Bacterial Driven System: A Recipe for Success.

[Superlightman]

have you guy also found that some sps like the carbone dosing system but some same as the ice fire echinata, tenuis, some milli not?

 

[schooncw]

Reviving this excellent thread....Did I read a comment by SunnyX that he would NOT run a UV? I run a biopellet reactor and use FM Bacto Energy and my NO3 remains consistently very high; perhaps my 25 watt UV is the culprit on my LPS dominant 120? Also, carbon dosing does drop alkalinity, no?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Also, carbon dosing does drop alkalinity, no?

You mean organic carbon dosing? The organics reefers typically use do not deplete alk once they are metabolized.

 

[schooncw]

You mean organic carbon dosing? The organics reefers typically use do not deplete alk once they are metabolized.

Thank you. How about UV usage? Do you think that would have undue negative effects?

 

[jeyaraj]

Thank you. How about UV usage? Do you think that would have undue negative effects?

I'm not an expert by any means.. but isn't this a "bacteria driven system?" I would think that the UV would kill / knock down numbers of bacteria in the water column. What's the plan with UV?

 

[Troylee]

Thank you. How about UV usage? Do you think that would have undue negative effects?

It has pros and cons… I know Sunny doesn’t run one but never seen him against them.. I know battle corals runs them on his system full of acros so there’s that! You can be successful either way.

 

[Rocks reef]

Just like most things in this hobby. A UV is simply a tool that one can utilize. Is it needed? No....

 

[schooncw]

I'm not an expert by any means.. but isn't this a "bacteria driven system?" I would think that the UV would kill / knock down numbers of bacteria in the water column. What's the plan with UV?

Of course the UV will kill "some" bacteria but how badly-if at all-will it set back carbon dosing's benefits? I run a UV 24/7.

 

[Rocks reef]

Most of the beneficial bacteria isn't in the water column anyways. It's on the rocks, glass, sand, equipement in tank, inside lines and returns, etc... Very little gets killed off with a UV. If it killed off a great deal, then people would be dosing a bacterial source and UV wouldn't be as popular as it is.

 

[Hans-Werner]

Of course the UV will kill "some" bacteria but how badly-if at all-will it set back carbon dosing's benefits? I run a UV 24/7.

UV usually doesn't affect organic carbon dosing. Organic carbon dosing mainly feeds the biofilms and bacteria growing on substrates. In the water there is not much bacterial activity anyways.

If organic carbon dosing mainly feeds the attached bacteria, how can it be effective? The growing bacteria take up nutrients also if (or just because) they aren't removed immediately. Protists and animals may feed on the bacteria and growing biofilms may detach and get skimmed. So, no free floating bacteria needed for organic carbon dosing.

 

[schooncw]

Most of the beneficial bacteria isn't in the water column anyways. It's on the rocks, glass, sand, equipement in tank, inside lines and returns, etc... Very little gets killed off with a UV. If it killed off a great deal, then people would be dosing a bacterial source and UV wouldn't be as popular as it is.

That is my clear understanding with beneficial bacteria but think the situation with the bacteria that is stimulated by carbon dosing "may" be a tad different.

 

[Rocks reef]

That is my clear understanding with beneficial bacteria but think the situation with the bacteria that is stimulated by carbon dosing "may" be a tad different.

Interesting theory. I do know that some people have utilized UV to help with bacterial blooms.

 

[schooncw]

Interesting theory. I do know that some people have utilized UV to help with bacterial blooms.

UV usage has been a constant for me for decades. My LPS dominant 120 is 30+ years old and heavily rocked. PO is a constant 1.0-bound in the rock-and NO3 varies between 40-75, in my overfed and overstocked tank. I run a biopellet reactor and heavily dose FM Bacto Energy and it dawned on me.....Is my UV negating my carbon dosing? BTW, my corals do very well at the elevated nutrient levels, I do not "chase" numbers but would still like to bring nutrients down.

 

[Rocks reef]

UV usage has been a constant for me for decades. My LPS dominant 120 is 30+ years old and heavily rocked. PO is a constant 1.0-bound in the rock-and NO3 varies between 40-75, in my overfed and overstocked tank. I run a biopellet reactor and heavily dose FM Bacto Energy and it dawned on me.....Is my UV negating my carbon dosing? BTW, my corals do very well at the elevated nutrient levels, I do not "chase" numbers but would still like to bring nutrients down.

You can do a test and see. Turn off the UV for a month and monitor your NO3. Though, I doubt it is your UV.

 

[schooncw]

You can do a test and see. Turn off the UV for a month and monitor your NO3. Though, I doubt it is your UV.

I doubt it also. Turned off UV yesterday. A question: Think there is much diff between products...TM, nopox, brightwell, etc.? I will only use a prepared formula, not vinegar, vodka, etc.

 

[jhadaway]

Full disclosure, I had the red slime described in the beginning of this thread and haven't tried carbon dosing again. It's a great write up and an even better discussion. I read it all BUT-
I do feel the need to say some users on this thread just wear me out. There will always be someone who knows more about and/or has done much more in the hobby than me. I'd be the first to tell you that and I'm OK with it. Randy is a perfect example of this. He has helped me countless times and seems to know a lot about what would make my head explode. I always read his threads and there are a few more users I follow as well. I appreciate people like this.
When someone takes the time to share their experiences and what has worked for them, I am grateful for it. I take it all in as something to consider, not cannon. There always seems to be a turd that jumps in and has to start poking the bear. Let it go man, seriously. You're just ruining the experience for everyone else and we are all just skipping over you anyway. Loosen up and enjoy the hobby or just go away.
Sorry, I feel better. Again, thanks for the great write up and all of the useful opinions thereafter.

JOe

 

[Superlightman]

Full disclosure, I had the red slime described in the beginning of this thread and haven't tried carbon dosing again. It's a great write up and an even better discussion. I read it all BUT-
I do feel the need to say some users on this thread just wear me out. There will always be someone who knows more about and/or has done much more in the hobby than me. I'd be the first to tell you that and I'm OK with it. Randy is a perfect example of this. He has helped me countless times and seems to know a lot about what would make my head explode. I always read his threads and there are a few more users I follow as well. I appreciate people like this.
When someone takes the time to share their experiences and what has worked for them, I am grateful for it. I take it all in as something to consider, not cannon. There always seems to be a turd that jumps in and has to start poking the bear. Let it go man, seriously. You're just ruining the experience for everyone else and we are all just skipping over you anyway. Loosen up and enjoy the hobby or just go away.
Sorry, I feel better. Again, thanks for the great write up and all of the useful opinions thereafter.

JOe

have you picture of this red slime , is this red slime cynao?

 

[Superlightman]

I doubt it also. Turned off UV yesterday. A question: Think there is much diff between products...TM, nopox, brightwell, etc.? I will only use a prepared formula, not vinegar, vodka, etc.

how was your test wihout?