Continuous feeding NPS filter feeders

[Bongo Shrimp]

So I'm ordering two stirrers for my new setup and I was wondering if I should get two flasks with stoppers for use with the stirrers? Mike?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Done except for the flasks on order. The temp says 42 cause I was installing the lights. How does it look?

 

[dzhuo]

Nice set up so far Bongo.

Where did you purchase the refrigerator? Are you going to drill a couple of holes for the return pipe to go through?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Nice set up so far Bongo.

Where did you purchase the refrigerator? Are you going to drill a couple of holes for the return pipe to go through?

I got it from a friend's basement for the price of carrying it up the stairs to my car . I am not doing it the way where a pipe runs through and the pumps feed into that pipe. I will have flexible tubing running in and out the same hole in a loop. Kinda hard to explain. I might make a diagram for people to see so they understand how to do it. I would do it the way you are thinking of but I do not have a sump to plumb into and I am doing two tanks from one fridge.

 

[dzhuo]

Diagram will help.

How are you plan to keep the entire flexible tube within the refrigerator and fresh without the return pipe running through it?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Ok I wasn't clear- A pump in the tank will constantly push water through the loop (out of the tank, into the fridge, and then back out. In the fridge, a t-splitter will be in the loop and the feeder pumps will feed into the T-connector. That way food never sits in the loop. Get it? I'll make a diagram.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Here's a 5min sketch.

 

[dzhuo]

Sounds like a good plan.

What brand is the fridge and are there any model or serial number you can find? How do you plan to get the rubber tubing into the fridge?

 

[slapshot]

A T will only work if you have a back flow preventer on the input side. The pressure of the loop will push back on the paristallic pump and your system will not work. Instead of a T you need a Venturi.

 

[slapshot]

Does that make sense Gordon?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

yeah but I thought we determined the mysis will clog it up. So it won't work?

 

[slapshot]

Right, you have to find a venturi to inject the food. That way the pressure wont back feed. I'll look around, even a backwards Y connector would be better than a T. Plus without a backflow preventor you run the risk of breaking a tube in the pump and causing a leak because iut will be under pressure. Let me think about this.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Right, you have to find a venturi to inject the food. That way the pressure wont back feed. I'll look around, even a backwards Y connector would be better than a T. Plus without a backflow preventor you run the risk of breaking a tube in the pump and causing a leak because iut will be under pressure. Let me think about this.

Ok thanks cause idk anything about plumbing.

 

[herring_fish]

Is there such a thing as a back flow stop valve at that scale and made of plastic that would be reliable?

PS ...or could you use a peristaltic pump instead of a powerhead to create less pressure and flow?

 

[slapshot]

Is there such a thing as a back flow stop valve at that scale and made of plastic that would be reliable?

PS ...or could you use a peristaltic pump instead of a powerhead to create less pressure and flow?

Yes, they are made for pool chemical insertion equipment. Also, you can find them at most pet stores. They sell them for air pumps from the old days when you had to worry about water getting into your air pump from undergravel filters.

 

[nivram]

What about putting your pump on a timer or programming it to only run after the dosers have injected food into the return line?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Because the water in the loop will still go up the food line into the peristaltic pump. The food will clog the proper sized back-flow preventer.

 

[slapshot]

What about putting your pump on a timer or programming it to only run after the dosers have injected food into the return line?

If you stop the flow in the loop hydrogen sulfide will develop. After playing with a number of test options the only one that works with something as large as whole mysis, is to dump it into the tank. This will limit your distance from the refrigerator and the display. Unless you want to build a full 1/2 loop, but I think your space limits your pump size so I'm not sure that is possible.

 

[nivram]

If you stop the flow in the loop hydrogen sulfide will develop. After playing with a number of test options the only one that works with something as large as whole mysis, is to dump it into the tank. This will limit your distance from the refrigerator and the display. Unless you want to build a full 1/2 loop, but I think your space limits your pump size so I'm not sure that is possible.

Ive seen this on a different type of setup used to feed brine shrimp in the main tank and hydrogen sulfide was not an issue. I can see it being an issue if you were only feeding and rinsing once ever couple days. I imagine in a NPS setup you are doing multiple feeding cycles daily.

 

[Aquabacs]

Gordon,
Keep in mind if you decide to go the venturi route; venturi valves are rated a minimum gallon per hour or minute. Having a pump push water through the venturi at less than minimum rated spec makes the valve ineffective and will cause water to flow out the air injection port on the valve.


Mike