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Filter design for solids removal Help

I could really use some help and input on filter design. Would like to filter some solids. I will have the capability to biofilter gravel beds of about 60%. Lots of info here and there. Just can't get the pieces to fit together for me yet. Any ideas and or diagrams would be very helpful. Especially interested in how to filter for the raft beds. Thanks!!

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Permalink Reply by David Waite on July 3, 2011 at 4:40pm

Steve check out my system. It uses gravel beds to filter for rafts.

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Permalink Reply by steve on July 3, 2011 at 5:12pm

Thanks David, I think that's the best idea. Kind of what I had in mind but I'm here with 375 cu ft. of gravel beds and 650 cu ft. of FT when kinda full. My guess is your probably around even, the way its supposed to be? Would like to run the fish tank full at some time. Also have about 240 ft2 NFT tubes. Trying to figure how without adding more growbeds. The solids waste would be great for land plants.

David Waite said:

Steve check out my system. It uses gravel beds to filter for rafts.

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Permalink Reply by David Waite on July 4, 2011 at 4:22am

Steve if you want to build a solid separater or clarifier check out green acre organics pics. The ladies have a great operation.

steve said:

Thanks David, I think that's the best idea. Kind of what I had in mind but I'm here with 375 cu ft. of gravel beds and 650 cu ft. of FT when kinda full. My guess is your probably around even, the way its supposed to be? Would like to run the fish tank full at some time. Also have about 240 ft2 NFT tubes. Trying to figure how without adding more growbeds. The solids waste would be great for land plants.

David Waite said:

Steve check out my system. It uses gravel beds to filter for rafts.

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Permalink Reply by BenHehle Beamz on July 4, 2011 at 6:52am

Hi Steve, this might help you. scroll a little down on the page then you can see step by step how to build a bio filter for AP.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aquaponics-Thailand/170218083004597

greets Ben

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Permalink Reply by steve on July 5, 2011 at 9:38pm

Thanks for your inputs David and Ben. I'm still trying to find the closest to perfect filter solution. Think the best would be an elongated tank with baffles and a funnel bottom catch basin. Hoping to put it in a plastic package rather than build something totally. Wonder if anyone aerates these filter tanks with water spray? Thanks guys!

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Permalink Reply by Conrad Chin-Yee on July 9, 2011 at 4:42am

Steve,

I plan to build a settling filter plus a bio-filter using a air-lift pump to lift the fish wastes from the bottom of the icb tote fish tanks over into my settling filter which will be set on a wooden base that is set at a 45 degree angle so that the side and the bottom forms a "V-shape". A plastic spigot will be placed at the lowest point where the wastes should collect. I came up with this design as trying to modify the bottom into some conical bottom seemed too difficult and outside of my capabilities.

Kingjam

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Permalink Reply by Harold Sukhbir on July 9, 2011 at 9:52am

Hi Steve,

If you are looking for another method to remove solids from your system you may want to consider a swirl filter. The inflow enters the tank at the angle which determines the rotation(direction) of water flow. This creates a vortex in the circular(square) tank, with the solids accumulating at the center bottom of tank. You can mount a valve(pvc tap) on the side about 1 foot high from the base and route with a ninety degree to the center bottom of the tank( or L-shaped pipe). When solids build up simply open the valve/tap. The solids, due to the inflow current which gather at the middle of the tank will be sucked up and out. You can look at my pics to see the side mount.Links below will help. The solids can be left longer in the filter if you place netting inside, this allows more efficient mineralization.

http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/raftdeepwaterculturegrowers/fo...

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Permalink Reply by steve on July 12, 2011 at 8:47pm

Hi Conrad, Seems like a good idea. I considered setting a tote on an angle to give that crevice in bottom for collection then drain or siphon out periodically. Would probably only get one tank per tote though to allow for some volume. Still up in the air yet, although the time is getting near. thanks!!

Conrad Chin-Yee said:

Steve,

I plan to build a settling filter plus a bio-filter using a air-lift pump to lift the fish wastes from the bottom of the icb tote fish tanks over into my settling filter which will be set on a wooden base that is set at a 45 degree angle so that the side and the bottom forms a "V-shape". A plastic spigot will be placed at the lowest point where the wastes should collect. I came up with this design as trying to modify the bottom into some conical bottom seemed too difficult and outside of my capabilities.

Kingjam