What do you think of my filter idea?

Basically the idea is a modified version of an under gravel filter. Only instead of gravel it would be live rock and instead of the tank being flat on the bottom it would be sloped into a enclosed loop that drew water from the bottom back up to the top.

For those visually inspired.
(the colorful blocks are live rock)

It would require a custom built aquarium I know, and I don't have the resources to build it I am just brain storming.

I think it would make for a cleaner system even without sand because most of the food would get pulled through the live rock and then back into the top of the tank where the fish have another chance to get it.

What are your thoughts? Is my idea good, bad or ugly?

 

really without testing, it would prolly be worth a shot. Some dude was probably sitting around with this stupid idea of inventing this thing that produces a lot of bubbles that organics attach themselves too and putting that crap in a cup. I'm just saying is, every cool invention has to be invented if that makes sense=)

 

Interesting idea. Looks crazy enough to work to me. Im sitting here now trying to think of a way a zero edge look could be incorporated into this idea. You might as well build it really custom if your going to build it custom.

 

oh like coming straight up out of the bottom???? Flowing up through the rock and over the sides????

 

I am hoping someone else tries it first and find that it is the best system ever then they start building and selling tanks with my design and giving me 10% of all profits... (which will be in the trillions). ;D

 

Stepho, what would be the point? I understand the concept but don't see any more benefit than having water circulating around and through the rock the way we do it now. Am I missing something?

 

I guess there is no point..........

 

what about crabs, pods, and everything else that lives on the bottom to inclued gobies. I would say great for a fish only with live rock.

 

its a kool idea but u will get alot of the heavy crap that falls out of the live rock stuck in yer tube at the bottem which will only block it up also the noise this thing will create will prolly be crazy loud as the water shoots out the tube at the top and splashs.

this idea looks kool in theory but i think it will give u sleepless nights

*edit* i thought it was a refugium, so it wont be noisy with the water thing but that tube will still block up with crap

 

good idea but i dont think it would be very practical nor would it be very effecient unless u had a high powered air pump.

firstly im sure your not going to have a tank that is on a point? so there would be a flat bottom which means that you would need to put down some glass on an angle to achieve the slope. and with marine rocks being heavy the glass would need to be thick and or reenforced so hold under the presure of the rocks and gravel and pressure from the air vaccumee.

you would need multiple intakes for the filter so that each area of the gravel is being used and multiple intakes makes multiple of lots of plumbing for the outputs.

look at how everything in an undergravel filter works and then come up with how you can incorporate those things into this design.
but if you are going to go ahead and make i would love to see how you over come any problems but if you do then try and make a small model out of some acrylic and a small plastic box that you can mock up a design and use some dye in the water so see the flow and any potential dead areas

goodluck in your findings