Fluidized bed filter?

[uklau]

Hi, I'm not too sure if the above mentioned is referring to the equipment shown in the photo. Water goes in & flood the cylinder from the bottom.

I don't see much discussion on fluidized bed filter in AQ. Is it useful in freshwater planted tank? What's the main function of this filter? Biological filteration? Thanks.

[cairocks]

I have been using one for 5 years already. Yup, seems not much discussions on it here. But seems to be going quite a good job in my biological filtration needs for my 100l tank. Basically mine is an over kill as it is rated enough for 700 litres. I can afford not to change water for over a month although I usually change it fornightly. But one thing I noticed is that my tank plants rarely bubble. Read that the bacterials in the FBF takes up a lot of oxygen. But my fish never show signs of low oxygen even thru the night.

[BFG]

That is a fluidized media reactor. Depending on requirement, you could add certain media to absorb certain stuff in the water column. If you want to remove those yellowing compound in the water, you could add carbon in it. If you want to remove phosphate, you will add phosphate absorbing media in that reactor. Mostly used by reefer but it can also be used for planted tank setup.

You'll won't need a powerful pump to run it, just a 500lt/hr or lesser to run that reactor. Mine is connected in series as I use 2 of this reactor ( not the one pictured but the ones from Three Little Fishes ). The 1st is loaded with Phosban, a brand of phosphate absorbing media and the 2nd reactor is loaded with carbon. I am running a marine tank currently.

[uklau]

seems to be going quite a good job in my biological filtration needs for my 100l tank. .

Thanks, Cairocks .

Then, I would like to try it out as biological filtration. BTW, is there any specific sand that can only be used with this equipment? Is there any differences between in using a filter media (like Eheim EHFI substrate) compared to sand?

[uklau]

Thanks, Rohaizal. Very much appreciate the details provided about this piece of equipment .

Am I right to say that it is similar to the function of media baskets in a canister filter, but the reactor has a much higher capacity & is more efficient (due to it's size) for larger tanks?

[BFG]

Efficiency wise, my take as of now is that it is better but I have no way of verifying this. Uklau, why would you want to put sand inside? The sand might tumble around and release what was trapped in the sand. If that occur, than fluidization is involved.

[uklau]

Uklau, why would you want to put sand inside?

Sorry, bro. I'm not good at this. When I visited few websites, those that are selling the fluidized reactor normally also sell sand. That's where I get the idea of having sand inside this equipment. I guess any biomedia will do the same job. The only thing that matters is how efficient.

The following link has some useful information (at least for me).

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_fbf.php

[uklau]

Cairocks, don't mind to share with us the media you used with your reactor? Thanks .

[cairocks]

Thanks, Cairocks .

Then, I would like to try it out as biological filtration. BTW, is there any specific sand that can only be used with this equipment? Is there any differences between in using a filter media (like Eheim EHFI substrate) compared to sand?

Sorry for my late reply. I had been using the sand media that is supplied together with my FBF. It is Otto bland. I do have a bottle of refill from "Lifegard" brand that I have only used half bottle. Got it because of a mistake I made and half the media was fourced out into the tank when I first set up the filter. The media sand looks like extremely fine sand. If your tank is on the smaller size and you are going to Hong Kong, I would suggest to go there get a smaller size one. Somehow those selling in Singapore are really big. I have seen some in HK at a quarter the size of mine and it seems cheaper there too.

[uklau]

Thanks for replying, bro. Thinking of trying it out as biological filter.

[stephen chung]

I have the one in the picture at petmart at serangoon north. They are using it as a phosphate remover. Looks like a reactor to be. They use a low flow rate pump for this reactor. If you are interested you can go down to petmart to take a look. I think they are selling it with a phosphate resin for $90.

[stephen chung]

I have the one in the picture at petmart at serangoon north. They are using it as a phosphate remover. Looks like a reactor to be. They use a low flow rate pump for this reactor. If you are interested you can go down to petmart to take a look. I think they are selling it with a phosphate resin for $90.

[uklau]

Thanks for the note, Stephen.

BTW, are you using it in a planted tank?

[David Moses Heng]

can this be incorporated into a ios or sump?

[stephen chung]

I am not using it... I can't find any room for it...The brand is call SkimZ.. This reactor works better with a lower rate waterflow. So, I don't know if it works with a sump or ios...

[carlfsk]

I am not using it... I can't find any room for it...The brand is call SkimZ.. This reactor works better with a lower rate waterflow. So, I don't know if it works with a sump or ios...

For IOS, I used a T-joint to direct some flow of water from the return pump to drive the FR. Within, I used some nitrate reducing media, hoping it will reduce some nitate in my tank.

Oh, it's installed in my arowana tank.

Have not thought about using it as a biological filter...sounds cool

[benny]

I've previously order one from the US and it was about 90 cm tall. It comes with media, and all the necessary connections. Wanted to use it for my 4 ft, but later abandoned the idea due to lack to time. Subsequently, one of the members here bought it off me to use for his 6 ft pleco tank instead. Seems to receive good feedback from him the last time.

Cheers,