Ultima II mechanical filtration

[JK47]

That's impressive but very expensive, do you really feel like it's worth it? I guess you will run your hobby quite differently but that almost sounds like overkill.

Very much so I think it's worth it. I already have most everything. Just need to purchase the 6000 and a snapper. There is a critical piece most don't take into account with these filters regarding size and pumps. I dont want to hijack S specialized002 thread but can start mine soon and go into detail. I have a lot invested in my rays. Why get cheap on the filtration, ya know?

 

[Woefulrelic]

Very much so I think it's worth it. I already have most everything. Just need to purchase the 6000 and a snapper. There is a critical piece most don't take into account with these filters regarding size and pumps. I dont want to hijack S specialized002 thread but can start mine soon and go into detail. I have a lot invested in my rays. Why get cheap on the filtration, ya know?

I try to be efficient without being cheap, but 300 is my largest for now. I'm just trying to imagine what your stocking goal is with multiple ultimas, bringing MFK back in style.

 

[JK47]

I try to be efficient without being cheap, but 300 is my largest for now. I'm just trying to imagine what your stocking goal is with multiple ultimas, bringing MFK back in style.

I'm a setup guy, you know that bro. redundancy is important to me. I travel often and my wife helps. If a pump fails I will have a backup that ray capable until I get home to fix it. Additionally I can alternate back flushes without the bacteria hit.

 

[Woefulrelic]

I'm a setup guy, you know that bro. redundancy is important to me. I travel often and my wife helps. If a pump fails I will have a backup that ray capable until I get home to fix it. Additionally I can alternate back flushes without the bacteria hit.

I can respect that for sure, I'm just a sump appreciater and I can't see taking them out of my repertoire. I just imagine you could run a sump on most of these setups and double down on your tanks. Just call me a bad influence.

 

[pacu mom]

Here is the plan. I am getting rid of my sumps so no filter floss or socks.

600 gallon
Ultima II 6000 /reeflo hammerhead
Ultima II 1000 /Laguna 2400 (inside tank)
x2 Eheim 2260

500 gallon
Ultima II 2000 /reeflo dart
Ultima II 1000 /Laguna 2400 (inside tann)
x2 FX5

330 gallon
Ultima II 1000 /reeflo snapper
x1 FX5

Did you ever consider Biowaves for mechanical filtration? Hulon did that "Ultimate filtration" thread, and Biowaves were discussed. KenDragon is an expert on them. If I hadn't already purchased Ultimas, I think I would have gone with Biowaves.

Yup, with a 6000 and a 1000 on your 600 gallon tank, you definitely have overkill filtration.

 

[JK47]

I can respect that for sure, I'm just a sump appreciater and I can't see taking them out of my repertoire. I just imagine you could run a sump on most of these setups and double down on your tanks. Just call me a bad influence.

Did you ever consider Biowaves for mechanical filtration? Hulon did that "Ultimate filtration" thread, and Biowaves were discussed. KenDragon is an expert on them. If I hadn't already purchased Ultimas, I think I would have gone with Biowaves.

Yup, with a 6000 and a 1000 on your 600 gallon tank, you definitely have overkill filtration.

I read that thread countless times. I had already purchased three by then though. Still refer back often. This is strategic overkill, not cocky overkill if that makes any difference lol. There are good reason I went this route instead. Think of how nice it will be to switch a valve and have a cycled Ultima to run a 180 hospital or quarantine tank. Less water to backflush, redundancy for equipment failures etc... I would like to raise the game on these filters and have my own ideas to do so.

 

[Woefulrelic]

It sounds like you just have to dispel our doubts about your stocking level lol

 

[JK47]

It sounds like you just have to dispel our doubts about your stocking level lol

Pffft this MFK bro lol

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

How does this filter perform if at all as a mechanical filter? I have heard yes and have heard no. Would like to hear some first hand experience on this filter.

I have an Ultima II 1000 on our 600 gallon FRT tank. I think it would do perfectly fine by itself, if I had a moderately stocked tank with fish only. But, with the turtle, I have to backwash the filter every 3-4 days to keep the tank crystal clear. And, when I backwash the filter, I use about 150-200 gallons to do two cycles of "Backwash" & "Rinse" to get my pvc sight tube clear.

 

[pacu mom]

I read that thread countless times. I had already purchased three by then though. Still refer back often. This is strategic overkill, not cocky overkill if that makes any difference lol. There are good reason I went this route instead. Think of how nice it will be to switch a valve and have a cycled Ultima to run a 180 hospital or quarantine tank. Less water to backflush, redundancy for equipment failures etc... I would like to raise the game on these filters and have my own ideas to do so.

Good point. I will be using the Ultimas primarily for biological filtration and have six Pentair Rainbow RTL-100 filters for mechanical filtration. The Biowaves would be better suited to replace the RTLs for mechanical filtration. I loved the video of Ken just hosing down the cartridge to clean it. The RTL cartridges need bleaching or just replacing when they get gunked up.