Flow through system

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:17 am

I just found this on a Killie website, but looks awsome for shrimp & crays. It does continuous slow water changes. This would mean no more large water changes, just a as-needed vacuuming.

Check it out:
http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=16

I'd just put in a sponge filter and this should be good for baby fish (which is what it is for) shrimp & crays.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:39 am

Thanks badflash, it looks like a great system. I will first try it in one of my smaller tanks and see how it goes.

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:44 am

Badflash
Thank You for the link.

This method is a simple alternative, to having your tanks drilled for a drain pipe.

As soon as I get my new Tap Water Filtration Unit going, I will be using the constant drip water change method.
This way you always have fresh water entering your tanks.

John

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:31 pm

I really wish I could set up something like this. One day that extra room in the basement might become a high tech automated invert room. . . .one day. . .

TKD · Post by **TKD** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:44 pm

One of the guys in our local club uses a similar system. He realy likes it.

Here is another setup for a drip system.

http://bcaquaria.com/forum_archive/view ... hp?t=11752

TKD

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:47 pm

Wow that looks like a construction job! But I am sure it works great when all the work is done

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:00 pm

That system would ony work with chlorine. Chloramine is a bit more of a problem. I need to do some more research to see if air bubbling will remove amonia left over from the breakdown of chloramine by a carbon filter. Two carbone filters in series will remove the chlorine and chloramine at a rate of .75 gallons per minute, but there is residual amonia. A carbon filter is good for 1500 gallons. This comes to about 2 cents a gallon once you pay off your start-up costs that look to be under $100.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:14 pm

But the second system needs space that may not be available to all. Or is there a way to make it less bulky?

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 8:35 am

If your water does not use chloramines you can use an in-line sediment filter followed by 2 carbon filters. As long as the flow is kept low, under 3/4 gallon per minute, it will remove the chlorine. You could then put the system on a timer. With Chloramine you need to remove the ammonia by-product. I wonder if a biological filter might work.

TKD · Post by **TKD** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 9:22 am

From what I understand, the system that the local guy uses is not on all the time but on for three times a day for a set amout of time.

Also, he is thinking of puting in a system were it will put prime into the system automatically.

TKD

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:59 am

Sounds like he will need a metering pump. Those get pricey and I'm not sure I'd trust my critter's life to them.
As far as timing goes, you can use an inexpensive (relatively) timer used for irrigation systems.

I'm going to set up the overflow system now, and add by hand until I figure out a better way. If I add 1 gallon a day to each 10 gallon tank that would be a lot better than a weekly 50% change. Same goes for the bigger tanks, I'd just scale up.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:06 am

I hope it works well for you, it will cut the work down considerably. Please update us.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:06 pm

I built a test system today and set it up on a 10 gallon tank. For a test I elevated a 5 gallon bucket and used some air tubing and plastic valves to set up a siphon drip. It works!

An added benefit is that it drips in so slowly that the heater can maintain a constant temperature. For people worries about adding cold water, this is definitely the way to go.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:08 am

It works!

Alright

!

For people worries about adding cold water, this is definitely the way to go.

Thanks badflash this will help out a bunch.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:05 pm

OK, here is what I've got for now:
Here is the sump for the "pond"

The sump pump is in one corner, the float switch is in the other. The flow-through siphon is in the upper right. The tub is just an 18 gallon rubbermaid tub from home depot. They were selling 3 for $9.95 on clearance.

Here is the trickle feed:

The other end is hooked to a 30 gallon rubbermaid garbage can. The trickle rate is about 5 gallons/hr. I have a circulation pump in the can. I just fill it with water & conditioner, stir well, and start the siphon. I can refill when I want, takes about 5 minutes to set up a 30 gallon water change.