Tetra EX 500/700/1000/1500 Plus Filter-Set Instructions
Introduction
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About This Manual
These instructions present the safe way to use the Tetra EX 500 Plus/EX 700 Plus/EX 1500 Plus external filters. Read the instructions carefully before installing the purchased filter and before using it for the first time. Pay special attention to safety information and follow it precisely. Always keep these instructions near the filter. If you intend to sell or give away the filter, do not forget to also provide these instructions to the recipient.
Basic Safety Information
Preventing Electric Shocks
- Before connecting the filter to the power source, check that both the housing and the connector cable are in perfect condition. Modifications at this level are not permitted.
- Connect the device only to a properly installed socket, in accordance with safety regulations. This socket must be mounted in an accessible location from which the filter can be quickly disconnected in case of emergency.
- Unplug the filter immediately if you notice that either the housing or the cable is damaged.
Preventing Personal Accidents
- Do not allow children to play with packaging, as there is a risk of suffocation.
- The connection cable must be laid out properly so that it does not pose a tripping hazard.
Preventing Equipment Damage
- The pump will be damaged if used without water.
- Do not bend or knot the power cable.
- Use only original spare parts and accessories.
Symbols Used
Note: Do not dispose of the appliance with household waste, but recycle it in accordance with current regulations. Class II protection: metal parts that could lead to voltage drop are insulated. Intended for indoor use only.
Product Features
Product Description
The Tetra EX Plus filter is an aquarium water filter that is installed only outside the aquarium (external filter). Dirty water from the aquarium is circulated through the filter using a tube system, and once cleaned, it is sent back into the aquarium through the tube. Triple filtration (mechanical, biological, and chemical) will produce very clean and, above all, very healthy water for ornamental fish and aquatic plants.
Note: If you notice any residual moisture in the initially packaged filter, it is not a defect, but a sign of quality. Before delivery, each filter is checked to ensure it functions correctly and is watertight.
Use the Tetra EX Plus filter:
- only for maintaining/cleaning aquarium water (freshwater and marine);
- only for the purpose for which it was created (aquaristics);
- only indoors;
- in accordance with the operating instructions.
Tubing System Components
| Fig. B | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hose (2 pieces) |
| 2 | Suction cup mounting system (6 pieces) |
| 3 | Inlet opening for U-piece |
| 4 | Telescopic tube |
| 5 | Suction strainer |
| 6 | Pre-filter foam |
| 7 | U-piece fixing system |
| 8 | Nozzle tube |
| 9 | Nozzle tube end (with sealing plug) |
Operation
Starting and Stopping the Device
The device is started when the cable is connected to a socket and stopped/turned off when the cable is removed from the socket.
Filter Elements
| Fig. A | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hose adapter/Hose adapter unit | For maintenance purposes, hoses can be disconnected from the filter head without emptying the hose/tube system. |
| 2 | Filter head with power cable | Inside the filter head is a filter pump, which pumps water through the filter during operation. |
| 3 | Cover grille | |
| 4 | Filter baskets with filter media | |
| 5 | Filter housing |
Control Elements
| Fig. B | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shut-off lever | Up position: shut-off valve open. Water circulation activated. Down position: shut-off valve closed. Water circulation stopped. Right-down position: the hose adapter is unlocked and can be removed upwards. |
| 2 | Valves | The flow rate can be adjusted using the IN (inlet) valve. The outlet valve must always be fully open when the filter is in use. |
| 3 | Start button | If there is no water (or very little) in the filter housing, the filter pump cannot generate a water flow. If you press the start button several times, water is pumped into the filter housing, and it is aerated. |
Filter Media
| Fig. A | Description | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Tetra CR Ceramic Filter Rings | The filter rings retain larger particles and ensure uniform flow in the filter housing by distributing water in different directions. |
| 7 | Tetra BF Biological Filter Sponge | The biological filter sponge retains medium-sized particles and encourages the settlement of beneficial bacterial cultures for biological water purification. |
| 8 | Tetra BB Bio-filtration Balls | The filter balls with a special macro-surface encourage the settlement of beneficial bacterial cultures within them for biological water purification. |
| 9 | Tetra CF Carbon Filter Medium | The carbon filter granules in a mesh bag remove harmful organic substances, odors, and discolored water. |
| 10 | Tetra FF (filter fleece) | This retains the smallest particles that escape the other filter media. |
Preparation for Commissioning
The filter media supplied as standard are placed in the filter baskets inside the filter housing. For some filter media, the packaging film must be removed before starting, and some filter media must be rinsed with tap water before use.
