximum flow rate that the filter can continuously pass clean

water without the float switch being operated and the fleece advancing.

The nominal flow rate is a flow rate of 75% of the maximum flow rate. This flow rate is

suitable for most installations without excessive fleece consumption. At this level the fleece

will typically advance around 50cm per day.

If you find that you are experiencing a higher fleece consumption than you would like, then

you may need to adjust the bypass of the ClariSea filter to decrease the flow rate through

the filter. Please make small adjustments each time and monitor to achieve the fleece

consumption that you are happy with.

Please also check your water supply to the ClariSea filter. We recommend that water

entering the ClariSea filter should be as bubble free as possible.

When initially connecting ClariSea to your aquarium for the first time, the “rate” of fleece

advance will be higher than a normal operating level. This is due to the filter removing

particles from the water column that have previously not been filtered. This will usually

decrease after several hours and after around 12 hours operation, the water is sufficiently

filtered to allow a “normal” operation.

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SK – 15 Technical Specifications

front view

SK 15

rear view

inlet

right sieve plate

fleece

left sieve plate

inner sieve plate

bottom sieve plate

outlet aperture

by pass aperture

by pass leverinlet tube

fleece guiding rollers

18 cm

advance motor IAS

side view

support panel

depot fleece roll Roll arm holder

hang on mount

16 cm 22 cm

40 c

m

SK 10

inletfleece guiding

by pass aperture

removablesieve cassette

inlet distributor

36 c

m

41

cm

inner sieve cassette

12 cm 12 cm3 cm10 cm

13,5 cm

Options of installation

The hang on mount enables the ClariSea Fleece Filter to be adjusted to

suit the installation requirements of almost all typical sumped aquarium

installations.

If your sump glass is made from less 8mm glass, please insert a layer of soft foam,

rubber or silicone tube between glass edge and hang on carrier to protect the

glass. A height-adjustable stabilization foot made from 10 mm Acrylic tube lowers

the carried weight at glass edge. This foot has 3 optional mounting positions:

left/right/front.

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Installation in sump with rims

rim bridging mount

distancer

stabi feet

An alternative rim mount is available as an optional extra to facilitate mounting the SK - 15 in a sump with a rim up to 45mm wide

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SK – 15 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SETTINGS & ADJUSTMENTS

Prepare the preferred installation location. The hang on mount is designed for glass thickness up to 15 mm. The depot roll arm holder can be adjusted in a 90° arc -the depot roll can be fixed in any position from the right side to vertically at the top of the arc.

Prepare the connection to your tank. Connect the unit with the drainpipe. If 2 drain pipes are

used, these will need to be “tee’d”together.

Adjust the hang on mounts on the side plates of the ClariSea.The highest flow rate for the filter will be achieved with the output of the filter just submerged below the sump water level. Maximum recommended submerged depth of filter into sump is 8cm.

Please ensure that your overflow system ultilises a “grate” to prevent large items such as

stones or gravel being flushed into the filter.

Please take note if removing screws to use the same screws in the same location when

replacing.

IAS INTEGRATED ADVANCE SYSTEM

The IAS (take up spool) must be set in the correct position as detailed below (for SK15 only)

o Front – the IAS is correctly positioned on the support panel when the front of the IAS rests on the two black support rollers

o Rear - fixed with a central fixation screw – please note that the key must be positioned in the slot to prevent the whole IAS assembly from rotating and damaging the motor cable.

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IAS

stopper

slot for inserting IAS

Top section of SK 15 - rear side

fleece

base plate

depot roll

cable

fixation screw

Connect the power adapter – red connector to IAS motor, black connector to float switch.

Plug in the adapter - press the manual advance button to test operation- the IAS will turn

clockwise.

Remove the grey PVC clip from the IAS. It is now ready to load fleece.

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FLEECE INSTALLATION SK 15 INSERTING NEW FLEECE

Loosen the screw at the rear of the

IAS and carefully slide the IAS

upwards in the slot in the rear panel

to remove the IAS.

