Andrew Butler
Member
The plan is to add, adapt and/ or create a couple of all in one system(s).
I have a couple of Fluval Flex 57 (one is my mum's!) which are a great little number to keep going for now with the uncertainty of when retailers will reopen or wild caught will arrive back in store.
The big problem with them is the filtration system, at least in my opinion. it's just poorly designed, not efficient at filtering and could use the space so much better. That's not to mention how out of square, bent and twisted the second purchase was along with cutting it out taking almost zero effort.
The plan for both of these mid-term is to insert a new more rigid acrylic partition with filtration being in my opinion an improved design and easier to maintain. It would consist of a simple 3 chamber layout using an under/over action between 2 sets of baffles as the illustration below should demonstrate. C1 would hold some kind of *mechanical filtration, C2 would hold some biological filtration e.g. ceramic media along with Purigen or Carbon if I chose it then finally C3 would hold the return pump and heater. Shelving will be added to hold media etc.
Now, here's the thing I'm considering adding a filter sock as my filtration to C1 as I think it's less messy than foam but it's not something I've read about too often so leaves me wondering about peoples' experience.
I know @zozo has a thread which although interesting doesn't involve the design I have in mind, it does use a filter sock so I'm wondering if it could be a good option for me also. Hopefully people with experience can fill me in with info like size, brand/model, what micron they ran, the need for any further mechanical if any, frequency cleaning needed etc.
I only have around 75mm depth in the Flex (which I could make 85mm tops if I really needed to) and a width ideally not exceeding 100mm. The overall height before I take into account the intake slots is around 355mm, I'd guess the slots won't be any further down than 50mm.
If people can point me to some smaller diameter socks that would be great also. 🙂
As for my larger system if appropriate I can simply add an acrylic shelf, rested on ledges with a hole cut out of the center to act as a holder and push the sock into it. I have around 150x190mm to fit it in so a 4" should be a good option if opinion or more experience might suggest it's a good idea.
I have a couple of Fluval Flex 57 (one is my mum's!) which are a great little number to keep going for now with the uncertainty of when retailers will reopen or wild caught will arrive back in store.
The big problem with them is the filtration system, at least in my opinion. it's just poorly designed, not efficient at filtering and could use the space so much better. That's not to mention how out of square, bent and twisted the second purchase was along with cutting it out taking almost zero effort.
The plan for both of these mid-term is to insert a new more rigid acrylic partition with filtration being in my opinion an improved design and easier to maintain. It would consist of a simple 3 chamber layout using an under/over action between 2 sets of baffles as the illustration below should demonstrate. C1 would hold some kind of *mechanical filtration, C2 would hold some biological filtration e.g. ceramic media along with Purigen or Carbon if I chose it then finally C3 would hold the return pump and heater. Shelving will be added to hold media etc.
Now, here's the thing I'm considering adding a filter sock as my filtration to C1 as I think it's less messy than foam but it's not something I've read about too often so leaves me wondering about peoples' experience.
I know @zozo has a thread which although interesting doesn't involve the design I have in mind, it does use a filter sock so I'm wondering if it could be a good option for me also. Hopefully people with experience can fill me in with info like size, brand/model, what micron they ran, the need for any further mechanical if any, frequency cleaning needed etc.
I only have around 75mm depth in the Flex (which I could make 85mm tops if I really needed to) and a width ideally not exceeding 100mm. The overall height before I take into account the intake slots is around 355mm, I'd guess the slots won't be any further down than 50mm.
If people can point me to some smaller diameter socks that would be great also. 🙂
As for my larger system if appropriate I can simply add an acrylic shelf, rested on ledges with a hole cut out of the center to act as a holder and push the sock into it. I have around 150x190mm to fit it in so a 4" should be a good option if opinion or more experience might suggest it's a good idea.
