Please evaluate my system plan

[Jeff S]

This is my plan for my system upgrade. Been reading and viewing all kinds of info around the net and came up with this idea. It's a double system each with it's own pump. I hope it's self explanatory. Please look it over an offer opinions on why it will or won't work and recommend changes.

 

[Slinky]

I would usually pump from the sump and split the flow with a tee and ball valves on each side of the tee to regulate and balance flow, one to the fish and one to the media beds. 

This allows you to isolate tank or media for cleaning or quarantine etc while keeping the system running if need be. 

You would have to move the swirl to the sump to take the tank and media bed returns though.

Just an observation.

[Jeff S]

The way I have it set up the sump goes to the solar heater and the to the fish tank, radial filter, to the beds, then back to the sump. everything is gravity fed except from the sump to the heater. Two systems are pictured but they would be totally independent of each other. But I am looking for alternative ideas before I start building.

[Scott Fonte]

I may just not be seeing it from the diagram, but I would divert the flow from the RFS in two, not necessarily equal, flows.  The more accumulated solids from the the bottom to the media beds and the clearer top water to the DWC.  You can increase or decrease the solids laden flow from the RFS to modify the solids concentration - more flow to media beds =b more water = less concentrated solids.  Other than that it looks pretty straight forward. 

Slinky is right that the CHOP 2 method he describes (or two separate pumps) allows for some more flexibility in flow controls for maintenance however to maintain both the desired turnover in the fishtank and the required flow to the beds, specifically the flood and drain, a larger pump would be required.  A simple valved bypass system  on either side of the fishtank would facilitate maintenace.

[Jeff S]

I thought the idea was to eliminate as many solids to the GBs as possible. I have way to many fish so solids removal is a must. I'll probably still have plenty going to the beds. Once I start to tank moving I might get rid of some of the fish. Anybody need any Tilapia?

[Scott Fonte]

You do want to put some solids to the media beds, especially if you are growing fruiting crops that require higher phosphorus and associated micro/macronutrients.  If you have a heavier fishload then you will have excess solids for use in your soil gardens or elsewhere.  You do not want to put so much that you clog the beds, but the media is where solids can be mineralized which releases nutrients.  

[Jeff S]

It's hard to tell how much of the solids are getting in the GB. I have a simple 5 gallon bucket RFF now and I put mesh under the outlets in the bed. From that I can see I'm still getting plenty of solids.

[Scott Fonte]

Yeah, even a top-notch RFS will only be ~75% effective at best.  Do you have worms in the beds yet?

[Jeff S]

I put a few in about a month ago. Wasn't sure how many I needed. My bed is a 12" deep IBC top with media. What do you think?

[Scott Fonte]

It'll take a while for them to populate it but it is usually better to put less in than too many.  That way they "decide" the correct number for the conditions.  

[Jeff S]

I have water going into all 4 corners of my GB through 1/4 " holes. I noticed today that the water under one of them was actually puddling on the media because of solids build up in that corner. Guess I have more solids than I thought. I'll need to put the mesh back in the corners to help filter.

[Scott Fonte]

Or put some larger stone to allow solids to into the media.

[Jeff S]

Good Idea. I have about 3" of hydroton  on top and larger grow stones under. I'll just pull back the hydroton in the corners.