FBF on Lifegard Module

[timeneverfreezes]

I plan on setting up a FB-300 on an elbow off a Lifegard system.

Similar to this:

The FBF is located on the end of the Lifegard system. Essentially it feeds off the clean water flow which is controlled by the by-pass valve.

Similar to this:

I know that FBF filters are very sensitive to the water flow rate. Wont, as the filter modules get obstructed and dirty the flow rate change and affect the sand bed?

How could I overcome this problem without just manually adjusting the by-pass every so often?

 

[timeneverfreezes]

bump it up.

 

[Bawb2u]

I plan on setting up a FB-300 on an elbow off a Lifegard system.

Similar to this:

The FBF is located on the end of the Lifegard system. Essentially it feeds off the clean water flow which is controlled by the by-pass valve.

Similar to this:

I know that FBF filters are very sensitive to the water flow rate. Wont, as the filter modules get obstructed and dirty the flow rate change and affect the sand bed?

How could I overcome this problem without just manually adjusting the by-pass every so often?

I don't think there is a way. I mean basically your looking for a timed or pressure driven incremental flow increase, right? I've never heard of any type of controller module that would do that. The only thing I could think of is a small seperate motor between the FBF and the Tee on the Lifeguard system but that would essentially defeat what you're trying to do.

 

[timeneverfreezes]

Yeah there really is no way that i could think other then just put it on its own power head.

Anyone with experience about plumbing a FBF at the end of something like this? Does it affect the filter badly enough to change?

 

[mrunlucky07]

I think that is one of the big reasons they never caught on. They really need their own powerhead in the tank. I have found them to be quite sensitive to flow, but well worth the little bit of effort.

Also I have not found them to be overly sensitive to debris. Everyone says run a good prefilter to keep from clogging. I am running two currently right from the tank without prefilters and have less issues because anything small enough to make it through a pump is small enough to pass right through a FBF. One has been that way for about 18 months without touching it, the other about 3 months a turtle tank that gobbles at least a dozen large feeders a week. No issues with debris on either.

 

[timeneverfreezes]

Ah, yes.

Thanks for the replies guys, I will def. be setting it up but now just using a separate pump for the lifeguard modules.

 

[Bawb2u]

I've never run an FBF, so I don't know exactly how sensitive they are but could you put a shutoff after the tee, before the FBF, open the flow control on the FBF to it's max and then dial down the water flow until it's flowing the amount you want? If you keep your filters clean, there shouldn't be that much drop off on water flow, as far as I know. That way if you DO find there is too much drop off, you could shut off the valve, remove the FBF, add a hose threaded adapter after the valve and be able to do powered water changes. Just a thought.

 

[monstermidas20]

ive been thinking about this to and decided to run either a seperate pump or powerhead for the fbf that way when i clean my ocean clear the bio can keep running. if anything ill attach a small sponge to the suction part of the powerhead when doing water changes so dabris dont get in

 

[timeneverfreezes]

That way if you DO find there is too much drop off, you could shut off the valve, remove the FBF, add a hose threaded adapter after the valve and be able to do powered water changes. Just a thought.

Yeah but i plan on running this off the sump so the powered water changer wouldnt work because of the standpipes.


Ok, heres what i have so far. I elected to go the homemade route for the Lifegard modules and will post a little writeup of the plumbing in the DIY forum.

I bought two home pre-filters from lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=89376-59019-WHKF-DWHV&lpage=none

They range from 20-2 micron sediment removal and also a carbon cartridge. The flow rate on these is 5gpm or 300gph. I plan on plumbing the filters too a Rio2100 because thats all I have at the moment. If I notice a huge fall in the output of water when they are dirty (clear housing) I'll get something with a higher head rating. The FBF will run off a Rio1700.