Shark Tank Without Bio Balls?
- Thread starter Rachel S
- Start date
The problem with bioballs is they tend to trap nitrates when used in a trickle filter. If they stay submerged in a fluidized bed for instance, it doesn't seem to be a problem. I would think live rock and a micron filter sock should do it...Could add bioballs as extra filtration.
The fish store is kind of right. You can use live rock but it will take a lot of space in your tank and sump. A wet/dry is great for biological filtration and keeping oxygen levels up. A good skimmer is important.
You can make one cheap and easily. Take a 5 gallon bucket and drill and install a bulkhead at the bottom. Have your tank overflow into the wet/dry and have that drop into your sump. You can also use other media like pond matrix or pot scrubbers instead of bioballs.
Another option is using a canister filter. What is your sump setup? You can also stick something like this in your sump.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/marinepure-ceramic-biomedia-plate.html
You can make one cheap and easily. Take a 5 gallon bucket and drill and install a bulkhead at the bottom. Have your tank overflow into the wet/dry and have that drop into your sump. You can also use other media like pond matrix or pot scrubbers instead of bioballs.
Another option is using a canister filter. What is your sump setup? You can also stick something like this in your sump.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/marinepure-ceramic-biomedia-plate.html
I would also ask what wailua boy asked?
I make DIY combination fractionator/bioreactors using lava rock as bio media, but the protein skimmer removes much of the DOCs (proteins, algae, etc)before they get a chance to build up in the biomedia
I make DIY combination fractionator/bioreactors using lava rock as bio media, but the protein skimmer removes much of the DOCs (proteins, algae, etc)before they get a chance to build up in the biomedia
I would also ask what wailua boy asked?
I make DIY combination fractionator/bioreactors using lava rock as bio media, but the protein skimmer removes much of the DOCs (proteins, algae, etc)before they get a chance to build up in the biomedia
Edit: Figured it out, it's like a downdraft skimmer. Very cool. What kind of pump and do you use any pressure attachments?
The pump is only about 1200 gph with no pressure attachments.
The simple action of enough flow cascading over 4 ft of lava rock is sufficient to interrupt the air/water interface to fractionate.
I would think it works even better on salt water, mine is on fresh.
Here's a video on my small freshwater pond.
The simple action of enough flow cascading over 4 ft of lava rock is sufficient to interrupt the air/water interface to fractionate.
I would think it works even better on salt water, mine is on fresh.
Here's a video on my small freshwater pond.