Clearance Items on Big Al's and Fluidized Bed

Rocketman

Rocketman

Detroit; proud of it.
Oct 24, 2002
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Detroit, MI
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Reid
Hey. I have noticed this for quite a while now. If you go on to Bigalsonline.com you have to 'Clearance Items' options. The first is near the top of the page, just to the right of the "Product Catagories" text. It is in blue, and is next to the links, 'Catalogue Request' and 'Fish Facts'
The next is Under the "Product Catagories" Text. You can find it right under 'Chillers' and right above 'Decorations and Ornament Items."

What Gives? Does anyone understand this at all? And, being as I am ordering my new tank supplies tonite and I still haven't got a response from RTR yet, would a Fluidized Bed in conjunction with an Eheim 2026, (Rated for a 92 Gallon Tank, 251 GPH,) be neccesary? The reason I ask is becuase with the media, fluidized bed (SEASTORM 60 FLUIDIZED BED FILTER on the second Clearance Items List), and powerhead, the total cost comes to $37. And since I don't plan on any other filter, I don't want to disturb the bio-filtration to much when I replace the Eheim's media.

So, is the Fluidized Bed neccesary, and can anyone explain the Clearance Foul-up?

I feel like a Newbie...
 
A canistor has mechanical filtration (not very good though) and is meant for chemical and bio filtration. And it is very good for those 2 factors. HOWEVER, since its not good for mechanical filtration, IMO, go for a power filter (emperor 400) and a fluidized bed filter. You get a really good mech filtration, and the fluidized bed filter is great for bio filtration.
I bought the Rainbow fluidized bed filter (a really good one) and a emperor 400. This setup up is better because:
1.) no maintence on the fluidized bed filter
2.) easy to clean emperor 400.

with the canistor-
1.) Great bio filters (equals fbf)
2.) you need to buy a powerfilter for mechanical.
3.) maintence is a NECCESITY for the canistor

I would say for the combination
of FBF and emperor 400. Cheaper and BETTER in the long run.
 
Im sorry....did you say you alreaDY own a canistor? If you do, forget the FBF and buy a powerfilter. If you dont own a canistor..buy a emperor 400 and a rainbow 400! Thanks
 
No, this is for a new tank I am setting up. I have Emps on my others, and have only used power filters in the past. Thst is not an option though since this tank will be in my bedroom and must be very quiet.
I understand those same trade-offs, but is there really a way to aviod them? I have to own the canister then. Also, I like the idea of a more concealable filtration device. And lastly, the Emps wont fit behind the tops; I must take of the plastic canopy in order to lift the lid on my other tank - big pain. Otherwise I would get an Emp. The only reason I was considering a Fluidized is so that when I replace the filtration media on the canister, it doesn't disturb the bacteria. I was only thinking because of the low price of the Fluidized combo, it would be nice.
 
I never owned a canistor filter, But when I was looking into it, its not really meant for mech filtration. how about an UGF then? It will pull the debris into the gravel where you Vacuum it up (ugf can be noisy)..... Not to say people never used canistor filters for Mech fitration.. its just not the best setup. But you can try it.. Im sure it will work
 
I plan on smaller fish, so there shouldnt be too much waste. Also, I am probably using sand for the tank, (I have yet to be sure, because of the high cost of sand,) and in that case would not be able to use any UGF. Also, I hate the look of the tubes. But back to the original question - does anyone have any thoughts on the Big Als Clearance thing? Also, would a Fluidized setup be worth $30 some, and is SeaStorm an all-right brand to buy from?
 
the only filter I have on my 55 gallon plant tank is an Eheim canister filter...sometimes, I rinse everything off under the tap when I clean this filter...and I've never noticed a "lack" of bacteria when done this way either. I recently had to totally clean out my canister filter thoroughly due to a 2 day power outage, and my tank never even took a hit from this...of course, the plants probably helped that, even though my tank is fairly heavily stocked. Enough bacteria exist in the tank itself to sustain the bioload...the filter really serves as a mechanical filter if clean regularly in this way.
 
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The only price i found was $45, w/o the powerhead. Am i just looking at it wrong?
 
Yeah. The Fluidized I am looking at is a Seastorm 60 Fluidized Bed Filter, found in the left hand 'Clearance Items' under 'Product Catagories,' is listed as $24.99. Find it here: http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin...8:Clearance+Items&inUID=1037985215.1037985215

Anyway, add the price of an Aquaclear Powerhead 2, ($7.99) and the price of some Rainbow Lifegaurd 3lb fluidized bed media, ($6.99.) This makes $39.99.
I was also curious if anyone had any complaints about either of the three above products.
 
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