fluidized bed filters

does anyone have experience with a fluidized bed filter (fbf)? i did some reading on it and im kind of convinced that i should get one. Can an fbf 300 filter by lifegard be used with phosphate media. if so, should i get two, run them back to back with one pump and use one for a sand filter and the other for phosphate media? Thanks!!

 

Hey,
How much filtration do you have right now?

Especially biological filtration(ie. live sand and rock?)

In my opinion, a fluidized filter is a redundant means of filtration that really will not offer you that, that you already have with the live sand and rock in your aquarium. If you want to get technicsal like that, invest in a refugium and/or a sump instead!!!! You will be much happier with this and the flexibility with a sump/refugium will more than make up for the fluidized filter bed equipment.
For a Fish only aquarium, I can see the employment of a fluidized filter bed.

 

I have ran many of them on small systems up to 130 gallons did a great job in fact my son ran one on a 100 Acrylic SPS set up I gave him for 6 or 7 yrs that I had ran for 2 yrs prior and it was well adjusted system. He and I ran the old Red sea but they work and work well just slow flows no more flow then just enough to keep the media semi fluid or floating in a wave like and you they also make a great PO4 and or Carbon reactor .
Lifeguard where a little pricy last time I lookd and did nt do ant better then te Merlins or Red seas for all that matter you can get a Phosban PO4 reactor 33.00 or so and get the same effect if the lifguard is still costlty ?

 

i have a reef tank with live sand and plenty of rock. its a 265 gal. i have a refugium which im planning to use caluerpa in and i just started an algal turf scrubber. do i need more filtration?

 

The fluidized is not needed then really and if you are going with a fuge why deal with an algae scrubber ? All I'd ass is what skimmer are you using thats about the only weak link you could have and if you don't run a PO4 and carbon reactor that would be an area to look at. You say you have plenty of rock and sand so I assume you feel comfortable with it and if all the parameters are solid and tank is aged . How long has it been up and are you keeping corals now ? But I don't think the fluidized filter would add much for you.. I simply used them to avoid all the need for the rocks an such.. They do a great job as a stand alone biological filter..