Filter backwash

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kendragon

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MFK Member
Mar 23, 2009
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Since I got several inquiry on how my glass filter works, I've decided to photograph the step by step.
I normally don't catch what comes out so I was very surprised what actually came out tonight. Last backwash was three days ago.

Tank before backwash. 10 xingus and 10 red fish.
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Turn handle to backwash
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Waste to drain. Crap was actually whole and not blended.
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Turn handle back to filter. 75 gallons to backwash which happens in matter of seconds.
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Fill water
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Done. I never ever vacuum the gravel so my hands didn't even get wet.
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Backwash is when the flow in the filter is reversed and the water is dumped. Reverse flow tumbles the glass which dislodges the crap from the media. Because the pump is never turn off and aquarium water is used the biological bacteria stays good throughout. The filter is only 17" diameter.
 
Ken, don't you have to turn the pump off in order to change the handle positions from filter to backwash?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Nope. Wave 1/15hp is a low pressure pump. You don't get the water hammer affect which would damage the multiport seals. Bigger units you may have to. I also have a secret air hole on the suction line which I open if I want to use air to wash the media.
 
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