Hi! Great post glad the bead filter fellow came along. What about using electric valves like for a forced hot water system to coordinate an automated backflow session. 1) close inflow, water simply circulates as if the filter loop had a blockage 2) close return, no water exiting 3) open drain, backwash bubbling looses and drains solids into holding tank 4) close drain 5) open return, 6) open inflow. Running pump now pushes water into bead filter loop again. You could use a simple optical sensor ( pair of diodes shining across clear pipe section ) to initiate the coordinated activity.
Could you also use a large pool sand filter? Works with the same concept, just sand instead of beads. Sand would clarify water very well aswell as provide tons of surface area for BB.
Based on the info in the video, the filter can only handle a small tank. In a production environment, the volume of solid will be much more than the filter could handle. With the beads up at the top, it slows down the flow rate.
So with this filter I won’t need a settlement tank. Just my SLO’s to sump. Sump to b filter. B filter to remineralization brewer, beds, fish tanks? Done.
Man I have to say that I love your videos . You are a great man. I have never watched so much TV before in my life. I can't wait till I get the chance to start your courses.
I am new to aquaponics, still even not started but watching your videos. My question is when you do the backwash what will happen to the existing bacterias. Please answer me even it's a stupid question.
noticed you're using the ast endurance model for the fingerlings. Why not use the use the endurance (bigger model if needed) in the polytunnel? why the traditional style bubble bead filter?
This is what Im thinking. Im thinking of using the bead filter to remove any sediments left after passing water from a biofloc shrimp tank, solids dropped using a baffle, passed through a media bed using airlift pump, then drained into a sump and up through a bead filter to NFT channels.
So when this is purchased and added to the system, is there a cycle time for the nitrifying bacteria to colonize on the beads? Second question I would have is there enough dissolved oxygen in the water to sustain the nitrifying bacteria or is the periodic bubble wash/ back flush enough to sustain the cycle? Still a very impressive demo. I am going to look into this.
Okay the solids are flushed out and removed from the system. Will there need to be a secondary biological filter to finish the ammonia to nitrite / nitrate conversation?
@@TheSchoolofAquaponics I understand that it can to some degree, but to what degree? If the beads are scrubbed clean each time, how effective can they be ? Is there any data on the bead filter's effectiveness in reducing the water's ammonia levels to nitrites and nitrate?
do you have to keep water flowing through the filter or can you have an off on cycle? Can you use the outlet straight up to plant beds, i.e. can it act as an inline filter to your water lift pump?
Does the filter take away nutrients from the plants, or are the solids not really what the plants need? And now with the hotter weather in texas, the water in my system is turning green probably from algae. Would this bead filter help with clearing some of that? Thank you.
According to the video the beads act as a biological converter of ammonia and nitrite to nitrate which the plants crave. I would imagine algae in particular the stringy kind and duckweed may create issues if they get onto the slots or inside the filter then plug the slots from the inside. Personally I am wanting to use duckweed as much as possible and just obtained some today and am starting to grow it.
It will not necessarily rob nutrients from the plants. The best practice is to store the solids in a tank for further usage once the filter is drained so you can get optimal use of the nutrients. I would t expect the bead filter to solve any algae problems. You would be better off blocking sunlight from entering your system to manage the algae issue.
Good Day all, I am new to aquaponics and very interested in setting up a backyard aquaponics system. I was wondering if you pros could provide me some pointers and advice as I embark on this venture. The aquaponics system I intend to design is DWC due to its simplicity. For this system my intended design and dimensions are as followed: Grow bed space: Area: 4ft × 16ft = 64ft2 V: 16ft × 4ft × 1ft = 64ft3 / 478 gallons / 1809.43 litres Or Area:1.2m x 4.8m = 5.76m2 V: 4.8m × 1.2m × 0.3048m = 1.75m3 /483 gallons / 1828.35 litres Filter: 55 gal swirl filter Sump Tank: 55 gal water drum Water pump: Active Aqua Submersible Water Pump, 1000 GPH Fish Tank: Question: What size fish tank (gal) would you recommend considering the above? I will be using Nile tilapia (preferably males). The fish feeding ratio I intend to use is based on the UVI system. Which is 60 to 100 grams of feed per square meters of plant area; therefore, 5.76m squared = 345.6 grams per day (60g × 5.76m squared) i.e (115.2g 3 times a day). Question: What should be my desired stocking density and beginning weight of the fishes? I tried to follow the ratio of 1lb (.5kg) of fish for every 1ft2 of grow bed surface area. This resulted in 64 fishes at 1lb. Question: What should be the desired flow rate? I intend to grow leafy greens such as Romaine lettuce and cabbage at 8 inch spacing per 1 meter squared.
