AqAdvisor.com - WEB version of AquAdvisor

[yhbae]

1) Curious about how you came up for the filter ratings. For example: AC 20's are marketed as 5-20 gallons, and while we know this is sometimes exaggerated, how did you get 10 gallons?

2) In terms of filtration and other factors, where do plants come in? Might be something to look into as well.

3) Randomly I added CPD's to my stock and they were not temp compatible?

1) 10g is just an educated guess. I too have gone through years of learning in the forum, and read much messages about recommended species and filters. Because there's no scientific way to derive the right filter, answers tend to be somewhat subjective especially given their own experiences. In aqadvisor.com, I am using filtration capacities that are somewhat conservative - better be safe than sorry I guess.

2) Still struggling with this one I have to admit. I like plants and I have them in every tank I own except for mbuna tank. How does it affect bioload? Not sure. I like them because they act like a safety net plus they look nice. Is it true to say that you can put more fish in the tank because you have plants?

3) CPD currently reads 18-24C in DB. Fishbase seems to be down at a moment so I cannot check their data... If you could let me know which species it is clashing with, I could look into it...

Thanks!

 

[jpappy789]

1) 10g is just an educated guess. I too have gone through years of learning in the forum, and read much messages about recommended species and filters. Because there's no scientific way to derive the right filter, answers tend to be somewhat subjective especially given their own experiences. In aqadvisor.com, I am using filtration capacities that are somewhat conservative - better be safe than sorry I guess.

2) Still struggling with this one I have to admit. I like plants and I have them in every tank I own except for mbuna tank. How does it affect bioload? Not sure. I like them because they act like a safety net plus they look nice. Is it true to say that you can put more fish in the tank because you have plants?

3) CPD currently reads 18-24C in DB. Fishbase seems to be down at a moment so I cannot check their data... If you could let me know which species it is clashing with, I could look into it...

Thanks!

Thats what I figured. I was just curious as to any possible mathematical formula you cam up with.

I wouldnt say so, but apparently my AC 20 doesn't cut it. Although my tank isn't a jungle I would like to think they provide enough of a safety net that filtration isn't an overwhelming problem. Maybe the option could ease up filtration "requirements"? Dont get me wrong, more is better, but something to think about.

I think it was the sids...maybe I'm just not aware of the requirements.

 

[yhbae]

Maybe the option could ease up filtration "requirements"? Dont get me wrong, more is better, but something to think about.

You mean to choose a number that is closer to the manufacturer recommended capacities?

I think it was the sids...maybe I'm just not aware of the requirements.

You lost me here...

 

[joel.uejio]

2) In terms of filtration and other factors, where do plants come in? Might be something to look into as well.

2) Still struggling with this one I have to admit. I like plants and I have them in every tank I own except for mbuna tank. How does it affect bioload? Not sure. I like them because they act like a safety net plus they look nice. Is it true to say that you can put more fish in the tank because you have plants?

I wonder for plants if you could provide a drop down where user selects a basic level like "No Plants", "Light", "Medium", "Heavy" and then you factor in a rough negative bioload to represent the beneficial work that plants do in removing waste.

So, for example, if a 10g is medium planted, then that's like having "-3" platys because the plants absorb the waste that 3 platys would produce.

With such a drop down you could also check for basic plant compatility: mbuna need low or no plants, otos need medium to heavy, etc.

 

[yhbae]

I wonder for plants if you could provide a drop down where user selects a basic level like "No Plants", "Light", "Medium", "Heavy" and then you factor in a rough negative bioload to represent the beneficial work that plants do in removing waste.

So, for example, if a 10g is medium planted, then that's like having "-3" platys because the plants absorb the waste that 3 platys would produce.

With such a drop down you could also check for basic plant compatility: mbuna need low or no plants, otos need medium to heavy, etc.

I'll note down your comments and take it into account when I revisit this topic. Its easy for me to just give users 3 levels of plants and just take away certain % of bioloads. But still I am not sure if this is the best way.

Your last point is a good one.

 

[jpappy789]

You mean to choose a number that is closer to the manufacturer recommended capacities?



You lost me here...

I meant somehow factor that (plants) in to the filtration percentage that is spit out. Not sure how that could easily be done without over-generalizing though.

I believe the temp for my Y. sidthimunki and CPD's were the ones that did not match up. That may very well be the case, I am not fully aware of the requirements for pearl danios.

 

[Zaffy]

As far as plants go. Plants help with filtration of the bioload by taking up Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia. However unlike terrestrial plants, most aquatic plants will take up Ammonia before nitrate or nitrite. For this reason, I see plants as an augment to the biological filtration system. I would suggest that the presence of plants adds to the filtration of the tank.

 

[yhbae]

I meant somehow factor that (plants) in to the filtration percentage that is spit out. Not sure how that could easily be done without over-generalizing though.

I see.. Yeah it might be difficult without over generalizing it. Some plants are fast growers, some are slow. And some users may think their tanks are heavily planted but in reality it's not... etc...

I believe the temp for my Y. sidthimunki and CPD's were the ones that did not match up. That may very well be the case, I am not fully aware of the requirements for pearl danios.

Let me look up into those guys.

 

[jpappy789]

Exactly.

As soon as you mentioned having trouble getting into Fb, I did...lol.

 

[Zaffy]

I meant somehow factor that (plants) in to the filtration percentage that is spit out. Not sure how that could easily be done without over-generalizing though.

I believe the temp for my Y. sidthimunki and CPD's were the ones that did not match up. That may very well be the case, I am not fully aware of the requirements for pearl danios.

Quantifying accurately what the plants add to filtration might be a daunting task. A generalization may be the best feasible option, at least for a home aquarium.

Just looking at my own 20g tank with "low light" species. I've got Anacharis, Anubias nana, Madegascar lace, Bronze Wendtii, Java Fern, and a moss wall all thriving. Without pulling them out and measuring their masses, and knowing each species rates of uptake, I couldn't begin to accurately estimate what they contribute to my "system."