Living mechanical filter

joseph.timbs

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I have a normal 3 compartment 10 gallon sump for my 40g. Refugium with eBay grow light in the middle. I harvested for a lil while then slowly stopped because my system stabilized and been stable since. I dose copepods in the refugium from time to time and it’s full of amphipods already (copepods population might be gone in there), I also transfer bristle worms into there and it’s now full of em. I’m kind of using it as a living mechanical filter now, and to achieve higher PH, while keeping pods population good for display and mandarin. What do y’all think? Thoughts about scrapping it or keeping it? Or ways to improve it?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Just from the CO2, am I wrong about that too? Lol

If it is taking up CO2, where does it go?

Macroalgae consume CO2, but if it is not actively expanding in amount by growth, then it is not a net consumer of CO2.
 
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joseph.timbs

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If it is taking up CO2, where does it go?

Macroalgae consume CO2, but if it is not actively expanding in amount by growth, then it is not a net consumer of CO2.
that’s what I was thinking about potassium and iron, so you think I should just start harvesting again? And keep an eye on nutrients I’m guessing.. no ph help isn’t a big deal, I’m usually 8.2-8.4 using CO2 scrubber
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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that’s what I was thinking about potassium and iron, so you think I should just start harvesting again? And keep an eye on nutrients I’m guessing.. no ph help isn’t a big deal, I’m usually 8.2-8.4 using CO2 scrubber

Are you monitoring nutrients?
 
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joseph.timbs

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Phos 0.05-.08 nitrates 4-7 ppm

Here’s some more info that may pertain for ya. 40g breeder, 10g sump, small appropriate sized protein skimmer. I dose brightwell’s neonitrate, 20 mls twice a week and I also put a few drops of microbacter 7 every night with a 6 ml mix of Red Sea AB+, a bit of reef-roids and dead phytoplankton. A pinch of flake early in the day and half cube of brine every night, depending on nutrients at times. Less flakes if phosphates get on the high side, I heard flakes can raise phosphate. Not much algae with no tangs, just a small hermit/snail clean up crew. Pretty light bio-load 1 damsel, 2 firefish, 1 large pajama cardinal, 1 mandarin, 1 medium size fighting conch and 1 mature coral banded shrimp.
 
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If it is taking up CO2, where does it go?

Macroalgae consume CO2, but if it is not actively expanding in amount by growth, then it is not a net consumer of CO2.
What if macroalgae lit 24/7? Would they not consume co2 and produce oxygen only? Same where day longer than night. Wouldn't reduction in co2 exceed that produced during their dark period.

Ran some FW experiments where plants and green water lit 24/7 and pH was always high although alkalinity bottomed out because early on didn't have enough fish to produce co2 and and in those tanks as expected pH would be unstable and drop when lights turned off. Best I can recall. Didn't document anything and just going off memory but in general what I believe was occurring.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Phos 0.05-.08 nitrates 4-7 ppm

Here’s some more info that may pertain for ya. 40g breeder, 10g sump, small appropriate sized protein skimmer. I dose brightwell’s neonitrate, 20 mls twice a week and I also put a few drops of microbacter 7 every night with a 6 ml mix of Red Sea AB+, a bit of reef-roids and dead phytoplankton. A pinch of flake early in the day and half cube of brine every night, depending on nutrients at times. Less flakes if phosphates get on the high side, I heard flakes can raise phosphate. Not much algae with no tangs, just a small hermit/snail clean up crew. Pretty light bio-load 1 damsel, 2 firefish, 1 large pajama cardinal, 1 mandarin, 1 medium size fighting conch and 1 mature coral banded shrimp.

With those values, there’s no reason to change anything, whether the filter is doing anything for nutrients or not.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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What if macroalgae lit 24/7? Would they not consume co2 and produce oxygen only? Same where day longer than night. Wouldn't reduction in co2 exceed that produced during their dark period.

Ran some FW experiments where plants and green water lit 24/7 and pH was always high although alkalinity bottomed out because early on didn't have enough fish to produce co2 and and in those tanks as expected pH would be unstable and drop when lights turned off. Best I can recall. Didn't document anything and just going off memory but in general what I believe was occurring.

If the macroalgae is not getting bigger, it cannot be a significant net consumer of CO2. The carbon/organic matter has to go somewhere. If it is growing and something is eating it, that returns the CO2 to the water.
 
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joseph.timbs

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If the macroalgae is not getting bigger, it cannot be a significant net consumer of CO2. The carbon/organic matter has to go somewhere. If it is growing and something is eating it, that returns the CO2 to the water.
I guess it could still be growing in density but idk honestly.. there’s not really anything that would eat chaeto I could throw in there is there?
 


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