This could work, but is not self cleaning however
http://www.steadfastequipment.com/rotops.htm
I looked for a long time but couldnt find one sadly, if you can find one though, let us know!
If this were used on a discus filtration system, it would need to use a timer based self cleaning pattern, not the flow rate reliant one that the linked system uses.
We keep our discus tanks far too clean for the flow rate to ever get bogged down so it makes little sense to rely on one.
Timers are much cheaper than computer controlled gizmos anyways. I wouldnt be surprised if the sensor modules and computers in that filter account for a third of the cost....
This could work, but is not self cleaning however
http://www.steadfastequipment.com/rotops.htm
that... is actually extremely similar to the design I was proposing before.
it is indeed self-cleaning through the use of a scraper.
Guys the most effective way I have found has been the 'overhead sump' from Joeys book combined with an airlift tube (no pump) and with aquaponics (plants in the sump) And a pump in the tank. That runs on a timer 15 minutes every 2 hours. Pump pushes **** and uneaten food towards lift tube to sump and I rarely syphon anything from tank. I take out the little bit of filter floss that handles the mechanical filtration once or twice daily and the amount of gunk on it is definitely proving it's effectiveness: that means all that **** is not staying in my system. I do use a big Eheim external but intake is midwater and I haven't cleaned it in 8 weeks (I check the spray bar flow and it does not show any signs of reduced flow). All this is on a 450liter tank with 17 adult discus 40 cardinals 4 ancistrus starlight 10 corydoras 6 apistos some guppies and a couple of tiny plecos. I must say that I change 50% of the water every other day religiously. The fish look happy and healthy. They come to feed in my hand and I can pet them and even literally lift one of them out of the tank in the palm of my hand. Reason I mention the later is because many of you know that unhappy and unhealthy fish would not do that.
good to know Argentum !!
someone was telling me about overhead filters at NADA and i decided against it based on someone else telling me it was a bad idea and they gave good reason LOL i would love to hear more but anything that does not have the mechanical filtration side, very very easy for me to rinse out ie. poly fiber cushion i pull out and rinse vs using a sock which fills up faster, is something i avoid like the plague because im trying to make my process easy
- Marnie
www.bootcamprescue.com
Yes, another thing is some of the dirt/ food make it through the filter wool or sweep from the sides and accumulate under the media. This is another reason why I didn't like it because the only way to clean it is to remove the filter and rinse it with a stream of declorinated water.
What I do is fill a bucket with water and add safe, then use a hose connected to a submersible pump to wash out all the junk accumulated in the media.
Floss before change
I get that amount of gunk twice a day so imagine what is NOT accumulating in other types of filters.
Not quite self cleaning, but superb filtration nonetheless.
Every single large scale aquarium I have made thus far, both active and gone, typically revolved around something like this, a mechanical filter and either a refugium of aquatic plants or emersed plants, pretty nice! but, as many many reproductions went, it is simply NOT a substitute for good, old fashioned water changes.
Definitely not it's a complement just like the Purigen: I change 50% every other day.
Gets you to thinking. Good posts.