Fluidized Sand Filter

Chloral Coral · 04/19/2012, 12:28 PM

I'm new to salt water aquarium keeping, as in I'll be setting mine up when I feel I have learned everything I can about keeping a SW tank, and I wanted to know if these contraptions are worth it. I know they are suppose to be highly effective ammonia/nitrite reduction factories due to their extremely large surface area for the bacteria to grow on. The website I saw this on said it lamented that more aquarists don't know about this despite that it is an old filtration device, from the 70's I believe.

So, my question is how does this compare to other biological filtration devices such as wet/dry filters or sponge filters? Is it worth making these?

I plan on putting this before a DSB, if it's worth it, to keep almost all nitrogen molecules to 0ppm.

sirreal63 · 04/19/2012, 12:47 PM

It performs exactly as described, and as wet/dry and sponge filters, however none are needed for a reef tank, there is some benefit for fish only systems but with a reef it isn't needed. Google Berlin Method and you will see a different and the more preferred way.

Chloral Coral · 04/19/2012, 01:15 PM

Much appreciated for the quick response and it's good to know it does indeed work but does it work better than wet/dry/sponge? Also I was planning on having live rock but is live rock, in the proper amount of ≈2lbs/gal, paired with live sand all that is required to break down ammonia and nitrite into nitrate and keep their ppm to 0?

Justdrew · 04/19/2012, 01:27 PM

As little as 1/2 pound per gallon will usually suffice for biological filtration, as long as stocking levels are not crazy.

sirreal63 · 04/19/2012, 01:46 PM

The end product, Nitrate, still needs to be exported and that can be accomplished numerous ways, the easiest is water changes. There is little need in the sand filter, wet/dry or any other biological filtration. The live rock and sand can handle the biological filtration, you take care of the export of NO3 and PO4 to keep it in balance. Those older methods do nothing to address the end product and are simply not needed.

Chloral Coral · 04/20/2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

The end product, Nitrate, still needs to be exported and that can be accomplished numerous ways, the easiest is water changes. There is little need in the sand filter, wet/dry or any other biological filtration. The live rock and sand can handle the biological filtration, you take care of the export of NO3 and PO4 to keep it in balance. Those older methods do nothing to address the end product and are simply not needed.

Good to know. I was just curious as to how they compared.

04/19/2012, 12:28 PM	#1
Chloral Coral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 7	Fluidized Sand Filter I'm new to salt water aquarium keeping, as in I'll be setting mine up when I feel I have learned everything I can about keeping a SW tank, and I wanted to know if these contraptions are worth it. I know they are suppose to be highly effective ammonia/nitrite reduction factories due to their extremely large surface area for the bacteria to grow on. The website I saw this on said it lamented that more aquarists don't know about this despite that it is an old filtration device, from the 70's I believe. So, my question is how does this compare to other biological filtration devices such as wet/dry filters or sponge filters? Is it worth making these? I plan on putting this before a DSB, if it's worth it, to keep almost all nitrogen molecules to 0ppm. __________________ “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” -Pablo Picasso Current Tank Info: 60 gallon solana cube

04/19/2012, 12:47 PM	#2
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	It performs exactly as described, and as wet/dry and sponge filters, however none are needed for a reef tank, there is some benefit for fish only systems but with a reef it isn't needed. Google Berlin Method and you will see a different and the more preferred way. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

04/19/2012, 01:15 PM	#3
Chloral Coral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lynchburg, Virginia Posts: 7	Much appreciated for the quick response and it's good to know it does indeed work but does it work better than wet/dry/sponge? Also I was planning on having live rock but is live rock, in the proper amount of ≈2lbs/gal, paired with live sand all that is required to break down ammonia and nitrite into nitrate and keep their ppm to 0? __________________ “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” -Pablo Picasso Current Tank Info: 60 gallon solana cube

04/19/2012, 01:27 PM	#4
Justdrew Dad with Triplets! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 583	As little as 1/2 pound per gallon will usually suffice for biological filtration, as long as stocking levels are not crazy. __________________ "As Far As You Know!" -Fletch Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 2X Radion XR15W, Vortech MP40 & MP10, Simplicity Aquatics 240DC Skimmer, Apex Controlled

04/19/2012, 01:46 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The end product, Nitrate, still needs to be exported and that can be accomplished numerous ways, the easiest is water changes. There is little need in the sand filter, wet/dry or any other biological filtration. The live rock and sand can handle the biological filtration, you take care of the export of NO3 and PO4 to keep it in balance. Those older methods do nothing to address the end product and are simply not needed. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.