4 step filtration

[saltynay]

So this is what I am thinking for my super pred tank.
1. LR in the tank, an overflow going to an algae scrubber, then flowing into a sump/refugium, then pumped through a fluidised sand bed filter and back up to the tank.
2. Again LR in tank, overflow down to sump, use algae scrubber as a bridge to another tank which will hold excess water(perhaps some extra LR with fun things in like clowns and nem with cleaner shrimp and use as food storage tank), pump into FSBF and back into tank.
Algae scrubber and FSBF are intriguing hence why I want to try them. The algae scrubber is meant to be excellent at removing nitrates through natural processes, the sump is excellent at mechanical filtration and anaerobic bacteria and the FSBF is very good with polishing the water and aerobic bacteria.

 

[saltynay]

23 views 1 vote.... Going well

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by saltynay http:///forum/thread/381422/4-step-filtration#post_3322486
23 views 1 vote.... Going well

LOL...sorry I won;t vote on something I don't know about

 

[saltynay]

What is confusing? I will of course explain. I don't think anyone has done modular filtration this way before at least as far as I can find by looking online so I would be surprised if someone comes up with a "well I did mine in this config and it worked well" answer.

 

[btldreef]

I'd love to see how option 1 turns out. You're correct, I don't think anyone has attempted all that...

 

[saltynay]

Well option 1 and 2 are very similar just the movement of the algae scrubber from 2nd to 3rd position which will give me a reason for a second tank of around 50 gallons.
I have always like weird and wonderful filtration these were my fresh 20's when I first finished the filtration the water cycled between the two tanks and then I added a fish tunnel:
(click to enlarge)

That was 2 Fluval 1+ filters, 1 PF1 filter (can't remember brand might of been intrapet) then my Christmas tree moss wall/ filter. the tank on the left after this got filled with lucky bamboo and 2 lights was great fun tinkering, especially as if you didn't adjust the flow every few days one tank would flood the other (the pumps were placed at a level were they would go dry before actual flooding occurred, you would just get 1 inch difference in height and the rattle noise of a dry pump running). Never get bored with your tanks when they needed constant attention. I then improved on this design by building an external pump that hid behind and T'd providing flow in both tanks and drew from both which seemed to reduce the likelihood of flooding.

 

[saltynay]

Bumpty bump bumpty bump. only 2 votes no-one particularly good at flow models or do you need more info?

 

[spanko]

Not sure I understand why the fluidized bed filter in this system.

 

[saltynay]

FSBF is in for polishing the water and allowing the aerobic bacteria a space to colonise.

 

[acrylic51]

Maximizes fish load as well......Ok!!!!!!

2 people voted so far.....what is your preference Saltynay?

 

[saltynay]

I am trying to remain impartial I do have this poll on a couple of english forums aswell

 

[shrimpy brains]

Ok, I votd for 2 as I believe an algae scrubber and refugium to be redundant.
Also, the added volume of a 50g and you can keep your feeders in there, is IMO a good idea.

 

[spanko]

Quote:
Originally Posted by saltynay http:///forum/thread/381422/4-step-filtration#post_3323017
FSBF is in for polishing the water and allowing the aerobic bacteria a space to colonise.
Live rock, sand bed, and any other hard surface will be home to aerobic bacteria without the need for the additional equipment. then it is a husbandry maintenance process to keep the water clean. Also can run carbon to polish the water.

 

[saltynay]

Interesting.... Shrimpy brains please elaborate are you talking about a LR only setup?
Spanko I am building the equipment so cost is minimal and has excess filtration ever hurt? I could do a fluidised carbon reactor if only the pellets came in a standard size.

 

[shrimpy brains]

Not sure what more to say, a refugium offers a place to grow macros and pods or what not. An algae scrubber does the same thing oly the algae grows on a screen and requires more maintenance.
In your above option 2, you replaced the refugium with a 50g tank. This tank would offer more water volume, which is always a plus to help keep water params more stable.
It also offers a place to house feeder shrimp or whatever you are going to be feeding your predators. So, it seemed like the better or more useful choice to me.
I'm not sure what you mean by a live rock only system. We all only have live rock in our tanks. (although a few have macros, if no livestock will eat it).
From there, it varies. You can't call it lr only and add an algae scrubbere/refugium/FSBF, etc. The only thing you are avoiding is a protien skimmer.
If you really want my opinion, live rock, refugium(you can still keep your feeders in here) and a protien skimmer along with a consistant maintenance schedule.
If you want to avoid the skimmer, you can test more and do more water changes.
Just my opinion! Hope it helps!

 

[spanko]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shrimpy Brains http:///forum/thread/381422/4-step-filtration#post_3323305
............
If you really want my opinion, live rock, refugium(you can still keep your feeders in here) and a protien skimmer along with a consistant maintenance schedule.
If you want to avoid the skimmer, you can test more and do more water changes.
Just my opinion! Hope it helps!
+1

 

[saltynay]

Ok, I don't want a skimmer. The water changes will be every 1or 2 days with fresh (real) sea water and the feeders will be live marine fish I buy from the fisherman on the beach fresh from the nets literally less then 1 minute out of the water.

 

[acrylic51]

That's very doable!!!!!!!!

 

[acrylic51]

So which way are your polls leaning???? Going back and looking at things again, I think you would really benefit from a protein skimmer.....Regardless of water changes every 1-2 days......It might not keep your levels where you want/need them.....Remembering heavy feeding.....I'd run a skimmer, and due a small continuous water change on the tank.
Quote:
Originally Posted by saltynay http:///forum/thread/381422/4-step-filtration#post_3323100
I am trying to remain impartial I do have this poll on a couple of english forums as well

 

[saltynay]

Perhaps a small one then that can fit in like a 20gallon sump as my polls are leaning towards option 2 atm. Having 2 tanks underneath one hidden and one as a reef tank.
Now I just need to find a way to get my investor to believe that the money spent on this will make us money in the long run as the project has kinda grown out of proportion which all projects must......... any ideas.