Fluidized Bed Filters
- Thread starter VirgoWolf
- Start date
There isn't much to know really. They are the most efficient form of biological filtration. The sand used normally has many more times the surface area than any other form of filtration. We are talking by like 1000Xs.
The water does need to be pre filtered before running to the sand bed, as debris can over time clog the bed. And if that happens the bed is made useless as there really isn't any way to clean sand.
The water does need to be pre filtered before running to the sand bed, as debris can over time clog the bed. And if that happens the bed is made useless as there really isn't any way to clean sand.
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The initial setup may be relatively inexpensive, but after you add the cost of the tubing, clamps, fittings, valves, and a pump powerful enough to push water through all the separate filters at a good enough speed. Your cost would far exceed that of an all in one canister or HOB. Not to mention set up and maintenance is far from simple when considered in comparison to an HOB, or a canister for that matter.
Well I was planning on a wet/dry sump filter, but then I saw these, so I was just wondering why they were so much cheeper, but it makes sence.
What are my options for a 150gallon tank? Initially I was thinking a canister filter and a HOB filter (bio wheel 350 HOB and not sure which canister), but the tank IS drilled (providing people stop backing out on buying my 75gal setup so I can get this tank before it's gone!) so Sump seems to be the most logical. I am wondering, since I just learned of the FB filters existance, if maybe there is somehting else I am missing. So what would you suggest?Keeping in mind all the fish in this tank will be extreemly messy (oscar, pleco, other large SA cichlids) BUT it will be just 1 oscar and 1 pleco (4" and 3" right now) for a while, and I am on a tight budget.
I would like something that I can add on to if possible since I am so pressed for cash and I have time before the stock needs major filtration.
What are my options for a 150gallon tank? Initially I was thinking a canister filter and a HOB filter (bio wheel 350 HOB and not sure which canister), but the tank IS drilled (providing people stop backing out on buying my 75gal setup so I can get this tank before it's gone!) so Sump seems to be the most logical. I am wondering, since I just learned of the FB filters existance, if maybe there is somehting else I am missing. So what would you suggest?Keeping in mind all the fish in this tank will be extreemly messy (oscar, pleco, other large SA cichlids) BUT it will be just 1 oscar and 1 pleco (4" and 3" right now) for a while, and I am on a tight budget.
I would like something that I can add on to if possible since I am so pressed for cash and I have time before the stock needs major filtration.
For tank like that, mechanical filtration is going to be just as important as biological. Your going to want to move lots of water through something to filter it.
You may look into a DIY canister made out of a 5 gal bucket with an HOB or 2 for backup.
I just priced all the parts to make one (they are pretty simple look at Orion's DIY canister thread) and 500+ gph of filter fury for about $120-$150 depending on the pump. With the cost of a sump breaking the 250 mark and still not pulling water from the lower levels (the most important place for a messy FW tank). The decision is pretty simple in my mind.
I'm going to do this for my messy 90 gal and my 125....one of these days.
You may look into a DIY canister made out of a 5 gal bucket with an HOB or 2 for backup.
I just priced all the parts to make one (they are pretty simple look at Orion's DIY canister thread) and 500+ gph of filter fury for about $120-$150 depending on the pump. With the cost of a sump breaking the 250 mark and still not pulling water from the lower levels (the most important place for a messy FW tank). The decision is pretty simple in my mind.
I'm going to do this for my messy 90 gal and my 125....one of these days.
Sounds great! I may be able to do it for less than that also, I already have alot of extra media (bio balls, Matala Mats, Buffer Pads, etc...) and a few pumps laying around, and I am not new to making filters either, I have made a few for quarentine tanks/pools/ponds and I have altered some large skimmers/filters for our pond, so this should be cake! LOL
I'm hoping to keep my biowheel when I sell my 75, and depending on who buys it and if they would rather start out with their own filtration, I'll have the HOT Maginum too, although I won't feel bad letting that one go with the tank LOL, I'm not loving it. So there's the backup. I am also probably keeping my powerhead, so that'll probably go in there and I'll get another one if I can afford to after I sell all the odd aquarium stuff I have that I can't use.
I'm hoping to keep my biowheel when I sell my 75, and depending on who buys it and if they would rather start out with their own filtration, I'll have the HOT Maginum too, although I won't feel bad letting that one go with the tank LOL, I'm not loving it. So there's the backup. I am also probably keeping my powerhead, so that'll probably go in there and I'll get another one if I can afford to after I sell all the odd aquarium stuff I have that I can't use.