K1 Fluidized Bed Filter?

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Ednigma13

New member
I’m thinking about building a K1 Fluidized Bed Filter like the one below but a little smaller. Is anyone here using one? What do you like and dislike about them?

Thanks

[video=youtube_share;DIZA-j-p2No]http://youtu.be/DIZA-j-p2No[/video]
 
I was using k1 and stopped. If you have an ammonia or nitrite problem then this would work. K1 does not export nitrate. So I went with other means. .
 
Irsug1 said:
I was using k1 and stopped. If you have an ammonia or nitrite problem then this would work. K1 does not export nitrate. So I went with other means. .
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Many people argued this point with me about nitrates when I said so, when K1 become popular, I totally agree with you it does nothing to remove nitrates. I use Siporax in sump , it works very well as media for bacteria to colonize, it helps to reduce nitrates. I don't think I could do without it in my NPS tank.
 
Irsug1 said:
I was using k1 and stopped. If you have an ammonia or nitrite problem then this would work. K1 does not export nitrate. So I went with other means. .
Click to expand...

I'm planning on growing Macro Algae or maybe a Algae Scrubber for nitrates.

MMreef said:
Many people argued this point with me about nitrates when I said so, when K1 become popular, I totally agree with you it does nothing to remove nitrates. I use Siporax in sump , it works very well as media for bacteria to colonize, it helps to reduce nitrates. I don't think I could do without it in my NPS tank.
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Did my homework on Carbon Dosing, thanks again for that info.

Do you have any pictures of your sump? Would like to see your filter setup.

jrpark22000 said:
I've had a K1 media reacotr going for some time now. 100% agree it works for ammonia and nitrite, but nothing for nitrate. I use the media and reactor on my DT system to I can seed a Fish QT reactor at any given moment.

Me setup http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php/23619-Avast-K1-media-reactor
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Thanks for the link to your Avast K1 media reactor.

Another good link in that thread.
http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php/12453-Kaldness-Media

Good idea for a QT.

Did you have any problems with low Oxygen or PH? I've read K1 can lower Oxygen levels in your tank.

Do you think it would be OK to move the K1 with just water flow or do you need the extra air to keep the Oxygen levels up?
 
"Did my homework on Carbon Dosing, thanks again for that info.

Do you have any pictures of your sump? Would like to see your filter setup. "

No problem, very simple. Filter socks and oversized skimmer in chamber one, Siporax in return chamber ( the eggcrate box). I don't run refugium, algae scrapers, etc. This keeps my sump clean, free of detritus.

IMG_0688_zpsc1676741.jpg
 
Ednigma13 said:
Did you have any problems with low Oxygen or PH? I've read K1 can lower Oxygen levels in your tank.

Do you think it would be OK to move the K1 with just water flow or do you need the extra air to keep the Oxygen levels up?
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The bacteria is aerobic, yes it will take oxygen from your system. If your system is already marginal for D.O. it will drop it further. It for the most part will have no affect on pH. It you are going through the effort to have the K1, I'd suggest adding the air pump. It'll provide a better environment for the bacteria to grow allowing for less media with better utilization and remove any fear of DO levels dropping in your system.
 
MMreef said:
"Did my homework on Carbon Dosing, thanks again for that info.

Do you have any pictures of your sump? Would like to see your filter setup. "

No problem, very simple. Filter socks and oversized skimmer in chamber one, Siporax in return chamber ( the eggcrate box). I don't run refugium, algae scrapers, etc. This keeps my sump clean, free of detritus.
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Nice clean look, it reminds me of jrpark22000s setup. ;-))

What kind of water flow are you running over or through the Siporax? How often do you have to clean it?

jrpark22000 said:
The bacteria is aerobic, yes it will take oxygen from your system. If your system is already marginal for D.O. it will drop it further. It for the most part will have no affect on pH. It you are going through the effort to have the K1, I'd suggest adding the air pump. It'll provide a better environment for the bacteria to grow allowing for less media with better utilization and remove any fear of DO levels dropping in your system.
Click to expand...

Just to make sure DO = dissolved oxygen?

Thanks for the advice. :)
 
Flow through Siporax is pretty slow, about 600 gph., it doesn't need cleaning, as nothing gets there because of filter socks and baffles. But depending on set up you might have to clean it, basically rinse it off, so there is no decaying particles with salt water from WC, don't clean it completely as you want to keep as much bacteria as possible.
 
Found this info on the Evolution Aqua website.

http://www.evolutionaqua.com/acatalog/K1_Media.html

How it works

Maturing the K1 Media bio-media is important because a delicate eco-system is naturally developing for the bacteria involved in the nitrification process. K1 Media provides the maximum active surface area for the bacteria to colonise, more than other types of static media. It is this process which removes harmful ammonia and nitrite from the water.

How it is different to other media

As the K1 Media moves within the filter, it causes the old dead bacteria on the outside to be displaced. This makes space for new younger heavier feeding bacteria to rapidly colonise. Within the wheel is a protected surface which enables colonies of bacteria to naturally follow their lifecycle, of maturing, dying and then fueling the latter stages of the nitrification cycle. K1 Media has been designed to provide the best possible habitat for both young and mature beneficial bacterial colonies.

What is meant by 'self cleaning'?

Unlike foam, matting, or other forms of static filtration media, the K1 Media is designed to move freely within your filter. The constant chaotic movement of the air from your pump, causes the media to self clean and thus requires no maintenance. This allows the filter to reach optimum effectiveness without the disturbance of periodic cleaning, avoiding unnecessary loss of bacteria within the filter. 50 Litres of K1 media will handle up to 250 grammes of food per day and for K3, 225 grammes of food per day. For retrofit of existing filters, K3 media is the most suitable due to its larger size and ease of control.
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MMreef said:
Interesting info, still does nothing for nitrate. Sounds like ideal for fish only system.
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Don't be a hater. You know you want to put some in your sump. ;-))

I wonder how good the Siporax really is at removing Nitrates? I don't understand how it works with the hole is the middle?? It would be interesting to see what would happen if you took it out of your sump if your nitrates stayed the same or went up.
 
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