I run about 600 tanks, rather I deliberately stopped counting my tanks once I reached 600 tanks years ago but keep adding more.
I use sponge filters predominantly as this allows redundancy with 2 large airpumps per circuit. This is the same redundancy as having 2 sponges per tank for much less cost.
Sponges provide an easy visual check the filter is working each time you walk past or remotely monitor by camera while I'm away.
Airpumps don't draw much power so my back up power solution is cheaper and can last longer before a generator is needed.
Sponges will handle high biological loads, but can mechanically clog with high physical waste loads. For grow out tanks that need more frequent cleaning I keep 25% extra sponges (1 spare per 4 tanks) and swap out a quarter of those tanks weekly, throw dirty sponges into a top load wash machine and replace with the clean spare. The spin cycle is what does the actual cleaning so I do this twice, then throw newly cleaned sponges into a holding tank for next rotation. So all dirty sponges get cleaned monthly. Only the high load tanks need a monthly clean cycle. It's better to clean before they get too dirty and they are capable of removing huge amounts of physical waste.
On my larger tanks (10,000 - 50,000 L) I use 1m x 1.2m sponge sheets in linked IBC filter chambers. Stacked vertical so they slide out for cleaning.
I do use other filters but sponges are my main filtration. They can be easily shaped and drilled if you freeze them. Easily joined with glue. The molecular structure and manufacture process is quite interesting if you take the time to look up.
I use sponge filters predominantly as this allows redundancy with 2 large airpumps per circuit. This is the same redundancy as having 2 sponges per tank for much less cost.
Sponges provide an easy visual check the filter is working each time you walk past or remotely monitor by camera while I'm away.
Airpumps don't draw much power so my back up power solution is cheaper and can last longer before a generator is needed.
Sponges will handle high biological loads, but can mechanically clog with high physical waste loads. For grow out tanks that need more frequent cleaning I keep 25% extra sponges (1 spare per 4 tanks) and swap out a quarter of those tanks weekly, throw dirty sponges into a top load wash machine and replace with the clean spare. The spin cycle is what does the actual cleaning so I do this twice, then throw newly cleaned sponges into a holding tank for next rotation. So all dirty sponges get cleaned monthly. Only the high load tanks need a monthly clean cycle. It's better to clean before they get too dirty and they are capable of removing huge amounts of physical waste.
On my larger tanks (10,000 - 50,000 L) I use 1m x 1.2m sponge sheets in linked IBC filter chambers. Stacked vertical so they slide out for cleaning.
I do use other filters but sponges are my main filtration. They can be easily shaped and drilled if you freeze them. Easily joined with glue. The molecular structure and manufacture process is quite interesting if you take the time to look up.
