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  1. #1

    Spring hybrid anoxic project

    My current filter follows the conventional Nitrogen Cycle process of NH3->NO2->NO3 using a K1 fluidised bed with the addition of a DIY hybrid shower.
    I say hybrid, because of the four boxes of BHM used, half of the media is mostly submerged.
    This was built this way partly to make the system more resilient to main pump failure/power cuts, because the automatic battery operated back up pump is very much smaller and would struggle to fully wet all the BHM in normal shower mode. OK for a short period, but less so for a prolonged time if, for example, we were away in our caravan and had nobody available locally to investigate once the SIM module has alerted us to no filter flow.
    As an aside the auto battery backup system can maintain "survival mode" filter circulation for about 6 days in case of power failure and indefinitely in case of pump failure. There is also an automatic system to operate in case of drum failure, but this may need earlier intervention because of the risk of debris obstruction once the drum is bypassed.

    The filter was built and installed in a bespoke insulated filter shed in 2019 (all pipework is underground) and now that it and the associated pond are now relatively mature I feel happy to start to consider updating.

    I fully appreciate that Anoxic is really designed to be a standalone system as it can "compete" with a traditional system to a degree, but given the posts on this forum of occasional Anoxic anomolies and the fact that I have a working filter in place I am going to go for "add-on Anoxic" for now for these reasons:

    1. The idea of reducing NO3 without having to rely entirely on water changing appeals.
    2. The system I have devised will keep all media submerged and in the water flow even if operating with the small back up pump (as mentioned above).
    3. I have worked out a way to fit it all in the small footprint available in the filter shed and to be able to do it with the main filter still running (will be late Spring once water temp stabilised).
    4. With the "normal" filtration now working well I do not want to abandon this completely just yet.


    The diagram below shows the existing arrangement viewed from above. The auto-top up system is not shown in this diagram.
    And this is a photo of the system. The section to be updated to anoxic is on the left. It was built in a way that it could be easily altered if needed.



    And finally, the diagram below shows the planned new section (side view) featuring Anoxic filtration.



    As well as 12 standard size baskets I will repurpose the existing BHM into the lower trough.
    I will make the custom troughs needed from OSB coated with GRP. They will have adjustable weirs and a "gate" to allow flushing.
    The existing bypass for venturi aeration (I also have an air pump) and Tornado skimmer will stay for now, but valves will allow me to adjust or stop the flow here.

    Just thought I would share my current thinking





    Last edited by Ukzero; 18-01-2021 at 07:42 PM.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  3. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Looking good, is there a spray bar on the top and what sort of containers are the baskets in ?

    Looks like it works like a river filter which Adam Julian uses a lot should work good keep is updated.
    John

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  5. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Looking good, is there a spray bar on the top and what sort of containers are the baskets in ?
    Looks like it works like a river filter which Adam Julian uses a lot should work good keep is updated.


    The second diagram is a side view, so the containers are stacked vertically to be able to squeeze it all into the filter shed in the space currently occupied by the Bakki showers.
    So more of a zig zag vertical cascade than a winding river.
    It's unconventional, but should work well enough, because the total length of the water run (over baskets and BHM) will be over 6 metres.

    There won't be a spray bar.
    The flow will drop into one end of the top level, flow across the first 6 baskets then drop down to the middle level and flow across the next 6 baskets and then drop down one more time to flow through the bottom level full of BHM salvaged from the showers before dropping into the outlet chamber.

    This will mean making my own custom troughs using 18mm OSB board, lined with glass fibre. The baskets will sit on 20mm conduit. There will need to be adjustable weirs to control water level and a sluice gate type arrangement to allow flushing.
    The designs aren't final yet, but well on the way. It won't be a five minute job to build this.

    There will be a way to flush through to waste rather than back to the pond and the whole system can flow back through itself to remove fines before diverting back to pond.

    I will post details once finished if there is interest.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  7. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Yes with you on it, as you say it wont take as much of a footprint as would a river but do the same effect and should work well for you.

    Suppose the containers would need to be quite large for the baskets and a good idea to make your own as per the size you need.

    Keep in touch about it very interesting.
    John

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  9. #5
    I'd run the Anoxic until the temperature gets to 16 - 17°C and then isolate your normal filter. This will stop the nitrate cycle (which shouldn't be too high after winter) and let the Anoxic filter take care of the Ammonia. Job done

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  11. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Collins View Post
    I'd run the Anoxic until the temperature gets to 16 - 17°C and then isolate your normal filter. This will stop the nitrate cycle (which shouldn't be too high after winter) and let the Anoxic filter take care of the Ammonia. Job done
    Thanks for the input

    Because I need to build custom chambers to house the new part of the system and their structure will include GRP I will be building them when the ambient temperature gets warmer. It's much nicer and less "intoxicating" to do this kind of work outside.
    This being the case, it is unlikely that the anoxic set up will be installed before the temperature rises anyway.

    As mentioned, I realise that the anoxic process would be compromised by not relying on it solely, but
    I am loath to remove the K1 completely as it's nicely mature and acts both as a real and psychological safety buffer in case of any issues that may occur with the newly installed baskets.

    There will be "conventional" activity within the biofilm through the pond system anyway, but I am considering a way to regulate the flow through the K1 chamber sufficient to keep the bacteria ticking over, but with most of the water going straight to the anoxic section. Then in case of any problems I can divert back to the K1.
    The Profidrum Combi Bio has the K1 chamber built in, so a bypass, though possible, will require some careful thought and engineering.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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