Swirl vs. Plate filter

[Jeremiah Robinson]

I'm building a small DWC system, and am trying to decide what kind of filter to use for solids removal.

Is a swirl filter better, or should I use one of those filters with a sheet running through the middle the the water has to go under.

[aquaman]

Ok thx Jim So do you have a pix on your page that would show what you described by chance At this point i'm not covered in anyway with anything thinking thats over all not a good idea lol I've been busy lately and cant seem to get some of the stuff done that i need to Never enough time in the day haha

[Jeremiah Robinson]

Few things that have come up.

@ Jim, etc... You're right that "fish safe" isn't something that's especially well defined.  The USDA and FDA folks haven't put much in the way of regulations out there.  Their rule of thumb is that if it's "potable water safe" it's "fish safe".  He folks at Langston University and ATTRA are helpful about this stuff.

@ Aquaman.  Check out my drawing here.  Insulation with net pots through it.  The insulation will sag in the middle.  I prop it up with bricks set in the media.

[Jim Fisk]

This is the Winter cover but frame the same. Again 1/2" CPVC is the smallest dia., toughest and takes the heat best. I added the ridge pole after this was taken. Don't ask what that cat is up to:-) Just got back with pool liner so here goes.

[Jim Fisk]

I have the liner all laid out on the lawn and washed down but man I hate the vinyl odor and I am stalled as to what to do. Outside of that it would work great. I don't know if that "new plastic" odor will ever go away. I may go back to the white poly as I don't remember smelling anything chemical about those.

[aquaman]

Ok thx guys that really helps.

[Jeremiah Robinson]

Jim, it might set your mind at ease if you can find out what the liner is made of.  Then you could google that material for information about its safety related to food or fish.

[Jim Fisk]

Thanks guys, I just couldn't do it. I ordered in a Dura-Skrim R20WW at 80.00 with shipping. Food safe and all the rest. Time to run the inlet while I wait

Wow, this has turned into Jeremiah's "Whats on your mind?" thread. Sorry about that but it is fun.

[larry poe]

hmmm does it count its my favorite thread
 
Jim Fisk said:

Thanks guys, I just couldn't do it. I ordered in a Dura-Skrim R20WW at 80.00 with shipping. Food safe and all the rest. Time to run the inlet while I wait

Wow, this has turned into Jeremiah's "Whats on your mind?" thread. Sorry about that but it is fun.

[Jeremiah Robinson]

I think you made the right choice.  Potable water safe really ought to the standard, at least for those of us who promote aquaponics.  I'd had to discover some cancer that's caused by fish raised in non-safe containers.  I'm thinking of trying to move away from PVC with my next system.

Since we've got a good long random thread going, I thought I'd pose the question as to what you think these freezer to fish tank conversion kits are worth?  I'm thinking of reducing the price, but don't want to go so low they're not worth making.  I'm debating whether to keep focusing on these or to start working up something else.

It's kind-of on-topic, at least with the fish safe issue 

[Jim Fisk]

"Murray Hallam's Practical Aquaponics.

1 year ago

 Some worry about such things (PVC), but any chemical effect would be so minute as to be not measurable. In moving toward sustainability and cleaner food we need to do the best we can with what we can get to use. Some that worry about the likes of what minuscule chemical leaches out of PVC are still commuting to work each day in heavy city traffic absorbing more bad stuff in just one commute than any remotely possible absorption that might happen in a life time of PVC pipe use. It is about balance."

[Jim Fisk]

Funny that I ran across that quote just yesterday and I copied and pasted it to my notes and it was still on my clipboard. As to getting away from pvc; not easy. I feel the bacteria coat and isolate it so fast I will put up with it as well. At least for now. And I have never pu any odor like that nasty vinyl has. It did remind me of inflatable swim floats when we were kids. Never liked that odor then either. My wife was on board at her first sniff. She was afraid that chem odor would infiltrate the GH. I must say I had other plans for that 80.00.

I think we just need a blog titled "Jeremiah" as a free for all. He inspires us

[Steve R]

Ok as far as PVC does plumbing PVC use in most homes and sold at most stores is safe. The PVC that is not safe is clear flexible plasics like salad shells and food packaging and stuff like that can break down over time. Congress passed a law in the end of the 90s regulating pvc piping and its contents.