Open by Design. Easy to Clean.

Hydro FilterSilk™ was developed to provide the surface area biological filtration needs without packing the filter chamber with dense media that is difficult to clean.

Its three-dimensional HDPE mesh is more than 90% open space, allowing water to move freely throughout the media while providing extensive surface area for beneficial bacteria.

That open structure also allows accumulated fine material to be released during rinsing and backwashing.

High Water Flow • Biological Filtration • Fine Water Polishing • Easy Backwashing

Hydro FilterSilk™ biological filter media expanded to show its highly open three-dimensional HDPE mesh structure.

More Than 90% Open Space

Biological filtration depends on more than surface area. Water also needs to move through the media.

Hydro FilterSilk™ creates a large three-dimensional network of HDPE strands while leaving more than 90% of the media volume open for water movement.

This allows oxygenated water to circulate throughout the media rather than forcing it through dense layers of filter material.

Lots of surface area for beneficial bacteria. Lots of open space for water.

Close-up of Hydro FilterSilk™ biological filter media stretched across a hand, showing its highly open HDPE mesh structure.

Designed for Low-Pressure Cleaning

Dense filter pads can hold fine material deep within their structure, often requiring more aggressive rinsing to clean thoroughly.

Hydro FilterSilk™ takes a different approach.

Its highly open mesh allows loosened material and water to move through the media, allowing it to be cleaned with low-pressure water.

For pond applications, gentler cleaning also helps preserve more of the established biological community living on the media.

Clean the media without aggressively blasting it clean.

Hydro FilterSilk™ being cleaned with low-pressure water compared with a debris-loaded filter pad being cleaned with high-pressure water

Made for Backwashing

Hydro FilterSilk™ was developed specifically for Hydro Vortex™ backwashable waterfall filters.

Unlike filter pads that normally have to be removed for thorough cleaning, FilterSilk™ remains inside the Hydro Vortex™ during routine backwashing.

Water and loosened material can move through its open structure and exit through the filter's bottom drain.

With the optional HydroFlush™ Backwash System, the water feature's existing pump provides the backwashing flow.

No filter pads to pull out. No heavy media bags to lift. No routine media replacement.

Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter backwashing itself and the Hydro FilterSilk™ bio-media

One Media Provides Two Types of Filtration

Biological Filtration

The three-dimensional HDPE structure provides extensive surface area where beneficial bacteria can colonize and help process dissolved waste in recirculating pond water.

Fine Water Polishing

The same three-dimensional structure captures smaller suspended particles that have already passed through the pond skimmer or pre-filter.

Instead of using separate filter pads for fine filtration and separate media for biological filtration, Hydro FilterSilk™ performs both functions within the same media chamber.

Fills the Filter — Not Just Part of It

Hydro FilterSilk™ expands and conforms to the shape of the filter chamber.

Instead of several individual pads or bags occupying portions of the filter, the open mesh spreads throughout the available media chamber, creating a large three-dimensional filtration area.

Each package contains 1.83 cubic feet of Hydro FilterSilk™.

Built for Long-Term Use

Hydro FilterSilk™ is manufactured from durable HDPE (high-density polyethylene) mesh.

Unlike conventional filter pads that can deteriorate and require frequent replacement, Hydro FilterSilk™ is intended for routine backwashing and to remain in the filtration system long-term.

That means fewer consumable filter components and one less recurring maintenance expense.

Install it once. Backwash it when needed.

Hydro FilterSilk™ installation sequence showing the media placed inside a Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filter, covered with cobblestones and concealed within a finished landscaped waterfall.

Hydro FilterSilk™ at a Glance

Feature Hydro FilterSilk™
Material HDPE thermoplastic mesh
Package Volume 1.83 cu. ft.
Open Space More than 90%
Primary Functions Biological filtration + fine water polishing
Cleaning Low-pressure rinsing / backwashing
Routine Media Removal Not required in Hydro Vortex™ filters
Routine Replacement Not required
Color Black
Primary Application Hydro Vortex™ waterfall filters
Other Applications Adaptable to many biological filtration systems


Top of Page