Filter Question

[Birdman]

If you were going to build an indoor QT/Wintering tank, 2,500 gal, and had min. room for filtration, in fact the filtration would have to set on top of the tank. What yould you use?

[dizzyfish]

Something like the Ultima II 4000.

[PapaBear]

An EZ Mini might be a good option too. Tiny footprint and a guy I know who put one in for his mom is in love with it.

[carolyn swanson]

I guess the obvious choice would be the Bakki shower, but the consideration has to be made of the uses to which it would be put. I have heard several stories about difficulties in medicating the pond with the Bakki--difficulties in dossages, etc. And, if I have picked up the correct information, water changes are recommended daily and some medications direct not to do any water changes for a week or so. Also to be considered in a quarantine situation is the ease of disinfection and the ability of medications to get to every one of the little buggers. I don't imagine that, with all those little holes, that something like the Bakki or even using something like Kaldness, would be optimal.
. . . Just some things to consider.

[aquitori]

Probably use a 160gal oval tank Kormex for Bio, Ultima 6000 for perfilter, 1/4 horse Aquaflow. If this is going to be a settling setup then you can add a 150gal Kormex drum for more volume. or direct suction.

Direct suction: Pump to Ultima to Bio...gravity back to pond

Settling: Settling tank to pump to Ultima to Bio...gravity back to pond

Now size of tanks will depend on load of fish. If there is going to be a greater load then you can stack another tank on top of the first Bio...but also a shower system will work to.

[Birdman]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I should had mentioned it all would be DIY. I have another problem which I haddn't thought of. I was thinking of making a wood fraimed tank 13 by 5 by 5 feet. I don't think there is wood out there that would hold the 14 foot sides. I am going to check the local salvage yard for steel "I" beams. That is the only way I think I could do it.

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Birdman Thanks for the ideas so far. I should had mentioned it all would be DIY. I have another problem which I haddn't thought of. I was thinking of making a wood fraimed tank 13 by 5 by 5 feet. I don't think there is wood out there that would hold the 14 foot sides. I am going to check the local salvage yard for steel "I" beams. That is the only way I think I could do it.

You might be able to get away with it Steve. I built a wood frame above ground tank for a customer last year. It is 5' x 9' x 4.5' deep. I shot 1/4" bolts through a pt 2 x 4, plus 1 1/2" into the concrete as the base along with stringers underneath. Then tied into them with 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 framing. 3/4" marine ply inside. All corners were 4 x 4 to 2 x 4, making them 4 x 6. Laid in the liner, tacked down the top, then fastened double cap rails all the way around. To make sure it wouldn't come apart at the center, I used 3/8" threaded steel and bolted it through the walls across the width of the tank above water level. I used pipe insulation to cover it so fish couldn't get hurt if they jumped and hit it. Bottom drain and skimmer are pump suction to an Ultima 6000. Unfortunately, that's all the room the customer had for filtration. But he also does about 50% water changes over the course of each week. He has a crazy fish load in there and his main pond (original reason for building this system)LOL!!!! Seems to be working just fine. He loves it!!

Good Luck with yours

Mike

[Regenmeneer]

Birdman,

I would go the trickle tower route. Lots of aeration and faster start-up than regular filtering systems.

[PapaBear]

Forget the EZPod I mentioned earlier and go the TT/BS route if it is 100% DIY (my favorite way too ) Kick starting a tower with mature media is a breeze.
As mentioned already, using 4x4 framing lumber for the top and bottom rectangular frames should give you the strength you are looking for with 2x4 studs on 12" centers along the sides. If 4x4's still make you nervous you can buy 5x5 or 6x6 instead. Building an above tank frame to hold your tower/shower on one end would be a breeze.

[RayJordan]

DIY Trickle Tower is what I would do. Easier to insulate and control water spray than shower types.