Position the clean fleece onto the

carrier A (note that the fleece unrolls

to the right).To hold the clean fleece

roll in the correct position, please

attach the front disc on this holder

with the centre screw A

Loosen the 2 roller-fixing screws (L) on

the front of the filter – these rollers slot

over a screw protruding from the rear

of the basin – to remove, simply lift the

roller upwards and loosen the front

screw until the roller can be removed.

Unroll about 50 cm of fleece from the

roll and drape it inside the inner basin

–pushing down at the bottom corners at

L so the guide rollers can be reinserted.

Ensure the loose left end is long

enough to wind once around the IAS.

Re install the fleece guiding rollers L

back into the inner basin by slipping

the roller over the screw at the rear

and then positioning the front of the

roller to be in line with the front screw

– start to tighten the front screw and

wiggle the roller slightly as tightening

until the screw slots inside the roller –

then fully tighten the front roller

screw.

Mount the IAS back in its position B – tighten the screw at rear of IAS to hold IAS in the

correct position. Be sure to sit the IAS with key to top of slot to prevent IAS turning and

damaging motor cable.

Place the free end of the fleece from left clockwise around the IAS – clip the grey PVC clip

over the fleece or attach the fleece to grey sleeve with some tape – this will retain the fleece

on the IAS and make removal of the used fleece easy – be sure to align the front of the

fleece with the front of the grey PVC sleeve – this will ensure the correct alignment of the

fleece.

Failure to add the grey PVC clip will make it very difficult to remove used fleece from the

IAS later on.

Manually advance the IAS by pressing the manual push button until 2 – 3 turns of fleece are

added to the IAS whilst checking for smooth operation and correct alignment of fleece with

the front of the grey PVC clip.

B A

Fleece

U U

L L

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USED FLEECE REMOVAL Cut the used fleece close to the IAS – DO NOT remove the used fleece in the basin at this time –

this will be used to pull the new fleece through the basin.

Loosen the screw at the rear of the IAS and carefully slide the IAS upwards in the slot in the

rear panel to remove the IAS.

With the IAS removed, whilst holding the used fleece in one hand, and the IAS in the other,

pull the IAS and fleece apart – the used fleece should slide off the front of the IAS.

Remove the grey PVC sleeve from the roll of used fleece.

SIMPLE FLEECE EXCHANGE When the depot roll is empty, you will find the used fleece stops advancing at a position level with the float

switch on the right of the basin– DO NOT REMOVE THE USED FLEECE FROM THE BASIN AT THIS TIME.

Add the new depot roll to the roll holder being sure fleece unwinds clockwise.

Overlap the new fleece over the old used fleece on the right side of the basin almost to a position just above the bottom right fleece guide roller. The water flow will hold the new fleece against the old used fleece.

If not already, done, cut the used fleece away from the IAS.

Carefully pull on the cut end (IAS end) of the used fleece – this will draw the new fleece through the guide rollers – if you find the used fleece is pulling through but the new fleece is not, please check that there are no creases and the new and old fleece edges are aligned. Keep drawing the new fleece through in this way until it easy to grab hold of the new fleece (at least until pulled past the bottom left fleece guide roller). Once you are happy you have pulled enough new fleece through, you can completely remove the old fleece and then proceed to attach the new fleece to the IAS.

Place the free end of the fleece from left clockwise around the IAS – clip the grey PVC clip over the fleece or attach the fleece to grey sleeve with some tape – this will retain the fleece on the IAS and make removal of the used fleece easy – be sure to align the front of the fleece with the front of the grey PVC sleeve – this will ensure the correct alignment of the fleece.

Failure to add the grey PVC clip will make it very difficult to remove used fleece from the IAS later on.

Manually advance the IAS by pressing the manual push button until 2 – 3 turns of fleece are added to the IAS whilst checking for smooth operation and correct alignment of fleece with the front of the grey PVC clip

.

rest of old fleece roll

new fleece roll

pull

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SK 10 FLEECE INSTALLATION

Loosen the screw at the rear of the IAS and carefully slide the IAS upwards in the slot in the back

plate to remove the IAS.

Position the clean fleece on to the carrier A – need

to add “A” to the diagram on right. To hold the

clean fleece roll in the correct position, please

attach the front disc on this holder with the centre

screw A.

Unscrew the centre fixing screw for the sieve

cassette on the front of the filter.

