MB filter media

[smullen]

Hey everyone. I have another question about K1 or MB3 media. Can anyone direct me to a chart or formula to calculate how much i need. MB3 is cheaper I hear. My system is a 450 gallon fish tank. A diy radial flow filter(55) gallon, 15 filter brushes in a 20 gallon container, adding 55 gallon moving bed filter, 4ft x 8ft x 8in grow bed, and a 15 site NFT system,

I will also add a 55 gallon trickle filter as well


All running back to a 40 gallon sump.

about 100 talipia will be in this new home soon. they range in size from 250 grams on down.


Thanks for your help

Shawn

[Earthan Group]

Hi Shawn,

Hey everyone. I have another question about K1 or MB3 media. Can anyone direct me to a chart or formula to calculate how much i need. MB3 is cheaper I hear.

I wrote some information on my site here
http://www.earthangroup.com.au/aquaponics-grow-bed/

In that long winded post I put together a very basic formula:

Litres of media you need = 100 divided by Suface area of the media (below) multiplied by the amount of feed per day in grams

The K1 has a surface area of 853m2/m3
The MB3 has a surface area of 604m2/m3

Example:

If you are to grow 100 tilapia to 500 grams (50kg of fish)
Feed 1.2% per day (600 grams)

71 litres of K1 needed = 100/853x600
100 litres of MB3 needed = 100/604x600

If the MB3 is less than 2/3 the cost of K1 go that way.

Regards
Paul

[smullen]

Thanks Paul. I knew it was out there somewhere but couldn't find it. I am close to having my system set up. Pictures to come soon.


Shawn



edit:

I just did the math and that amount of media will take up half of a 55 gallon drum. Is this OK or do I need aanother drum?


Shawn

[Earthan Group]

Hi Shawn,

I just did the math and that amount of media will take up half of a 55 gallon drum. Is this OK or do I need aanother drum?

If you are turning over the fish tank once per hour your bio filter will have a retention time of 7.5 minutes. No major drama there.

Bio filter retention time = 60 minutes divided by [the exchange rate on the fish tank divided by the volume of the bio filter]

Use the above if you plan to have a different flow rate.

Regards
Paul