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    Thread: Birdmans 330 Gallon Settlement Chamber

    1. #1
      birdman's Avatar
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      Birdmans 330 Gallon Settlement Chamber

      For this I am using the 330 gallon metal framed poly tote tank. These are used to carry just about any kind of liquid imaginable. From paint to vegetable oil. If you look around industrial areas you can usually see them stacked out back. Most places will give them to you just to get them out of their way. Try to get as clean of one as you can find. Once you have cut the top out you can hose it out and treat it with a 15% bleach solution if needed.

      Start be removing the two top cross bars. Then cut the top out. I use a compass made from a stick to draw a circle on the top to cut from.
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    2. #2
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      Next I like to replace the odd bottom drain valve with a 3" knife valve. After dismantling the stock valve use a 3 1/2 inch hole saw to cut a new hole for the new valve.

      Install 3" male and female electrical conduit adapters. These elec. conduit adapters have straight cut threads and will screw together tight unlike the PVC or ABS adapters with tapered pipe threads. I use PL roof and flashing cement to seal all adapters used for this.

      Once this is done it's ready for the 3" knife valve. I installed my knife valve right at the tank but it can be installed anywhere in line that is easy accessible.
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    3. #3
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      The 4" line from the Bottom Drain should go in about 1/3rd the way up the side near a corner to create a circular flow inside. A counter clock wise flow is best if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. I use the Elec. conduit adapter for this also.

      You need a 4" knife valve in this BD line to block flow when dumping the settling tank. Outside the tank just where the BD water enters is best, but if space is tight you can put this valve inside the tank. You will just have to get wet to reach it or use a stick with a hook.
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      I run the 4" outlet line out the center of what ever side of the tank that fits your needs. Once again 1/3rd the way up the side, and once again with the Elec. conduit adapters. Keeping the outlet through the side wall low allows you the flexibility of adding pre filters later.

      Run the horizontal line to a 90 centered in the center of the tank. Glue the 90 onto this line. Now make a stand pipe that will slip vertically into this 90. DO NOT GLUE THIS PIPE! This vertical pipe not being glued can be pulled for pumping out, or changed later on if you decide to add a pre filter or micro screen. I can't begin to tell you how many different things I have experimented with, and how many different times I have pulled this stand pipe.
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    5. #5
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      Run this 4" outlet to what ever is next in-line with your filtration. Put a 4" knife valve in this line. In this example the outlet went to a 2nd tote being used as a Bio Filter.
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    6. #6
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      It is best to add some kind of pre filter or micro screen to the outlet. This will greatly enhance the performance of your settling tank. Here is an example of a static pre filter with matts and a roataing micro screen.

      Check the "Stickys" as there are several good DIY pre filters there.
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    7. #7
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      When servicing this settling tank I like to block in the BD knife valve and pump the tank as low as you can. Then shut down the pump, block in the outlet knife valve, open the drain valve and dump the tank.

      Not all the waste will drain out, some will still be on the tank bottom. Don't worry, we'll get it. Open your BD knife valve fully and you will get a big "Whoosh" of dirty water through it. This is important as it's flushing out any sediment that has settled in your BD line. This will also stir up the solids that didn't drain the 1st time from the tank. Once water is running clear, close the BD knife valve and dump the tank again.

      When finished, close the drain valve, open the BD valve. Once the settling tank is full open the outlet valve and start the pump.
      Any away you go.

    8. #8
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      These tanks will not direct bury. The soil will collapse the tank sides. But you can direct bury them if you wrap 4 sheets of treated 3/4 inch plywood around the tank. Here is a case where you would want your BD knife valve inside the tank instead of outside in the dirt.

      The last pictures is the installation using the settling tank then to the bio tank I described here.
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    9. #9
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      Another great thread by the Birdman... Big fan!...

      In this picture:



      Curious what you used for the basket? Can you just pull that basket off for cleaning? Water only enters through the top of the basket correct, not slots in the sides?

      Thanks --Craig

    10. #10
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      Quote Originally Posted by Ph1ngering View Post
      Another great thread by the Birdman... Big fan!...

      In this picture:



      Curious what you used for the basket? Can you just pull that basket off for cleaning? Water only enters through the top of the basket correct, not slots in the sides?

      Thanks --Craig
      It's a flower pot Craig. here's the const. thread.
      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81611
      Yes water goes in the top, through the matt. You just lift out the matt and hose it off.

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    11. #11
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      Link didn't work, but i think i found it...

