Fuge- under gravel flow plenum

[lapin]

I have an idea for my new fuge (20 gallon tall). Im thinking of piping the water that enters the fuge under the sub straight. Underwater spray bar. This should force the debris from the macro, out from under the sub straight rather than settling underneath and creating the zone of crud. Not that there is anything wrong with the zone of crud as a low oxygen de nitrate zone, but I dont see the need at this time. The water will then flow over a partition and exit the fuge. I need some input on why this will work or why not and any ideas. I read some stuff about plenums. There is tons. I did use undergravel filters when I had fresh water tanks. That forced air underneath and sucked water out.
I'm old and don't have that much time to get educated to the fullest on using one with a salt water tank. I plan on having macro, pods and other things growing in it. If I do it this way would a base (undergravel filter) egg create on pvc, rock rubble then some calcium media on top work?
For the future I was planing on building an ATS that will sit on top of the fuge as an way to convert waste to food.
Im sure I forgot something but company has arrived so i must put on "the host with the most" hat
Cheers

 

[Subsea]

I suggest less than 2”. CaribSea “Special Reef Grade” has worked well for me.

Where are you thinking “rock rubble”.

After 8 months, I see Angels grazing on calcareous tube worms. Even the Mandarin grazes in the substrate.

 

[lapin]

⇣ ........................................................ ⇣ reactor media on top
⇣ ******************************** ⇣ rock rubble on top of filter plate
⇉⇉⇉ ⇡ ⇡ ⇡ ⇡⇡ ⇡⇡ ⇡ ⇡ ⇇⇇⇇

not sure if this ascii will come out like i drew it
This is what I was thinking
my speeling is horid

 

[Subsea]

You are going to have to explain some things for me to follow you. When I think reactor media, it begs to be replaced on a schedule. What reactor media are we talking about? With respect to rock rubble on bottom, what size is rock rubble? Eventually, stratification will be fine on bottom getting coarse as you go up.

 

[lapin]

The rock rubble I have is ping pong ball size and a bit smaller. The reactor media is for my calcium reactor and I have 24 lbs left over. It is Reborn
So I figure 2 to 3 inches of rock rubble and 1 to 2 inches of media
Will allow for upflow of water with plenty of pod snail worm like creature hiding places.
This will sit on the under gravel type filter.
If stuff settles underneath I can suck it out every 5 to 10 years.
Rather than just flow from one end to the other I was think up flow would also be a benefit.
I know its kinds a.. backwards. Most people would do mud, sand, then rock.
Maybe im thinking too hard?

 

[Subsea]

Interesting. Large substrate would not work in a display tank with detritus accumulating. However, in your setup very little detritus comes in with raw water. There should be very little detritus to accumulate in Plenum.

Sandbed is 5” deep. I still think that > 2” is unnecessary. However, during lights out with reduced pH, it is possible to get passive aroggonite buffering.

 

[lapin]

Interesting. Large substrate would not work in a display tank with detritus accumulating. However, in your setup very little detritus comes in with raw water. There should be very little detritus to accumulate in Plenum.

Ya I dont expect much accumulation other than dead pods and macro debris. The fuge water will be tank water taken from the sump, after the filter socks, and pumped thru the fuge tank.

 

[Subsea]

Still confused with idea to process detritus in Plenum using reverse flow, but you use a filter sock to remove detritus. I am missing something in your system biofilter logic.

 

[lapin]

Still confused with idea to process detritus in Plenum using reverse flow, but you use a filter sock to remove detritus. I am missing something in your system biofilter logic.

The idea is to use the fuge as a macro and pod growing tank. Not a detritus processing tank. The only junk that should accumulate is dead pods and dead macro. Hopefully not much dead macro ;-) By forcing the stuff up into the water column, the particulate matter that does accumulate will churn a bit more and break down. Smaller particles for the stuff that is growing in it.

 

[Subsea]

OK.

Might I suggest adding a few pod condos to your upflow refugium. Use a mesh bag with rock rubble, then when colonized with biofilms & pods add to display, in a convenient spot to replace. Then rotate pod condos from refugium to display.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It’s called a reverse undergravel filter.
Commonly used with larger rubble not sand , in the old days Dolomite was common.

You’re on the right track.

 

[Subsea]

@lapin
My brother, come help me design a pod collection systems. The amphipods are so big I fear for mollie fry. In this system, I have fifth generation mollies that spawn continually and will be part of refugium live food kit.
Laissez les bonne temps roulee!
Let the good times roll in memory of @Paul B,
Patrick

 

[lapin]

@lapin
My brother, come help me design a pod collection systems. The amphipods are so big I fear for mollie fry. In this system, I have fifth generation mollies that spawn continually and will be part of refugium live food kit.
Laissez les bonne temps roulee!
Patrick

I finished the fuge today. Got a grow light. Waiting for macro to arrive tomorrow. I got 2 media baskets that I can fill with rubble for the "Pod a day Inn" They came with bags that fit over the whole thing. I think I can put a loop on the bag tie strings, and pull them out easily.

 

[lapin]

Macro algae came today.

Twin pod towers. While one is in the tank, being cleaned of pods by the fish, the other will be in the fuge getting re-populated

 

[lapin]

Remember that nice clean fuge. All of the red macro has been moved to the DT. The Ulva growing on it should die off in the DT. X 's fingers..
The fuge is now green. 1" thick mat of ulva. A bit of hair and lots of green slime and other stuff growing on the glass.

 

[Subsea]

I doubt that Ulva will die in display tank. According to Russ Kronwetter at live plants, the Ulva species that he collects in GOM prefers cooler temperature below 80. When I tumble cultured both Ulva and Chaetomorphy in same water with same sunlight, Ulva grew twice as fast as chaeto. Depending on your red macro growth rate in lower light, I suggest you deprive Ulva of bright light. Most all red macro grown in subdued light takes on a rich burgundy color.

Happy trails. I hope you have enough rain. I am saturated here.