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10/29/2014, 12:57 PM | #26 |
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What does a skimmer remove? Only lipids and proteins?
NVM, I read your article: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hf/index.php#6 Last edited by Raul-7; 10/29/2014 at 01:16 PM. |
10/29/2014, 01:35 PM | #27 | |
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Happy Reefing.
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10/29/2014, 02:27 PM | #28 |
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http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/rs/index.php with the explanation of what detritis is and that this is the source of nitrates via ammonia and phosphates from detritis breaking down I will vacuum my substrate when doing waterchanges as this will removing detritis which is a nitrate and phosphate time bomb if not removed.
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10/30/2014, 12:03 AM | #29 |
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I have had only a small hob filter on my tank and used filter media and rubble and macro algea mangroves for nutrient export changing 10 percent weekly just to replace anything that has been used.
Not sure what all the stuff is using in the tank. Im not sure anyone would but just to know your doing something of a replacement of fresh water.
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10/30/2014, 03:52 PM | #30 | |
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It is a slow and steady source of N and P, just like foods are. If you adequately remove these from the water column, you'll be fine. There's no explosion.
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10/30/2014, 04:18 PM | #31 |
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What about using a product like Waste Away to get rid of all that sludge? Seems easier and overtime it would reduce N/P longterm.
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10/30/2014, 05:15 PM | #32 |
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Your math is correct. Unless you are doing a massive water change, very little nutrient is exported by a water change.
Bacteria are so darn fast that nutrients are removed very quickly from left over food, dead animals and plants, and feces. What you are suctioning out is what is not quickly digested. It's the left overs. I have not come across any sort of chemical analysis on this stuff. It might be fairly inert but could be a problem if it clogs pores and pathways in substrate and rock, leading to anoxic areas. It seems reasonable to remove it but may not cause problems if not removed religiously. |
10/30/2014, 05:27 PM | #33 | |
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10/30/2014, 11:16 PM | #34 |
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FWIW,
I do 1% daily water changes and siphon some detritus from the display and grow out tanks on some of those days. I feed the numerous fish and corals in the system heavily. I don't worry about detritus in the sump or cryptic/unlit refugia where the sourcing of nutrients and detritus seems to be be benefical to many desireable organisms like polychaetes, sponges ,pods,mini brittle stars, feather dusters,sponges and others.Most of the detritus there turns to refractory organics and grit over time that is of little consequence unless it clogs something or blows around. I think the detritus as it degrades it is providing inorganic and organic nutrients to the water column too but good skimming ,some gac and organic carbon dosing keep them low enough to prevent almost all nuisance algae while still adequate to meet the needs of wide variety of corals. I just blow off or siphon out the stuff in the display and grow tanks ,particulary buildups near corals where the degradation process seems to irritate and harm them and source nuisance algae and cyano. Water changes don't do much for exporting nutrients ,IME. large changes will reduce them temporarily. The small frequent water changes I do are more for maintaining element balances and ratios( like iodide, iron, sodium, chloride,sulfate,copper and other elements )than they are for nutrient export.
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Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals. |
10/31/2014, 04:08 AM | #35 | |
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10/31/2014, 04:13 AM | #36 | |
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10/31/2014, 04:15 AM | #37 | |
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10/31/2014, 04:16 AM | #38 |
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10/31/2014, 04:18 AM | #39 | |
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10/31/2014, 04:21 AM | #40 | |
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10/31/2014, 05:20 AM | #41 | |
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Whether it is worth doing depends on the aquarist and whether there is an issue with the nuttient levels in the aquarium or or not.
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10/31/2014, 05:28 AM | #42 |
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10/31/2014, 08:51 AM | #43 |
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IMO there are much more effective methods of reducing nitrates and phosphates then water changes with vacuuming.
Liquid carbon dosing Running Gfo occasionally Refugium with macro algae(which is a form of algae scrubbing. Large water changes should be reserved for an emergency situation I like tmz and others change one per cent daily just to replace trace elements and run an excellent skimmer
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
10/31/2014, 12:58 PM | #44 | |
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10/31/2014, 03:23 PM | #45 |
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FWIW I get exactly what you're saying and I'm not sure why people seem to be pushing back on your perspective.
You certainly aren't saying this is all the keeper needs to do for nutrient export, and you're not suggesting some elaborate addition to regular maintenance. A simple vacuum of the substrate prevents so much accumulation down the road that it's just silly to me to even argue against it. Honestly, I get why you seem to feel that someone would downplay vacuuming in place of yet another chemical/mechanical additive because it seems like that's exactly what's happening here. I have absolutely no dog in this fight. Personally, I want to add only what is absolutely necessary and I certainly don't want to add this or that to resolve something that is otherwise taken care of by a ridiculously simple vacuuming of the substrate. Can someone please explain clearly why the resistance to the plain advice mandarinfanatic is offering? Unless I'm missing something, the guy is actually suggesting a way to save money, not spend more of it. And he doesn't at all seem to be confused as to what he is accomplishing and why with his vacuuming. |
10/31/2014, 03:25 PM | #46 | |
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Btw my opinions are based on my successes in this hobby which are shared by many other very successfull hobbyists on here.
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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10/31/2014, 03:43 PM | #47 |
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What about toxins we don't measure for? How do you get rid of those?
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10/31/2014, 03:53 PM | #48 | |
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Most of the pushback is coming from those with a better understanding of the biology/science involved in artificial reefs. There are some pretty complex reactions happening in our glass boxes that require more than a quick google search to understand. I'd think a doctorate in chemistry (Hi Randy ) would go a long way toward aiding in comphrehension, but I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time |
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10/31/2014, 04:21 PM | #49 | |
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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10/31/2014, 04:22 PM | #50 | |
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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