Mechanical Filtration, Here I Come!

[Dan F]

Iwaki MD40RLT, Nu-Clear 522, and Nu-Clear 533

I have always had loads of biological filtration, but my tank has always been lacking in mechanical filtration. For the first couple years after converting my tank/sump from reef to FW I didn't have any mechanical filtration (didn't need it with the reef).

A year or so ago I added some DIY mechanical filtration (pillow stuffing) but since upgrading to my 210 I have been wanting more mechanical filtration.

I already had the Iwaki MD40RLT (750 GPH @ 4' and 22' max head, I believe).

I picked up the Nu-Clear 522 new for $152.95. It has a 100 micron pleated cartridge made from a non-clogging screen type filter material.

I found the Nu-Clear 533 on CL for $80 with two cartridges. It uses a 25 micron pleated cartridge.

I still need to hook up the plumbing (1" braided vinyl tubing), hopefully this weekend!

 

[JK47]

I'm jealous, again! I love the underfloor sump. I am totally scared to go under my floor..

ps - if you don't get what your hoping out of the Iwaki MD40RLT, I have a GenX PCX55 (1,200 GPH) I can do without. Drop me a PM if you need it.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Didn't see this before I just posted my Nu-clear thread. Please hop on over and give your 2 cents (it's on the setup section as well).

Also, nice to see a fellow NW MFKer. Watch out for Justin, he might get too excited about your plumbing and decide to camp out there for a day or two (that's what he said?). That guy loves his filtration man.

 

[JK47]

Didn't see this before I just posted my Nu-clear thread. Please hop on over and give your 2 cents (it's on the setup section as well).

Also, nice to see a fellow NW MFKer. Watch out for Justin, he might get too excited about your plumbing and decide to camp out there for a day or two (that's what he said?). That guy loves his filtration man.

lol!! Dan hides his equipment in his crawl space because he knows I'm scared like a little girl of spiders and won't steal anything down there..

 

[aclockworkorange]

Smart guy. Operation hide filtration from Justin: COMMENCE!

 

[aclockworkorange]

Guard spiders... ATTACK!!!

Hahaha.

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR NUCLEAR FILTERS!!!

 

[Moloch]

Is that tank built into your house or was that little corner there already and you got the tank/stand/canopy built to fit just right?

 

[Dan F]

lol!! Dan hides his equipment in his crawl space because he knows I'm scared like a little girl of spiders and won't steal anything down there..

Don't worry, there aren't any spiders down there...

The truth is, it's rather nice in the crawl space, it's my Fortress of Solitude.

 

[Dan F]

Guard spiders... ATTACK!!!

Hahaha.

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR NUCLEAR FILTERS!!!

So far the only thing guarding my sump has been a few pesky field mice that have tried to move in, but they're gone - for now...

This is just copied-and-pasted from your thread, but some people might have missed it:

I will be able to tell you more once they are up and running for a while, but I just set up a pair of these.

First of all, these are very heavy-duty units. I recently read about someone breaking off the outflow on their FX5 - that wouldn't happen very easily with these, as they are cast out of very thick PVC.

The stainless ring that seals the top is also a very strong design, overall they are very well built. This seems to be the only real difference between the Nu-Clear and Ocean Clear filters, otherwise they look to be an almost identical design. I've read that the Nu-Clear is easier to open/close, but I have never owned an Ocean Clear.

What really sold me on the Nu-Clear canisters is the 522's cartridge. It is an 18 square foot 100 micron mesh filter. Since particles don't get trapped in the fibers (so they say) you can just hose it out to clean, no soaking in bleach. By following this with a 30 square foot 25 micron unit I am hoping to optimize my filtration versus service time. That's my theory, anyhow.

I forgot to mention that I am using mine for mechanical filtration only. There is an area in each filter that could be filled with biological or chemical media, but I'm not using any.

As I said, I'll update in a few days once I have a chance to hook up my plumbing.

 

[Dan F]

Is that tank built into your house or was that little corner there already and you got the tank/stand/canopy built to fit just right?

When we built the house I planned the corner for a previous tank (a 135), last summer we had to replace the flooring so I decided to upgrade.

The tank is pretty much built-in, as I would have to remove the upper cabinet (not impossible, but a lot of work) to get the tank out.

Here is the thread I made about the project:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=360981