A properly set up DSB requires no maintenance, which is the key. Good flow over the bed and the right critters to do all the work for you.
That’s naturally impossible. All that is happening is decomposition. What I believe destroys UF is the constant syphoning because people are told to remove detritus vs just leaving it alone and allowing nature to run it’s process.
No on the return pump. If running RUGF you need low flow. I have a 250g pump feeding 2 plates in my 90g. For a small 12x12 you probably want 50gph, if even that.
All you need to start is spaghetti worms, pods, bristle worms and micro brittle stars. I’m sure there are local reefers who would share some of those with you.
Reverse flow what I would do if using a powerhead. However, faster the flow then more likely the filter will clog with detritus that hasn’t decomposed. Why with UF I prefer air stones or the ability to restrict flow. Were there a DC powerhead then I’d use that but in the conventional manner. Reverse flow based on the premise that detritus can be suspended and exported out. I want to avoid that and just let it decompose and mineralize naturally.
I understand. Here are some thoughts.
Both aren't mutually inclusive. Flow through the fuge can be faster because chaeto is able to process nutrients quickly. The UF favors a slower flow to prevent clogging with detritus plus allow nitrification to remove DO creating an environment consisting of bound oxygen that will be utilized by heterotrophic bacteria along with a carbon source to remove nitrates. I sometimes have to introduce NoPox to lower my nitrates as they usually remain under 5 ppm but sometimes will creep up to 20 and as much as 40 for a day or two. Not sure why but might be due to the media not be mature enough. In the past with just an UF and no carbon dosing my nitrates remained around 20 ppm and I didn't perform WC therefore that was all on the filtration.
