Complete Cycle Water Filtration System is designed to drastically reduce the fish keeper’s dependency on water changes in maintaining a safe, healthy aquarium environment. The Complete Cycle Water Filtration System provides the easiest and most efficient operation of the Nitrogen Cycle (biological filtration) for freshwater and marine aquarium environments. The Nitrogen Cycle consists of beneficial bacteria that break fish wastes (primarily ammonia) down into nitrite, and then another group of bacteria that break nitrite down into nitrates. The system’s dual filtration towers contain: a) Hi-Q Bio Balls, which provide a tremendous amount of surface area for the beneficial bacteria that reduce ammonia to nitrite, and then nitrite to nitrates, and b) bacteria culturing mineral blocks which provide an anoxic (very low in oxygen) environment where nitrates are converted into harmless nitrogen gas. The flow of water through the towers (and through the gravel bed of the aquarium) is optimal for these bacteria to convert fish wastes (ammonia) into nitrite, and nitrite into nitrates. Ammonia, nitrite and exceptionally high nitrate levels are harmful to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Mechanical/chemical filtration is provided by the Emperor power filter which is included in your kit. Nitrates are also removed by the natural actions of live plants, which are encouraged to grow by the gravel bed of the undergravel filter.

Equipment & Parts Included with System 

The Complete Cycle Water Filtration System Kit consists of an advanced combination system of reversed flow biological, undergravel filter tower(s), mechanical filtration, and natural additives to provide a biologically active, clean environment for aquariums.

• Denitrifying Biological Filter Tower(s) – Biological filtration towers equipped with power heads and air intakes, and intake tubes, which comprise the reverse flow undergravel filter.

• Marineland Emperor Power Filter – It's easy to use, has twice the cartridge capacity of other filters in its class, and includes two BIO-Wheels. Unlike ordinary power filters, it allows you to adjust the filter's output flow (for feeding or maintenance) without disturbing the flow to the BIO-Wheels. Refillable media compartments allow you to use your favorite coarse media for superior 3-stage filtration. Epoxy-sealed, moisture-proof motor ensures safe operation. Features indicator windows and a two-way, drip-free, hinged cover. Includes two 2 oz replaceable filter cartridges and two 4 oz media containers. 15-1/2" wide. For 10-100 gal aquariums. 400 gph. (Emperor 280 included for kits up to 30 gallons. Emperor 400 included for kits up to 100 gallons.)

• Seachem Stability – Stability® will rapidly and safely establish the aquarium biofilter in freshwater and marine systems, thereby preventing the #1 cause of fish death: "new tank syndrome". Stability® is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. (250ml / 8.45 oz. bottle)

• Seachem StressGuard – StressGuard™ is the premium slime coat protection product. StressGuard™ will reduce stress and ammonia toxicity whenever handling or transporting fish. StressGuard™ binds to exposed protein in wounds to promote healing of injured fish and to reduce the likelihood of primary and secondary infections. StressGuard™ is compatible with all medications except those that are copper based. StressGuard™ is not amine based and will not interfere with Purigen® or HyperSorb™ regeneration. StressGuard™ does not coat resins or clog filtration like competing “slime coat” type products can. (250 ml / 8.45 oz. bottle)

• Seachem Prime - Prime® is the complete and concentrated conditioner for both fresh and salt water. Prime® removes chlorine, chloramine and ammonia. Prime® converts ammonia into a safe, non-toxic form that is readily removed by the tank’s biofilter. Prime® may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity. Prime® detoxifies nitrite and nitrate, allowing the biofilter to more efficiently remove them. It will also detoxify any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concentration levels. Prime® also promotes the production and regeneration of the natural slime coat. Prime® is non-acidic and will not impact pH. Prime® will not overactivate skimmers. Use at start-up and whenever adding or replacing water. (250ml / 8.45 oz bottle)

Maintenance 

Your kit comes with enough natural ingredients and filter media for the first month of the aquarium’s operation; replacement supplies can be purchased where you purchased the product. The Complete Cycle Water Filtration System is dependent on regular maintenance of the power filter. This simple routine allows for the aquarium to be maintained with reduced water changes.

