900 gallon filtration options

[Angelphish]

I recently stumbled across most of the acrylic to build a tank, so it's likely that I'll be able to build an 8x5x3 900 gallon tank in the near future. I currently have a 75 gallon sump on my 210, but I know that won't be big enough for a 900. Currently I'm thinking about building a sump out of a 275g ibc tote, getting a used pool filter for mechanical, and filling a plastic 55g drum with pumice and using it as a denitrification filter. Would this work? Are there more efficient/easier options that I should look into instead?

 

[Angelphish]

I recently stumbled across most of the acrylic to build a tank, so it's likely that I'll be able to build an 8x5x3 900 gallon tank in the near future. I currently have a 75 gallon sump on my 210, but I know that won't be big enough for a 900. Currently I'm thinking about building a sump out of a 275g ibc tote, getting a used pool filter for mechanical, and filling a plastic 55g drum with pumice and using it as a denitrification filter. Would this work? Are there more efficient/easier options that I should look into instead?

Another thing I would be concerned about is the pumps. Any recommendations for pumps and/or how much flow I need for a tank that size?

 

[Rhyno8]

That sounds like an awesome tank! Check out the stingray biology YouTube videos on his filtration he goes through diy set up to commercial set ups on his tanks pretty good viewing.

 

[Angelphish]

That sounds like an awesome tank! Check out the stingray biology YouTube videos on his filtration he goes through diy set up to commercial set ups on his tanks pretty good viewing.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

 

[Angelphish]

That sounds like an awesome tank! Check out the stingray biology YouTube videos on his filtration he goes through diy set up to commercial set ups on his tanks pretty good viewing.

I was definitely considering a k1 filter, as they seem to be cheap for large tanks. The drum filter he uses is really cool, but pool filters also have a backwash to clear debris from the filter, and I feel like they would give similar performance for 1/50th of the cost.

 

[Rhyno8]

I was definitely considering a k1 filter, as they seem to be cheap for large tanks. The drum filter he uses is really cool, but pool filters also have a backwash to clear debris from the filter, and I feel like they would give similar performance for 1/50th of the cost.

Interestingly enough I run a pool filter and sump on my tank I think the pool filter does a great job with the glass media just needs to be backwashed frequently to keep it clean. I imagine the ultima could go a longer period. There are some new plastic media’s you can put in pool filters without much modification that ate supposed to work well.

 

[Oughtsix]

Tank size is pretty irrelivant to how much bio filtration you need. Bio filtration is dependant on how much ammonia is produced which is based on stocking, feeding habits, water change intervals, mechanical filtration maintenance, etc. It is very possible that a 75g sump will be plenty if you keep a clean well maintained tank.

For mechanical filtration I personnally believe that nothing comes close to a DE pool filter for water clarity coupled with filter socks positioned so they are easy to maintain and clean out the debree before it has a chance to break down into ammonia.

I have never experimented with anarobic denitrification filters... it would be fun to try one. I have always depended on aquatic plants, terestrial plants (pothos) and ultimately water changes to to control nitrate levels.

 

[Angelphish]

Interestingly enough I run a pool filter and sump on my tank I think the pool filter does a great job with the glass media just needs to be backwashed frequently to keep it clean. I imagine the ultima could go a longer period. There are some new plastic media’s you can put in pool filters without much modification that ate supposed to work well.

I don't mind having to backwash often. That's still easier than cleaning socks...

Tank size is pretty irrelivant to how much bio filtration you need. Bio filtration is dependant on how much ammonia is produced which is based on stocking, feeding habits, water change intervals, mechanical filtration maintenance, etc. It is very possible that a 75g sump will be plenty if you keep a clean well maintained tank.

For mechanical filtration I personnally believe that nothing comes close to a DE pool filter for water clarity coupled with filter socks positioned so they are easy to maintain and clean out the debree before it has a chance to break down into ammonia.

I have never experimented with anarobic denitrification filters... it would be fun to try one. I have always depended on aquatic plants, terestrial plants (pothos) and ultimately water changes to to control nitrate levels.

