Hi all
With 3 vortex filters of +- 300 liters each tolal +-900 liters and pond 16,000 liters what would be the min/max flow rate through the vortex filters ?

Out of personal experience i would say dont exceed 13 000l/h otherwise the solids dont settleout and they overflow from one vortex to the next. With a hihger flowrate you stand the chance that your BD cant provide the pump and filters with water fast enough so your last vortex could start to suck air. (Water rising and falling in a vortex does not help with mechanical filtration)

Keep the first vortex empty, you will be suprised that an empty vortex can filter solids out....trust me.

For each BD i would put a settlement vortex (empty), followed by another vortex with mechanical filtration like brushes, matting or stattic K1 and the last i would use for bio filtration.

My advise with vortexes, would be:
BD -> Empty vortex -> Vortex with static K1 in eazy -> Aerated K1 -> Pump -> Pond. (This is a copy of the workings of the nexus )

(If you really want a SF then you can still add it after the pump.)

My own setup currently is.
BD -> Empty vortex -> Vortex with static K1 in eazy -> Manifold -> Pump -> UV -> UV ->Vortex with Aerated K1 -> Vortex with Aerated K1 -> Pond

Skimmer -------------------------------------------------------> Manifold -> Pump -> Sand Filter -> 25L Ultra zap -> 25L Ultra zap -> 25L Ultra zap -> Pond

(The manifold is where all my suction lines are joined and where my ball valves sit it also at this point where the water gets mixed up. I can control how much water i suck from what source and so the water of the BD can be pushed via the sand filter line or it can bypass it.)

Hi Dave,

Vortexes are gravity fed. Therefore the flow rate through a vortex is determined by the pipe diameter of the feed as well as the pipe link between each vortex.

What is the diameter of the pipes to the vortexes and between the vortexes. Give us that and we can give you the maximum flow rate.

Chris

Dave the inlet from BD should be 110mm and between Vortex also 110mm, then if you are using K1 as a meduim a 12000l max 15000l waterfall pump will do the trick. I am currently running my system like this with an 18000lt waterfall pump and it is not running the Vortex dry, but at the first opportunity I am going to change my pump down to enable the Ki to be more effective with a slower flow.

To achieve acceptable pond flow rate I will add a second pump via a skimmer or Bakki shower. Again it's only an opinion based on what is practically working for me at this point in time.

A note of interest in support of the above.

A real life situtation.

110mm bd to settlement and 110mm skimmer to same settlement.

110mm out let to 1st vortex another two vortex's (series), all plumbing between them 110mm.
Speck .75kw pump. Pulling from last chamber. to UV and then waterfall.

At full throttle it pulls that last chamber to below the outlet and sucks air, in around 3minutes.

thats right, wayne. I posted that as support for what you nad bobby said.



The .75kw is going next week, and being replaced with a pedrollo.

The vortex's are being realigned and levelled and set in concrete (incorrect initial installation).

All plumbing will be reconfigured, an air pump Boyu acq 3 or 4 is going to be installed and a airmanifold installed in the last Bio filter to create a moving bed.

The anoxic filter was installed and came on line in November already.

(yes i know i owe you an explaination, i will pm u soon)



So by the end of the month

Yeah, i did not read your previouse post correctly. A appologise. Bobby pointed out to be that you where agreeing after i already posted.

No worries man.

The more something like this gets discussed and dissected the more people will realise how important it is to understand the principles behind filtartion and how important it is to design the most efficient, long cost effective and easy to maintain system for your particular situation.

There are many different ways to filter a pond, there is no particular one right way.

One needs to understand how the system works and what the maintenance implications are.

A "right" system can become a fish killer in uninformed hands.