Good demo Paul. Gotta love a professional sales engineer who knows his shit. In this case, literally knows his shit.
One hell of a filter, thx for sharing this one.
Wow that's super cool!
love the bead filter is wonderful not cleaning filters out daily. tyvm you all are great ast.. I will buy another from you when funding permits.
I'll be giving Paul a call this week! Can't wait to see the results for my commercial system!
For sure! You’ll love it!
Awesome video this answers alot of questions. Thanks
Hi! Great post glad the bead filter fellow came along. What about using electric valves like for a forced hot water system to coordinate an automated backflow session. 1) close inflow, water simply circulates as if the filter loop had a blockage 2) close return, no water exiting 3) open drain, backwash bubbling looses and drains solids into holding tank 4) close drain 5) open return, 6) open inflow. Running pump now pushes water into bead filter loop again. You could use a simple optical sensor ( pair of diodes shining across clear pipe section ) to initiate the coordinated activity.
Check the AST Endurance
Could you also use a large pool sand filter? Works with the same concept, just sand instead of beads. Sand would clarify water very well aswell as provide tons of surface area for BB.
My questions were answered on the website. Looks good.
Can I have the website address...want to buy one
Best video ever!!!
Brother this is amazing.
Glad you like it Andrew!
Based on the info in the video, the filter can only handle a small tank. In a production environment, the volume of solid will be much more than the filter could handle. With the beads up at the top, it slows down the flow rate.
the filter can be scaled up to production lvl to handle bigger water volume. @ 11:06
No need to change filters EVER! Back flush and go right on as before. Very cool!
So this fully replaces the need for a separate bio filter? or does this just add extra bio filtration
Great video! What is the lifespan of the beads ie how do you know you need to replace them? Such a great simple invention💛
Hi Michelle,
AST claims that the beads last more than 250 years, so there would be no need to replace them once you have the filter!
Amazing demo!! I am new to aquaponics and I am confused that if I install bead filter does that remove the need for solid filter and bio filter?
Yes, it’s a component that does both solids and bio filtration in one.
Awesome!
So with this filter I won’t need a settlement tank. Just my SLO’s to sump. Sump to b filter. B filter to remineralization brewer, beds, fish tanks? Done.
Is it possible to refill the beads ?
Yes, but that particular filter should not require any bead replacement
Man I have to say that I love your videos . You are a great man. I have never watched so much TV before in my life. I can't wait till I get the chance to start your courses.
Amazing!!!
Please how long does the filter work per day? Does it work all day or at certain times?
I am new to aquaponics, still even not started but watching your videos. My question is when you do the backwash what will happen to the existing bacterias. Please answer me even it's a stupid question.
Of all questions..one keep questioning me..how does those air inlet system work? What magic there? 1 way valve?
noticed you're using the ast endurance model for the fingerlings. Why not use the use the endurance (bigger model if needed) in the polytunnel? why the traditional style bubble bead filter?
I wanted to try both to have experience with both of their performances.
how does the crap drain out from the bottom? is there a solenoid valve that opens and shut?
how does the air escape during the backwash?
Can you Omit this Filter with Shrimp in the Sump Tank?
This is what Im thinking. Im thinking of using the bead filter to remove any sediments left after passing water from a biofloc shrimp tank, solids dropped using a baffle, passed through a media bed using airlift pump, then drained into a sump and up through a bead filter to NFT channels.
