Does anyone have any information on gravity fed sand filters. Are they more effecient than you typical ring type filter material, I heard they clog easy , but I think there would be more surface area for the bacteria to grow . I want to upgrade my biological filter using 300g of filter material, i was thinking of useing about 150g of sand (I think it would be about 1500lbs) and the remaining 150g would be the ring type. Any info would be appreciated.
1850g gravity fed sand filter
- Thread starter ashdavid
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Why are you wanting more biological filtration when you have such a large algal turf scrubber? Doesn't it just defeat the purpose converting it all to nitrate, then making the algae work harder to break that back down to more easily used forms of nitrogen. I have studied this in higher plant life, and assume it's the same for algae. Is the turf scrubber not working out well enough?
Bmeasure said:
Hmm... Where to begin. I have always had biological filtrayion on my tank. The reason I want to try the sand filter is because I recently wrote to the Great Barrier Reef aquarium asking about algae scrubbers(as you might know they used scrubbers) They also used sand filters and ozone for clarity, obviously the scale is different. I too have studied the use of nitrogen in plants and algae and I am aware that algae takes up nitrogen four times faster as in the form of ammonia than nitrate. I Just cant get around what happens in the six hours while the scrubber lights is turned off. Does the ammonia build up to dangerous levels? I honestly dont know. The scrubber is definately doing its job, how do I know this , because the nitrates are below 0.2 ppm even with using nirates as a source of nitrogen and having tap water that is abou 10-15 pmm nitrates. Do I completely disconect the biological filter , maybe I should, but I have a lot fish that were in tank before I built the scrubber and using them as an experiment I do not want to do. As I have posted before on scrubbers and asked Is anyone using them, the answer was no, so I have one to compare notes with.I would gladly do away with my biological filter. I would appreciate it if you have any info Bmeasure. Or if you want to discuss algae scrubbers futher just out of intrest, please do.
i dont think that you need the extra filter. I am sure that there is sufficent biological filtration in your tank for the 6 hours the lights are off. you could just check buy changing the lighting cycle so the darkness occurs during the day. test your tank for ammonia. if you see a spike then you need some additional filtration. If you dont see a spike then don't waste your time and money!!
You guyz are way out of my size range, but I'll throw my $.02 in anyhow. As to sand/DE filters, the major advantage seems to be submicron mechanical filtration. This is certainly a plus in regard to trapping algae (either alive or dead). In the case of 'gravity fed' sand filters, I'm assuming that what you're talking about is not a sealed anerobic chamber but an 'open ended' chamber with access to light and atmospheric 02 ? If so, then I question the use of sand versus a different biological media which provides a better environment for 02 transfer with the water (other than the cost factor of such media in your gargantuan gallon size range). If not, then you're basically talking about something with a primary function of submicron filtration i.e. trapping dead algae plus killing and trapping live algae, but which cannot be pressurized to maximize that function., and which will be a real mess to backwash for the same reason. If it were me, I'd probably consider a total separation of the mechanical and biological functions so that both could be optimized, i.e. perhaps an easily backwashed high pressure sand/DE pool filter for mechanical, followed by the bio-ring 'gravity fed' trickle filter.
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Seaman
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My grandmother grows roses competitively in a green house, during the vegitative cycle (while the plant is growing) she will leave the lights on as long as 22 hours. Then when she wants to flower the roses she will lower the cycle down to 12 on 12 off, I would assume this is safe to do on the turf scrubber also. Try leaving the lights on 18-20 hours and it should have no adverse effects.
I have thought about leaving the lights on 24/7, As you say slipknottin algae dose'nt need day/night cycles, my not running 24/7 is purely a cost issue( electrity averages 14cent/kw for 17 hours and for the remaining 7 hours it is closer to 30cents/kw and with 2200w of light,plus the pumps and the lights for veiwing the tank, it can become expensive). Maybe I should bite the bullet and do it , b/c I have also read that leaving the lights on 24/7 stops algae from releasing certain toxins that can be detrimental to fish/ invertabrates. Thanks slipknottin for the input, I am in continuous search for ways to better the scrubber.
The lights are already on for 18 hours a day, I think melonie has understood what I am trying do, I am looking for the best method to polish the water while providing a little bacterial filtration. The problem I have is I dont know where to get a good pressurized sand filter where I live Japan, thats why I was looking at a gravity fed filter, b/c I could build it myself. Maybe I will have to import something from the US, any suggestion on brands would be helpfull.
The lights are already on for 18 hours a day, I think melonie has understood what I am trying do, I am looking for the best method to polish the water while providing a little bacterial filtration. The problem I have is I dont know where to get a good pressurized sand filter where I live Japan, thats why I was looking at a gravity fed filter, b/c I could build it myself. Maybe I will have to import something from the US, any suggestion on brands would be helpfull.
Take a look through http://www.aquaticeco.com/ Theyve got a pretty massive selection of various types of filters, including some larger commercial units. Now I realize that most (if not all) are probably not avaliable in Japan, but it may give you an idea of what to look for.
And I hear you on the electricity issue. I was using ~1400 watts for my reef tank.
And I hear you on the electricity issue. I was using ~1400 watts for my reef tank.