Fluidized Sand Filter, or maybe pumice.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
markstrimaran

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
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iowa
OK I have gotten side tracked. I have seen the light. Get rid of the bio balls from last century. Scrap the UG filter plates, and turn the trickle filter into a diy denitrator.
I think what I need Is a FLUIDIZED SAND FILTER.
I have gone with African cichlids for my 75 gallon and need a high powered filter. One that I can install inside the tank.
 
I am hoping to find a way to build the filter into the tanks corners and keep as much of the tank open for fish, mostly the 4'× 18" foot print.
I am going to build an elaborate faux rock back drop with lots and lots of caves and tight spaces. So hiding the filter from view will be done.
 
It is going in a tight corner.. No room on either side or the back. For bulk head fittings. 18" wide on a 18" wide space. Next to a desk that blocks easy access to a sump.
It would also allow the tank to be easily move in the future when a 150 gallon takes its place.
 
saw someone use an 18 by 3 or 4 inch round vase for a diy in tank fluidized sand filter. They used a pump with a sponge filter attached to the inlet and put the outlet into the vase with a cup or 2 of sand. you can put a small screen on top of the vase or leave it open. the key is to use the same sand in the filter as substrate so if some spills out it doesn't make a mess.
 
I used fluidized bed reactors, in combination with lava rock media in bags on the sump floor.
They work well for bio, and very well if using a buffer type media which dissolves to aid alkalinity (keep pH and alkalinity stable).
Th FBReactors are sometimes very sensitive to power outages, and if the pressurized (closed lid type) can plug up after an outage, by back siphoning media into the influent line.
I changed mine to open top units after a few power outages to help with the back siphon, and also added check valves to keep water going only one way. Open top models also make adding new media much easier because it could be done with the unit on, just throttled back, without have to turn it off, unscrew the top and all that BS.
I built 3 DIY models of various sizes. And think my best and most efficient one stood 4ft tall, 8" in diameter and used about 3lbs of aragonite sand as media. As the aragonite media dissolve or become lost I would add more, a little every few months.

 
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