Confused (Fluidized Media)

[fishdance]

Wow. This is very informative thank you.

what is the best use for k1-helix media then if this is the common misunderstanding?

Bio film filters are typically preferred in situations beyond nitrification. So where you seek more benefit than simply nullifying ammonia or nitrite.

Some examples would be to remove nitrate (without changing water), to feed fish, to combat green water etc. It is an interesting area because we can see benefits without fully understanding the detailed process. Bio film research is ongoing. And not all bio film filters perform equally.

K1 & Helix equivalents are good for bio film, the Nexus filter has popularised moving bed filters but the media is also good for static bed (mechanical ) filters which can be easily cleaned with a flood & dump. Less effective for trickle (wet /dry) because although it woeks, other alternatives are better. However, when you gain an understanding of concept, most people will find the best use.

Sometimes it's not the best use but practicality or convenience that dictates what media and how it's used.

In the case of a true fluidused bed for this OP, I would use HDPE granules if he wants floating. (the raw material used to make Helix & K1). They are 2-3 mm rice shaped irregular floating bits. Unless he is really after a moving bed despite thread title.

 

[Thomas Mack]

Bio film filtration is about encouraging advanced bacterial cultures well beyond the basic nitrosomas and nitrobacter nitrification process. Many of the cultures are too complex for our understanding as they diversify, develop and form symbiotic dependencies. Some bacteria sub cultures create exo barriers preventing antibiotics from working on the rest of the colony for example. Others produce food for other bacteria that have become too specialised. For bio film filters, surface area and time to develop are required so you would use a gentle roll of media for aeration and nutrient supply. This is called a moving bed. Although some bacteria dislodgement occurs on the outside of media, the majority is retained as this is the objective.

A fluidised bed filter is about removing much of the old bacteria to encourage young active re-growth. These are best for nitrification and a more vigorous turnover of media is required. K1 / Helix is not the best choice for this but is commonly used because it's mis-understood.

So because this media has to be moved more vigorous this does not allow enough BB to develop and hinder the nitrification process?

 

[Thomas Mack]

I made my fluidized bed in a cylinder, but it doesn't matter what shape it is, as long as it doesn't have dead spots, and works.
I used a water pump (as opposed to an air pump),to move media, and for the type media, used aragonite sand.
By using the sand beside being media for beneficial bacterial film to live on, the aragonite buffered alkalinity, and helped maintain a stable pH.
Any acids in the water were buffered by the calcium in the aragonite which would dissolve it over time, so every couple weeks I'd add another Tbsp or so. As you can see I didn't pressurize it, to make maintainence easier.
I found when pressurized, during power outages, media could get back siphoned into the tube, and the unit had to be taken apart to remove clogged media, unpressured, and by using a check valve, less back siphon, and easy to remove if it did back siphon, I could simply pull out the tube and knock media out.

water flow was just enough to keep media moving (fluidized) but not enough to push it above the rim.

wow! that is crazy, that is a cool setup. So you use sand because it allows more BB to grow and the nitrifications process is much better that other media?

 

[Thomas Mack]

If you want to use air, 60 LPM would get you started. If you want to add more media over time or throw in some air stones to the display, an 80 to 100 LPM air pump would be a good option.

Air pumps and tumbling media can be noisy if your display is in a living room. Try some simple tests using your TV or similar device and a free decibel meter app. Adjust your TV etc. volume level to match advertised decibels for the pump.

ah ok, thank you. I read that the amount of media you use is based on how many fish you have and how mush you feed them and waste produced? . To me that is a confusing part of all this.

 

[Thomas Mack]

Hello
I will be getting a 125g Sump built with a chamber about 75g space for fluidized media ( HEL-X 13 ). I have read many threads on pros/cons on the best way to move the media, and that’s where I’m confused. I am asking for advice from the PRO’s here so I can get it right.
Thank you.

Background

I kept cichlids is High School then joined the military. I retired in 2012 and wanted to get back into the hobby, I learned very quick that a lot has changed . I also need something to help with my TBI and other health issues and it helps me focus and a sense of purpose. I also have memory issues and forget a lot of stuff.

My set up right now is a 265g African Cichlid tank with a 45g sump I think. I will be upgrading to a 350-375 gallon tank with a 125g sump. I was using Marine-Pure blocks but noticed over time that they start to break down and seem to clog so I had to rinse them out with tank water. I got tired of that so now I'm trying my had with the HEL-X 13.