After the first week, the only maintenance that is required is:

• Every other week clean the Emperor power filter media.

• As water evaporates from the aquarium you should add replacement water as needed.

• We recommend testing your aquarium water once a week for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates, and recording the results. Using all of the correct  ingredients, there is no need to do any water changes!

There is nothing to change in either the towers or undergravel plates of the filtration system! In fact, the longer the system runs the better it gets, as the bacteria in the gravel bed continue to grow; the system responds to changes in the bio-load of the aquarium as the bacteria colonies increase or decrease in size dependent upon the amount of food available from the waste products of the fish and invertebrates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I install the system in an existing tank?

   • Remove all of your fish from the existing tank. Put them in another aquarium if you have one available, or in any container which does not contain soap or chemical residue inside. Try to save as much of the tank water as possible.

   • Remove the heater and use it in the temporary container holding the fish.

   • Remove any filter(s) on the tank.

   • Remove the gravel and wash it thoroughly.

   • Install the system as per above instructions.

   • Put the gravel back in the tank.

   • Put the water back in the tank.

   • Reinstall the heater(s) and filter(s).

   • Treat the aquarium with Stability.

   • Place your fish back in the tank.

2. How to install the system if my aquarium top is closed and cannot be accessed?

   • You can place the towers in other positions, such as in the front corners, or in the middle of the back of the aquarium, to adapt the system to your aquarium. Always make sure that the tubes from the towers run underneath the filter plates.

3. Is the system compatible with other brands of mechanical filters?

   • We recommend that the system be used in conjunction with the Emperor power filters included in your kit. Other brands of outside mechanical filters are compatible with the system as long as they contain an area for the biological filtration to occur.

4. How is the denitrifying biological undergravel filter different from a typical undergravel filter?

   • Rather than pulling water down into the gravel as a typical undergravel filter does, the denitrifying biological filter moves the aquarium water up and through the gravel bed. This expels particles out of the gravel, maintaining a healthy gravel bed for bacteria growth and live plants to live in, while the outside power filter can mechanically remove these particulate wastes.

5. Why is fine sand not recommended for use with the system?

   • The system has been designed for optimal performance using substrate at a minimum of 1/4”. Finer grades of gravel, including fine sand, should not be used with the system, as fine sand will clog the undergravel filter and prevent the system from working properly.

6. How does the system remove nitrates?

   • The system’s dual biological filtration towers, in addition to providing the water movement for the reverse flow undergravel filter, also provide two types of environments for the colonies of beneficial bacteria of the Nitrogen Cycle to live. The gravel bed of the undergravel filter, and the Bio Balls in the towers, provide places for the colonies of bacteria to live and multiply that reduce ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrates. The anoxic (low oxygen) conditions of the mineral blocks in the towers provide the environment for the other group of bacteria to reside, which reduces nitrates into harmless nitrogen gas. The resulting nitrogen gas is then expelled at the water’s surface. In addition, the reverse flow undergravel filter provides an excellent base for the growth of healthy and vigorous live plants, which consume nitrate as their primary food source.

7. There are no bubbles coming out of the towers, is this normal?

   • If there are no bubbles coming out the power heads they are not getting the required amount of air fed to them. This problem is usually caused by the airline tubes coming out of the tank pointing straight up, or the tank is higher than the recommended size. The solution is to attach an air pump to the airline tubes coming out of the towers; air pumps are readily available at your local pet supplies store.

Kit sizes available:

There are mulitple kits available to fit virtually any size aquarium.

• Kit for aquariums up to 30 gallons - small (for standard and long aquarium)
• Kit for aquariums up to 30 gallons - large (for tall aquariums)
• Kit for aquariums up to 100 gallons - small (for breeder sized and shorter aquariums)
• Kit for aquariums up to 100 gallons - large (for standard aquariums above 30 gallons)

Denitrifying Biological Filter Tower Size:

Filter towers are available to two sizes to best maximize your tanks space. Refer to the kit size above for your aquarium size.

• Small tower - 11.5" tall
• Large tower - 15.5" tall