make your own fluidized bed filter

I am thinking of making a fluidized bed filter for a tank of less than 50 gallons.

Actually, it is a 10 gallon right now, but I want to make it big enough for 50.

I was going to use a power head for a pump.

Any tips?

On 2 Apr 2004 16:09:21 -0800, jim_gravity.TakeThisOut@my-deja.com (jim gravity)
wrote:

>I am thinking of making a fluidized bed filter for a tank of less than 50 gallons.
>
>Actually, it is a 10 gallon right now, but I want to make it big enough for 50.
>
>I was going to use a power head for a pump.
>
>Any tips?

I'm halfway through the same project. Google for "DIY fluidized bed
filter" and you'll get a whack of results.
I'm using 4" white PVC and I've drilled a couple of holes w/ hose
fittings on one end cap. I'm going to cement a smaller (2" I figure)
piece of PVC inside to cover one of those fittings and then either
leave a gap at the bottom or cut out a few notches/holes to allow
water flow. I'm planning on using plain old sand fitler sand from a
pool supply store (it's an earthy silica that I use in my tanks) and
powering it with a Hagen 201 powerhead (small, I know, but it was
cheap).
Like I said, it's halfway done but I'll post up any results when I
have them. I don't think there's too much you can do wrong making a
FBF. :) If you overfill it with sand you just get sand spraying all
over the tank.