Trickle Filter

[bededog]

I want to make a big trickle filter for a growout system. I am thinking of getting two stackable plastic tubs, drilling holes in the bottom of the first one and filling the second one with bioballs. I am also going to line the first one with a foam material for mechanical filtration. Am I missing anything?

I am planning to having the drain on the bottom so I can send the water to the sump. I have seen where some folks put the drain a few inches from the bottom and bubble air into the bottom for better gas exchange. Is this something that is necessary?

Any help or even photos of something that any of you have done will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[hpmcbroom]

A trickle filter is it for a salt tank or a fresh tank . If it's for a freshwater then it could work . However if your doing this for a reef tank or salt water tank I'd recommend You chuck the bioballs and use live rock instead , it's safer in that the balls over time can become a nitrate factory and with live rock the nitrates are converted easier . But with the bioballs if your system crashes for any time the nitrates can cause more problems. With the rock there's more bacteria to handle the load better . Your ideas sound good to me . I'm just sugguesting the live rock because it's more effient ofcourse this is just my opinion . HTH Good luck
:beer:

 

[bededog]

I am going to have a 40 gallon tank on the system with chaeto and with monthly water changes I shouldn't have too much trouble with nitrates.

I don't understand how live rock is better than bioballs. Are there types of bacteria that will colonize LR and not the balls? If that is so then I believe LR is better. But if not, a large tub full of bioballs should provide a lot more surface area than even the most porous LR for the bacteria to colonize.

Explain further if you can.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate all the help I can get.

 

[hpmcbroom]

The reason I recommended the rock over the bioballs is surface area and the bacteria will grow in the rock and on the rock easier . The plastic of the balls can only support a certain amount of bacteria and when the power dies and the tank starves mind you I'm thinking of worst case scenario . The balls could release the stuff back into the tank . Even with your macro helping to offset the risk . The rock allows for more life to colonize the reef and filter it at the same time . I think a berlin system which is nothing more than live rock in a tank and a protein skimmer to skim the stuff would be just as efficent as the bio balls . Plus the live rock allows for more pods and beneficial critters to live on it as well in it .To help maintain the system better . Just an idea all the bioballs can only support so much even though you'll do the h2o changes the rock is more natural than artificial . Like I said your plan sounds good I just think the rock or live rock rubble would be do a little more thats all . HTH :beer:

 

[Chckrbrd Wrasse]

Would that be true with the MegaFlow Sump Filter also?
I have live rock in the bottom of the sump but their system is designed with the water dripping through a media pad first than through bio balls.

It seems to do a good as a filter but I have seen nitrite spikes. Which could be the natural process from the inhabitants.

 

[hpmcbroom]

Yeah that looks cool and yes nitrate is a natural part of the nitrogen cycle . My main thing was with the balls theres nothing solide to hold on too if the system is cut off. With the rock there are different areas for the bacteria to hang on to and it allows for more colonies at different stages to grow and multiply . Ofcourse even if the power were cut off in a a tank housing live rock the the critters will still die it'll take a little longer for bacteria to go bye bye though .

 

[Chckrbrd Wrasse]

It is a cool filter but any thing can always be improved I am curious to what would happen if I replaced the balls with live rock? I am not sure if I can even get them out and the rock in, but very curious if it would improve any thing? what do you think?

 

[hpmcbroom]

I think the rock would do more you could use live rock rubble since the pieces are small you could arrange them in the compartment .Can you lift the filter pad in 2 up and get access to the balls that way . If you pack the rocks close together yet submerged it might work . Good Luck :beer:

 

[Chckrbrd Wrasse]

yes you can I was not sure but just tried so I will replace the bio balls with rock and see if there is any improvement. Thanks for the heads up

 

[hpmcbroom]

NP Glad to help. :beer: