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Fluidized bed filters.


NaCl(s)+H2O(l)

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NaCl(s)+H2O(l)

Anyone who has experience with them and their performance.

 

I have read that they can be nitrate factories and they can deplete O2 levels but if I wanted to start a 10g FOWLR and retain as much space as possible could I use a hob fluid bed filter as my main filtration? I already have a lifeguard 300 model that is rated for a 300g tank. Is this idea way overkill or would it work? I'm also installing a surge device if that matters.

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Fluidized bed filters take up a ton of space and are quite a bit of maintenance. They are best used in conjunction with a protein skimmer. Basically fluidized bed filters are a great way to break down organics into ammonia -> Nitrate -> Nitrite. Those Nitrites and excess nutrients are then absorbed by the bacteria growth. That bacteria growth is then knocked off the sand by fluidization. If you aren't removing those bacteria through a protein skimmer or some other method they will just die and return those nutrients back into the tank. Also fluidized filter will absorb a lot of oxygen as it is needed for the bacteria growth. Really only good with really large tanks that pristine water conditions with no nutrients in the water. It will also deplete trace elements from the water very quickly. If your only keeping a foweler i'd recommend regular water change and maybe some decorative algae in the display tank. You should honestly be able to get away without any filters what so ever. Just as a FYI, i ended up just using a protein skimmer as i hate water changes for some reason.

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  • 1 month later...
ReeferReefer

I would just go with an AC 50 or something like that. You can toss some carbon and some sponges in there and call it a day.

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A 1" sandbed on the bottom of your tank will provide all your nitrification needs: ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. With only fish and live rock I see no need for anything else. You will get some denitrification from your live rock and some from your sandbed.

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Really common to use fluidized sand filters in heavy fish load aquaculture/aquarium exhibits. If you think ammonia generation will be an issue, then a fluidized bed makes sense, but for regular fish loads, it's probably overkill.

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they really are a pain to maintain. A while back i made a DIY one out of a 5 gallon bucket and they are nitrate factories. i got rid of it and just bought some pukani rock for my sump. Just get a HOB or a skimmer. A protein skimmer is your best bet.

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