Pool Filter Information

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I've had extended conversations with a friend who manages a Pool Supply Store (Leslies) and our conclusion was there are dozens of reasons why a swimming pool filter wouldn't be the best choice for a tank...

I have used a large Pressurized Pond Filter (BioForce2000) on indoor aquariums though. It gave me double the media capacity of an FX5 and double the flow rate of an FX5 for the same price...
 
I have fish in my swimming pool, so it goes without saying that that tank has a swimming pool filter on it. :D

A sand filter is far than less than ideal on a fish tank. The primary reason is the amount of water required to backwash (clean) the filter exceeds the volume of most large tanks. (Same for DE filters.)
 
I, in my aquarium mount two sand filters for a total of 150 kg of sand.
Next week, post a photo of my tank.
I tried with the pressure filters for ponds, but they need much maintenance.
Breed Piranha for many years and this aquarium is dedicated to them, unfortunately dirty lot.
Now with sand filters I am very well, use sand, 0.4 - 0.8 mm washes run 1 time per week.
 
What is your method of cleaning the filters? A few of us have discussed this previously. One solution was to use a separate body of water for the cleaning.
 
Pool filters are, by far, poor choices for aquaria. Most are not built to run continuously. The pumps use much more power than the more efficient aquarium pumps. Pool pumps also tend to produce much more heat than aquarium pumps. Some pool pumps are oil coated on interior parts and/or contain parts that may degrade more quickly in the presence of organic wastes from fish. And, pool pumps aren't designed for more quiet operation as aquarium pumps are.
 
I have a 25 ft2 cartridge type (pleated) filter as a SECONDARY FINISHING filter on my 535 gal. It works great as a finishing filter. However, you need a pump that can drive 1500 to 2000 gph at 15' of head. When clean, my filter has 5' of head loss through it (I have a very accurate and expensive pressure gauge, so I feel comfortable w/ the reading).

As others may have pointed out, a pressure filter, either cartridge, sand, or DE, should not be your initial or primary mechanical filtration. Currently, my sump has a 24" x 24" primary side that I have a layer of polyester felt which collects 95% of all the detritus, debris, etc. I have a pretty heavily stocked tank that I feed heavily, the felt lasts about 3 days, then I have to change the felt. I have just finished building a new primary chamber the quadruples the surface area for the felt, so I should probably get at least a week out of it before changing. My flow rate for general circulation is about 4500 gph provided by two Supreme Hybrid pumps. A third Supreme pump merely takes water from an intermediate chamber (after all bio media) and runs it through the cartridge filter and right back into the sump where the circulation pumps pick it up.

I think what is most important aspect in any setup, is to get the excess food and waste out first by mechanical filtration (straining) such that your bio doesn't have to deal with it.

I have a continuous drip water change setup that changes about 10% a day. My tank is generally crystal clear, and my numbers for ammonia, nitrite are 0 and nitrate is below 10 ppm.
 
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