large canister pond filter verses multiple aqurium canist fillters
- Thread starter skillzizzo
- Start date
Sorry, I'm on the west coast and had comitments this evening, hence the delay in responding. I purchased the components for our system 1 1/2 years ago, so the prices have gone up. The going rate for the Hammerhead pump is $329, although here's a site selling them at $298.99:
http://www.reeftanksupply.com/produ...id=65&osCsid=6abd8d5c7162c3e7ce196a9be6e2e61b
You can read about this pump on this site:
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=527
It has a 1/3 HP, 350 Watt motor.
If I were to duplicate this system today, it would cost $516.99. The pump literally burns not much more than our 300 Watt heaters. Since the tank has been set up, we spend perhaps $30 a month more in electricity. The pump is huge, and probably would be overkill for most systems. There is a very swift current in the tank, which our fish really love. Our system not only circulates a tremendous amount of water quickly (5800 gph pump) but it spits big bursts of air, so there is tremendous aeration of the water. There is a large uptake and a return nozzle plumbed into the tank.
Uptake:
Return:
Air Blast:
Because we did not want to be continuously vacuuming the tank, we plumbed in two "poop suckers" which very quickly remove any debris that hits the bare floor. These are 1" pvc pipe covered in black hose that come down 1/4" from the floor. These are also connected to our mechanical system.
We change out the filter cartridges every couple of months. Cartridges cost $16/17 each. With the main uptake and the two poop suckers, ALL solid waste is removed from the tank very quickly. We have phenomenal mechanical filtration, big turnover with a swift current, and tremendous aeration with this system.
Let me emphasize again, that this is strictly a mechanical filtration system. We have a very large wet/dry system for biological filtration. Wet dry filters provide superior biological filtration. Jeffrey, I urge you to consider a wet/dry system for your 240 gallon tank. Even if you don't have built-in overflow boxes, you can make overflows to work with a wet/dry system. If you are not going to to use a wet/dry system, then you should consider canister filters which could provide you with both biological and mechanical filtration. Many people build large wet/dry systems and put in a mechanical component into their wet/dry filter. That is a very economical way to go.
This forum has an excellent DIY section. You can check out how to build your own wet/dry system, and/or overflows.
The question you asked about pond filters has been asked before. Because people asked about our system, I have given more detail about our set up in this previous thread. Look for my posts in this thread:http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62589
http://www.reeftanksupply.com/produ...id=65&osCsid=6abd8d5c7162c3e7ce196a9be6e2e61b
You can read about this pump on this site:
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=527
It has a 1/3 HP, 350 Watt motor.
If I were to duplicate this system today, it would cost $516.99. The pump literally burns not much more than our 300 Watt heaters. Since the tank has been set up, we spend perhaps $30 a month more in electricity. The pump is huge, and probably would be overkill for most systems. There is a very swift current in the tank, which our fish really love. Our system not only circulates a tremendous amount of water quickly (5800 gph pump) but it spits big bursts of air, so there is tremendous aeration of the water. There is a large uptake and a return nozzle plumbed into the tank.
Uptake:
Return:
Air Blast:
Because we did not want to be continuously vacuuming the tank, we plumbed in two "poop suckers" which very quickly remove any debris that hits the bare floor. These are 1" pvc pipe covered in black hose that come down 1/4" from the floor. These are also connected to our mechanical system.
We change out the filter cartridges every couple of months. Cartridges cost $16/17 each. With the main uptake and the two poop suckers, ALL solid waste is removed from the tank very quickly. We have phenomenal mechanical filtration, big turnover with a swift current, and tremendous aeration with this system.
Let me emphasize again, that this is strictly a mechanical filtration system. We have a very large wet/dry system for biological filtration. Wet dry filters provide superior biological filtration. Jeffrey, I urge you to consider a wet/dry system for your 240 gallon tank. Even if you don't have built-in overflow boxes, you can make overflows to work with a wet/dry system. If you are not going to to use a wet/dry system, then you should consider canister filters which could provide you with both biological and mechanical filtration. Many people build large wet/dry systems and put in a mechanical component into their wet/dry filter. That is a very economical way to go.
This forum has an excellent DIY section. You can check out how to build your own wet/dry system, and/or overflows.
The question you asked about pond filters has been asked before. Because people asked about our system, I have given more detail about our set up in this previous thread. Look for my posts in this thread:http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62589
pacu mom I stand corrected, I was going from memory (and you know how that goes) and thought I remembered you having a larger (and more inefficient) pump.
I didn't mean to do an injustice to your fine system.
By the way how ar the pacu doing?
Dr Joe
.
I didn't mean to do an injustice to your fine system.
By the way how ar the pacu doing?Dr Joe
.
Dr Joe;917670; said:pacu mom I stand corrected, I was going from memory (and you know how that goes) and thought I remembered you having a larger (and more inefficient) pump.
I didn't mean to do an injustice to your fine system.
Dr Joe
.
Our pacu are thriving and growing
I am sure in a few years I'll be seriously perusing the DIY section of this forum and studying large tank builds.
I just realized I forgot to mention the spa filters. They are Rainbow spa filters. Here's a site, the filter is RCF-25 ($109.00 each)
http://www.nccn.net/~pool/rainbow_spa_filters.htm
As you can see there are bigger filters that can be used. There are endless possibilities on setting up a mechanical system. I'm just glad we connected with a pro who pointed us in the right direction when we were setting up our tank. I've given you the bare bones basics of our mechanical filtration, but this system has also allowed us to have a low maintenance tank, with super easy, efficient water changes that entail simply turning valves on/off and turning a faucet on. The biggest chore on water change day is adding the conditioner to the water. The water change part of our system is complicated--my husband spent two weeks putting in the plumbing. There are a ton of pipes with valves on each pipe at the tank and at the pump. We found out that we can do crazy things like siphon water through the return, backwash the spa filter before draining the water outside. This system has worked very very well for us.
http://www.nccn.net/~pool/rainbow_spa_filters.htm
As you can see there are bigger filters that can be used. There are endless possibilities on setting up a mechanical system. I'm just glad we connected with a pro who pointed us in the right direction when we were setting up our tank. I've given you the bare bones basics of our mechanical filtration, but this system has also allowed us to have a low maintenance tank, with super easy, efficient water changes that entail simply turning valves on/off and turning a faucet on. The biggest chore on water change day is adding the conditioner to the water. The water change part of our system is complicated--my husband spent two weeks putting in the plumbing. There are a ton of pipes with valves on each pipe at the tank and at the pump. We found out that we can do crazy things like siphon water through the return, backwash the spa filter before draining the water outside. This system has worked very very well for us.
Another filter option for large tanks is a bead filtration system. My wife and I plan to install one of these babies on our upcoming 815gal. This system includes a AquaDyne bead filter with air-assisted backwashing, a Emperor Aquatics 150 watt UV, and energy efficient centrifugal pump. Not shown in the picture, a multiple cartridge filter with 4 38" long 16-micron cartridges will be added on the outlet for final water polishing. The system runs at about 90gpm. I have a couple of much smaller bead filters running now, and they provide awesome mechnical and bio filteration, so it was a no brainer to choose one for a much larger tank.
I second the floating bead system for mechanical filtration but it may not be for everyone. The beads float up and trap particulate waste. Turning off the flow allows the beads to fall and 'repack' which releases the trapped waste for easy flushing. I always recommend and have an alternate biological filter just in case.
