Fluidized Sand Bed

bychance · 05/04/2010, 03:06 PM

I'm about to experiment with a fluidized sand bed. I've search the net trying to find the formula for sand vs. tank size. Does any one know the ratio of sand to tank volume?

Does anyone have experience with fluidized sand beds?

Thanks,

bertoni · 05/05/2010, 09:28 AM

I don't think many people use such filters for saltwater systems, particularly reefs. I have no idea what the volume should be, but I'd use the guidelines for freshwater systems.

bychance · 05/05/2010, 02:22 PM

Hi bertoni,

Thanks for replying. I didn't find any data on the use of FSB for salt or fresh water systems. I found a lot of DIY info, but nothing telling you the requirements of sand to water volume. I've heard a pound of sand will treat a 100 gallons of water, but I would feel more comfortable finding something documented.
I am hoping to remove the live rock from my sump in my frag system. It seems to house and protect to many pest. I'm thinking about setting up a FSB in place of the rock.

chuckreef · 05/05/2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bychance

I'm about to experiment with a fluidized sand bed. I've search the net trying to find the formula for sand vs. tank size. Does any one know the ratio of sand to tank volume?

Does anyone have experience with fluidized sand beds?

Thanks,

For what purpose?

This article has a litttle info and three references..
http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.co...ed_Filter.html

bychance · 05/05/2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckreef

For what purpose?

I'd like to remove the live rock from my sump in my frag tank.
Thanks for the link.

bertoni · 05/07/2010, 02:30 PM

The FSB should be fine for converting ammonia to nitrate. I'm not sure that it'll do any denitrification, though.

bychance · 05/07/2010, 03:39 PM

I don't expect to get any denitrification out of it. I think I would have to make it pretty tall in order to pull nitrates out.

I talked to a guy that makes these for large commercial fish business. He said 1 lb of "their sand" will support 10 lbs of fish. I'm not sure that their sand is anything special....
But 10 lbs of fish is quite the bio-load!

bertoni · 05/07/2010, 04:13 PM

Media like that can be very effective at consuming ammonia.

Lots of oxygen and good surface area.

05/04/2010, 03:06 PM	#1
bychance Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cocoa, FL Posts: 91	Fluidized Sand Bed I'm about to experiment with a fluidized sand bed. I've search the net trying to find the formula for sand vs. tank size. Does any one know the ratio of sand to tank volume? Does anyone have experience with fluidized sand beds? Thanks, __________________ William Tell has stretched his bow till it won't stretch no furthermore and/or it may require a change that hasn't come before... - Robert Hunter Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

05/05/2010, 09:28 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,459	I don't think many people use such filters for saltwater systems, particularly reefs. I have no idea what the volume should be, but I'd use the guidelines for freshwater systems. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/05/2010, 02:22 PM	#3
bychance Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cocoa, FL Posts: 91	Hi bertoni, Thanks for replying. I didn't find any data on the use of FSB for salt or fresh water systems. I found a lot of DIY info, but nothing telling you the requirements of sand to water volume. I've heard a pound of sand will treat a 100 gallons of water, but I would feel more comfortable finding something documented. I am hoping to remove the live rock from my sump in my frag system. It seems to house and protect to many pest. I'm thinking about setting up a FSB in place of the rock. __________________ William Tell has stretched his bow till it won't stretch no furthermore and/or it may require a change that hasn't come before... - Robert Hunter Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

05/07/2010, 02:30 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,459	The FSB should be fine for converting ammonia to nitrate. I'm not sure that it'll do any denitrification, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/07/2010, 03:39 PM	#7
bychance Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cocoa, FL Posts: 91	I don't expect to get any denitrification out of it. I think I would have to make it pretty tall in order to pull nitrates out. I talked to a guy that makes these for large commercial fish business. He said 1 lb of "their sand" will support 10 lbs of fish. I'm not sure that their sand is anything special.... But 10 lbs of fish is quite the bio-load! __________________ William Tell has stretched his bow till it won't stretch no furthermore and/or it may require a change that hasn't come before... - Robert Hunter Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

05/07/2010, 04:13 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,459	Media like that can be very effective at consuming ammonia. Lots of oxygen and good surface area. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

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