Anaerobic Bacteria And Other Questions

[saltwater]

I have some more dumb noob questions, but before I will tell you the specs of my future reef tank. 30 gallon drilled acrylic tank as "main tank" and a 30 gallon sump. The main will hold about 35 pounds of LR, and a light 20 pounds of aragonite sand. I havent decided on the livestock yet but for corals I just want softies. The sump will contain about 25 pounds of LR and about 50 pounds of sand to create a deep sand bed to create anaerobic nitrate eating bacteria. Now for the questions:
1. IF I had created enough anaerobic bacteria in the DSP in the sump, does this mean I will have 0 nitrates? (i know often water changes will still be needed though)
2. Does the flow rate of the sump have to be the same as the main tanks?
3. Will the 20 pounds of aragonit buffer the 60 gallons of water enough? OR would a quality salt do all the buffering?

 

[E. Nigma]

Ever since you posted your 1st question I have had a feeling we were being TROLLED

If I am wrong I apologise

But I think not



I am the only member who thinks this

SOme of your questions seem very basic yet other quiet knowledgable and this make me think we are being tested - say for a reaction like some of the reactions some weeks past regarding Neewbie questions

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Ever since you posted your 1st question I have had a feeling we were being TROLLED

If I am wrong I apologise

But I think not



I am the only member who thinks this

SOme of your questions seem very basic yet other quiet knowledgable and this make me think we are being tested - say for a reaction like some of the reactions some weeks past regarding Neewbie questions

Gees... Chill out man, you're first post and you're moaning about another newbie to the site ?

I think Saltwater is just trying to give his tank the best possible start, why should he be accused of trolling for this?

Sorry i don't know the answer to your questions Saltwater but someone will be along soon to help you out

Dan

 

[saltwater]

E. Nigma, I havent the slightest idea as to what your mind could possibly be thinking. You can read ALL of my posts and not in ANY slight way am I being a troll. Why would I be "testing" other members? Yes, you are certainly the first to notice my "trolling" habits.

All of my questions have been "basic" in my opinion. None of my posts are "knowledgable". I have been reading the pinned articles and have been learning all that I can before I start a reef tank. I just dont want to jump right into this before buying my setup and killing everything.

If asking too many questions is "trolling" then I guess forums are not the place for me.

If you just joined yesterday, then how would you know about the trolling in the Newbie section a few weeks ago? It seems strange that your first post is is about trolling, and mentions previous trolls. I think I smell a troll, and its not me.

 

[steelhealr]

Benefit of the doubt. A 30 gallon tank does not have the footprint or surface area to be a functional DSB. You'd need a larger tank or much deeper sandbed. That is why DSB's are not utilized in nano reefs, which, for all intents and purposes, is the category of your tank. I have seen small nano's plumbed to a 50 gallon sump with a plenum.

If you are curious, there is a hot topic out now regarding RDSB's or remote deep sand beds. There is positive outcomes with nitrate reduction when using a 5 gallon bucket filled to the top with sand. The bucket has to be plumbed to have a constant flow of water over the top. SH

 

[SkiFletch]

Benefit of the doubt. A 30 gallon tank does not have the footprint or surface area to be a functional DSB. You'd need a larger tank or much deeper sandbed. That is why DSB's are not utilized in nano reefs, which, for all intents and purposes, is the category of your tank. I have seen small nano's plumbed to a 50 gallon sump with a plenum.

If you are curious, there is a hot topic out now regarding RDSB's or remote deep sand beds. There is positive outcomes with nitrate reduction when using a 5 gallon bucket filled to the top with sand. The bucket has to be plumbed to have a constant flow of water over the top. SH

Agreed, thats a very small footprint for a dsb or plenum. You might be better off putting macro algae in your sump if your goal is nutrient export. With enough thriving macro algae you can greatly reduce the nitrate load on your tank.

 

[E. Nigma]

As I said if I am wrong then cool, I am not trying to be nasty but I have been on this forum & other for many years and I do find your posts suspisious

SF, this is E.Nigmas 1st post on this forum but it certainly isnt my 1st one

 

[saltwater]

I still dont know why my post concern you. Any specific ones?

Where is that topic about the DSB and the 5 gallon bucket, sounds worth a shot.

So if nano's are considered 30 gallons and under, even if they have a sump which pushes the total water gallonage over 30 gallons it is still considered a nano? I dont understand, as in my instance there would be 60 gallons of water to distribute, not 30. Hmmm im confused.

Do macro algaes require good lighting or will a normal 17 watt flourscent bulb over the 30 gal sump be good enough? And how do you grow macro algae, or do you buy it like you would decorative algae?

 

[steelhealr]

Although a sump increases the total water volume, the living area that you are working with is 30 gallons..that means more difficult aquascaping, much smaller fish, strategy with how you place your corals, compatibility with livestock....yes, it's still a nano reef. BUT....much easier to manage with regards to water quality (obviously). SH

 

[saltwater]

Ohhhh, I get it now. Thank you steelhealr