Ultima II mechanical filtration

[JK47]

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.

Do you feel that one of the larger models would not clog as quickly? My 1000's will run off of a pump inside the tank mounted mid tank, on the back wall. The 1000 is biologically adequate bit I feel like mechanical suffers if forced into a smaller diameter filter.

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Do you feel that one of the larger models would not clog as quickly? My 1000's will run off of a pump inside the tank mounted mid tank, on the back wall. The 1000 is biologically adequate bit I feel like mechanical suffers if forced into a smaller diameter filter.

I have to believe that the 2000 would give me more mechanical filtration, just based on the difference in size (more filter media). In hindsight, I should have gone with the 2000. It would have been worth the $150 or so, difference in price with the 1000. At this point, I'm thinking of adding a pre-filter, similar to the one Pacu Mom talked about. There are many different cartridge type filters out there that would work in my application. Now, it comes down to finding the one that will be easiest to maintain.

 

[JK47]

I completely agree. The 2000 would do far better at mechanical as would the 4000. I am considering the 4000 instead of the 6000. Takes less water to backflush and is more than enough biological. I already have the hammerhead pump so I may just valve that back on a 4000 instead. Please keep me posted if you add mechanical. I would like to experiment as well down the road if I am not happy.

 

[pacu mom]

I have to believe that the 2000 would give me more mechanical filtration, just based on the difference in size (more filter media). In hindsight, I should have gone with the 2000. It would have been worth the $150 or so, difference in price with the 1000. At this point, I'm thinking of adding a pre-filter, similar to the one Pacu Mom talked about. There are many different cartridge type filters out there that would work in my application. Now, it comes down to finding the one that will be easiest to maintain.

Biowave is super easy--just hose the cartridge down. RTL cartridges are made of 100 micron stuff--can't even pressure wash them out. Soaking in bleach is the only way to get rid of the junk or throw them out and just use new ones. You see RTL-like filters in many big reef setups for the mechanical pre filter component.

 

[specialized002]

What will your fx5 filters be used as JK?

 

[JK47]

What will your fx5 filters be used as JK?

All are used with stock sponges and three trays of bio media (pond matrix & substrat pro). Just used as cycled extras for when I want to move things around. I like to tinker with pup tanks. I don't move the eheim's

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

Biowave is super easy--just hose the cartridge down. RTL cartridges are made of 100 micron stuff--can't even pressure wash them out. Soaking in bleach is the only way to get rid of the junk or throw them out and just use new ones. You see RTL-like filters in many big reef setups for the mechanical pre filter component.

Cool. I'll check them out. The biggest issue is coming up with a plan on how to plumb a cartridge filter into my existing setup. From what I can tell, most cartridge filters need to be drained some prior to servicing. Not sure if I have enough room in my system to incorporate another drain pipe into my house main in the basement and I don't have a floor drain nearby.

 

[pacu mom]

Cool. I'll check them out. The biggest issue is coming up with a plan on how to plumb a cartridge filter into my existing setup. From what I can tell, most cartridge filters need to be drained some prior to servicing. Not sure if I have enough room in my system to incorporate another drain pipe into my house main in the basement and I don't have a floor drain nearby.

Maybe you can do it in tandem with the Ultima why don't you pm Kendragon to see if that's possible. I'm going to run my UV sterilizers off my Ultimas.