Pool filters

[Spongebob]

Hi- Does anyone out there have any photos of a working system using pool sand filters ( or know of any d.i.y. sites ) and do you run an inline pre- filter as well.
I am looking at setting up shortly.

Ta
S.B.

[caryb]

I'm keen to see this too!

[Spongebob]

Yeah -I think it has to be the way of the future , anything that cuts down on maintenance only means more time to spend with the fish.
I know Kev uses them in his shops but I'm not sure whether he would be keen to let us take photo's.
Regards

[caryb]

Yeah ive seen something the same at Smiths aquarium, addind water without having to store & treat it 1st would be great.


Cary

[dammwoman]

Not sure if you are wanting to use the Pool filter as a pre filter or to filter a system.
We have one setup as a pre filter.
Works a treat. Bit expensive to start with but havn't used Chlorine Neutralizer in 2 years and never have a problem with water changes at all.
If you want photo you'll have to wait tho because Bobs got camera

Know of someone who had 20 of those 80lt round ponds and all were setup to all be filtered by the one pool filter.
That always seemed to work well too.

Cheers Linda

[Spongebob]

Thinking of using it as a pre filter at this stage Linda but I am thinking that you would have to go from the pool filter up to some sort of tower above the third row of tanks and then gravity feed the tanks from there but Can't see the new neighbours appreciating the veiw of all those 200 L drums on the roof, betcha it would involve at least one visit from the cops as well. l.o.l
regards
Scot.

[Spongebob]

Sorry Linda- forgot to ask do you have to backwash all that often ?Iwould thinking similar to a pool ? taking into account you don't poop in the pool the same as fish do.
S.B.

[caryb]

Sounds like a great topic for a talk at the next QAH meeting Linda???


Cary

[dammwoman]

Where ours comes out of the filter the plumbing is then broken into 3 lines.
One just has a regular hose on it that you can go anywhere with.
The other 2 feed directly into the bottom and middle rows.
Bob had intended to extend further onto the top row but never got around to it so I fill them with the hose line.
The two that are properly connected run into a holding tank at the beginning of each row and are controlled with float valves. Generally water is stored in these tanks a day or so before needed for water change and is then the same temperature as the water in the tanks.
Any water taken from these holding tanks is automatically topped up with the pre filtered water.
I really don't know if he intended to do something different with the top row but the middle one which is a metre above the outlet of the filter fills without any problems.
This is a really good cost & time efficient system and would recommend to anyone.
To water change all I do is turn a tap on the end of the 2 rows and both drain down 1/3 through the filter. To fill simply turn taps at the holding tank end and all gradually refill.
Once  holding tanks are about 2/3 empty the float valves allow new water in again so the holding tank is also refilled for next time.
Can't see any reason to back wash and certainly havn't done it since Bobs been gone and having no problems as yet .
Cheers Linda

[dammwoman]

Oh best of all the pool filters were purchased at the recycle centre at dump for $20.

I only know how to use it.
I don't know all the techno stuff with the plumbing on how to build it Carey.

Cheers Linda

[Spongebob]

Thanks- Linda it sounds like a great system!. I am wondering if it would cover both anoroebic and aerobic bacteria ( not questioning yours as it obviously works well ) but I would of thought you would need some sort of trickle filter in there as well to cover the aerobic bacteria ?
Anyone got any ideas ?
thanks
S.B.
P.S. I was thinking of the backwash the same way you do the pool when the filter starts to clog with all the rubbish you simply switch to backwash and flush all the fish poo away. I just thought it might be more efficient than using dacron / filter wool over a spreader tray or rotating arm.

[dammwoman]

No sorry. Should have been clearer.
Ours is only used for removal of chlorine ect in the new water coming into the room.
Each tank then has its own filter.
Use the 12" x 6" coarse blue sponge filter
Yes someone still has to wash the filters from time to time. :cry:

Cheers Linda

[Calvus]

Hiya's,
I was out at Royal Pines Golf Course recently, they have a big pong/pool out the back of the resturant.  Filtering this mass of water they use 2 giant pool filters filled with bio balls moving 10000+lph 8O Very clean water, worth a look if ya can get there...  Very effecient for large scale

[Spongebob]

Thanks guys, will see if I can get into Royal pines for a look.
Regards
Scot.

[gasnitro]

i will take a pic of my new filter system as soon as i can.