Re: NANFA-- anyone ever toyed with this idea? -Gleanings..

Stan Perkins (stanperkins_at_academicplanet.com)
Mon, 19 Jan 2004 19:36:24 -0600

Todd,
Sand plenum was set-up following the basic outlines of a marine sand filter.
It was an experimental tank set-up with all parameters monitored. The plenum
was 1-1/2" thick covered with a fine mesh nylon material to prevent sand
infiltration. Two inches of 2-3 mm silica sand was added to a depth of 2
inches and a second layer of nylon was added over the top of that. Larger
gravel was placed over this (a mixture of a brand name plant gravel mix and
blasting sand) to a depth of 2 inches. (Tank size: tall thirty gallon cube.)
Lighting 5 watts per gallon. pH 7.0, hardness 40 dh. Water was R.O water
mixed with established aquarium water.Filtration was one large sponge
filter. Gravel was from an established aquarium. Plants were 20 val's, 6
water sprite,
and one driftwood piece with java fern. Fish species were limited to 6
oto's, 2 pair Sphaerichthys osphromenoides, and 6 Pseudomugil furcatus. Fish
were added slowly over a period of two weeks.

This project was monitored for one year. I saw nothing exceptional about
this system that seperated it from the control tank established at the same
time minus the plenum.

The refugium concept has been discussed in FAMA. It is commercially
available complete with mud for both fresh and salt water. I have not
started my test of this concept but have uses other similar filters using
plants as a means or removing excess waste materials all with some success.
These systems would be better suited to greenhouse or outdoor setups as
oppose to indoor tanks.

Ask the French about Caulerpa and the Monaco Oceanographic Institute!

Stan Perkins
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