Sixty’s Ecosystem Build

[sixty_reefer]

In this thread am going to apply all the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years with small experiences into a full system, the goal will be to have a full working ecosystem going without the need of many input from me on the long run.

1. filtration and flow

filtration and flow will be provided by under gravel filter system, powered by an air pump.

one layer of sand and top layer of aquatic compost

I’ll utilise the substrate as natural way to filter the tank, minimising the need for external filters, the plenum area will also work as a refugium for small critters and bacteria to live.

2. Aquascape

the aquascape will be very simple, a few live rocks for decoration, I intend to plant the tank heavily with macro algaes to aid filtration and food for the tank inhabitants.

3. Continuously phytoplankton reactor

I will be installing one as only external food supplement to kickstart the ecosystem food base.

3. Other equipment

Red Sea light
Eheim heter


will update further as it goes but this will be the base of the build ideology.

how it may look like in a few months.


This was my previous sump display

 

[blaxsun]

Should be interesting...

 

[sixty_reefer]

Should be interesting...

Thank you, am quite excited for the build myself, my first time with a under gravel filter, although I believe it will make all the difference in theory.

 

[blaxsun]

Thank you, am quite excited for the build myself, my first time with a under gravel filter, although I believe it will make all the difference in theory.

I'm definitely curious to see how this works out for you. Are you planning to supplement flow with a wavemaker and/or HOB filtration?

 

[sixty_reefer]

I'm definitely curious to see how this works out for you. Are you planning to supplement flow with a wavemaker and/or HOB filtration?

I am aiming at not having any supplemental wave makers or filters. Am using macro and micro algae’s to keep a good amount of oxygen in the system and the substrate should do all the water filtration, coral wise am going with mushrooms and other low flow low maintenance corals

 

[blaxsun]

I am aiming at not having any supplemental wave makers or filters. Am using macro and micro algae’s to keep a good amount of oxygen in the system and the substrate should do all the water filtration, coral wise am going with mushrooms and other low flow low maintenance corals

Are you planning for any cleanup crew?

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Sounds cool. I have A tank going now with under gravel filter. Instead of air I have two maxi jets. 36 gallon bow front.
I ran under gravel filters from about 72 to early 80’. You just get better flow though the crushed coral with them.
I only recently set this up because I would like to replicate the tanks when I first started out. Only this time instead of dead bleached corals as decorations. It had live rock that started dry and cured in the sump of my reef tank. No skimmer or any other filtration. I may put some macro algae in .
it’s not really going to be a reef set up. Mainly for a few fish and inverts.
I will follow this thread.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Are you planning for any cleanup crew?

Am looking into source a variety cuc, my favourites for this system will be brittle stars and spaghetti worms, they are awesome and eating left overs

 

[sixty_reefer]

Sounds cool. I have A tank going now with under gravel filter. Instead of air I have two maxi jets. 36 gallon bow front.
I ran under gravel filters from about 72 to early 80’. You just get better flow though the crushed coral with them.
I only recently set this up because I would like to replicate the tanks when I first started out. Only this time instead of dead bleached corals as decorations. It had live rock that started dry and cured in the sump of my reef tank. No skimmer or any other filtration. I may put some macro algae in .
it’s not really going to be a reef set up. Mainly for a few fish and inverts.
I will follow this thread.

If they were expensive, gravel filters would make a speedy come back lol, You have some crazy flow in there with those pumps, corals will do well in your tank. am going for the plenum ideology we’re we only need a bit of flow, trying to keep the oxygen levels low for the Nitrifying Bacteria.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Finished my layers for the substrate

1. Under gravel filter

2. Fine fibreglass mesh

3. Large grain coral sand

4. Fine coral sand

5. Aquatic compost

6. All the layers

This last dirt layer will be the base of the ecosystem. Will look at ideas for the rock scape now.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Really interest in this . Keep posting.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Really interest in this . Keep posting.

Thank you, I will keep it updated as much as I can, most will be videos of critters lol

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Isn’t aquatic compost for freshwater? Ponds? Why not use miracle mud?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

How is that compost w salt water ?

 

[sixty_reefer]

Isn’t aquatic compost for freshwater? Ponds? Why not use miracle mud?

I’ve been debating this question myself for some time, the main reason I’ve went with aquatic compost instead of miracle mud was the long therm use. Last few times that I’ve used miracle mud it dissolved into a slurry after a couple years in the tank. I’ve seen that many people have used compost in freshwater for many years without any issues.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Good luck w the project.

 

[sixty_reefer]

How is that compost w salt water ?

It’s just a substrate, there is plenty of coastal areas with mud as a substrate. To create the ecosystem I got in mind, dirt is really a must have.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Good luck w the project.

Tank you

 

[sixty_reefer]

Aquascape completed regarding the dry side

pretty happy with the results, I didn’t want to many LR although I wanted enough to hide the heather and the pipe from the filter, for that clean look.

got some algae’s and mangroves in a smaller tank for observation, awaiting for the fill of the tank over the weekend.

 

[A Young Reefer]

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