Fluidized bed? Should I bother?

[Tabasco1]

SO... I have a fluidized bed that I had from a FOWLR system from 8 yrs ago. I didn't have it running very long as I had added to the system so it is in very good condition.

My question is this. Does anybody have experience running these on their systems and would it be worth adding it to my current system? Filtration I currently have is a bubble magus 3.5 protein skimmer and 5 gal fug. on a 20g tank w 35lbs of live rock between tank & fuge.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Sorry nothing from me.

 

[spscrazy]

I had one when I first started never seemed to do anything then started leaking after 6 months so just gave it up

 

[swannyson7]

I wouldn't use it personally. They seem to operate on the same principle as bioballs with lots of surface area and lots of oxygenation, so I'd expect them to have the same problems as bioballs (boost your nitrates in long term usage).

 

[Tabasco1]

Thanks! That was what I suspected, but wanted to make sure before I did it.

 

[dougers31]

One of the nicer(small) reef tanks that I've seen ran one. His theory was that the swirling sand helped to break up detritus and make it easier to skim out.

 

[Tabasco1]

Dougers31, thanks for complicating things. :) Do you know if it was something that he had run for a long time? I could always just set it up and if the nitrates start creeping up take it off.

It would be on a smaller tank and the fluidized bed is a lifeguard 300, for up to 300 gallons.

 

[dougers31]

Not sure how long he had that tank set up but I'm pretty sure it was less than 2 years. He is on here from time to time but I can't think of his screen name at the moment.

 

[Paul_N]

I ran one about 17 years ago. I ran it for a little over a year and a half . I never had any issues with it. I just wouldn't think you would get much benefit from it with what you have already.

 

[_sludgefactory]

Why not use it for GFO or carbon or something like that? When I first started up I had one of the Lifegaurd Fluid Bed Filters and I never had any algae problems or anything, but I would go with tried and true over anything.

 

[VegasRick]

Is this for a fish system or reef? I would definitely not use one on a reef. They are extremely efficient biological filters. And because they are so efficient they have a major drawback, they use a lot of oxygen and release a lot of co2. A lot of wholesalers put them on their systems when they first came out and had systems crash from low oxygen levels and low ph. I suppose the best place to put these would be in front of the bio balls where the water could get re-oxygenated and the co2 would have a chance to be released back into the atmosphere

 

[xxbrianxx]

I wouldn't use it personally. They seem to operate on the same principle as bioballs with lots of surface area and lots of oxygenation, so I'd expect them to have the same problems as bioballs (boost your nitrates in long term usage).

The difference though is that bed filters are actually moving...making it pretty near impossible for detritus to get trapped. Bio balls are stationary and have a lot of crevices, and I think that's where the problem comes from.

 

[Tabasco1]

It is on a reef, frag tank actually. So definately not FOWLR. That is what it ran on 8 yrs ago, but I took that tank down very shortly after installing the Fluidized Bed so didn't really get a feel for what it did.

I was throwing around the idea of using it just cuz I have it, wasn't planning on purchasing one.

Would they really make that much of a difference depleting o2 if the tank is running with an overflow, skimmer and baffles? Wouldn't that add alot of o2 to the water to balance? The tank wouldn't have a huge bioload.

Thanks for all the discussion!

 

[bige]

I was considering one as well. Thats what they use for pool filters and at seaworld. Seems like it would keep detritus stirred up while also filtering. I think Paul B uses one. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[Tabasco1]

+1 would love to hear from anybody that is currently using one.

 

[keokea]

I ran one for awhile, I still think my lps colonies died from how much it cleaned the water. My friend installed it on his reef, he just keeps softies and shrimp in his tank, it looks great