Remove the cassette by gently pulling upwards

Unroll about 50 cm of fleece from the roll and

drape it inside the filter. Ensure the loose end

is about long enough to wind once around the

IAS.

Insert the cassette back into the filter and fix it

in position via the centre screw on the front of

the filter.

Mount the IAS back in its position B – tighten the

screw at rear of IAS to hold IAS in the correct

position.

Mount the IAS back in its position B – tighten the

screw at rear of IAS to hold IAS in the correct

position. Be sure to sit the IAS with key to top of

slot to prevent IAS turning and damaging motor

cable.

Place the free end of the fleece from left

clockwise around the IAS – clip the grey PVC clip

over the fleece or attach the fleece to grey

sleeve with some tape – this will retain the

fleece on the IAS and make removal of the used

fleece easy be sure to align the front of the

fleece with the front of the grey PVC sleeve –

this will ensure the correct alignment of the

fleece.

Failure to add the grey PVC clip will make it

very difficult to remove used fleece from the

IAS later on.

Manually advance the IAS by pressing the

manual push button until 2 – 3 turns of fleece are

added to the IAS whilst checking for smooth

operation and correct alignment of fleece with

the front of the grey PVC clip.

Check the float switch for correct alignment – making sure it does not touch the fleece or the side of

the filter.

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USED FLEECE REMOVAL Cut the used fleece close to the IAS – DO NOT remove the used fleece in the basin at this time – this

will be used to pull the new fleece through the basin.

Loosen the screw at the rear of the IAS and carefully slide the IAS upwards in the slot in the rear

panel to remove the IAS.

With the IAS removed, whilst holding the used fleece in one hand, and the IAS in the other, pull the

IAS and fleece apart – the used fleece should slide off the front of the IAS. Remove the grey PVC

sleeve from the roll of used fleece.

FLOAT SWITCH ADJUSTMENT The SK 10 has a fixed position for the float switch and no adjustment is possible.

The SK 15 has an adjustable float switch position of 2cm up or down. The factory setting is

with the float switch in its lowest position – this ensures the safest operation as there is still 2

cm water level increase needed to reach an overflow level.

Advanced users can raise the height of the float switch to increase the flow capacity. In this

situation we recommend monitoring the overflow carefully to ensure this does not routinely

occur.

Maintenance When first installing your ClariSea, we recommend that you check on the operation of the ClariSea daily for

the 1st

week.

Please pay attention to correct positioning of the used fleece on the IAS – if required, adjust the

position of the PVC sleeve so that the fleece is exiting the filter centrally – i.e. the fleece is not

wrapping around either the back or front corner.

Check the correct operation of the float switch occasionally- (lift it up with a small stick to trigger the

advance motor).

Please periodically check for non-wanted particles (which could jam the fleece) flushed into the

ClariSea via your aquarium overflow.

The unit should be cleaned out regularly - approximately every 2 months. By fully opening the bypass

aperture,the ClariSea inner“basin”can be flushed out. If calcares algaes start to grow inside the

Clarisea, it is recommended to remove these layers as these can block the fleece guiding rollers.

Frequently check that the connectors of power supply, AS and float switch do not corrode due to the

humidity inside the cabinet. If any corrosion is found please carefully clean the connectors.

Periodically clean the IAS–it is recommended to do this when changing a roll of fleece.

TROUBLE SHOOTING/FAQS For first use, if the water is particularly dirty or you have an excess of algaes/detritus, please filter the

water gradually as detailed below. Do not overload the filter collecting all this waste at once. For this

initial operation, you can partially open the bypass aperture. In this mode, a certain portion of

particles are collected by the fleece, whilst the others bypass the fleece. This prevents the filter from

overload, which can cause mechanical malfunction of the fleece advance and also abnormally high

fleece consumption. This mode of operation should be used whilst the bypass is gradually reduced to

zero over several days.

The fleece consumption typically is around 20 - 35 cm per 24 hours. This can vary greatly

depending on flow rate and production of waste/qty of feeding in individual tanks – see for further

information.

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MANUFACTURER:

DISTRIBUTION :

CONTACT :

TECH-SUPPORT: