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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Construction & Water Filtering System:
Improvements recommendation to my filter

 





 


Anonymous
Anonymous

Aug 2, 2000, 4:04 AM

Post #1 of 14 (1263 views)
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Improvements recommendation to my filter Can't Post
Hi,
I am a amatuer koi rearer with a 4 x 2.5 x 1.5 ft fibre-glass tank with a 3 stage filter system. The pond water is pumped upwards to the bottom of the 1st stage with filter mat, it overflows into the 2nd stage with corals, and underflows to the 3rd stage with filter mats, and the water outlet is at the top of the 3rd stage where it goes out to the pond. I do not have a drain-out for my settlements, and the filter system is abt 2.5 x 1 x 2 ft. I purchased these from Mainland from Fish Farm 2, #17.
Pls suggests if there could be improvements to this, and if this is a sufficient system. I have the system running for 3 weeks, and have 10 fishes in my pond of around 20 cm length. 1 of my first fish has recently developed bug-eye and is not having any appetite for food. Pls help.

Thanks,
WS.




Mark
Koi Kichi

Aug 2, 2000, 11:17 AM

Post #2 of 14 (1263 views)
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Your pond and filter size can only accommodate a total length of 130cm koi (approx. 6 koi of 20cm ea.). As your koi gets bigger, you have to reduce the no. of koi again so that the total length is maintained.

Hope this help.



Khoobg
Webmaster


Aug 2, 2000, 11:42 AM

Post #3 of 14 (1263 views)
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As Mark has always mentioned in other threads you will need to equip yourself a proper test kits set for ammonia, nitrite, nitrata, pH, Hardness. You will need to know these parameter to understand your pond water and the ability of your filter to cope with your feeding pattern.

Cheers


dttk
Senior Member

Aug 3, 2000, 12:22 AM

Post #4 of 14 (1263 views)
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Dear LimWS, the 'bug-eyed' problem could mean a high nitrate level in water. With such a small system, you would need to clean your filter more regularly and make more frequent water changes to maintain low nitrate level in water. Please have necessary the water testkits ready. It is a good idea to replace the coral in 2nd compartment with fiber mats or gravel.


Anonymous
Anonymous

Aug 3, 2000, 1:21 AM

Post #5 of 14 (1263 views)
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Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately my bug-eyed koi has passed away yesterday in the quarantine tank. By suggesting to replace the 2nd compartment of coral with filter matts, doesn't that make all the 3 compartments to have filter matts? I was told that the corals were for bateria cultivation. Or were you refering to swapping the 2nd and 3rd compartment of coral and filter matt respectively, so that the final compartment is coral while the 1st and 2nd compartments are filter matts?


Quote
Originally posted by dttk:
Dear LimWS, the 'bug-eyed' problem could mean a high nitrate level in water. With such a small system, you would need to clean your filter more regularly and make more frequent water changes to maintain low nitrate level in water. Please have necessary the water testkits ready. It is a good idea to replace the coral in 2nd compartment with fiber mats or gravel.


Anonymous
Anonymous

Aug 3, 2000, 1:39 AM

Post #6 of 14 (1263 views)
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Thanks Mark.
Is it possible for me to convert my filter system to a trickle system to improve the filtration? If so do you have any recommendations on how I should go abt doing it, like qty of bio-balls, chamber layout to suit my small tank size? Or do you have any suggestions to further improve my present filter system design? I had some pandan plants in my 2nd and 3rd chambers presently.

Quote
Originally posted by Mark Richman:
Your pond and filter size can only accommodate a total length of 130cm koi (approx. 6 koi of 20cm ea.). As your koi gets bigger, you have to reduce the no. of koi again so that the total length is maintained.

Hope this help.




Anonymous
Anonymous

Aug 3, 2000, 2:02 PM

Post #7 of 14 (1263 views)
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Quote
Originally posted by LimWeiseong:
Hi,
I am a amatuer koi rearer with a 4 x 2.5 x 1.5 ft fibre-glass tank(425L) with a 3 stage filter system...... I do not have a drain-out for my settlements, and the filter system is abt 2.5 x 1 x 2 ft.(141L)
Pls suggests if there could be improvements to this..... Pls help!!!
Thanks,
WS.



To MR. Lim,
Very sad to know that you have an over-stocking pond with a 'bug-eye' koi among them.
Improvement to your filter can be done. Since you know that your filter have no bottom drain, just add one settlement chamber with a bottom drain will solve your problem. The fish waste then can be discharge any time when you are free.
Just come back if you do not know how to add a settlement chamber with a bottom drain to your existing 3 chambers 141 Litres filter.


limws
Koi Lover

Aug 4, 2000, 12:10 AM

Post #8 of 14 (1263 views)
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Peter,
As my pond water intake is at the base of the 1st compartment (bottom pumped upwards), I am not sure how I could add a settlement chamber. could you elaborate on your proposal, thanks.

Quote
Originally posted by Peter Chang:
To MR. Lim,
Very sad to know that you have an over-stocking pond with a 'bug-eye' koi among them.
Improvement to your filter can be done. Since you know that your filter have no bottom drain, just add one settlement chamber with a bottom drain will solve your problem. The fish waste then can be discharge any time when you are free.
Just come back if you do not know how to add a settlement chamber with a bottom drain to your existing 3 chambers 141 Litres filter.


dttk
Senior Member

Aug 4, 2000, 1:48 AM

Post #9 of 14 (1263 views)
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Dear LimWS, I understand your problem completely as I too have a tank measuring 4'x8'x2.5' that comes with a 4'x1'x1.5' filter with 4 compartments. Water is pumped into 1st compartment of filter with inlet close to bottom, then overflows into 2nd compartment, then goes under to 3rd compartment and finally overflows into 4th compartment with outlet also close to bottom. In other words, it's an up-down flow system. The only difference is yours does not come with 4th compartment. I have modified the 4th compartment into a trickle filter which I'm glad to say works pretty well. You could add a 4th compartment as trickle filter and that should bring the nitrate level down. Mail me for details on how to contruct one. Regarding replacing corals with green mats, yes, it's precisely what I mean. Good bacteria colonise the green mats which are easier to 'clean' and aerate. Corals can be used in 3rd compartment instead of 2nd so that they will not accumulate dirt easily. They are also used for their pH buffering effect in this case. The best thing you could do now is to monitor nitrate level twice daily, minimal feeding, do water change frequently and get that ammonia and nitrite test kit as soon as possible. In the mean time set up that trickle tower filter for your future convenience.


Wee Chong
Koi Lover

Aug 4, 2000, 10:20 AM

Post #10 of 14 (1263 views)
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Hi Limws!
I think you can add another water container of a round/rectangle on top of your first chamber as settlement chamber.
seal the existing inlet pipe and replace a larger inlet,or enlarge the inlet pipe size(to allow for joining of pipe from settlement chamber.)take note of water flows,if the inlet are too small for your pump,then the settlement chamber will flood! Smile
1)prepare a water container,drill a hole at the lower part(not bottom,at about 1 quarter mark of container) for pipe coming from pump(put it at slight angle/redirect water flows using elbow joint) and the water flows in swirling pattern.)
2)drill another hole at the half/3 quarter mark of water container for pipe going down to the first chamber.
3)drill another hole at bottom for draining.
4)can also opp for fitting flexible pipe(normal tap fitted on for opening or closing to drian)easy to hide as well.
And i think this should do the jobs.guys,please correct me if i'm wrong in my own planning.
Thanks and Rdgs.


------------------
chong


Anonymous
Anonymous

Aug 4, 2000, 3:30 PM

Post #11 of 14 (1263 views)
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Quote
Originally posted by limws:
Peter,
[As my pond water intake is at the base of the 1st compartment (bottom pumped upwards), I am not sure how I could add a settlement chamber. could you elaborate on your proposal]


To Mr. Lim,

In fact Wee Chong have already touching my points.The only different was that my settlement tank was placed on the floor and supported by a chair at about 12" above floor level.(in order to fix the bottom drain and have gradient for the waste discharge.)
I am also using the round Upvc pipe of 8" diameter(as I can obtain easily)for the length of about 6 feet high, stand up-right; instead of the rectangle/cylindrical container.I also have 3 compartments inside the Upvc pipe at 2' interval, which can be made by using round pvc plate having many holes drill on them.(as I can obtain easily)
The water from the pump will overflow at a height of about 5.5 ft. slowly trickle to the exist filter .

Peter Chang


limws
Koi Lover

Aug 4, 2000, 10:44 PM

Post #12 of 14 (1263 views)
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Thanks Wee Chong.
Assuming I am maintaining my present inlet size at the base of my 1st chamber (not going to seal it), and my settlement chamber's inlet and outlet are the same size as my 1st chamber inlet. By following your instructions on the construction of the settlement tank, does it mean I just need to ensure my settlement tank is the same volume as my 1st chamber to ensure no flooding in the settlement chamber? Basically I am trying not to make major modifications to my existing filter system as I do not have a backup system nor the materials to modify it. I am also thinking of connecting the pump to the settlement chamber, which in turn is connected to the 1st chamber using hoses instead of pipes, should this be alright?

