I’m in the same boat.I am thoroughly confused having never done plumbing and will probably be pestering you when I do my ultima plumbing
48x48 Workhorse "The Rig"
- Thread starter JK47
- Start date
N nzafi here are the specs on the K1 towers.
X2 Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump 1500 GPH
X1 Hydor Smart Wave Circulation Pump Controller
They will be mounted inside the towers pointed towards the surface/overflow teeth. This will keep the surface agitated for gas exchange (critical in closed loop) and turnover the towers efficiently for the power consumed.
14 watts @ 100% w/o restriction = 12.5 turn/hour
14 watts @ 66% w/o restriction = 8.25 turn/hour
14 watts @ 33% w/o restriction = 4.12 turn/hour
Anywhere between 6-8 turnovers per hour of self cleaning, highly efficiency bio media at 14 watts is a solid design. That beats two FX6's for 16% of the cost and no canister to lug around..
As far as flow coming into the tower and then out, are you expecting inflow from the bulkhead at the bottom and the expecting water to overflow the teeth? I’m just not sure how that would work. I can picture a hmf with jetlifter where the tube is outpouring directly outside the sponge.
Yup. It's just a body of water and a vessel exchanging. Nothing too complicated. Even if the flow is slowed by the teeth, it’s still taking exchanging and efficient. High turn over filters take many passes to convert organics. Slow filters output is fully processed. Think sponge filters (similar concept).
I’m super happy with how this is turning out. Glad we didn’t paint under the overflow towers.
I forgot to ask you how you plan to position these. I am guessing as far down as possible and pointed up? I have never seen anyone use powerheads for K1 but I know very little about them.
From your prior experience with K1 is it all it is cracked up to be? Really maintenance free?
Thank you!
They will be mounted at the top pointed toward the teeth of the overflow at an approx 45 degree angle. I am wrapping them in a nylon mesh material to keep K1 from sticking to the powerhead and direct the flow a bit as well. Air moves the K1 vertically for the boil. The powerheads move water out of the tower, not the K1.
Yes K1 is all it's cracked up to be. I've never cleaned or replaced any and I have a lot of it. Most of the stories I've heard of people having issues with it got it from the cheapest seller available. Knock off brands can be a problem. If ray keepers support a bio media, that should say something about it. We put it to the test.
Oh! Now I really need to see what you are doing. I was assuming you were using power heads to boil the K1. I am guessing you are using an air pump with some sort of tubing? I would love to see how you are boiling. Really eager to see your final setup.
I am also guessing you are pointing your wavemaker the long ways of the box seeing it probably is longer than the width of the box.
No sir they face forward against the shorter distance. I want the shorter distance to move water more efficiently. I measured fitment before ordering the pumps.
I do not use powerheads for K1, only air or drop baffles. In the below pics there is an air pump (Alita AP40) with a yellow top. That’s air for the tank.
I built the air manifold last night. Two 3/8" lines (one per tower) and one 3/8" line feeding a 16 way stainless manifold. That will feed 8 lines facing the rear of the tank, mounted to the floor. Same thing I did on the 1K. Very clean look and no rats nest of hoses
I was also able to solve fitment issue #4. The pump is now behind the Ultima with even less restriction. I think this is the final layout.
