Intro and questions

Hi everyone,

This is my first post and I hope I posted in the right forum

Anywho, I was literally suckered into the hobby by my GF. She bought an Aquapod, 'nuf said. She had freshwater experience and had great success with an Eclipse system. The people at the LFS said it was a cakewalk. Gave her some bacteria in a packet and said it should be ready in a couple days or so. Well, critters started dying and she kept on buying The last draw was when Nemo died I had to do something. Now, the tank is OK, fish, corals and critters are OK. Coralline is growing, a Candy cane is starting to branch off, cyano is gone, hair algae in control and the fish are healthy. The Astreas are actually living longer than a week. I could do a better job with the nitrates its at 30-40 ppm with weekly water changes. All in all, I'm actually glad she got me into the hobby. Its fun.

Now, I planning on starting my own reef tank and I've got a few questions,

How deep inside liverock do the anerobic bacteria live?

I'm planning on using a plenum. Instead of the open space in the plenum can I use liverock rubble in this area? Will that facilitate more aneobic growth, thus less nitrates?

 

Welcome to 3reef!!
I am glad you are finally on the right track with your "Aquapod". Don't you like it when the LFS says It's no problem just add this bacteria and you dont even have to worry about chemistry anymore. Magic dust makes nitrites, nitrates and ammonia go poof
Seriously, it is a learning experience.
The school of thought these days is NOT to use a plenum. That's "old skool" to coin a phrase my kids use. The "new way" to run a reef tank is to have a fantastic skimmer, a refugium for nutrient export, Great lighting, a filter for some mechanical/carbon filtration and either a deep sand bed or bare bottom. I personally like a small sand bed that can be stirred not shaken
I'll try not to get sucked into any debates over that. Although I am sure someone will give you their strong opinion on that. Enjoy

Jim

 

Welcome to The Reef!

 

I Agree With Small Sand Bed. I Truly Believe That The Deeper The Substrate The More Problems. I'm Not Actually Sure What A Refugium Is So I Won't Comment On That. I Agree A Skimmer And Good Lighting Is A Must.

 

I understand the concept and your reasoning as to why you would want to go that way. But it has been found that over time the plenum system fails. I would suggest if you want to experiment with a plenum you do it remotely. In a refugium or secondary tank. That way you will have more control and won't have to ripe down your display tank if problems arise.

But after all that YES plenums with LR rubble would help with Nitrates.

BTW Welcome to 3REEF

J

 

Thanks, Glad to be here.

I admire the elegance of an all-in-one, single tank system. The requires minimal maintenance. I'm aware that it sound TOO good. However, I believe it can be done, rather hope it can be done stressing on minimal maintenance... minimal interference would be a better word.

Reality of it is, and from what I can gather from your comments. I'm most likely going to implement a fuge, same size or close to the display tank. A hang-on protein skimmer and inline external pump to maximize fuge size, lots macroalgae, lots of LR and LRR, remote DSB or Jaubert Plenum (still deciding) kalk drip, provisions for chemical filter material (whenever the need arises), wavemaking, MH lighting with PC or VHO actinics, moon LED, etc.

I would appreciate any advice, to those who's been there, done that. Right now, I know enough to be DANGEROUS, especially to Nemo and the gang and my wallet .

 

Would mud work better than LS in a fuge? How about a combo, not mixed but side by side or mud bottom LS top, seperated by mesh? Just like in a mangrove.

 

IMO the sand in the fuge is used for macro plants (not really necessary) or to help in the denitrification process. Mangroves have proven to be a big help in nutrient export process. As well as some other macro algaes (Cheato)

Jim

 

I also would like some info on people who use Mud.
I'm going to try to split my new fuge into 1/2 8in ls and 1/2 Mud. I know Mud has to be replaced slowley over long periods of time but don't remember seeing much feedback on it.

 

jtreef,

Let us know how you make out. It'll be awhile before I set mine up. I also do woodworking and I'm very much into late Victorian furniture, Queen Anne, Chippendale. So, I got make my stand and canopy first.

While you're at it. I've seen mangroves and in some areas the sand and mud meet. At that point, the sand gets thinner as it meets with the mud. So, try grading the mud and sand. They say depth has alot to do with DSB's biological function. What do you think? Anyone?