Fluidized bed filter, Dead bacteria and rotting smell

[batang_mcdo]

Hi.

Can i reuse my fluidized bed filter? I had a problem with the canister it was connected to, So it was disconnected for a while. about 2-3 weeks now the sand has turned dark and there's rotten egg smell inside the fbf.
the sand inside has also tunred dark, Can i reuse the sand and the fbf?

thanks.

 

[xiaan]

I'd say ditch the sand, for sure. Give everything a bleach dip, rinse thoroughly, and run for a few hours in old tank water. Add new sand and re-establish the bacteria.

Christiaan

 

[tcarswell]

I'd say ditch the sand, for sure. Give everything a bleach dip, rinse thoroughly, and run for a few hours in old tank water. Add new sand and re-establish the bacteria.

Christiaan

Agreed , Might have to clean the intake and outlet tubing too .

 

[batang_mcdo]

thanks, problem is there's no replacement sand available here

 

[247Plants]

Clean your sand with a 20/1 or 10/1 bleach solution and rinse it well in treated tap water. Should do the trick.

 

[swede]

no pool sand available?

 

[batang_mcdo]

thanks yup I'm not sure if pool sand is available here. but had a hard time looking for sand before, had to go to hongkong to buy it. i'll try bleach first .thanks