biofilter ?

[gthumbus]

does the bio filter need to be clear to get light or can it be in darkness.
"because i have lots of 4" pvc pipe i was thinking about cutting in half and standing on end filling with bio media, so the only light it would get is at the very top end where the water would enter. good idea or bad??????

 

[Bud8Fan]

Nitrosonomas and Nitrobacter prefer darkness.

 

[duanes]

Light is not needed, in fact, darkness is prefered.

 

[srikamaraja]

Biological filtration can take place in light or dark.
If it is too well lit, algae will grow all over it.
This is technically called an 'algae scrubber' and is a good way to export nitrates.
If you don't want to have to remove algae from the media, leave it dark.

 

[gthumbus]

cool thanks guys i think i'll go in the shop and start working on them this evening

 

[cjohll]

I am working on a bio filter made out of pvc i just have to go buy some more fittings.

 

[gthumbus]

do you have any pics?