FluidizedBed filters

[nw2sltfsh]

:notsure: Last night I was looking online for information on what is the appropriate Filtration needed on my 100g FOWLR tank.
I had found a site that provides a ton of useful information and was provided with the following information:
When I stated that I currently have a Lifeguard Fluidized Bed Filter the answer that I recieved back was "This filter depends on a high flow of fully-oxygenated water. Do be aware that a power failure can kill this biofilter in just a couple of hours. If you turn it back on right after a significant power outage it will spew forth a toxic load of microscopic dead stuff and biochemical products of anaerobic metabolism and decay. You do not need a fluidized bed filter when you have live rock and live sand. They are also nitrate factories"
I am wondering what the thoughts on this board are? My husband is thinking of taking it off completly since we live in an area that can get alot of storms and are subject to power outages.
I only joined this board last night and did search first as to not ask a question that had already been posed and was unable to locate anything close.
Any advice would be great.

 

[squidd]

You get the same result in a canister filter or ANY closed closed loop or closed containment system that has a large population of aerobic bacteria in it...
So yes, having LR and LS as your "biological" base for bacteria production is "safer" than the other methods...And probably "the" preferred method by most of the people on the boards...
But there are a LOT of the other systems (canisters and fluidized beds) in operation and the "death cycle" while it CAN happen is not that common an occurance...
If you chose to use this type of system in a location where you may experience "power out" periods, you may want to add a "T" and flush drain to the filter, to flush out the "dead" water when the power comes back on, before it reaches your tank...

 

[mmmsalty]

:notsure: hmmm. that's really interesting that u were given that information. i also have a fluidized bed filter and have asked questions about it on this board & never got that response. i thought i did plenty of research before i purchased it & i didn't get any negative responses or "beware". ? I am fairly new to saltwater, iv'e had freshwater of all kinds since i was a little kid, i've only been running my reef tank for 6 mos. so by all means don't tank my advice as %100, but i thought i would try to help.
i will look back at previous dates and find the person who has one as well (that responded to my question) maybe we can get some info from them :happyfish

 

[sw65galma]

My LFS who also does custom installs swears by these and says "with those you can overstock your tank and never have a problem"
He can't stop talking about them.
So i don't know if it's all hype.

 

[nw2sltfsh]

:nervous: I really appreciate all of the comments and beleive that I should keep the bed filter on -
Currently my tank has
Aqua C Remora Skimmer with a Mag 3 Drive Pump (arriving within the next few days)
2 350 Magnum Canister filters
the lifeguard Fluidized Bed Filter
4 Powerheads
Oh and it is a 110 gallon tank - not 100 as stated in the first thread
So I guess that since all cansiters can have this type of efffect until I umgrade to a sump set up it is a risk regardless of the one piece
If anyone has any additional comments i would love to hear them! :cheer:

 

[squidd]

Obviously, it would depend on the "oxygen demand" inside the "container"...
But I'm thinking the "couple hours" is a bit short sighted...

 

[cowpoke]

I would tend to agree that the "two hours" is a tad conservative.
Problems would certainly "Start" developing if the lack of flow continues for double possibly triple that amount of time.
Just think of the die off that occurs with LR.

 

[nm reef]

I currently run a pair of fluidized filters but in a slightly different manner(I think)
I use mine to run rowaphos and carbon...both on a limited basis. I do have them set up where they can easily be valved off and removed as needed and have virtually no concerns about power outage associated problems. The same effect could happen with any of a large number of filtration devices...especially any mechanical type filtration.
The potential you mentioned is not a major concern for me. I run the rowaphos for 6 hrs daily in order to prevent excessive phosphates from accumulating via feeding and RO water. The carbon is run for 3-4 days at a time simply to clear up or polish the water...normally once a month.
Fluidized bed filters can be effective addition to the filtration and I'd think there would be rather limited concerns about problems associated with power outages unless the power was out for an extended period. If that were to happen I'd think re-establishing the filter would be wise.