Trickle filters

[daz1234d]

Hi all,

I am looking for information about trickle filters, does anyone know how to make one and if so what size would be recomended for a 530 gallon tank- or would this kind of filtration be practical?

Any replies much appreciated

Darren

 

[ste2k3]

you have to be carfull when using trickle filters. these can turn into nitrate factorys because of how efficient they are. what fish are going in the tank first of all? if there is a heavey bioload, then a fluidised sand filter alongside a trickle tower (just to airate the water, not filter it) would be best. if not, the I'd stick to conventional filtration methods such as filter media like alfagrog for ponds or efhiesubstrat by eheim etc

ste

 

[copeina]

A loose rule is 1 gallon of biomedia for each 20 gallons of tank water.

550 gallon tank would require a 25 - 30 gallon tower with the appropriate sump below that. So you are looking at a 50/55 gallon tank for the sump, and a good sized tower with drip plates to ensure even flow. That sounds very do-able to me, but your situation may be different.

Here is a picture of my tanks with the sump on the bottom. The biomedia area is only 6 gallons, but the tanks total only 69 gallons, so it is actually BIGtime overkill. (A good thing in this hobby)

Hope that helps build some confidence. Rain gutter-guard works excellent as biomedia and is way cheaper than commercial bioballs.

Good luck!
/Kris

 

[daz1234d]

Thanks for your time and information lads

Its been a great help