An anaerobic area for bacteria to grow to complete the nitrogen cycle.. (nitrates into nitrogen gas)..
Or Macro algae.... (does macro algae do the same thing???)
Or Macro algae.... (does macro algae do the same thing???)
What is more beneficial in a fuge....
- Thread starter ooja3k
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I'd use macro aglae if having to choose one over the other. You can trim it back as needed to help remove toxins as well.
They do the same thing in different ways.
The deep sand bed transforms nitrates into nitrogen gas through the population of anaerobic (oxygen hating) bacteria that live at the bottom of the sand bed. This nitrogen gas then bubbles up through the sand to the surface of the water where it is released.
The macro algae does the same job but it removes the nitrates by using them as a food source. The nitrates are effectively trapped in the new growth of the macro algae which you then harvest regularly, thereby removing the nitrates from the system.
Both of these are good forms of nutrient export. I'd use both in a fuge. Utilise a 4-6" fine sand bed, and grow Chaetomorpha sp. macro algae in the water column above. As Chaetomorpha sp. doen't have to attach to the substrate it won't affect the DSB.
The DSB also has the added benefit of helping to culture a healthy 'pod' population.
Good Luck!
Shark
The deep sand bed transforms nitrates into nitrogen gas through the population of anaerobic (oxygen hating) bacteria that live at the bottom of the sand bed. This nitrogen gas then bubbles up through the sand to the surface of the water where it is released.
The macro algae does the same job but it removes the nitrates by using them as a food source. The nitrates are effectively trapped in the new growth of the macro algae which you then harvest regularly, thereby removing the nitrates from the system.
Both of these are good forms of nutrient export. I'd use both in a fuge. Utilise a 4-6" fine sand bed, and grow Chaetomorpha sp. macro algae in the water column above. As Chaetomorpha sp. doen't have to attach to the substrate it won't affect the DSB.
The DSB also has the added benefit of helping to culture a healthy 'pod' population.
Good Luck!
Shark
well... i am looking to make a fuge out of a large aquaclear HOB filter... remove all of their filter media and create some sort of fuge on my own...
the thing is... the standard way that the water moves through the filter is up from the bottom... so putting sand in there is not very practical, if not impossible... so... would a coulple small lr frags supply an area for macro algae to grow???? this way, the water can still flow from the bottom, up to the top and back into the tank...
the thing is... the standard way that the water moves through the filter is up from the bottom... so putting sand in there is not very practical, if not impossible... so... would a coulple small lr frags supply an area for macro algae to grow???? this way, the water can still flow from the bottom, up to the top and back into the tank...
I'm actually considering doing something like this as well so I will add to your question. Would it be possible to seperate the intake area so that you CAN set up a DSB?
The more i look at this option... the less it appeals to me...
the aquafuge HOB refugiums look like a better option... you can have a DSB and it comes with its own powerhead to pump the water...
it will hold much more, sand, water, and algae then the aquaclear and for only about $40 more it might be a solid option for those of us who don't have extra space below...
the aquafuge HOB refugiums look like a better option... you can have a DSB and it comes with its own powerhead to pump the water...
it will hold much more, sand, water, and algae then the aquaclear and for only about $40 more it might be a solid option for those of us who don't have extra space below...
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I am a newbie myself, but my recommendation is to find something where you can do both as I feel both the DSB in the fuge and the Macro Algae are both important to the over health of the tank.