Filter Flow Rate

[Louie]

Hi all......

I read in a recent thread on here somewhere that it doesn't matter how fast water flows through a biological filter system because the bacteria will feed on whatever goes through it, regardless of the water speed.
Am I right in thinking then that the reason a restriction on flow rate is qouted on different systems is because the mechanical filtration stage can only allow water through at a certain rate?
The reason I ask is because I would like to put a recently acquired Kockney Koi Yamitsu 5000 4 bay filter with vortex onto my skimmer, but the literature quotes a max flow rate of 5000lph. (Might be 5500) The bays hold firstly brushes, then jap matting followed by 2 bays of flocor. I'd really like to maintain a much higher flow rate than the quoted limit if possible but don't know whether the filter will let it through at a higher rate. I have more than enough bio filtration already from the BD and the skimmer is really purely for mechanical filtering. What can I do with the contents of the bays to allow a faster flow (at least 10,000lph) or should I just stick with it as it is and see what happens? I'm not sure that the jap matting would let water through fast enough but have no experience with multi bay filters.
I currently run a 13000lph Sequence on the BD through a Pod and a PB85 bead filter. Also a 13000lph Badu on the skimmer that just returns through a multi vortex. So 26,000lph on an 11,000 litre pond, although realistically I probably only turn over about 18,000lph max what with all the pipework etc.
Any ideas?
The reason I got the 5000 was simply because it fits in the shed!!

Louie

[Bob Hart]

Rob,

Sometimes flow rates are quoted as the transfer ports can only handle a certain flow, and if youy try and pull more through the end chamber wil run dry.

[FiltranZer]

In leading maintenance organizations, managers don't shrug off the importance of cleanliness. Am i right.,?


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[url=http://www.iaqsource.com/furnace_filters.php]Furnace filter[/url]

[Louie]

Hiya Filtranzer,
I'd say you're right....... But can't somehow grasp the relevance of your question in relation to this thread?
Louie

[ageinghippy]

Hi Louie,

You are trying to combine 2 different technologies I would say.

I think what you have to bear in mind, is that the multi-bay filter (with vortex) is quite old technology, really. They were introduced 25 or so years ago, when we were all upgrading our filtration from the up-flow gravel/canterbury spar to the `new` flocor plastic medium. In those days we used to have a 3ft wide vortex, leading on to a 50 gallon water tank(from your local plumbing shop) filled with a couple of rows of brushes and the rest of the tank filled with flocor. This in turn led on to having SEPERATE tanks for the brushes and flocor, and some people had up to half a dozen individual tanks filled with all sorts of different plastic bits and pieces. The water was then returned to the pond via a small pump. (for years the majority of people used a Grundfos central heating pump)

Eventually of course, somebody took a step back and decided that no matter how well these `systems` worked, they looked a RIGHT mess, and so the multi-bay was born. The trouble is though, that in the quest for neat and tidyness, the vortex has been made WAY too small to be effective. This is why a heck of a lot of people put brushes into the vortex chambers, and filled the spare chamber with more plastic bits.

The nexus and its off-shoots are what I think of as the new technology, with their FAR higher pump speeds, and it is these fast speeds that seem to have captured everybodies attention.
Put one of the modern pumps on a multi-bay and the crap will absolutely wizz through, because it isn`t being given any time to settle out.


Chris (another one) blimey I feel old!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Hart]

I think what you have to bear in mind, is that the multi-bay filter (with vortex) is quite old technology, really. They were introduced 25 or so years ago, when we were all upgrading our filtration from the up-flow gravel/canterbury spar to the `new` flocor plastic medium. In those days we used to have a 3ft wide vortex, leading on to a 50 gallon water tank(from your local plumbing shop) filled with a couple of rows of brushes and the rest of the tank filled with flocor. This in turn led on to having SEPERATE tanks for the brushes and flocor, and some people had up to half a dozen individual tanks filled with all sorts of different plastic bits and pieces. The water was then returned to the pond via a small pump. (for years the majority of people used a Grundfos central heating pump)

Now I feel old, or is it because I am old!!!!!

[GERRY5]

BOB, i would prefer to use the the term experienced thro age ......or as you put it ...yes we are,along with chris of course who is absolutely spot on with his memoirs