48x48 Workhorse "The Rig"

[JK47]

Got the mock-up and test run for the towers fired up.

The air pump intake sits next to the exhaust on the pump. The intake pulls warm air into the alita to take advantage of thermal transfer via the pump heat and fan. Saves on heater watts.



The manifold is threaded in case we decide to add more 3/8” connections and run additional lines. The line supporting the 1/4” manifold is hidden behind the pump and wraps behind the Ultima.











Waaaaaay too much air. I need to bleed off that pump a bit and get more line tomorrow to fine tune.

 

[nzafi]

Is it possible to take some pics without the air on? I see you have the 1/4in line and 3/8in but what are you using the two lines for? Which is being used for the K1 and then how are you inserting the air into the tank? For example are you just running the 3/8in line over the top of the tank? Also, are you using airstone(s) inside the overflow box, pvc, or some other approach for generating the bubbles?

Sorry for so many questions, but I am a dunce when it comes to this and this is the part of the thread I have been chewing my nails in anticipation.

Per your prior comment about hmf, I am waiting to see how you do your overflow towers and then will make a decision. What it is going to come down to is how much K1 you fit in your towers cause then I can do a more accurate calculation on tower size for myself. I also need to see how much air I would need. I have a jehmco pump sitting around unused that generates 26lpm of air that will be must use. If it will be too small, I probably would not go with K1.

 

[JK47]

Is it possible to take some pics without the air on? I see you have the 1/4in line and 3/8in but what are you using the two lines for? Which is being used for the K1 and then how are you inserting the air into the tank? For example are you just running the 3/8in line over the top of the tank? Also, are you using airstone(s) inside the overflow box, pvc, or some other approach for generating the bubbles?

Sorry for so many questions, but I am a dunce when it comes to this and this is the part of the thread I have been chewing my nails in anticipation.

Per your prior comment about hmf, I am waiting to see how you do your overflow towers and then will make a decision. What it is going to come down to is how much K1 you fit in your towers cause then I can do a more accurate calculation on tower size for myself. I also need to see how much air I would need. I have a jehmco pump sitting around unused that generates 26lpm of air that will be must use. If it will be too small, I probably would not go with K1.

No problem. Please keep in mind this is mock up. Nothing is secured or permanent yet. The purpose of mock up to me is to tweak the plans and improve on the design after I've observed how certain things function. That's the stage I am at now so this should go quick for ya.

The K1 is going to be supported by one incoming 3/8" line. That will split to either two 3/8" lines or two 1/4" lines to each tower. I haven't decided yet. The 1/4" lines on the floor are for accessories. Sponges, in tank stones etc..

I have numerous styles of air stones to work with but like these cheap Amazon ones. They are heavy and holes are 360. Yes the lines are hung over the top for now. I may drill the tank and install a bulkhead now though. The water level is way too high for my original design to work.




There are a lot of adjustments needed to the original design but it will come out better than I had planned.

 

[nzafi]

Ok so you’re going the simple air stone route for the K1. Have a link to the amazon ones by any chance?

Really curious to see what adjustments you will be making. Is there a reason you don’t just run a manifold attached to the pump itself? I’m guessijg this gives you better control?

I have a 8 airline manifold on my pump so I would just simple run 1-2 1/4in airlines from the manifold I guess. You’re much more advanced than I am

 

[JK47]

Ok so you’re going the simple air stone route for the K1. Have a link to the amazon ones by any chance?

Really curious to see what adjustments you will be making. Is there a reason you don’t just run a manifold attached to the pump itself? I’m guessijg this gives you better control?

I have a 8 airline manifold on my pump so I would just simple run 1-2 1/4in airlines from the manifold I guess. You’re much more advanced than I am

Can’t go wrong for $6.99. Here you are: link

 

[nzafi]

How do you calculate how much air you need for k1? Is it just gut for you? I keep seeing 1lpm for each liter of K1 which is what I think DYI Joey recommended. Looking at your setup though, your alita 40 generates 40lpm and is going to be running alot more than the K1. And from what you had initial run it looks like the alita is plenty.

Just curious cause my pump is jehmco and does 26lpm. Thought it would not be adequate but looks like it could be plenty.

 

[JK47]

How do you calculate how much air you need for k1? Is it just gut for you? I keep seeing 1lpm for each liter of K1 which is what I think DYI Joey recommended. Looking at your setup though, your alita 40 generates 40lpm and is going to be running alot more than the K1. And from what you had initial run it looks like the alita is plenty.

Just curious cause my pump is jehmco and does 26lpm. Thought it would not be adequate but looks like it could be plenty.

K1 just needs lots of air. It doesn't have to be a perfect science. A boil is a boil. The math is for folks who may not be familiar with how to setup it up, how much to purchase etc.. I don't calculate it for K1, I do it for the whole tank needs and then work backwards which is why I usually end up with an alita.

The towers are boiling great right now. When that media is mature much less air is needed to retain the same boil.

 

[JK47]

Awesome! I’m still struggling my hmf vs k1 decision.

Good news,I decided for you haha! You have to go HFM. Two reasons:

1. There is an advantage HFM over K1. HFM polishes water. Your water clarity will be epic. The air accessories I run are usually sponges for polishing and to have cycled for QT tanks.
2. It's different. Push the hobby a bit and let others know what you can learn form it. That's what I try to do and it's rewarding.

 

[Dloks]

K1 just needs lots of air. It doesn't have to be a perfect science. A boil is a boil. The math is for folks who may not be familiar with how to setup it up, how much to purchase etc.. I don't calculate it for K1, I do it for the whole tank needs and then work backwards which is why I usually end up with an alita.

The towers are boiling great right now. When that media is mature much less air is needed to retain the same boil.

Picture please! So here’s what I gathered you’re using Ultima as a main source of filtration and inside those overflow towers you fill it with k1? Would those two towers be enough k1? Considering you’re already running the Ultima this would be extra right?That’s pretty awesome I’m definitely considering doing that for my real monster tank

 

[JK47]

Picture please! So here’s what I gathered you’re using Ultima as a main source of filtration and inside those overflow towers you fill it with k1? Would those two towers be enough k1? Considering you’re already running the Ultima this would be extra right?That’s pretty awesome I’m definitely considering doing that for my real monster tank

Yeah the towers are redundant (which I like) and more of an experiment to have fun more than anything. I want to see if can make a functional concept..

The first two attempts failed and I have a lot more changes to make, please keep that in mind. I'm using three pitchers of new K1 to test it out. I don't feel like digging out buckets of this stuff until I have the design sorted







As it stands now there is no need for powerheads at all. The air pushes water over the towers so well (1/2" higher in water level due to air rise) that you can see the indent it makes breaking the surface of the water in the tank. The water has to be displaced and new water enter the vessel, the bulkheads are the only place for that to happen easily. That portion of the concept works.



I think the final design may have to rely on pumps but I am not giving up on just air yet. These teeth are small and tall. Most all other of my tanks would have only needed this and I would already be done.