Just a series of container stuffed with some medium such as bio ball and allow water to flow down from top to bottom. The following pics show how a simple trickle look like

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Another Picture

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The Trickle Filter has been widely discussed in another forum and you may want to read it here
http://www.koi.com.my/forum/KOI_Talk...y_This!_P3071/

A bit lengthy but it is worth reading and it is one of the best filter we used for our large outdoor pond.

Cheers

trickle filters are usually used by marine tanks as the purpose is to slow down the water flow in the sump so that nitrifying bacteria can start to colonise the media (bio rings or other materials). The only problem with trickle filter; or rather problem for planted tanks are that it creats too much oxygen exchange, rendering your precious CO2 useless.

However, I know of some planted tanks that have begun using the trickle filter system; not the most ideal systems, but plants are flourishing well. What can you say? We will always try our best to manage what we have.

For the algae problem, its always never ending. Perhaps you may want to reduce yr nitrates as what khoo says and maybe try installing a UV light above yr tank to eliminate the algae. Bear in mind it does not eradicate yr algae, but help to control it to a manageable level.

emmm...i did use this for my blood parrots community tank. Not bad...but it is not a good idea for planted tank. CO2 will gone easily when going thru the filter box. When the water flow going into the tank with lot of burble. part of the CO2 will become some toxic gas which is harm to the plants. (This is what i read from a planted tank book.)

i have the same problem.....and sales in store suggested me buying something called the GREEN X.....you can directly place it in the filter....it's just like a small pouch......

it works by reducing the phosphate in the water....which is one of the reasons for algae to grow.....

dunno if this will help....

=D

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