Quote
Originally posted by Wee Chong:
Hi Limws!
I think you can add another water container of a round/rectangle on top of your first chamber as settlement chamber.
seal the existing inlet pipe and replace a larger inlet,or enlarge the inlet pipe size(to allow for joining of pipe from settlement chamber.)take note of water flows,if the inlet are too small for your pump,then the settlement chamber will flood! Smile
1)prepare a water container,drill a hole at the lower part(not bottom,at about 1 quarter mark of container) for pipe coming from pump(put it at slight angle/redirect water flows using elbow joint) and the water flows in swirling pattern.)
2)drill another hole at the half/3 quarter mark of water container for pipe going down to the first chamber.
3)drill another hole at bottom for draining.
4)can also opp for fitting flexible pipe(normal tap fitted on for opening or closing to drian)easy to hide as well.
And i think this should do the jobs.guys,please correct me if i'm wrong in my own planning.
Thanks and Rdgs.





------------------
Rgds,
WS.


Wee Chong
Koi Lover

Aug 5, 2000, 9:20 AM

Post #13 of 14 (1263 views)
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Hi Limws!
(sealing of your present filter inlet can be easily done by using foam act as stopper from inside the first chamber)
there is no large modification to your existing filter box.Just need a hole on the filter box cover for pipe from settlement chamber.as for the settlement chamber,you can try to place the pipe at the flat bottom part,which makes the pipe standing inside the settlement chamber at about 3 quarter height of chamber,the water will then over flow from pipe to first chamber of your existing filter(as Peter has mention).(hard to explain without drawing,but no scanner with me right now Frown)the pipe are siliconed/glued to the settlement chamber and not to the filter cover.(for easy removing of chamber when the water are drain-out).
As for the water flow rate,just make sure the outlet are big enough for your pump.did you check your existing filter box?are the inlet and outlet the same size?if the size are diffrent,then use the same inlet and outlet size pipe for your settlement chamber.(in for in,out for settlement chamber to first chamber.)if your present pump are pumping water at a high pressure rate,then you need a larger outlet pipe.you can't use the same size pipe for inlet and outlet in this case.cos water entering are faster then water exiting.am i right?As for volume wise,no need to be the same size for settlement and the first chamber,as long the correct size pipe(large enough for water not flooding the settlement chamber) are fitted at settlement chamber to the first chamber.take note of water flow rate,not volume size.
Hope this help! Smile
Thanks and Rdgs!

------------------
chong

(This post was edited by Wee Chong on Apr 8, 2000, 2:00 PM)


limws
Koi Lover

Aug 5, 2000, 4:09 PM

Post #14 of 14 (1263 views)
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Hi dttk and all other experts in trickle system,
I went back to my dealer (Mainland of Spore) to enquire about adding a trickle container to my very short (1 ft) 3 stage filter system as quoted in this topic. To my surprise, he suggested adding the trickle chamber before the 1st chamber instead of the typical after the last chamber designs. Is this effective? Considering I do not have a settlement tank. I understand he is trying to minimise modifications to my present system, but I thought that the trickle system work best when having filtered water w/o solid waste at it's inlet. Pls feedback to me on this as I am hoping his modification will work as there is no way I could add the trickle system after my last chamber due to the low height of the present outlet which is at the top of my last chamber. Thanks as usual.

Quote
Originally posted by dttk:
Dear LimWS, I understand your problem completely as I too have a tank measuring 4'x8'x2.5' that comes with a 4'x1'x1.5' filter with 4 compartments. Water is pumped into 1st compartment of filter with inlet close to bottom, then overflows into 2nd compartment, then goes under to 3rd compartment and finally overflows into 4th compartment with outlet also close to bottom. In other words, it's an up-down flow system. The only difference is yours does not come with 4th compartment. I have modified the 4th compartment into a trickle filter which I'm glad to say works pretty well. You could add a 4th compartment as trickle filter and that should bring the nitrate level down. Mail me for details on how to contruct one. Regarding replacing corals with green mats, yes, it's precisely what I mean. Good bacteria colonise the green mats which are easier to 'clean' and aerate. Corals can be used in 3rd compartment instead of 2nd so that they will not accumulate dirt easily. They are also used for their pH buffering effect in this case. The best thing you could do now is to monitor nitrate level twice daily, minimal feeding, do water change frequently and get that ammonia and nitrite test kit as soon as possible. In the mean time set up that trickle tower filter for your future convenience.

------------------
Rgds,
WS.

(This post was edited by limws on May 8, 2000, 2:00 PM)

 
 
 



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