Gregcoyote
Aquarium Advice Addict
This thread is intended to discuss media tumbling. I use to run a fluidized sand filter on my reef. I liked the whole concept of fluidization. Didn't seem efficient to place things like GFO in a bag and in the sump. In a reactor my GFO turned too hard to pass water thru it within days because of my high calcium levels. I then started using Purigen in a cheap fluidized filter Lifegard makes. That worked great for Purigen, A small filter sock on the output caught the few beads that tried to escape.
So then, with a second Lifegard filter I began to explore what I could tumble in it to work with the Purigen and go after Phosphates.
Most GFO I tried ground to dust and then clogged up. Any attempt to put a foam pad or filter sock became clogged with GFO dust within 24 hours. Seems the GFO I tested isn't hard enough to be tumbled. Had the same problem in the BRS reactor. It also stained everything it touched.
Phosguard was even worse. It seems to make dust by looking at it. I couldn't even get it to rinse clean before being put in the filter. Even with just detectable movement of the pellets at the surface it still filled the tank with white smoke in hours. Did no damage to anything and cleaned right up, but it was a failure as a test. Post filter sock clogged in hours with the dust. This stuff is designed to sit in a bag somewhere.
Now I am testing Dr. Tim's biodegradable "pearls" in the filter. They fluidize perfectly and I am anxious for a few weeks to see what this source of carbon accomplishes. I have a protein skimmer on the outflow of the pearls to catch bacteria, so we will see.
So then, with a second Lifegard filter I began to explore what I could tumble in it to work with the Purigen and go after Phosphates.
Most GFO I tried ground to dust and then clogged up. Any attempt to put a foam pad or filter sock became clogged with GFO dust within 24 hours. Seems the GFO I tested isn't hard enough to be tumbled. Had the same problem in the BRS reactor. It also stained everything it touched.
Phosguard was even worse. It seems to make dust by looking at it. I couldn't even get it to rinse clean before being put in the filter. Even with just detectable movement of the pellets at the surface it still filled the tank with white smoke in hours. Did no damage to anything and cleaned right up, but it was a failure as a test. Post filter sock clogged in hours with the dust. This stuff is designed to sit in a bag somewhere.
Now I am testing Dr. Tim's biodegradable "pearls" in the filter. They fluidize perfectly and I am anxious for a few weeks to see what this source of carbon accomplishes. I have a protein skimmer on the outflow of the pearls to catch bacteria, so we will see.
