opinions on cartridge filters for high volume systems

[andrew2010]

I am setting up my new basement sump/frag system and wanted some opinions.
First off I want to thank Sean O for all of his help and being a blessing to my family and I .
I will have a final volume of 500- 525 gal. I have all of my plumbing and hardware options sorted mostly. starting with my 125g display draining into 55 gal container w/live rock . This drains into a 30 gal with red mangroves which in turn drains in to 300 gal sump(250 gal actual water volume). skimming is w/ aquac skimmer- co2 reactor- 40 watt ql40 uv sterilizer. sump will have DSB with egg crate stands (to keep pumps free of contact w sand) sump will have clams and clean up livestock for excess detritus ( tangs chromis sea cucumber etc)return pump is 1.5 hp hayward pump with sw pump seal that is for main return and circulation for attached frag system for zoa and anemone grow out ( 4 40 gal vats with cascading flow) that drains in to sump. heater is a pentair commercial natural gas heater saltwater safe. ATO will be provided by 2 55 gal drums w RO.

My question to you guys is weather or not to use a hayward cartridge filter that I have after the return pump. If I dont use this as a cartridge filter should I run carbon (large bag) or maybe some lr rubble in the chamber or am I beating a dead horse by wanting to use this? All of the equipment is purchased and awaiting installation so its just some last minute decisions that need to be made.

I have a separate frag/prop system with asm g3 skimmer so frags in main system will be in grow out mode only. also the 55 gal LR vat and main sump will be covered and insulated for reduction in evaporation and heat loss. Pics for a build thread will be documented for your enjoyment and or criticism .
Thanks in advance for any help or insight .

 

[andrew2010]

The reason for this question is that most of the commercial filter systems I have seen (filtration on a pallet as I call them), has either a cartridge or sand filter incorporated into the system.

 

[IronMan72]

First, let me preface my comments by stating that I am not a filtration expert so I am only sharing my thoughts on the topic.

I would think that using a cartridge filter would be beneficial by trapping a lot of microscopic debris. If maintaining a refugium with pods I doubt the pods would ever make it past this filter. It would also seem reasonable to expect that any media in the return line would restrict the flow rate proportional to the length of time the media was in use.

My concern would be that it would add yet another periodic maintenance task. Failure to perform this task could result in significant restriction of the return line and damage to the return pump or the media could become a nitrate factory.

Unless a bypass was provided changing the media would require shutting down the return pump periodically. I'd think an inline pressure gauge could be useful for determining when periodic maintenance was required.

 

[andrew2010]

the filter housing has a built in pressure gauge as far as restricting flow a 1.5 hp pump has way too much flow even with a 17' head . Specs on the pump are 84gpm @20'head or 5040gph (wow) so Im gonna have to restrict the flow anyway.

 

[andrew2010]

no thoughts on the cartridge filter?