Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Cheers. The 3rd bed will run into a swirl filter and then the DWC then back to tank. If the swirl doesnt work I will try a filter with bio-balls or something. It will be a bit of trial and error with solids removal.



I totally agree Dunder. I have a second pump that swirls the FT water and they are all constantly swimming against the current. It helps with the solids and they really seem to enjoy it. Hopefully it occupies the trout wnough to keep them from dominating the SP. So far so good. There is a good chance I will run into problems when they get some meat on their bones

It will be interesting to see if you have enough flow for a swirl filter....

Alternatively you could use a really big air pump and destroy those solids

Yea there will be a lot of trial and error....... Cant wait!

Depending on the design, swirl filters can be very effective with low flow and low velocity.

Swirl filters are generally only effective.. with low flow, low velocity...

They sound perfect then

I just always imagined wanting a decent flow to get a whirlpool action happening.

Yuo can have relatively high flows.... with a big swirl filter.... but ultimately the velocity needs to be slow enough for the solids to drop to the bottom...

Some, but not all "swirl filters" require low flow and velocity, and then there are "cyclone separators" or "hydrocyclones" which require much higher flows and velocity. If you've got too much flow or pumping too hard for solids so "settle/fall" in a swirl, consider a cyclonic method for solids separation.

Yea Ill be going for a reasonably slow flow swirl filter to give the solids time to drop and work efficiently.
If my new standpipe design from the supply bed works I feel confident there shouldnt be too many solids to remove so fingers crossed.

What am I missing? How does standpipe design affect solids filtration?


P.S. Where's your modified system schematic?

It doesnt effect solids filtration as such but standpipe/media guard design can alter how water is drawn from the bed. This in turn can effect the amount of solids that escape through the standpipe. Think of the bed as a settlement chamber.


Trials are still in progress and will post when Im satisfied Im not totally bonkers

re: standpipe design. Makes sense.

Sounds like a second FT is in order

Knocked up a new home for my Marron this arvo from the plastic netting I had left over from the pertition experiment.

Im thinking I can put 10 of these across the FT floor, Ill put one Marron in each net tube.

In one of them Ill put in 2 marron to see how they go together and monitor there actions.


Here's some pics =

It isnt really a shot of your toes if you have socks on.