Lifegard Aquatics Mechanical Filter

• Lifegard Mechanical Filter features the Lifegard exclusive combination mechanical and chemical cartridge.
• Internal carbon chamber has retainer screen to prevent carbon from escaping into the system.
• Chamber holds three ounces of Lifegard pelletized carbon. This is more than 113 million meters of surface area. Carbon can be easily rinsed while inside chamber.
• Chamber will also hold a variety of chemical or biological filter media.
• Water is forced through the filter pleats under pressure, trapping particles from 20 microns down to five microns on the outside of the cartridge.
• No channeling. 100% of water passes through pleats and media within internal chamber.
• Inner pleat supports prevent pleats from squeezing shut providing longer filter cycle. Economical replaceable pleats eliminate costly cartridge replacement.
• 0 to 30 PSI dial pressure gauge indicates when to clean cartridge.
• Constructed of only the highest quality PVC molded parts.
• Manual air bleed eliminates unwanted trapped air.
• Modular design allows it to be easily connected to other Lifegard modules.
• Requires pump.

How to Charge the Combination Aquarium Cartridge

1. Unscrew module cap.
2. Remove cup spring and cartridge plug.
3. Remove cartridge from module.
4. Fill inner cartridge core with coarse granular carbon or other media that will not pass through the inner retainer screen.
5. Rinse carbon by letting water run down through open end of cartridge until clear.
6. Install cartridge in filter module. Make sure cartridge fits onto center hub in bottom of filter module. Cartridge should protrude about 1/16" above module.
7. Replace cartridge plug.
8. Install cup spring-large end over cartridge plug.
9. Before replacing module cap make sure o-ring is clean and lubricated with Lifegard Silicone and in place.

Start Up Instructions

1. Thread gauge adapter and air bleed into cap. Gauge adapter is sufficiently tightened with one or two threads showing on inside of cap. Over-tightening will break gauge adapter or interfere with cartridge. Do not over-tighten. Finger tighten only!
2. Open air bleeder beneath the pressure gauge.
3. Begin water flow through module.
4. Close air bleeder when a few drops of water are expelled.
5. To pre-determine the pressure at which to change the filter pleats, crimp the return tube so that no water is allowed to flow back to the aquarium, then record the pressure indicated (maximum pump output). The pleat change pressure will be one or two psi less than the maximum reading just obtained. It is recommended that the change pressure be marked with a piece of tape, as it may be quite sometime before this pressure is reached.

When To Clean the Filter

1. When the gauge reaches the change pressure and/or when the water flow has decreased considerably.

1. Shut off pump.
2. Place clamps over inlet and outlet tubes below the level of the module cap.
3. Remove cap from module.
4. Remove cartridge, retainers from pleats, and pleats from cartridge. Carbon or other media may be changed at this time.
5. Install new pleats by starting at the bottom of the cartridge and inserting one pleat into each of the 30 v-shaped sections in the filter cartridge. When the bottom of the filter pleats are completely seated, simply run your hand up the filter pleats and the pleats will seat themselves along the entire cartridge. Make sure the pleat retainers are seated properly.
6. To re-charge cartridge refer to numbers one - nine.
7. Before replacing module caps, remove the o-ring and thoroughly clean it as well as the o-ring seat and all threads. Coat the o-ring with Lifegard Silicone and replace cap on the module and hand tighten only.
8. Remove clamp from inlet and outlet tubes, open the bleed valve on the pressure gauge until a few drops of water are expelled, then close valve and start pumping.

Rainbow Lifegard Aquarium Products will not be liable for any labor cost of removing or replacing component parts. This shall be the responsibility of the original purchaser, as will be all shipping charges to and from Rainbow's plant at El Monte, California.

Damage or failure of any part of a unit covered by this warranty, which results from causes directly, or indirectly connected with the installation, operation, environment, use of willful abuse, including without limitation, improper repackaging and damage incurred in shipping, is not covered by this warranty. Unless state law provides otherwise, any implied warranties which accompany the sale of these goods are limited to one year from date of installation.

Unless state law provides otherwise, manufacturer will only be responsible for repair or replacement of any of its products or parts thereof that are found to be defective, and will not bear the cost of any incidental or consequential damages arising out of the occurrence of such defect.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.