I was looking into diatom filters for a period of time, so knowing that they make pool sized ones is nice. Would a pool filter with coarse/medium media that feeds into a de filter not be easier to maintain? I wouldn't have to clean socks, I could simply backwash the pool filter, and all I would need to do at that point is clean the de filter.

What size pump do you run on your EC40? What is the maintenance like?

I'll be sure to document the denitrification filter so you can follow along.

 

[Angelphish]

I don't mind having to backwash often. That's still easier than cleaning socks...


I was looking into diatom filters for a period of time, so knowing that they make pool sized ones is nice. Would a pool filter with coarse/medium media that feeds into a de filter not be easier to maintain? I wouldn't have to clean socks, I could simply backwash the pool filter, and all I would need to do at that point is clean the de filter.

What size pump do you run on your EC40? What is the maintenance like?

I'll be sure to document the denitrification filter so you can follow along.

Also, I was considering using a single 9000gp/h pool pump to power the (possibly pool filter), de filter, and k1 filter. Is that possible or would I need a booster pump?

 

[Oughtsix]

What size pump do you run on your EC40? What is the maintenance like?

I'll be sure to document the denitrification filter so you can follow along.

I would HIGHLY recommend AGAINST using a pool filter pump for many reasons.
1) Pool pumps are made for pools with tens of thousands of gallons of water. They are going to have WAY too much flow for a tiny in comparison 900 gallon tank. Think of sitting in a jacuzzi with the jets running. That is the flow your fish are going to have to deal with.
2) Pool pumps are almost always shaft drive pumps. Shaft drive pumps are more prone to leaking than mag drive pumps.
3) Shaft drive pumps will transfer the heat of the pump running into the tank water through the shaft, they will boil your fish in a day or to of running. (Guess how I know?).

For a pump much more suitable for aquariums I would recommend: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-New-J...147485?hash=item1c7e4e569d:g:NAMAAOSw2gxYt8lv

I don't mind having to backwash often. That's still easier than cleaning socks...

I was looking into diatom filters for a period of time, so knowing that they make pool sized ones is nice. Would a pool filter with coarse/medium media that feeds into a de filter not be easier to maintain? I wouldn't have to clean socks, I could simply backwash the pool filter, and all I would need to do at that point is clean the de filter.

I love the EC40 DE filter, I can't imaging ever running a tank without DE filter. Being a pool filter it will easily take the flow of a 1hp+ pool pump. I was shocked when I initially setup the EC40 and it did a fantastic job with a tiny little Quiet One 3000 pump.

This is my current DE filter on my 35g dirt bottom gravel capped planted tank. I believe I have a Jebao DCT-4000 pump currently.


It is a large 20" tall big blue filter with a 20 micron filter cartridge coated with DE. On my 35g tank it initially lasted about 3 months before the flow slowed so much that I had to do maintenance on the filter. Now that all the micro fine particles from the potting soil and clay that I use for a substrate have been removed it will easily last over a year without any maintenance... this is why I recommend some sort of pre-filter, so you don't have all that debree breaking down in the filter creating Nitrates.

The EC40 would go for equally long lengths of time before requiring maintenance.


The nice thing about the EC40 is maintenance is as easy as shutting off the pump, actuating the handle up and down several times to knock all the DE off of the filter screens then turn the pump back on. Knocking the DE off of the filter screens allows the screens to recoat with a fresh layer of DE on the outermost layer. The outer most layer (I would guess maybe 1/32") is what actually does the filtering. Everything is filtered out before the water hits the inner layer of DE.


Backwashing is easier than changing filter socks???? NOT IN MY LIVINGROOM!!!! LOL! This is one of those places where what works best for me might not be best for you. If backwashing a pool pump is easier for you than filter socks then by all means I would go that route! The filter on my pool (sand filter) takes a lot of water to backwash. Where is that water going to come from? From your tank? Or are you planning on backwashing with tap water? If the backwash water is coming from your tank what are your plans for replacing the water? From watching the dirty water flow out of the sand filter it "seems" like I am flushing 50 to 100 gallons of water depending on how long it has been since the filter was last flushed.

If you are backwashing your pool filter frequently you are essentially doing a partial water change... do you think you will actually need an anarobic de-nitrifying filter? Just curious.