Ok, here are the pics of the first pool, and the revised filtration system. I have taken the Barrel out of service for now, but will add back in later for the upper level of pools to drain through. Once I got the lower level filled, I got it up to within a couple degrees of the other 2 tanks, then I simply cut the drain pipe under the upper tank, and moved the pump from the barrel to the new sump. This is temporary...The pumps I have ordered are not here yet, nor is the 800w heater I ordered. When the pumps come, I'll use some valves to adjust the flow between the tanks, I'll only need one pump running at first, but when I get the other pools in, it will get more elaborate.
So- looking at the pool and the tank from where the pictures are taken, the lower pool drains out on the left front of the tank using a bulkead through the plywood and liner, and a 2" pvc tube for the overflow. It drains out to the left, and makes a 90 degree right turn through the furnace room, then it makes another right turn to the sumps. The pool is on a 10" tall platform to allow the gravity to work. The tubs are 50 gallons each, but I'm only running them half full right now, maybe 3/4 full once I get them braced and tested better.
When I get the other stack of pools done, both upper level pools will flow through an identical system, but one shelf higher. Then both sump levels will flow into the barrel which will be the pump-house, and contain the auto-fill and auto water change stuff just as it does now.
So, basically, it's going to be a 4 tub series-parallel bi-level filter system with common pump-house. I like it cuz it sounds really complicated....but really it is simple, and it gets everything totally out of the way and makes best use of the small fish room. This way, all four pools are combined, but the separate filterbed levels will slow the water flow through each level of lava rock before the water combines in the barrel. Everything in drain and tubs is 2", so I'm hoping it will be enough to allow enough flow. We'll see. I'm looking for an actual flow around 3000gph through each filterbed. I think it will work as long as I set it up correctly. If not, I can add another branch. There's still room next to the furnace, which is why I wanted it back there anyhow, so there's lots of room to expand the biofilter capacity. Eventually, I intend to upgrade to something better than tubs. But $40 for 2 tubs, and $12 worth of Lava rock is a start that saves me enough money to go pick up a Ray tomorrow at the airport. I like that.
In the meantime, I still have another 20 gallons of Lava rock to wash, and some plastic dividers to make and such to get the filterbed working to it's potential.
Also, since I have combined these to make it easier to move rays between pools, I now need to make a quarantine tank. There is room now on the RH side of the pool where the barrel originally was. I think about 40" x 40" should be sufficient for my uses.
So- looking at the pool and the tank from where the pictures are taken, the lower pool drains out on the left front of the tank using a bulkead through the plywood and liner, and a 2" pvc tube for the overflow. It drains out to the left, and makes a 90 degree right turn through the furnace room, then it makes another right turn to the sumps. The pool is on a 10" tall platform to allow the gravity to work. The tubs are 50 gallons each, but I'm only running them half full right now, maybe 3/4 full once I get them braced and tested better.
When I get the other stack of pools done, both upper level pools will flow through an identical system, but one shelf higher. Then both sump levels will flow into the barrel which will be the pump-house, and contain the auto-fill and auto water change stuff just as it does now.
So, basically, it's going to be a 4 tub series-parallel bi-level filter system with common pump-house. I like it cuz it sounds really complicated....but really it is simple, and it gets everything totally out of the way and makes best use of the small fish room. This way, all four pools are combined, but the separate filterbed levels will slow the water flow through each level of lava rock before the water combines in the barrel. Everything in drain and tubs is 2", so I'm hoping it will be enough to allow enough flow. We'll see. I'm looking for an actual flow around 3000gph through each filterbed. I think it will work as long as I set it up correctly. If not, I can add another branch. There's still room next to the furnace, which is why I wanted it back there anyhow, so there's lots of room to expand the biofilter capacity. Eventually, I intend to upgrade to something better than tubs. But $40 for 2 tubs, and $12 worth of Lava rock is a start that saves me enough money to go pick up a Ray tomorrow at the airport. I like that.
In the meantime, I still have another 20 gallons of Lava rock to wash, and some plastic dividers to make and such to get the filterbed working to it's potential.
Also, since I have combined these to make it easier to move rays between pools, I now need to make a quarantine tank. There is room now on the RH side of the pool where the barrel originally was. I think about 40" x 40" should be sufficient for my uses.
