Filtration for 30 15Gal tanks.

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Jgray152

Feeder Fish
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Dec 23, 2006
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My buddy and I are thinking of opening our own store and I am pretty much incharge of filtration. There will be anywhere between 5-15 fish, most of these will be juviniels. Larger fish will go in larger tanks on seporate filtration.

So trying to think of the most efficient filtration system when considering, mechanical and bio volume, flow rate, power consumption and head pressure, it seems the Fx5 may work.

My Modded Fx5 holds about 12 liters of bio media. Flow rate is not tested but I am assuming its around 600 GPH. I will say 550 GPH for argument sake. Fx5 consumes about 52 watts of power.

10 15Gal tanks equal to 150 gallons of water. That is 4 cycles per hour. 0.4 cycles per tank if you divide it up per tank. Should be no different then filtering 150 gallon tank with 150 1" fish right?

It seems kinda low per tank but so does it when you divide up a 150 gallon aquarium and figuring the turn over rate for only 15 gallons out of 150 gal tank so I don't think there is a huge discrepency.

I am leaning towards a wet/dry setup but I will be using over 350 watts of power for just one pump, I will need more than one. External pumps are highly inefficient compared to canisters when dealing with head pressure and power consumption vs flow rates.

I have also been thinking of stepping up my canister designs which are for a single tank and building one for multiple tanks with flow rates of 2500 GPH or more. Taking head pressure into consideration, external pumps should work more efficiently as the suction head and discharge head will be marginally the same.

Anyone have any other thoughts on this?
 
I would set up an overflow system out of each tank, plumb that into a swimming pool 300 lb. sand filter then thru an inline thermostat controlled heater, then thru as large of an UV unit as you can afford, then thru carbon and zeolite in a canister, Then back to tanks. Sounds easy HUH ??? :naughty:
 
Thats another possibility I was thinking off. Im not sure how often I would have to backwash the pool filter?? Anyone know? Pool filters usually filter down to 1 micron correct? So im guessing I would have to install some sort of filter before it to filter out larger particles.
 
drill each tank and do a good size sump...
 
I took a quick peak at pool filters and found there are cartridge filters too which, if I do lean this direction, I will use the reusable cartridge instead of DE or Sand. I know DE can filter down to 2-5 micron but I don't need the water to be THAT clear.

These would do great since It would be more efficient with suction and discharge heads.
 
my lfs has an overflow with carbon in it(on each tank), then the water is filtered using a pool filter. their tanks stay crystal clear and clean.
 
So how about 2 of these Hayward Star Clear filters
http://www.poolfiltersonly.com/store/index.php?cPath=472_482

One will use a cartridge filter while the other I will modify into a biological filter which will hold about 50 liters. There is a large size that could hold about 75 liters.

With this ReeFlo pump which to my surprise, consumes a max of 108 watts and puts out 2500 GPH! I some how don't really believe it but I have to trust what I see
ReeFlo Pump

With this Heater
http://www.koienterprise.com/Pond-Heaters/Elecro-Heaters-p-523.html
 
Yes, I think that you overestimated the electrical consumption.

Reeflo is a great company! They use American made (i believe fort smith, ak) motors and have top of the line customer service.


Good luck... Fish stores are all investment at the beginning and it will be a while before you earn a good reputation...

Honestly, I would invest in a high quality air system and run sponge filters. Though, it is your choice. I do not like central water systems, whatsoever. Especially in a fish store because, in the beginning when you are trying to make a standing, if you get one fish with ich, all your fish end up with ich. Also, you would be sending people home with ich-y water... Not good whatsoever.
 
wow_it_esploded;2685168; said:
Honestly, I would invest in a high quality air system and run sponge filters. Though, it is your choice. I do not like central water systems, whatsoever. Especially in a fish store because, in the beginning when you are trying to make a standing, if you get one fish with ich, all your fish end up with ich. Also, you would be sending people home with ich-y water... Not good whatsoever.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

Something like this coupled with sponges would be ideal, gives you the option to upgrade to more tanks as well:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1028/Sweetwater-Blower-Packages-for-Fish-Rooms/s11k/0
 
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