Re-Filtering?

Well, once my new sump is established, I'll start taking readings...

 

Before re-filtering and after re-filtering for about 3 days. Cant wait! Im thinking of setting up a 300-L sump and would be very exited if this re-filtering shows promising results.

 

I'm constantly challenging the conventional way of doing things, don't ask me why... If this works, I'll be stoked. My plans have evolved as follows:

4000 l/h is way too fast to filter my mere 270l tank. As such, I'm going to put a t-piece in the plumbing with 2 on-off taps. This will allow me to set it to the optimal flow, with the one end going into the tank and the other returning to the start of the sump. When cleaning, I can minimize the return and rather increase the re-filter end. The total flow in the sump will never exceed 4000 l/h with both taps open. The tank return pipe will enter another t-piece going into my UV filter, as the pressure in the UV filter could easily compromise one of the seals. The bypass will allow a balanced pressure. I could also add another tap there to ensure that the pressure stays low. Finally, I'm going to add a 50mm tap on my overflow, so when the power goes out or when I' going to turn the pump off, I can close this tap to avoid flooding the sump. A backup solenoid is also an idea, but that's another story...

All this seems (and probably is) too much for a mere 270l tank, but this is my experimental tank. I want to see how far I can push filtration and automation. If I want to go on holiday for a week, I'll know that my tank is ready for anything Gauteng can throw at it!

 

This is a lekker setup you planning. Post pics as you go along. I want to 'copy/past' lol. Just remember that the flo threw the UV must be very low to maximize exposure to the light. The bad organisms need time to die and refiltering in this part of your system woudnt help at all.

 

That's true. That's why I want to add a tap with a bypass in order to regulate the flow to the UV filter. It can handle 600 l/h effectively.

I'll definitely share my progress on the forum... With only one fish remaining after the Great Tragedy, I've got all the time in the world to do things properly... Still want to tackle the background as well!

 

Open a new tread for this.

 

Will definitely do...

Back to topic for anyone who wants to give their 2c!

 

Yeah shibby, only one way to really find out is to do it. I have my doubts tbh as aquarium keeping is a relatively old hobby and I'm pretty sure that somebody somewhere has tried this. If it did work we would all be using the principle. Hell, Hagen would copyright it and make millions

One thing though shibby, you gonna need to do loads of test to see how successful it is but following

 

Well, if Col. Sanders gave up on making chicken, KFC wouldn't exist ;-)

I'll try it and post my findings!

 

If I recall correctly, you are planning on doing this on a new tank???

Then this is my suggestion... cycle the tank in NORMALLY for 3 months. Thereafter spend 2 months taking daily tests with is set up like this, then do a further 2 months testing it with the new pump added. I know you thinking.. "hell 7 month??"... but hey, it's probably the only way we will know for fact that it works.

 

Exactly

 

Well, old tank, but new sump! I'll follow your advice and see how it goes. It's going to be cycling any way, no harm in waiting 3 months for the sump to be well established! Alternatively, I can measure it on my already established sump and then just re-cycle before I change to the new one.

PS that new sump is going to be huge! Bit of an overkill perhaps. 3ft sump on a 4ft tank? But at least I'll be cycling 2/3 more water, so my system should be very stable and able to handle any bio load!