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81611

      It doesn't put to much stress on the pipe, or should it be supported right before the 90?

      Thanks again Steve..

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by Ph1ngering View Post
      Link didn't work, but i think i found it...

      https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81611

      It doesn't put to much stress on the pipe, or should it be supported right before the 90?

      Thanks again Steve..
      That depends on how rigid your outlet pipe is supported outside of the tank. If need be you can tie it up with some fine rope.
      I fixed the link, thanks.

    13. #13
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      Quote Originally Posted by birdman View Post
      Run this 4" outlet to what ever is next in-line with your filtration. Put a 4" knife valve in this line. In this example the outlet went to a 2nd tote being used as a Bio Filter.
      Don't know if you remember me, but I was trying to pull together plans for a pond build. Have looked at other options, and this is probably what I am going with. Could I use this as a fluid bed instead of a settlement chamber? If so, would it be drilled differently? Still have the stand pipe? Could I use a 9 inch air stone, or do I still need to do a air diffuser/manifold with grates for the bottom?
      The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.

    14. #14
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      Hey Steve can you tell me how the setup on the bio container in this picture..



      You go from the SC to the Bio, do you have the same kind of static filter in the bio chamber that exits to the pump? I know the bio will be boiling, so just curious how your exit pipe is setup on the bio..

      Thanks AGAIN

      --Craig

    15. #15
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      Quote Originally Posted by Ph1ngering View Post
      Hey Steve can you tell me how the setup on the bio container in this picture..

      You go from the SC to the Bio, do you have the same kind of static filter in the bio chamber that exits to the pump? I know the bio will be boiling, so just curious how your exit pipe is setup on the bio..

      Thanks AGAIN

      --Craig
      Pretty simple Craig. This one is filled with one 9000 foot roll of poly package strapping. It has an air blower manifold like the sand/gravel filters for blowing out the strapping twice a year. It has Dream Pond Koi Toilet 2 BDs with screens for the water in and the water out to the pump.

      If made into a fluid bed, I would still use the Koi Toilet screens in and out, but in place of the air blower manifold I would use a 9" high capacity air diffuser.

    16. #16
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      Quote Originally Posted by carolinacrane View Post
      Don't know if you remember me, but I was trying to pull together plans for a pond build. Have looked at other options, and this is probably what I am going with. Could I use this as a fluid bed instead of a settlement chamber? If so, would it be drilled differently? Still have the stand pipe? Could I use a 9 inch air stone, or do I still need to do a air diffuser/manifold with grates for the bottom?
      Yes it can. Look at the reply I just answered for Craig.
      Pictured here is the Koi Toilet 2 BD with screen i use for the inlet and outlet. Inlet goes in at the lower side, outlet near the top opposite side.
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    17. #17
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      I was going to go with lower inlet hamster ball.. and same for the higher outlet. Should be cheaper right..

      Is a 9" disc enough for that big of a bio or should i use two or make my one diffuser.

      Thanks agian

    18. #18
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      Quote Originally Posted by Ph1ngering View Post
      I was going to go with lower inlet hamster ball.. and same for the higher outlet. Should be cheaper right..

      Is a 9" disc enough for that big of a bio or should i use two or make my one diffuser.

      Thanks agian
      That all depends on water and flow rate. The higher the water flow, the more air you need.
      The 3" line to the 7" hamster balls are only good for 2000 gph.
      The screened Koi Toilet 2 is 4", will handle much more flow, and it has the nice wife flange for clamping onto the side of the thin tank.
      There are lots of choices for an air diffuser, such as soaker hose, an air stone manifold like pictured, or the good old 9" high capacity air diffuser. (my favorite, just crank up the air amount).
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      Hi steve I was looking for that PL polyurethane sealant and all I could find was PL polyurethane construction adhesive. It says it is 100% polyurethane but I don't know if it is the same as the stuff you use. I was also curious about weather or not it matters that it says right on the tube ''not recommended for under water applications" Thanks

      Dave.
      every yard needs ... no wait... has to have a pond

      Proud member of the WWKC


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      Quote Originally Posted by d.koi View Post
      Hi steve I was looking for that PL polyurethane sealant and all I could find was PL polyurethane construction adhesive. It says it is 100% polyurethane but I don't know if it is the same as the stuff you use. I was also curious about weather or not it matters that it says right on the tube ''not recommended for under water applications" Thanks

      Dave.
      Here's a picture of it Dave.
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