What are my options for media for a DIY fluidized bed filter? I know that Kaldnes K1 media is one option, but it seems to be pretty hard to find and is a bit pricey. Are there any other options?
DIY Fluidized Bed Filter Media?
- Thread starter Wiggles92
- Start date
You can use large particle sand, biopellets (these are usually slowly consumed by the bacteria), low density plastic rings (this includes kaldness K1 and K3 and any of the varieties that look like slices of shotgun shells), and many other things.
The larger or lighter the particle, the easier it is to screen the outflow. However, using sand as a fluidized bed provides a ridiculous amount of surface area. Sand needs a large flow rate to keep fluidized, however, and may be difficult to restart after a power outage.
Most waste water treatment facilities in the U.S. use either sand or the kaldness-type media.
Biopellets are very popular with saltwater aquariums and ray tanks because they keep a much larger amount of bacteria readily available for use if the amount of waste changes because they provide nutrients for the bacteria.
The larger or lighter the particle, the easier it is to screen the outflow. However, using sand as a fluidized bed provides a ridiculous amount of surface area. Sand needs a large flow rate to keep fluidized, however, and may be difficult to restart after a power outage.
Most waste water treatment facilities in the U.S. use either sand or the kaldness-type media.
Biopellets are very popular with saltwater aquariums and ray tanks because they keep a much larger amount of bacteria readily available for use if the amount of waste changes because they provide nutrients for the bacteria.
I tried:
Eheim substrat PRO = no (too heavy, would not fluidize)
PFS = no (too heavy, would not fluidize)
Stock sand = no (when pump turned off, it would back syphon and clog)
I settled in a finer grade sand (quickrete media sand) brown bag, green label at home depot. 100 lbs for $6.99
if the flow rate was higher going through my system, this may not be an option but it works for lower slow setups perfectly and has never clogged when pump is off.
Eheim substrat PRO = no (too heavy, would not fluidize)
PFS = no (too heavy, would not fluidize)
Stock sand = no (when pump turned off, it would back syphon and clog)
I settled in a finer grade sand (quickrete media sand) brown bag, green label at home depot. 100 lbs for $6.99
if the flow rate was higher going through my system, this may not be an option but it works for lower slow setups perfectly and has never clogged when pump is off.Thanks for the help, everyone!
It seems that my options are Kaldnes K1/K3, sand, or bio-pellets. I'm probably going to end up going with sand because this is going to be a pretty big fluidized bed (estimated to be at least 30 gallons), and the sand will give good results while keeping the cost down. By the way, I'm going to be converting a 55 gallon plastic drum to a filter with a fluidized bed for my pond; I'll make a thread with the design and build walk-through when I start working on it.
It seems that my options are Kaldnes K1/K3, sand, or bio-pellets. I'm probably going to end up going with sand because this is going to be a pretty big fluidized bed (estimated to be at least 30 gallons), and the sand will give good results while keeping the cost down. By the way, I'm going to be converting a 55 gallon plastic drum to a filter with a fluidized bed for my pond; I'll make a thread with the design and build walk-through when I start working on it.
I got 10ft^3 of MB1 from http://www.w-m-t.com/Products/WaterTek_MB3_Moving_Bed_Media.php which came in at $25/ft3 but the ft2/ft3 ratio was 1/4 less. So for 50% less dollars, you needed 25% more product. They look to be the size of K3 which would explain the loss of ft2/ft3. Since my filter is a 275g IBC tote, the extra space required is not a problem
Does starws really work??? I can get a hold of many straws.....hundreds.........I wanted to set up my sump...