Answer replacement

[Dobber]

Hi,
I currently run an answer in my first vortex mainly due to costs i would like to replace it, any ideas?

My vortex is 90cm h, 70cm w and the top section is 45cm before its tapers down. I have a 4" pipe 30 cm from the surface that the answer sits on.

Ideally i would like no running costs and very little maintance.

Cheers

Dobber

[Jules]

Put a collar around yur 4 inch pipe, place a disc with holes in big enough to support the weight of 2 pieces of jap matting or even 1. This will act as a fines catcher and will cost no money to run. Cleaning time should take no more than 5 min's without the hassle of stripping down anything mechanical. I removed my answer on my old system and went back to the sheetd of matting I had before. Hope this helps?

Jules

[Gazza]

Could you not perhaps convert it to static K1

[Dobber]

Thanks guys

I already have static K1 this vortex preceeds the K1.

Jules thanks for the idea i will have a go, is jap mat the best as it tends to fall apart with washing.

Cheers

dobber

[Gazza]

Hi Dobber,

OK so could you not make the vortex the main mechanical part of the filtration and then aerate the K1 which was static to give you a better bio

[Adrian]

Sounds like a good idea to take out the little bits before the filter. Any pictures please as being a bit thick I cant visualise it.
Thanks Adrian

[Gazza]

Hi Adrian,

Here is my static K1 conversion and it works a treat and stops all the waste and stuff before my biological stages of the filtration

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... mal_15.jpg[/img]

Edit:

Sorry i forgot the picture

[Dobber]

Gazza,

1st vortex answer/new matting 2nd static k1 3rd aeriated k1.

Dobber

[Adrian]

Thanks Gazza. Looks good, is this in the first vortex chamber taking the place of brushes??

Adrian

[Dobber]

Jules,

Regarding your idea what height should the inlet and outlet be in the vortex? Should i extend either as the outlet is 30cm from the surface.

Cheers

Dobber

[Jules]

The inlet in the vortex can stay the same. The outlet needs to be on a vrtical. You can have this 6 inches from the top of the max water height as all the water from the vortex has to pass through the matting to exit the vortex and down the 4 inch pipe to the second chamber. 6 inches also allows for head loss in further chambers. Does this make sense? I will try and draw you a sketch to make it easier to explain. This sytem was how my old filters were set up and I had crystal clear water.

Jules

[Gazza]

Hi Adrian,

Yes this is in the first vortex before any of my other filtration and works a treat

Dobber i used to use matting in my vortex before and even some foams which went over the inlets to help try to catch as much waste as possible.

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... G_1483.JPG[/img]

[Dobber]

Jules,

Thanks i will have a go and let you know.

Cheers

Dobber

[Adrian]

Thanks Gazza,
What you seem to be doing in the last picture is cutting the ortex in half using mating. Is that right? Your first picture loks like static K1 on one side of the vortex. Am I making sense?
Adrian

[Dobber]

Thanks guys,

Jules i see you have a company would you be able to supply the matting/foam if i give you the sizes? if not can you recommend anyone?

Cheers

Dobber