Non traditional nutrient control using your sump

[tripdad]

In planning for a future build I started trying to find ways to simplify my system. One way would be to use life form based nutrient control in my sump. I'm familiar with the usual stuff like Chaeto, macro algaes, miracle mudd, mangroves, etc.. I'm more interested in the uncommon, the little bit different ideas. For instance some people in the past have run Xenia in the sump to absorb excess nutrients. I personally was thinking of trying bivalves of some sort. I currently have a large colony of sea squirts in my sump. They are too small a variety to make any difference but still cool. I know Steve Tyree has written on cryptic zones for nutrient control. Are there other ideas out there? Have you used another life form for nutrient reduction?

 

[cracker]

a friend uses kenya tree corals in his ref. the section is "packed"what the heck Kenya no issues at all with no3/Po4 . Runs a simple light is all.

 

[mixer911]

Great topic. Xenia are a great nutrient exported and filter. I have see a few really nice tanks with Sumps full of Xenia. Bivalves will also good, but I think you are going to need a combination of thing to be effective, especially with larger tanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bivalves may consume organics before they break down to nitrate and phosphate, but like most heterotrophs (organisms that eat foods instead of photosynthesizing), they are generally a source of nitrate and phosphate, not a sink for these ions.

If you combined bivalves with organic carbon dosing that drive bacterial uptake of N and P, and then the bivalves ate the bacteria, that might work.

 

[Coralreefer1]

Various species of sponge may be a good choice.

 

[tripdad]

So are we saying that staying with photosynthetic life would be the best options? Maybe along with a cryptic zone?

 

[fermentedhiker]

I'm actually planning on doing this with my new softie/lps 125 gallon tank. Going to try and go skimmerless. Planning on clams, scallops, and oysters for that first section, then a tradition chaeto fuge , then return pump/ATO section. Two return pumps for the DT(for redundancy when I'm away) and a third that is going to feed two other tanks, first a display fuge(55 gallon) with mini maxi garden, zoa/palys and slower growing macros like shaving brush etc.., and second a 29 gallon cryptic fuge. My only real concern with running skimmerless is the reduction in gas exchange, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[Coralreefer1]

Most species of sponge are NOT photosynthetic, however, their is a purple and a red sponge that grows like a plating Montipora that are. I have the purple one and am trying to locate the red.

 

[tripdad]

If I'm understanding Tyree's writings correctly the sponges in a cryptic zone are not photosynthetic by design.

 

[Brew12]

@saltyfilmfolks Don't you do some novel nutrient control?

 

[tripdad]

I'm actually planning on doing this with my new softie/lps 125 gallon tank. Going to try and go skimmerless. Planning on clams, scallops, and oysters for that first section, then a tradition chaeto fuge , then return pump/ATO section. Two return pumps for the DT(for redundancy when I'm away) and a third that is going to feed two other tanks, first a display fuge(55 gallon) with mini maxi garden, zoa/palys and slower growing macros like shaving brush etc.., and second a 29 gallon cryptic fuge. My only real concern with running skimmerless is the reduction in gas exchange, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I was planning a display fuge of macros also housing a mantis shrimp. But I was thinking bivalves in a seperate area for "polishing" the water instead of carbon in a reactor. I wan't to try and use a more complete bio system instead of artificial media. I just have rotten results using GFO, carbon and such.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Most species of sponge are NOT photosynthetic, however, their is a purple and a red sponge that grows like a plating Montipora that are. I have the purple one and am trying to locate the red.

Liveaquaria had the red on sale a few weeks ago.

Love them both.

 

[norfolkgarden]

If I'm understanding Tyree's writings correctly the sponges in a cryptic zone are not photosynthetic by design.

Correct.
Bought the large pack a few months ago. They are growing now.

Still using GFO.

Not sure if the sponges will ever take over that function.

Still debating how to stuff an algae scrubber into the tank without a sump.
[emoji53]

Marine pure and lots of live rock and water changes and GFO so far.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

In planning for a future build I started trying to find ways to simplify my system. One way would be to use life form based nutrient control in my sump. I'm familiar with the usual stuff like Chaeto, macro algaes, miracle mudd, mangroves, etc.. I'm more interested in the uncommon, the little bit different ideas. For instance some people in the past have run Xenia in the sump to absorb excess nutrients. I personally was thinking of trying bivalves of some sort. I currently have a large colony of sea squirts in my sump. They are too small a variety to make any difference but still cool. I know Steve Tyree has written on cryptic zones for nutrient control. Are there other ideas out there? Have you used another life form for nutrient reduction?

I've used pacific oysters, from Azul Sole, Baja Ca, Asian market, not all carry these. Of all oysters I've bought at markets, these the most hardy. I've had as many as 80 in refugium. Key is leave in plastic mesh bag, and check in morning and evening for dead oysters, and of course remove them. You'll end up with hardy ones.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

And why oysters? Because their most efficient in filtering. My existing system, setting up for 24-36 oysters.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

If I'm understanding Tyree's writings correctly the sponges in a cryptic zone are not photosynthetic by design.

Some sponges are photosynthetic & are colorful as a result. The color of other sponges is due to cyanobacteria living in their tissue, & these types are suitable for a cryptic zone. When placed in the dark permanently they loose the cyano & turn whitish in color.

 

[wesman42]

And why oysters? Because their most efficient in filtering. My existing system, setting up for 24-36 oysters.

Do you get to eat em eventually? [emoji23][emoji2]

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Do you get to eat em eventually? [emoji23][emoji2]

At one point, felt like I could possibly open an oyster bar.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

At one point, felt like I could possibly open an oyster bar.

Oystets n beer ,,,,,, Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[KrisReef]

A brightly lit sump filled with assorted giant clams might make a stunning nitrate filter. I think it would be challenging to balance this kind on nutrient removal system, keeping the clams fed as they grow. It could be a lot prettier to look at then my current sump filled with rock, skimmer, pumps and gfo filter.