Biological filtration

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 4, 2017

I've been gravitating more and more toward biological filtration wherever possible, and was looking for a thread or section on the forum more specifically about it, but wasn't able to locate one.

Does this sound like something others would want to see? I know I would.

Anybody feel like spreading some education my way? I'm chalk full of questions.

Happy reefing!

Tahoe61 · Jul 4, 2017

Ergodyne said:
I've been gravitating more and more toward biological filtration wherever possible, and was looking for a thread or section on the forum more specifically about it, but wasn't able to locate one.

Does this sound like something others would want to see? I know I would.

Anybody feel like spreading some education my way? I'm chalk full of questions.

Happy reefing!

For now the topic probably falls under the Reef Aquarium forum.

What types of biological filtration did you have in mind?

Deep sand beds?
Use of Bi-values?
Additives that contain live bacteria?
ATS?
Use of macro algae or plants?

Perhaps other members will chime in.

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

Berlin method? Lol

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 4, 2017

I'm not familiar with the Berlin method, I'll have to look that up.

I'm rather familiar with macro's but could always learn more. I would like to do as many filter feeders as reasonable. I don't plan on dosing bacteria, that seems like a bit much for me.

More interested in macros, and filter feeders. Maybe a mangrove, but from what I've read about them, they don't do much other than look pretty.

Bi valves look super cool.

Deep sand bed scares me, I crammed about 45 pounds of rock in my sump instead to promote the low oxygen bacterias.

I think what I want to see are minimally mechanical reefs, that are large enough for a water change to not cut it.

Are there any other biological filtration methods I'm over looking? I really like chaeto reactors. It's the perfect bridge in my mind on mechanical and biological filtration.

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

Nitrate reactors. Ozone reactors. Ozone can be dangerous if not done right.

PaulB's old school under gravel filter! Lol

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/

Tahoe61 · Jul 4, 2017

Berlin method: Live rock, flow, skimmer, intense lighting.

Biological filtration also takes place with mechanical filtration mediums, and process. Foam, floss are forms of mechanical filtration that beneficial bacteria colonize.

Old school wet/dry, bio balls would be both mechanical and biological.

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

http://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/reefing/Nitrate-Reactor

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 4, 2017

Thank you guys so much! I'll definitely be digging into these.

I understand that mechanical filtration usually promotes the biological. I have a large wad of filter floss between my bubble baffles I swap out every couple weeks, and there are a ton of sponges in my other tank.
Again it falls in that nice sweet spot between the two, which I very much like.

Machines fail, life adapts.
I think I like the evolving filters better.

PS: thank you for relocating this thread to the appropriate section. I appreciate it.

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 4, 2017

Look at the ecosystem method. Bullet proof reefs at GARF. Julian Sprung. Also read up on Ron Shimek , even if Dsb is not for you he's an amazing read.
Mike Pallleta is also quite good too.

And dig into Randy Farleys articles on ph and bacteria and photosynthesis. (I wish he'd so a refugium article)

I followed most all of those, and I will say when my skimmer croaked while I was away for a month and the mrs didn't notice, the fuge exploded with growth and probaly saved the tank.

jsker · Jul 4, 2017

Berlin Method term link

I am have really good success running bio media in my sump. I am using a combination of media

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 4, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Look at the ecosystem method. Bullet proof reefs at GARF. Julian Sprung. Also read up on Ron Shimek , even if Dsb is not for you he's an amazing read.
Mike Pallleta is also quite good too.

And dig into Randy Farleys articles on ph and bacteria and photosynthesis. (I wish he'd so a refugium article)

I followed most all of those, and I will say when my skimmer croaked while I was away for a month and the mrs didn't notice, the fuge exploded with growth and probaly saved the tank.

Thank you very much. I will definitely look into those, even about the DSB. I'm not above doing one, but I have my reservations. I'm sure that more research will help lay them to rest for me.

It sounds like you have an amazing refugium. I hope I can emulate you're nutrient export, one day.

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 4, 2017

jsker said:
Berlin Method term link

I am have really good success running bio media in my sump. I am using a combination of media

What medias are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

jsker · Jul 4, 2017

Ergodyne said:
What medias are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

I am using life bio fil and Zeomix the combination has really brought down the nitrates.

Tahoe61 · Jul 4, 2017

I have always wanted to tinker with DSB refugium (another term you no longer see), maybe try some mud.
Check out the Jaubert system, it's actually quite effective, annoxic/anaerobic versus aerobic.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/9/aafeature

Paul B · Jul 17, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
Nitrate reactors. Ozone reactors. Ozone can be dangerous if not done right.

PaulB's old school under gravel filter! Lol

Don't use my UG filter. If you do, your tank may get to 45 or 50 years old and everyone will tell you how lucky you are because an UG filter is the stupidest thing you can do.

Rufus’ goofs · Jul 17, 2017

Paul B said:
Don't use my UG filter. If you do, your tank may get to 45 or 50 years old and everyone will tell you how lucky you are because an UG filter is the stupidest thing you can do.

I definitely want my tanks to last through the years. I'm not sure that the reverse UG will be included in my build. I %100 respect and envy your success with it though. I'm avoiding it because I'd prefer to have a very shallow sand bed in my DT.

I've been doing more research into the jaubert system (looks amazing and quite confident I could avoid the low dissolved O2 issues), however that would require an immense amount of space in my sump.

I'm leaning towards having two return pumps in my system (back ups on hand), one to power a monfold for feeding a low flow Refugium on the far side of the sump as well as a chaeto reactor.

I dunno.
I've only changed my plans for this about 3 times so far, so if I'm lucky I'm getting close to what I'll actually end up doing.