bead filter o2 levels

muttley · 29-10-2011, 09:11 AM

Ok so i am fitting a bead filter after my nexus....what I am wondering is can you fit a venturi after the nexus but directly before ther bead filter to raise the o2 levels back to where thety should be for better nitrification???

Regards Matt

freddy · 29-10-2011, 09:58 AM

Hiya Matt.

That's a pretty good question, as I too was thinking along the same lines, but not in the same way that you're proposing. I've seen it mentioned that one of the problems with a bead filter, is that it is a 'closed' system, and therefore can be lacking in oxygen. My thought was to drill a hole in the filter body (maybe somewhere near the bottom)to allow for an airstone, and then obviously seal it up again. I'll be interested to see the replies.

Cheers...Freddy.

muttley · 29-10-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddy

Hiya Matt.

That's a pretty good question, as I too was thinking along the same lines, but not in the same way that you're proposing. I've seen it mentioned that one of the problems with a bead filter, is that it is a 'closed' system, and therefore can be lacking in oxygen. My thought was to drill a hole in the filter body (maybe somewhere near the bottom)to allow for an airstone, and then obviously seal it up again. I'll be interested to see the replies.

Cheers...Freddy.

Hadn't thought of that Freddy....could be an option too. Hopefully someone wil be able to give a definitive answer!!!

Regards Matt

cheekiechops · 29-10-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttley

Hadn't thought of that Freddy....could be an option too. Hopefully someone wil be able to give a definitive answer!!!

Regards Matt

ive thought of doing that over the years but just thought it might agitate some beads and allow dirt back into system , trouble is its all guess work because i can't see whats goin on a my beadfilter, also you will have to put a valve on the new drilling to maintain the closed system

muttley · 29-10-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheekiechops

ive thought of doing that over the years but just thought it might agitate some beads and allow dirt back into system , trouble is its all guess work because i can't see whats goin on a my beadfilter, also you will have to put a valve on the new drilling to maintain the closed system

Good point!!

Matt

Big_al · 29-10-2011, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muttley

Ok so i am fitting a bead filter after my nexus....what I am wondering is can you fit a venturi after the nexus but directly before ther bead filter to raise the o2 levels back to where thety should be for better nitrification???

Regards Matt

I would have thought that as long as the water is oxygenated before it goes into the bead filter there shouldn't be a problem with a lack of oxygen in the filter. A sieve in front of the bead is not only effective in filtering out large particles but also an effective oxyginator.

Besides the issue of a valve the thought of drilling a hole in the filter to allow you to have an airstone in the filter and hoping that you can effectively seal it is a bit scary

Any reason why you are putting the bead after and before the nexus?

Al,

markf1fan · 30-10-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_al

I would have thought that as long as the water is oxygenated before it goes into the bead filter there shouldn't be a problem with a lack of oxygen in the filter. A sieve in front of the bead is not only effective in filtering out large particles but also an effective oxyginator.

Besides the issue of a valve the thought of drilling a hole in the filter to allow you to have an airstone in the filter and hoping that you can effectively seal it is a bit scary

Any reason why you are putting the bead after and before the nexus?

Al,

yes i agree with all that is said here, a sieve should produce loads of oxygenated water. i would never think of drilling my bead to add air into it. and any way just think of it like this if you started to add air to the bead filter just where will it go. it will go to the top of the bead filter and then it has to go some where else which means your start getting air blown back to your pond through your return. my bead filter runs ok so i dont understand why any one would be getting probs with them. just my thoughts.

muttley · 30-10-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markf1fan

yes i agree with all that is said here, a sieve should produce loads of oxygenated water. i would never think of drilling my bead to add air into it. and any way just think of it like this if you started to add air to the bead filter just where will it go. it will go to the top of the bead filter and then it has to go some where else which means your start getting air blown back to your pond through your return. my bead filter runs ok so i dont understand why any one would be getting probs with them. just my thoughts.

Morning Mark.....Just want to make sure that I have enough o2 for bacterial activity after it has passed through my nexus. I'm hoping that taking and returning water from/to the final chamber and passing it through a protein skimmer plus a ceramic disc will be sufficient!!

Matt

muttley · 30-10-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_al

I would have thought that as long as the water is oxygenated before it goes into the bead filter there shouldn't be a problem with a lack of oxygen in the filter. A sieve in front of the bead is not only effective in filtering out large particles but also an effective oxyginator.

Besides the issue of a valve the thought of drilling a hole in the filter to allow you to have an airstone in the filter and hoping that you can effectively seal it is a bit scary

Any reason why you are putting the bead after and before the nexus?

Al,

Hi Al...Bead after the nexus but not before mate

Finflapper · 30-10-2011, 12:22 PM

Hi Matt , intersting project to follow a nexus. Is your nexus at its limit of biofiltrtion ? This tends to be there strongest feature as k1 can be added or removed with-in parameters. I think clarity is the weak link of a nexus in some ponds.
A bead filter seems good at clarification and biofiltration so would polish the water and biofilter if needed. An inline venturi would feed foamy water to the bead filter could be messy inside.

My thoughts would be to go from the nexus straight to the bead filter as the nexus water is rich in oxygen from the moving bed supply, much more than the bacteria will use. i'm sure it will all work out.