so i am sure someone has brought this up before. but is there a way to convert/use a normal sand pool filter on a aquarium? would it have and biological benefits? or just mechanical ?
sand pool filter for aquarium?
- Thread starter vwilliams1475
- Start date
I've seen them used and they work ok. Not something I'd use if I had to buy it... but if by chance you got one for free, have at it!
Just like any other filter out there, your choice of media will determine more mech or more bio.
Just like any other filter out there, your choice of media will determine more mech or more bio.
i came close to doing this myself.
A pool sand filter is good for large tanks but it is only a mechanical filter. Not much bacteria can get built up inside it. So you would have to also have a Bio filter somewhere in your system. The PSF would keep your water clear of all particals though.
You could have the output of the filter dump into another tank/Sump and then have the water pump back to the tank.
A pool sand filter is good for large tanks but it is only a mechanical filter. Not much bacteria can get built up inside it. So you would have to also have a Bio filter somewhere in your system. The PSF would keep your water clear of all particals though.
You could have the output of the filter dump into another tank/Sump and then have the water pump back to the tank.
We use them (I work at a small aquarium) on our larger systems but only in conjunction with sumps & biological filtration. The biggest problem with sand filters is that they develop "channels" in the sand bed requiring backwashing on a regular basis, requiring about 25% make up water at least once a week. And yes the pumps we use to achieve acceptable flow rates eat a lot of watts.
Pool sand is fine in the aquarium. It can make little ph up and hold. i use pool sand in 205 gallons. clown loach and bala shark is happy like slice sand.
My next project tank go 405 or 425gallons. i go do again pool sand slice for sintray and arowana
My next project tank go 405 or 425gallons. i go do again pool sand slice for sintray and arowana
You can use it as the only filtration. We used them to run our freshwater systems at the shop I was running, no other filtration. They are perfect, it is what I am going to use on my dream FW tank. The backwash option is the best, drain the tank for a water change and simultaneously clean the filter. Less work, better filtration, healthier tank. We used Aqua UV's smaller models.
I saw one for $150 on craigslist with the pumps, so it put the idea in my head. i don"t have a large enough tank yet to use it but one of these days i will 