Too much air (k1)

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lnelms2

Plecostomus
MFK Member
May 27, 2008
663
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Miamisburg, Ohio
I'm in the process of setting up my ki filter. I got a good deal on an air pump but it's 160/lpm. I'm running the air through just over 10' of 1/2" pvc to the barrel and in a test run it made the whole barrel dance lol.
You ever seen the YouTube video of the guy tossing a brick in his dryer.... Like that.
I put a ball valve on the T to the barrel to limit the flow but I don't want to damage the pump with too much back pressure.

Any ideas to fix this issue? Maybe move up to 3/4"?20181212_215416.jpg
Here's the container in using. It came with a water softener to hold the salt.

20190119_134846.jpg
Air pump and power supply (DC)

The plan is to run the k1, a couple air stones, and maybe a sponge filter or 2 on smaller tanks.
 
Sac39051 said:
That is a lot of air lol. How much k1 you putting in there?
Click to expand...

Not a lot lol. I plan to start my 300g on it and maybe eventually tie in my 180. I have around 2-3 gallons right now, will add more as it cycles and matures. 4 air stones (2 in each tank), 3 sponge filters on smaller tanks.
 
skjl47 said:
Hello; I often need to reduce back pressure. I just bleed off some air to the atmosphere thru a valve.
Click to expand...

Agreed and have to do the same. Those stainless manifolds on amazon are cheap and you can adjust it really well if you want to fine tune.

The front lines go under the stand to bleed off pressure quietly. The rear lines go behind the tank for air use

C7F1ABA8-C2EA-42BD-8721-02BD51202C91.jpeg
 
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lnelms2 said:
Not a lot lol. I plan to start my 300g on it and maybe eventually tie in my 180. I have around 2-3 gallons right now, will add more as it cycles and matures. 4 air stones (2 in each tank), 3 sponge filters on smaller tanks.
Click to expand...

I run one of my sumps filled with about 70L of hel-x media with two airplates 20cm diameter and an airpump with 80L/h. Thats more than enough and i can add maybe 20L more of the media without problems.
 
Tobiassorensen said:
I run one of my sumps filled with about 70L of hel-x media with two airplates 20cm diameter and an airpump with 80L/h. Thats more than enough and i can add maybe 20L more of the media without problems.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's a lot of air. Way more than I need currently. I'll have to bleed a lot of it off it seems...
 
JK47 said:
Agreed and have to do the same. Those stainless manifolds on amazon are cheap and you can adjust it really well if you want to fine tune.

The front lines go under the stand to bleed off pressure quietly. The rear lines go behind the tank for air use

View attachment 1356248
Click to expand...

I was looking for your thread setting up that tank to see what pump you had and I remembered your air lines curving around your Ultima and I couldn't find it. I'm on Amazon looking at 16 valve manifolds and a different pump right now...
 
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A 160lpm air pump is a lot of air (and power draw) for a single pump/compressor even by pond standards. Can't tell what kind of pump it is but almost looks like a tiny air compressor.

Despite the deal you got, its probably a better idea to get a quality, more appropriately sized air pump whether its linear piston or diaphragm.

Depending on depth/pressure/diffusers a good 40lpm unit would most likely push more than enough for those tanks.
 
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