anyone buit a fluidized sump

[OzShrimp]

Anyone ever built a fluidized sump filter and can show how and it in operation? 

[Callan]

Ok I know what you mean. You are talking about a sump that is filled with K1 or similar filter media. So the idea is that the aerobic bacteria lives (colonises) in the segments and as the filter media is pushed around by the flow it knocks into each other which causes the dead bacteria to drop of and new young healthy bacteria to grow. The examples I have seen bot using air and a water pump take up to two weeks to start working properly because the filter media gains weight with the bacterial growth, so at the start it will just float around the top of the water.

Oase which is a german company have started making their own type of filter material sort of similar to K1. In my opinion it is better because the surface area is greater because of the design. The advantages are that it works much more efficiently than traditional filtration. This is due to three main things. Surface area, dead bacteria being removed promoting younger healthier and more hungry aerobic bacteria and water flow through the filter media in much better again than traditional bio- media.

Oase in fact have designed what they call a profi-module that uses this exact principle. Even though this is a module the principle is the same. I have seen sumps with this set up and they normally run compartments with this or K1 and also use other filter media courser down to fine which acts as a water polisher.

hope this helps a explain it a bit,

Helix 1 filter media

Profimodule

[kizshrimp]

Hey Oz, if you're interested in running K1 in a sump section, Squiggle has some great photos of his setup in his rack build thread. His is fluidised by the incoming water, ie by gravity. I have K1 going in a diy reactor in my sump, just about half a litre in a modified maximus bottle. It's an ok media, self cleaning like any fluidised media but pretty low on surface-area:volume. Fun to play with anyway and easy to use.

Fluidised sand is a much better choice IMO although more difficult to diy a reactor for than K1... You can buy cheap fluid bed filters online these days so building one probably isn't worth it anymore. 

If you want to see a K1 reactor or hear more about fluidised sand then let me know. I'm not sure if I'm on the right track here. 

 

[buck]

This is a little old now but I've just got my k1 tumbling in my sump, it takes a while but. I've used air stones to tumble it, I'll make a video if you like? 

[OzShrimp]

@buck wouldnt mind seeing it thanks, how many litres of K1 are you using in it?

[2OFUS]

Oz if you decide to use k1 let me know 

I have a black garbage bag full of it 

it's brand new and I could spare some for you 

I didn't use mine in a sump I put them in the tank in a soda stream bottle :) 

any bottle will work though 

 

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hl5V0ipeEFE

 

 

 

 

[OzShrimp]

i used to have one of those and i binned it lol >< kept coming loose and was all algae encrusted :)

Will definitely take up up on the offer though if it still stands after i move house in january (fingers crossed)

[buck]

it’s very simple, you'll probably notice the water level is off. I sorted that out, the air stones moved away from the face the water exits and the k1 micro was getting sucked in to the slit and blocking it up. I got some suction cups and stuck the stones down right on the face and it’s all good now the bubbles move the k1 when it gets stuck so its flowing how it should again.

 I’ll have to find the receipt to tell you how many litters I used

Edited August 27, 2015 by buck