Fluidized bed filter??? What is this

[tprize]

So I have seen this filter thing, and I have no idea what it is or what it does. Does anyone know what a fluidized bed filter is?
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...t_Code=LIFEGARDFB600&Category_Code=sandfilter

 

[tprize]

Apparently nobody knows what this is.

 

[kodyboy]

it "fluidizes" the media in it, in this case sand. This allows the bacteria to colonize the whole surface area of the sand and provides a tremendous amount of nitrification, that is ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. Bascially it is a really good biological filter. Reef tanks don't use them because they have live rock/sand and don't need more nitrate produced. They are awesome on heavily stocked tanks that get large regular water changes.
Phosban reactors work the same way, except they fluidize the phosban instead of sand and area a chemical filter not a biological one (although I am sure bacteria live in them too).

 

[gh0st]

Having played with one on one of my tanks a while back, I can tell you it is very good at causing tremendous pains in the buttocks region.

I'm sure it's a great filter, but it is a nightmare to keep it tuned correctly, and cleaning and replacing the sand is a fricking headache.

And that isn't even getting into the occasional sand storms that come spewing out.

 

[kodyboy]

mine never spewed out anything and was a plug and play unit