Bioballs... Fluidized?

So, I threw a bunch of media into some clear container, with a pump on the top, just to get the beneficial bacteria thing going before I figure out what to do with the tank. The bio media was a bunch of ceramic, and some bio balls.

To my surprise, the boi balls are actually fluidized, much like you see in all the youtube videos on K1 caldness and what not. Its funny, because just like some of those videos at the beginning they were at the top and hardly moving, but now as they become colonized with bacteria they are moving more and more, with a very study rotation now.

So, my question is this. If one of the main strengths of fluidized k1 caldness and what not is that it is constantly moving, bumping off the dead/old bacteria in favor of the new, better producing younger ones, won't that same analysis apply, at least in part, to bioballs (I know there is a bunch of interior it won't apply to, but I am referring to the exterior)? If I take out that ceramic media, replace it with bioballs, and put the pump on the side rather than the top I suspect there will be a heck of a rotation with the bioballs.

On a side note, why not fluidize plastic bottle caps, straws, or other plastic items cut as thin and you can? The tumbling action is cool as heck, and if it is beneficial over it just sitting there that seems like and almost no-brainer.

Thanks!

 

 

Remember that the effectiveness of a K1 Moving Media is oxygen. That's why they all have air going through them. Even the big sump K1's are open on top for oxygen. Using a water pump is basically useless. Better to fill the bottle with Matrix and use a water pump.

 

Remember that the effectiveness of a K1 Moving Media is oxygen. That's why they all have air going through them. Even the big sump K1's are open on top for oxygen. Using a water pump is basically useless. Better to fill the bottle with Matrix and use a water pump.

Well heck, that took about 99% of the steam out of my idea. But excellent point, thanks so much Chichlidude! So let's say theoretically I hooked up both a pusher/lifter pump and an air hose at the bottom of a 2-liter with bio balls. The air pump would provide the oxygen, the pump the "oomph" to push the balls around. Should that theoretically a good bit better than just sucking tank water through some static bio balls laying there, maybe even better than bio balls in a trickle filter?

Thanks!

 

I thought the air for a K1 fluidizer setup was just a way to generate lift and circulation.

If the tank is already well oxygenated, wouldn't the water entering his contraption be sufficient to work?

 

Well heck, that took about 99% of the steam out of my idea. But excellent point, thanks so much Chichlidude! So let's say theoretically I hooked up both a pusher/lifter pump and an air hose at the bottom of a 2-liter with bio balls. The air pump would provide the oxygen, the pump the "oomph" to push the balls around. Should that theoretically a good bit better than just sucking tank water through some static bio balls laying there, maybe even better than bio balls in a trickle filter?

Thanks!

Here is a great video to explain everything from low efficiency canisters (low/no oxygen) to high efficiency (high oxygen) moving media.

Aquarium Filtration Basics part3: wet/dry, fluidized/moving bed filters. Are they more efficient?

All you need is an air pump. Remember, if the media moves, you need air. If the media does not move, you need water.

 

I thought the air for a K1 fluidizer setup was just a way to generate lift and circulation.

If the tank is already well oxygenated, wouldn't the water entering his contraption be sufficient to work?

Well you would need to see a lot of bubbles flowing through the K1 media. Do you see that?