How much air do I need to fluidize media ?

[eddiegunks]

Hi everyone,

I want to work with K1 fluidized media. I'm going to have it in a 55 gallon barrel or possibly 120 gallon sump. I realize that it works better in a barrel Than a tank, but these are my options.

How much air should I plan on using? Will a Danner AP 100 be sufficient? Please let me know what kind of power I need? PSI? Gallons per hour? Liters per minute? However We want to talk about it.

Thank you

Eddie

 

[Swoll929]

If i remember correctly it is supposed to be 1lpm per llitre of media.

Just an idea, but what i did was make a pvc "loop" with 1/16" holes and plumbed the air in with brass barb fittings threaded into the pvc. It is working good so far. Also adjustable because i tested and siliconed over the holes i decided i didnt want/drilled where i wanted.

 

[eddiegunks]

Swoll929 thx! Just what i needed. I wanna buy a pump this week.

What do you use? Size etc? Thx

 

[aquaremo]

What I use for K1 Kaldnes in a DIY Pop bottle

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002..._SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=air+pump+aquarium#

This is without doing any calculation though,,

 

[Swoll929]

I don't remember off the top of my head but I can tell you it's not a fancy pump I used two small air pumps I bought from my lfs. Hence the need for the PVC. I can put as many inputs into it as I want allowing me to use small quiet air pumps since it is in my living room.

I'll get you some more detail tomorrow when I get home from work.

 

[eddiegunks]

Anyone else care to ahare the air souce for 2-3 cubic feet of media?

Thx

 

[Swoll929]

Here it is,
2 x danner ap4 air pumps
6 gallons k1

 

[Swoll929]

The ap4 say they output 275cu in/m or 4.5lpm. And they are cheap... mine have been running for about 1 year now, 2 different tanks.

 

[Jez1992]

I have 120l k1 micro in a 120gal sump and use 60lpm air pump and works great. It's also enough to aerate display tank too.

I use a hailea v60 pump which is cheap, and very quiet.

 

[eddiegunks]

Thx everyone. I was afraid i was goin to need a much bigger noiser pump. I am glad i can use smaller quieter pumps.