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Radial Flow Filter Problem

I have a 65 gallon filter tank that I recently switched from swirl to radial flow because I felt like the swirl wasn't catching enough of the solids. The RFF definitely catches lots more of the solids however most of them just continue to float at the top of the tank. I have to scoop them out with a net every 2-3 days. It's my understanding that the solids should be sinking to the bottom where they can be drained. While I do get a substantial amount in the bottom I think I'm getting more from the top. Any suggestions as to why they aren't sinking?

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Permalink Reply by David on November 14, 2016 at 1:25pm

Let me guess, tilapia? A lot of tilapia poop floats and it is affected by feed. I'm not sure why but I see it a lot in my tilapia tank but not at all with my catfish - same feed. You can try some bird netting in your rff to capture those solids, that's what I do. I also have an underwater mesh pot (like for a water lily or similar) with a hole cut so it fits over my overflow outlet. This keeps a lot of floating solids from getting out.

I have a 35 gal. rff for my tilapia (two IBCs) and I (should) clean it twice a month. I try to pump out as much clean water as I can, then hose down the inside and drain all the remaining water with solids. It's just a lot easier to do regularly than let it go for a month.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff S on November 14, 2016 at 7:27pm

Yeah Tilapia, 100s of them. I was having problems with floaters when it was a swirl filter. Now with the RFF at least the solids all gather at the top of the inner tank and I can scoop them out and keep them out of my beds. The filter tank is a tall 65 gallon pickle barrel . Wasn't working well with just one 5 gallon bucket depth so I joined two buckets together for a deeper inner tank and that seems to do the job keeping floaters contained.

David said:

Let me guess, tilapia? A lot of tilapia poop floats and it is affected by feed. I'm not sure why but I see it a lot in my tilapia tank but not at all with my catfish - same feed. You can try some bird netting in your rff to capture those solids, that's what I do. I also have an underwater mesh pot (like for a water lily or similar) with a hole cut so it fits over my overflow outlet. This keeps a lot of floating solids from getting out.

I have a 35 gal. rff for my tilapia (two IBCs) and I (should) clean it twice a month. I try to pump out as much clean water as I can, then hose down the inside and drain all the remaining water with solids. It's just a lot easier to do regularly than let it go for a month.