OASE Hel-X 13 Bio-Media Add Pack

OASE Hel-X 13 Bio-Media is a high-performance biological filter media designed for ProfiClear Premium Compact filters and modules. This advanced bio-media provides an ideal surface for beneficial bacteria colonies to thrive, effectively removing toxic ammonia, ammonium, and nitrites from your pond water to keep your fish healthy.

Key Features:

• High-efficiency biological filtration media
• Huge protected inner surface area for maximum bacteria colonization
• Unique design protects bacteria colonies from turbulent water damage
• Maintains active, healthy bacteria without loss of decomposition capacity
• Self-cleaning action keeps media active and efficient
• Designed specifically for ProfiClear Premium Compact filters and modules
• 20 liters of bio-media per pack

How Hel-X 13 Works:

Beneficial bacteria are essential for a healthy pond—they convert toxic ammonia (from fish waste) into less harmful substances through the nitrogen cycle. Hel-X 13's innovative design features a large protected inner surface area where bacteria colonies can establish and thrive. The turbulent water flow keeps the outer surface clean while protecting the bacteria colonies inside, ensuring continuous, efficient biological filtration without the loss of beneficial bacteria.

Why Hel-X 13 is Superior:

• Protected Inner Surface: Bacteria colonies grow safely inside the media, protected from water turbulence
• High Surface Area Ratio: Massive inner surface area provides more space for bacteria than traditional media
• Self-Cleaning Design: Water agitation keeps media clean without damaging bacteria colonies
• Consistent Performance: Maintains decomposition capacity over time without decline
• Optimal for Moving Bed: Works perfectly in ProfiClear's moving bed biological filtration chambers

What It Removes:

• Ammonia (NH₃): Highly toxic to fish, produced by fish waste and decomposing organic matter
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): Less toxic form of ammonia, still harmful at high levels
• Nitrites (NO₂⁻): Toxic intermediate product in the nitrogen cycle

Compatible With:

• ProfiClear Premium Compact-M filters
• ProfiClear Premium Compact-L filters
• ProfiClear Premium modular filter systems
• Other moving bed biological filter chambers

Specifications:

• Volume: 20 liters per pack
• Type: Hel-X 13 moving bed bio-media
• Application: Biological filtration chambers

What's Included:

• 20 liters of Hel-X 13 bio-media

When to Add More Bio-Media:

• Upgrading or expanding your ProfiClear filter system
• Increasing fish load in your pond
• Replacing old or degraded bio-media
• Building a custom biological filtration chamber
• Improving biological filtration capacity

Note: Hel-X 13 is designed for moving bed biological filtration systems like those in ProfiClear Premium Compact filters. The media moves freely in the filter chamber, creating optimal conditions for bacteria growth and self-cleaning action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Hel-X 13 compare to traditional bio-media like bio-balls or ceramic rings?
A: Hel-X 13 is significantly more efficient than traditional static bio-media. The key difference is the protected inner surface design—while bio-balls and ceramic rings have bacteria growing on exposed surfaces that can be damaged by water flow, Hel-X 13 has a huge protected inner surface area where bacteria colonies thrive safely. The moving bed design (media tumbles in water flow) keeps the outer surface clean while protecting bacteria inside, resulting in higher bacterial capacity and more consistent performance. This means better ammonia and nitrite removal in a smaller space.

Q: How much Hel-X 13 do I need for my pond?
A: The amount of Hel-X 13 needed depends on your pond size, fish load, and filter model. ProfiClear Premium Compact filters come with the appropriate amount of Hel-X 13 for their rated capacity. This Add Pack (20 liters) is for expanding capacity, replacing old media, or upgrading your system. As a general rule, heavily stocked koi ponds need more biological filtration capacity than lightly stocked goldfish ponds. If you're experiencing ammonia or nitrite spikes despite good mechanical filtration, adding more Hel-X 13 can increase your biological filtration capacity.

Q: Do I need to replace Hel-X 13 bio-media, or does it last forever?
A: Hel-X 13 is extremely durable and can last for many years without needing replacement. Unlike foam media that breaks down and needs annual replacement, Hel-X 13 is made from durable plastic that doesn't degrade. You only need to replace it if it becomes physically damaged or heavily clogged (which is rare due to the self-cleaning design). However, you should rinse the media occasionally in pond water (never tap water, which kills beneficial bacteria) if you notice reduced performance. The bacteria colonies are what do the work, and they continuously regenerate on the media surface.