Is this a filter?

[mag395]

Hey I built this out of a plastic canister that I got at target. Will this work as a filter? It's just sitting in my sump right now.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[ray28576]

Assuming the fuzzy stuff is a sponge and some other kind of media, the blue circles are Bio Balls, and the white circles at the bottom are the release for the water. (right)
It looks like it would work as a filter, both mechanical and biological. However I have heard many times that bioballs can cause Nitrate build up and you would want to make sure you have easy access to the sponges since they would need cleaned very often. (about once or twice a month.)
Other then that, it looks like it would be a pretty good filter. It would never hurt to try it out.

 

[mag395]

It seems to be working. All assumptions are correct. Sorry about the simplicity of the drawing, I left the Auto-CAD in my other pants. The filter pad is held in place by the top to the canister so it is easy to get at.
How would nitrate build up on bio balls?

 

[ray28576]

I'm not sure what causes the trate to build up. I have never used them b4, so I don't know for sure. I have just heard people talk about them causing nitrate problems.

 

[jojo_b]

Is the water being pumped through the canister, or is it gravity induced flow?

 

[dogstar]

Looks like a typical wet dry.
Hopefully theres a drip tray to evenly dispurse the water over the BioBalls.
I never liked useing floss/fiber because IMO it traps too many benificial buggies. ( like pods ect. )

 

[majestic]

Can someone please chime in about bio balls causing nitrate buildup? I use bio balls... or maybe someone that uses bio balls and doesn't have nitrate buildup?
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[gnelson729]

Used bio balls in two different wet dry set-ups with no nitrate problems. The 90 gallon has been set up for 5 years with deep sand bed and a wet dry for filter. 10% water change monthly and never had a nitrate prob.

 

[ray28576]

Bioballs can cause waste build up over time and may produce nitrates if not maintained properly. LR can do the same thing. As long as the system is maintained properly you should'nt have a problem.

 

[mag395]

The overflow puts water into the filter, it isn't pumped in.
Yeah, I thought about evenly distributing the flow over the bioballs the other day. Where can I get a drip tray or how do I make one?

 

[dogstar]

Originally Posted by mag395
The overflow puts water into the filter, it isn't pumped in.
Yeah, I thought about evenly distributing the flow over the bioballs the other day. Where can I get a drip tray or how do I make one?
Just fit a flat plastic/acrylic sheet over the BBs and drill a lot holes evenly in it. You can put the fiber on top of the trip plate.
BTW, I think thats a great sketch.....