Filtration for LFS

[Henry1]

I am taking over an 8 years old outfit with 50 tanks and would like to relook at improving the filtration system.

Current filtration employs sets of overflow sand filter located on the highest tier where water are fed from a based sump. From the top tier, filtered water flow down by gravity into 2 holding tank located on the 3rd and second tier, then back into the sump which also house a skimmer.

Livestock carried includes fish, corals, invertebrates and liverocks.

Would appreciate recommendation and link of efficient and low maintenance filtration systems. Pictures will be of great help.

TIA.

 

[Henry1]

Anyone??

 

[Anonymous]

Could you post a picture of what you have now?

 

[dizzy]

Hi Henry,

I'm a little confused like Rover. Are the tanks drilled and then the water shares a common filtration system after it leaves the tanks? If so how big is the bulkhead fitting and pipe size that leaves each tank. The faster you can flow the water through the better the fish will like it. Probably you need a larger circulation pump and a larger skimmer. It sounds like you may have a large biological filter capacity, but you may want to include bio balls or something into the sump. Try to visit a local wholesaler and see what they are doing. Most of the ones I have been to use here use large skimmers and UV sterilizer banks. How many gallons total is your system? Check out the better of your competion and see what they are doing. Don't be afraid to borrow ideas from the ones that appear to know what they are doing. Check out FAMA and some of the commerical web sites.

 

[Henry1]

Rover, Dizzy

Thanks for responding. Apology I do not have a pic.

Basically, each set are 4 tiers with the bottom tanks as a sump housing a return pump and a skimmer. Water is pumped from the sump to the 4th tier which contain crush coral for biofiltration. The 2nd and 3rd tier are for housing livestocks.

All the tanks ~30G and are drilled for 1 inch bulkhead & pipe fittings.

Remaining 2 tanks of the 50 are 120g for LR & corals respectively.

Perhaps a good start will be looking at improving the skimmer's efficiency and installing a UV bank.
Also, converting some of the filters into DSB with macro algae culture.

Any advice/recommendation will be most appreciated.

Cheers

 

[dizzy]

Henry,

My first thought is that the top tier is a total waste of tank space. The biological filter medium can be in the sump. One inch bulkheads sound ok for multiple small systems. I suspect the water draining from one tank to the one below causes a lot of salt creep, as the air mixes with the water. If your floor can handle the salt spray turn up the water volume by increasing the pump size.

Try to have seperate systems for new fish and ones that have been quarantined. Turn the top tier into additional holding tanks or increased system capacity. Add live sand to all four tiers. Put a good skimmer in the sump and return through the proper size UV. Have at least one system without sand for disease treatment.

 

[Henry1]

Dizzy,

Good assessment.
I like the part on simplification by relocating biofiltration from top tier to sump, creating new space to add value.

Yes, salt creep/splash will be a concern as much as wanting more flow through the system. That's one of the reason for posting as I wanted alternative setup that could be neater.

Cheers

 

[dizzy]

Henry

You might consider pumping water from the sump directly to each tank by putting tees in the return line. Use .5" pvc valves to control the flow into each tank. Gravity fed tanks pick up lots of excess air because the drain lines are not totally full of water. Each tank would need to drain to the sump and not into the tank below it. If you have the space you may be able to tie several of the systems into a common sump and create more of a central filter system. E-mail me your fax number and I will try to send you a sketch or picture. It is fairly simple actually.

 

[Henry1]

Dizzy,

Forwarded you my email address.

Cheers