Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I really don't think there is a point in which it starts to become a problem.. the only problem I see with increased flow will be on retention time of filters before the GB decreases.. and hence there is a possibility to slip more solids into the GB.. other than that.. nope there isn't.. if not taking into account temperature changes of thr water

Cookie,

Good to know as I am currently building my DWCs. I was given advice of a minimum of 5gal per min. I will now build for greater speed.

well im always glad to help

Cookie,

All information that I can get is appreciated.

Cookie, I have a question about my MT tank. It recently went anaerobic...I think. It's a kind of tan color...unlike the normal dark brown, and has a terrible sulfur smell. I was aerating for the past week, and it didn't seem to matter. Should I drain out what's in it and start again? I added a small heater to get the temp up to around 75F, and then it started to smell even worse. I moved it outside the GH, couldn't stand the smell anymore. Just curious what your recommendation would be. Thanks! I haven't tested anything in it since it started smelling so bad...about 2-3 days now.

Are you adding and carbon to the MT.. if no them I believe you may need a bit more aeration.. btw on average what % volume of your MT is solids.. mines is about 10 to 20% soilds then the rest is filled close to the rim with water... if the solids are too concentrated too much bio actions may be taking place..

I'm maybe around 20% also...maybe closer to 25%. I'll add some carbon and increase air tomorrow and see what happens.

No don't add any carbon.. that will make it worst due to increased demand for oxygen. but also the length of time left anaerobic will cause alot of ammonia and sulfur released.. I'll advice to full the container near to the top of the container with FT water.. not tap water.. and add a bit more air.. but no carbon..

One more thing to note iz try to allow the airstones to allow be at the base of the container.. this will allow the oxygen to be dispersed evenly throughout the MT.. as well as gives you the best agitation possibly.

Thanks Cookie, will do both tomorrow, and report results back.

Not enough air?

Lol...phone didn't update.. Stir the crap and air like cookie said

Swed,

Can you explain the dual outflows please. Thanks.

There was a mention on water speed,retention time through the filter,this little graph should help.it was based on a fixed amount of passing through the filter.

Lmannyr, dual out flows means you have to exits from fish tank. One at the top takes out the bulk of water, between 80-95 of the inflow leaves through this outlet. This water taken from,the top is relatively clean and can be routed to a netting tank. Now the 5-20% of the flow that we take out from the bottom of the tank will contain most if the solids ie fish poop. This flow is much slower which allows uS to size the RFF much smaller since flow is perhaps 28gph (low flow)we don't need a big tank to achieve a long retention time. This way we make it easier to clean and,much more efficient.. I love it so far. The only thing is I have found solids to settle out in the pipe before it reaches RFF. This could be due to the fact that SLO is 3/4" Pvc pipe but on the outside I have a 1" flexible Pvc hose that allows flow to,slow down and is possibly the cause for solids to accumulate in the hose. I will change it in a few days to see if it makes a difference with 3/4" Pvc pipe.