Procedure: → Fig. D
Please note when inserting the filter media into the filter baskets:
- The arrangement of the filter media in the filter baskets depends on the filter type (→ Fig. A).
- The filter media must not extend beyond the edge of the filter baskets.
- The pipe segments in the filter baskets must not be covered, as the dirty water pipe is formed by segments.
Please note when inserting the filter baskets into the filter housing:
- The order of the filter media inside the filter housing depends on the filter type (→ Fig. A).
- The arrows on the filter basket handle and on the edge of the filter housing must be aligned identically.
- The handles of the filter baskets must be pressed down after insertion.
Assembly/Mounting/Commissioning
Procedure: → Fig. E
Please note when installing the piping system:
- The side of the aquarium must be clean for the suction cups to be securely attached.
- There must be passage holes in the aquarium for the hoses.
- To prevent the filter from drawing in sand from the aquarium, there must be a distance of more than 10 cm between the suction strainer and the sand.
- For the filter to function correctly, it must be placed at a certain distance X (→ Fig. E) below the water level of the aquarium.
- The hoses must not be too twisted or bent, otherwise the device will not function correctly. Shorten the hose if necessary.
- There must be an accessible socket nearby.
Note: The filter requires a run-in period of approx. 2 weeks. Do not introduce fish or plants during this time! Tip: Tetra SafeStart allows the introduction of fish and plants as soon as the aquarium is installed.
- Before introducing fish and plants, check the water values, for example with a Tetra test strip.
- If you add medications to the water, you must use only filter media without activated carbon, as activated carbon absorbs many types of medications from the water.
Procedure: → Fig. F
Please note the following during startup:
- The shut-off lever on the filter head must be pushed up to the stop (position "ON"). Both valves must be fully open.
- To allow water to exit, press the start button several times in quick succession (pump) until water exits the return pipe and the flow is stable.
- Ensure that all hose connections are securely connected.
- Top up the aquarium water, as its level may drop as the filter fills.
- Position the outlet tube in the aquarium in such a way that it creates slight movements on the water surface. This is good for water quality. If necessary, the flow rate can be adjusted using the "IN" valve.
Care and Maintenance
Before performing any operation on the filter, unplug it to prevent a fatal electric shock.
Perform a thorough inspection of the filter and, if necessary, remove dirt or replace defective components with new original components.
Maintenance Intervals
| Item | Check | Cleaning | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetra FF fine filter | - | Once a month | - |
| Tetra CF carbon filter medium | - | Once every 2 – 4 weeks | - |
| Tetra BB bio-filtration balls | Every 12 months | When clogged with too much dirt | When surface dirt can no longer be removed by simple rinsing. |
| Tetra BF biological filter sponge | Every 6 months | When dirt is observed during a simple inspection. | Every 12 months. |
| Tetra CR ceramic filter rings | Every 12 months | When clogged with too much dirt | When surface dirt can no longer be removed by simple rinsing. |
| Rotor | Once a month | Every 12 months | - |
| Pre-filter foam | Once a week | Every time it is needed | - |
| Filter sealing system | - | At each assembly | Annually |
Disassembling the Device
Procedure: → Fig. G
Please note when disassembling:
- The filter housing is full of water. When opening the housing, water may leak or spill. Take appropriate precautions. For example, place the filter in a sufficiently large container.
- To prevent water from leaking from the hose/tube system and thus from the aquarium when opening the filter housing, the shut-off valve on the hose adapter must be closed beforehand. To do this, push the shut-off lever on the hose adapter to the stop (position "OFF/Locked").
Cleaning the Device, Pre-filter, and Filter Media
Procedure: → Fig. H
Please note when cleaning:
- Do not use cleaning agents or cleaning solutions.
- To protect the beneficial bacterial cultures, we recommend:
- cleaning or replacing the filter media at different times.
- cleaning the filter media with aquarium water.
Cleaning and Replacing the Filter Head Seal
The housing seal is located under the filter head.
Procedure: → Fig. I
Please note:
- The seal is in a groove and can be carefully removed from there.
- The seal must be undamaged and clean.
- The seal must not be twisted or pinched during installation.
Cleaning and Replacing the Rotor
The rotor is located in the filter head behind a rotating lock.
Procedure: → Fig. I
Assembling the Device
Procedure: → Fig. J
Please note during assembly:
- The order of the filter media inside the filter housing depends on the filter type (→ Fig. A).
- The arrows on the filter basket handle and on the edge of the filter housing must be aligned identically.
- The handles of the filter baskets must be pressed down after insertion.
- The shut-off lever of the hose adapter must be in the rightmost position ("Unlocked") before pressing the hose adapter onto the filter head.
Technical Support
For technical support or if you need spare parts, please contact the Tetra Technik Service Center or your local dealer.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Causes | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The filter cover is not sealed, there are water leaks. | The sealing clips are open, not properly engaged, or superficially engaged. | Close them. |
| Dirt, foreign bodies. | Clean it. | |
| The filter cover is defective. | Replace or repair it (as applicable). | |
| The motor does not run. | The power cable is not connected. | Check it. |
| The rotor is defective or blocked. | Clean it or, if necessary, replace it. | |
| Water flow is reduced. | The valve is closed. | Open the valve. |
| The hose is bent. | Reposition it. | |
| The filter, filter media, or tubes are dirty. | Clean them thoroughly or, if necessary, replace them. | |
| Leaks or problems with the air suction system. | Stop the leak or place the intake pipe below the water level. | |
| Water is not circulating. | There is not enough water in the filter housing. | Press the start button several times (prime the pump). |
| Presence of an air pocket in the filter. | Increase the distance between the filter and the water level. | |
| Leak. | Stop the leak. |
Filter Disposal
- Please contact your local authority for information regarding disposal.
- Dispose of the filter in accordance with existing regulations.
Technical Data
| EX 500 PLUS | EX 700 PLUS | EX 1000 PLUS | EX 1500 PLUS | Unit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection voltage | 230 | 230 | 230 | 230 | V AC |
| Frequency | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | Hz |
| Power consumption | 5.5 | 7.5 | 10.5 | 17.5 | W |
| Recommended aquarium volume | Up to 100 | 100 to 200 | 150 to 300 | 300 to 600 | L |
| Max pump flow rate | 910 | 1040 | 1150 | 1900 | l/h |
| Max flow rate during use | 440 | 500 | 540 | 1030 | l/h |
| Filter volume | 3.6 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 12.2 | L |
| Number of filter baskets | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| Hose diameter, inner | 16 | 16 | 16 | 22 | mm |
| Dimensions Length | 212 | 212 | 212 | 262 | Mm |
| Width | 212 | 212 | 212 | 262 | mm |
| Height | 343 | 392 | 441 | 544 | mm |
| Weight | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 8.5 | Kg |
| Main cable length | 1650 | 1650 | 1650 | 1650 | mm |
| Protection rating | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
Warranty
Thanks to state-of-the-art production technology, premium quality components, and strict quality controls, the device comes with a three-year warranty from the date of purchase. Please keep your receipt. The warranty does not apply in case of improper handling, normal wear and tear, or interference with the device's technology. Your statutory warranty claims remain unaffected. In case of a claim, please contact the retailer or Tetra: www.tetra.net
