Filtration Capcity Vs. Flow Rate?

[henryfg]

I was looking at the aqadvisor.com stocking calculator, and there I started reading about the concept of filtration capcity as a measure of filtration rather than flow rate (on this page here, http/www.aqadvisor.com/AqHelp.php#FilterSelection). This is pretty much all that I could find on the subject so here is the question.

Is the filtration capacity the amount of biologicl media (and presumably other media) available for filtration?

If yes, here is the next question. If a filter has empty space in in (well, full of water, but JUST water) would filling this space with more media increase filtration capacity? It seems logical to me, since a filter with nothing in it would still have a flow rate, but presumably a filtration capacity of 0, so adding more media would increase filtration capacity. However as I have found out already, with fish keeping all is not always what it seems...

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

Flow rate is just that, how much x product whether it be a sole pump or a filter etc etc can squeeze through when nice n shiney brand spanking new from a factory at Zero Head and at sea level at a certain air/water temp (as far as i know it's measured direct as it exits whatever is termed the "end" or "outlet end" which would be on a pump the very tip you then connect piping/tubing to etc etc)

So flowrate is easy enough to get to grips with it's just a throughput amount

Hmm to slightly confuse you, this should make sense .... x interior filter nice n new has a flowrate of xx lires per hour, as it does its job and filters the filter media will clog up for want of better words and the moving part/parts of the pump will get a slime covering and slightly gain mass and thus flowrate will drop slightly and keep dropping due to the law of deminishing returns

Now the Filtration Capacity, to me is the best to answer, trust me and go with more, you can never have too much (read below though !!)

The more media means the more surface area if required can be used by beneficial bacteria, imagine (this is far off dude lol) you're in charge of an ever increasing population you have to house, it makes sense to have empty homes to put people in doesn't it ? so just equate the people to nice bacteria and all will be well, give them space to develop and expand if their needed to

Obviously i don't mean start using 500 gallon koi filtration stands to filter a 100L tank

(you could do but really way way over the top) but just always edge over filtration amounts rather than on or below

And unless pump/filtration flowrates have really changed in the past 15yrs air on the side of slightly less than x product states

Have Fun

Tony

edited this :: zero filtration, yes you're correct, adding anything resembling media will increase the filtration (of course bacteria-wise you may have a short wait) , as long as you don't go totally doolally and whack forms of media in that will almost cut off the flowrate then yes of course the more surface/nooks n crannies nice bacteria can get a grip on the better)