Should I use an UGF?

[liveforphysics]

Paul, sorry about makeing you repost your nutrient removal method, somehow I completely missed where you had clearly stated it above. I need to learn to stop posting when its 2am. I really really like your system, and I have a 55gal propagation tank experiment with a functioning normal high flow UGF and a large fuge with cheato for its only filtration. Its only been up for a few months, so its much to soon to know what the future will hold for it, but so far nitrate and phosphate has been solidly as zero with no visable detritus build up. I will be steping up the feeding on the tank, with a plan of lifting up the UGF at the end of a year or so to inspect for possible detritus accumulation.


Ed, I would this is could be solidly called "A right way" if its been stable for about 3 times (to the best of my knowledge, and certianly with the least maintence) as long as the longest running types of the systems that we run, and still wasnt in any state of critical detritus build up.

This tank is exactly the sort of setup I have been looking for.

 

[Paul B]

Liveforphysics, you won't find a lot of detritus under a normal running UG filter because all the detritus is stuck in the substrate. I ran mine like that for quite a few years, the gravel was filthy and the nitrates were high. After reversing it and running it very slow the nitrates have been zero for years.
Like I said, the only maintenance I do is stir it up about twice a year, where I can reach and diatom filter it and every 25 years lift up the plates more for curiosity. I may lift them again in two years because I plan to retire and move, I may transfer everything into a larger tank then.
Have a great day.
Paul

 

[Paul B]

Quote
Paul what size is the sqares in the screen and how do you lace it with cement, I really like that part of your setup.
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john

Sorry John, I didn't see this question. The screen is regular plastic window screen. I sand it with course sandpaper to roughen it up then I lay it in some "Sakrete Morter Mix", remove it and keep it damp by laying some plastic wrap on it for a couple of days then cure it in fresh water for a week. There will be very little cement seen on the screen but it is enough to attract algae.
Paul

 

[ethanriley]

Ray I don't think that you are right here that protein skimmers will disappear because they are one thing to alot of people and that is CONVEINIENT. The reality is some of the best tanks that I EVER kept in the Bahamas reef or otherwise were created when I did massive water changes on a twice weekly basis in my 55 gallon. I didn't supplement I didnt know what a skimmer was and all I had was an under gravel with the ugly 802's. But oh my aching back carrying those buckets back from the sea! Just like BB(dare I say it) it is a more conveinient way to run our tanks. The reality is that there are a multitude of ways to run our tanks we have shown that, but each of us has some form of maintenance we HATE to do. I hate replacing carbon and very often I forget to do so, but give me a clear cup of muck on the top of skimmer saying heh you schmuck you need to change me and I do. :lol: There is no right or wrong once you have some concept of what is biologically going on in your tank Alot of the myths perpetuated in the hobby are a direct result of people thinking they can do this easily. ALOT of pet stores perpetuate this idea to sell their products. Why do you think maintenance companies thrive because alot of people want to look at the pretty fish tanks but husbandry is something they want to divorce themselves from. Purists will always exist and they are right about what they are saying (including you), but there are always going to be a number of people looking for lightning in a bottle or that silver bullet and the happy retailer is always here to sell it to them I think it is always best to advise newbies to use the simplest dear I say easiest forms of set up first and then once they have established themselves convert some of them to purists

 

[ethanriley]

One concept I want to query on this thread is why do people build plenums couldn't an undergravel plate be used in the same fashion?

 

[Paul B]

Andrew, taking water from the Bahamas twice a week, would be the best way to run a tank, unfortunately, we all can't do that. I live on Long Island and I also take sea water but not as much as you. New York water is probably not as good (duh) With that system, you would not have to filter, skim, ozonate or do anything and you could overfeed all you want. All of the devices we use are tools to try to make it not only easier but healthier. No matter what we do we will never be able to duplicate the sea.
I also don't know why people build plenems when they could use an UG filter plate but we all do what we think is the best way for us.
As for a lot of the stuff sold for this hobby, I agree much of it is useless but it is a hobby and we have free enterprise.
Have a great day.
Paul