Product Review: Ri Sheng Fluidised Bed Filter from Aquahobby

[Mattzilla]

Hi guys, Russell from our new sponsor Aquahobby was kind enough to send me a Ri Sheng Fluidised Bed Filter to trial and conduct a product review for you all.

Before this i had never even heard of a fluidised bed filter, so i am asuming there are probably a few of you have have not eaither Here is some information Russell sent me to help me out.

About Fluidized Bed Filters

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Fluidized bed filters are rapidly becoming the primary source of biological filtration
in many modern aquaculture systems, replacing the less efficient "trickle"
filters now in service. While trickle filters and fluidized beds both rely
upon the same species of bacteria for ammonia and nitrite removal, it's how
the two filters operate that sets them apart. It's very helpful to remember
that in biological filtration, it's actually the bacteria that do the work;
the filter itself only provides a suitable "home" for the bacteria to colonize.

Trickle filters can best be described as open containers filled with various
forms of solid media. As water enters the top of the filter, it drains down
through this media in a random, cascading fashion. Since the media is stationary,
it relies upon the changing water currents to keep the bacterial surface area moist.

Fluidized bed filters, on the other hand, are flooded cylinders or tanks;
partially filled with a granular media, such as white quartz. Water upflows
through this media bed, causing it to expand and fluidize. The large number
of bacteria that colonize this expanded media serve to remove the nutrients
that are present in the flowing water. What results is a highly efficient filter
bed that is no longer solidly packed, but is in dynamic motion. It is this
combination that is the key to our Fluidized bed Filter's success.

While trickle filters may have relatively large amounts of surface area
(up to 200 square feet per cubic foot of media), it is virtually impossible
for bacteria to colonize all of it. This is because water will take the path
of least resistance as it moves down through the media, often leaving dry areas
and low flow, anaerobic pockets. Another serious problem with these filters is
called "bio-fouling". This occurs as particles of organic material lodge within
the filter bed. Once clogged, you have no choice but to tear the system down and
clean it. This is not a pleasant job; but if left unattended, your water quality
will rapidly degrade.


Fluidized bed filters, by design, do away with the trickle filter's
shortcomings. The most obvious benefit is that all of the filter's
large surface area is available for bacterial growth. With more than 6,200
square feet of surface area per cubic foot of media, you can quickly
understand why fluidized bed filters don't need to be nearly as large as
comparable trickle filters. Since the water is evenly distributed as it
flows through the cylinder, there are also no anaerobic pockets of bacteria
developing. The water that reaches the media is oxygen rich and very conducive
to rapid bacterial growth. Also, these filters are almost impossible to clog due
to the constant motion of the media. The filter bed is a mildly abrasive
environment that is constantly cleaning and renewing itself as it moves
quietly around inside the cylinder.


and here is the link to Aquahobby's web page where you can take a look at their selection of fluidised bed filters

http://www.aquahobby.com.au/shop/aqu...?idCategory=64

[Mattzilla]

the model i recieved was the largest of their selection, the FLUIDIZED BED FILTER 2000L/H pictured below

here is the direct link

http://www.aquahobby.com.au/shop/aqu...?idproduct=492

[Mattzilla]

The tank that it's being used in is a 2ft cube tank with approx. 200ltrs or water in it and 6 x 4" - 5" discus.
the current filtration includes a ehiem 2215 canister filter with ceramic noodles and matrix in it, a large air driven sponge filter and a hang on filter with filter wool in it. the tank did have a uv steraliser in it till about a week ago when i broke it...lol...should be back on the tank within the next week or so.

so it's fair to say that if anythign the tank is allready over filtered. so what am i expecting to see from using a fluidised bed filter you ask??? well from what i have been able to fins out from speaking to people is that this filter should significantly increase my biological filtration and really polish the clarity of my water. as i understand it these types of filters are commonly used in marine tanks for the above stated effects.

ok then.. so i recieved the filter with a pump to drive it a few days ago and i set it all up today. here are some pics of what i recieved

[Mattzilla]

the pump that came with it that is used to drive the filter is a:

Hai Yang HY1800

[Mattzilla]

as you can see with the filter there are very few parts which means it was easy as buggery to set up

the top of the filter has two inlets (well one is an outlet actually) both clearly marked with in and out the tubing provided just slips on them.

the filter is hung on the side or back of the tank much like a regular hang on filter.

the hose coming from the pump is attached to the in inlet and the hose coming from the out outlet goes back into the tank. i just have mine set up with the tubing going straight into the tank, but it can be (and i probably will) attach a spray bar to the end of it

i also attached a flow valve ($2 from Bunnings) between the pump and the inlet of the filter in aroder to conrtoll the amount of flow inside the filter itself. not enough flow and you would not get the continual movement of the media required....too much flow and you would have a tank full of media!

once i plugged it in at the power point i slowly adjusted the flow till i got the required amount. the amount required is just enough to get the media moving... almost like it is a sandy lava lamp...if that makes sense

here are some pics of it set up and operating on my tank

sorry the pictures are poor but it was difficult to take the pictures as i have the filter hanging on the back of my tank behind a hong on filter.

[Mattzilla]

some more pictures

[Mattzilla]

a few more pics

[Mattzilla]

ok my initial observations are:

it's quiet, i can definately see how it could have such a polishing effect when you see the water flowing through the quarts media, the tubing in the tank looks a bit ugly but i only just set it up and set it up quickly... and i have too many tubes all over the place in my tank with nothing to hide them...i'm sure if i put my thinking cap on, i'll be able to adjust it so that it is better on the eye... with a planted tank the tubes would be easy to hide.

other than that i am looking forward to seeing if there are any changes to the tank once the filter is colonised with bacteria in about 2 weeks

i have not tested the water in my tank for anything for well over 4 months now (have not had a need to ....i kno i know that's bad isn't it), but i'll get out the test kits and start recording some results on a regular basis. i will continue my w/c as usual which is about 35% every 2-3 days ( water is aged a minimum of 24hrs, heated, airated and treated with ACN).

please feel free to ask any questions you may have

cheers

[jim]

Hi Mattzilla, thanks for the review. I have been looking at this product for a while, but not sure if it's worth buying. Can I please ask few questions.

1. Is it possible to hook it up with my canister? that sure can hide the ugly tubing.
2. it seems there is no prefilter for this unit. Would it be a problem for heavy planted tank? As it will suck in leafs and some other particle (eg. food like tetra bits). Just afraid the filter will get clogged quickly without prefilter.
3. What's maintenance like? How often it needs to be maintenaned.

Sorry to ask so many questions. Thanks in advance.

[Mattzilla]

1. Is it possible to hook it up with my canister? that sure can hide the ugly tubing.

yes i was just thinking that myself today. i can't see why not anyway

2. it seems there is no prefilter for this unit. Would it be a problem for heavy planted tank? As it will suck in leafs and some other particle (eg. food like tetra bits). Just afraid the filter will get clogged quickly without prefilter.

you are probably right there... a simple sponge over the intake of the pump would cover that...although i guess regularly checking inside the intake of the pump would be a good idea

3. What's maintenance like? How often it needs to be maintenaned.

as far as maintenance goes i am not really sure. froim the info i have recieve the filter in effect cleans itself with the constant movement of the media. i think any small bits of plants would actually just end up passing through the filter over a period of time as there is really nothing holding it in the filter appart from the moving media.

is there anyone out there who has some experience with this type of filter that could answer these questions a bit better? as this is a learning experienec for myself it is hard to accurately answer these questions until i actually experience the questions...if that makes sense..lol