When to Change Bead Filter Media

[barryian]

I have a 3 year old , season 4, GCTek 2.5 AlpaOne bead filter .... http://www.aquabead.com/AlphaONE-250-Filter/AlphaONE-250-Filter-from-GCTek-p-43.html

Awesome Unit .... Soooo, the company, actually owner who makes this says there is no reason to ever change the
media. He sells it but says it never needs changing. I usually think, never say never but he says never.
Does this make sense. Years back, I had many different types of filtration from vegetable gravity filters to you name it. Used lava rock back then as media and changed it every so often.

Any suggestions on changing bio media such as this .... http://www.aquabead.com/Media/BioGems-Media-p-275.html

Being quite inert, also expensive for a cubic foot, it isn't deteriorating anytime soon I would imagine.
Thanks

 

[Smaug]

Unless a filter media has some sort of Chem quality about it or it falls apart then there is no reason to change it.

 

[mrsclem]

Still using the Spring-flo strapping that came with my Savio filter- 20 years ago! If it isn't broke- --

 

[barryian]

Still using the Spring-flo strapping that came with my Savio filter- 20 years ago! If it isn't broke- --

Wow - Hope I'm still here in 20 years let alone worry about media .... hahaha Thanks as that kind of answers the question....

 

[mrsclem]

The company lists the Spring-flo as being good for 3-5 years. Guess they want to sell you more!

 

[barryian]

The company lists the Spring-flo as being good for 3-5 years. Guess they want to sell you more!

Not familiar with the spring-flo though just looked it up. Where are you putting the springflo in the savio?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

The company lists the Spring-flo as being good for 3-5 years. Guess they want to sell you more!

I know the owners of Savio and yes they want to sell you more!

 

[mrsclem]

Not familiar with the spring-flo though just looked it up. Where are you putting the springflo in the savio?

http://www.amazon.com/Savio-Livingp...id=1456835150&sr=8-2&keywords=savio+waterfall
Here is the waterfall model I have. Hubby got me a 2nd one 2 years ago cause he found a terrific price. Old one still works great!

 

[barryian]

http://www.amazon.com/Savio-Livingp...id=1456835150&sr=8-2&keywords=savio+waterfall
Here is the waterfall model I have. Hubby got me a 2nd one 2 years ago cause he found a terrific price. Old one still works great!

So my Savio is the large skimmer with the curved filter pad. With yours, you fill that up with Spring-flo which is a waterfall???

 

[mrsclem]

So my Savio is the large skimmer with the curved filter pad. With yours, you fill that up with Spring-flo which is a waterfall???

Yes, I'm guessing yours is the skimmer. With mine the spring-flo goes in the tank with a filter pad on top. I think its a 20" weir for the waterfall.

 

[barryian]

Yes, I'm guessing yours is the skimmer. With mine the spring-flo goes in the tank with a filter pad on top. I think its a 20" weir for the waterfall.

Yes mine is the larger Savio with filter and I have an extra Uvinex UV in one side. My savio T's into my waterfall and joins the water from the bead filter which both create my falls. Shut down bead for winter and leave the savio running 24/7 -365. Great system ....

 

[DoDad]

I have a GCTEK 2.5 that has been running 24/7/365 and I have never changed the beads. I did put a new blower on it a couple of years ago.

 

[barryian]

I have a GCTEK 2.5 that has been running 24/7/365 and I have never changed the beads. I did put a new blower on it a couple of years ago.

That's interesting as I have the AlphaOne 2.5 from GcTek. The blower works but the brackets holding the motor brushes and other parts rusted and corroded from dampness after only 3 seasons. I take it in for the winter. I emailed Gary at GcteK and he couldn't get the parts and sent me a new blower, but the larger 1-1/2 HP ... I didn't expect that .... This winter I rebuilt the 1HP blower and used stainless parts. Now I have a spare. I'm going to take it off when not using it so it will lengthen the life. He suggested that. Could be moisture coming up from the spring valve?
Otherwise, great system ....

btw - Nice website .... I bookmarked it ... looks familiar!

 

[DoDad]

Mine is outside but under cover. I've sent quite a bit to NY.

 

[barryian]

Mine is outside but under cover. I've sent quite a bit to NY.

Did you mean you do quite a bit of business shipping to NY ? Just went through the site. Quite an extensive product line.
Def booked for immediate future. What went on your blower. Did the inside plates and things rust at all on the old one?