So when this is purchased and added to the system, is there a cycle time for the nitrifying bacteria to colonize on the beads? Second question I would have is there enough dissolved oxygen in the water to sustain the nitrifying bacteria or is the periodic bubble wash/ back flush enough to sustain the cycle? Still a very impressive demo. I am going to look into this.
Jeff Streeter post here please
I would imagine that the incoming water is oxygenated elsewhere before feeding through.
Okay the solids are flushed out and removed from the system. Will there need to be a secondary biological filter to finish the ammonia to nitrite / nitrate conversation?
No, the filter does both solids and biological filtration in the same unit.
@@TheSchoolofAquaponics I understand that it can to some degree, but to what degree? If the beads are scrubbed clean each time, how effective can they be ? Is there any data on the bead filter's effectiveness in reducing the water's ammonia levels to nitrites and nitrate?
How much? And shipping to Philippines?
do you have to keep water flowing through the filter or can you have an off on cycle? Can you use the outlet straight up to plant beds, i.e. can it act as an inline filter to your water lift pump?
Can this be upgraded to added heaps of oxygen as well
With a name like Paul, he must be really smart and capable! What prevents the beads from being drained out when you do the flush?
The pipe on the bottom has slots on it that are just small enough to prevent beads from escaping.
So big waste will be stuck in the filter forever. Or regular clogging in the inlet & outlet.
Why not you put the sensor when a density max. it will automatic, Do you develop any software,
Does the filter take away nutrients from the plants, or are the solids not really what the plants need? And now with the hotter weather in texas, the water in my system is turning green probably from algae. Would this bead filter help with clearing some of that? Thank you.
According to the video the beads act as a biological converter of ammonia and nitrite to nitrate which the plants crave. I would imagine algae in particular the stringy kind and duckweed may create issues if they get onto the slots or inside the filter then plug the slots from the inside. Personally I am wanting to use duckweed as much as possible and just obtained some today and am starting to grow it.
It will not necessarily rob nutrients from the plants. The best practice is to store the solids in a tank for further usage once the filter is drained so you can get optimal use of the nutrients.
I would t expect the bead filter to solve any algae problems. You would be better off blocking sunlight from entering your system to manage the algae issue.
Pretty nifty
Cleaning the filter every 2 to 3 days is nuts. You want a filter that you don't need to clean very often.
Dang son I think I can ghetto rig that
Note the over flow has a check valve below the air intake
how much is the bead filter 👍
He did not discuss biology part
Good Day all,
I am new to aquaponics and very interested in setting up a backyard aquaponics system. I was wondering if you pros could provide me some pointers and advice as I embark on this venture.
The aquaponics system I intend to design is DWC due to its simplicity. For this system my intended design and dimensions are as followed:
Grow bed space:
Area: 4ft × 16ft = 64ft2
V: 16ft × 4ft × 1ft = 64ft3 / 478 gallons / 1809.43 litres
Or
Area:1.2m x 4.8m = 5.76m2
V: 4.8m × 1.2m × 0.3048m = 1.75m3 /483 gallons / 1828.35 litres
Filter:
55 gal swirl filter
Sump Tank:
55 gal water drum
Water pump:
Active Aqua Submersible Water Pump, 1000 GPH
Fish Tank:
Question: What size fish tank (gal) would you recommend considering the above? I will be using Nile tilapia (preferably males).
The fish feeding ratio I intend to use is based on the UVI system. Which is 60 to 100 grams of feed per square meters of plant area; therefore, 5.76m squared = 345.6 grams per day (60g × 5.76m squared) i.e (115.2g 3 times a day).
Question: What should be my desired stocking density and beginning weight of the fishes?
I tried to follow the ratio of 1lb (.5kg) of fish for every 1ft2 of grow bed surface area. This resulted in 64 fishes at 1lb.
Question: What should be the desired flow rate?
I intend to grow leafy greens such as Romaine lettuce and cabbage at 8 inch spacing per 1 meter squared.
Microplastics. Bad idea.
Good video good information. But I can't listen to that guy. He sounds like a really bad used car salesmen.