Keeping it as natural as possible.

[atoll]

We may have differences in what we would all call "natural" IMO and it is only IMO simply providing a platform, light, water containing the byproducts of my feeding as in my ATS's is as natural as I can reasonably make it within the confines of my sump. I would also consider any other forum of algae Caulerpa, Cheato etc in a sump as being as natural as possible. Adding substances to encourage bacteria to grow to me is bordering on "unnatural" . I understand others have a different take on what is "natural" or "unnatural". I need to add nothing other than that stated. no reactor pellets or other foods to feed bacteria other than the byproducts of nitrification and fish waste. Another advantage is I don't have to balance between say nitrate and phosphates to feed the ATS the end product of which I simply remove that being GHA which occurs naturally both in the ocean and my ATS.

 

[atoll]

Lol in the old days we had a algae scrubber it was the back glass

Many still do and on also on their rocks etc.

 

[blusop]

I also believe in a natural system aside from synthetic seawater. ..i only use a refugium...lit 24/7 by a 3,000 k LED Floodlight...i flip my Chaeto every other day or so and cut it every 7-10 days....it works so well i have 30 fish in a 130 gallon tank...mixed reef.

 

[atoll]

Am I allowed to put a link up to an interesting discussion on algae filtration? If not admin sorry please remove.
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/sho...isance-algae-in-your-aquarium-or-pond&p=38882

 

[CodyRVA]

I also believe in a natural system aside from synthetic seawater...

That's a good point... @atoll are you using natural sunlight and sea water? :p

 

[atoll]

That's a good point... @atoll are you using natural sunlight and sea water? :p

If you read what I wrote then of course there are limits to what I can provide as in "reasonably possible".Quote "as natural as I can reasonably make it within the confines of my sump" I live far from the sea and I can't put my tank outdoors. However I know people who are lucky enough to provide both. BTW corals and fish living in a glass box is not natural either if you wish to be pedantic ;)

 

[CodyRVA]

BTW corals and fish living in a glass box is not natural either

My thoughts exactly, which makes the entire argument, within reason, a bit superfluous o_O

 

[atoll]

My thoughts exactly, which makes the entire argument, within reason, a bit superfluous o_O

Which is an opinion you are entitled to of course not that I have to agree with you. Those who use IMO more "unnatural" methods will defend them. Those who use the likes of ATS's will defend their methods. However having used most of the "other methods" of nitrate and phosphate etc control with success I may add, I know which I much prefer. That is my experience and my opinion.
Many people poo poo one or the other methods without any experience of them however. This is not an "argument" but a debate on what people consider natural or unnatural added to that their beliefs and experiences. I will go even further than suggest the "entire argument" (your words not mine as being) as been interesting, informative and even a bit of fun along the way. :)

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I have thought about adding an ATS are you familiar with the A-4 from 302 Aquatics which can be installed separate like behind the wall where the tank is? I know there are a lot of diy ats out there but I am not that inclined to build my own. Just to add natural lighting can be done with sunlight tubes through the roof but you will need to supplement for night viewing. The material pellets are made of are grown by bacteria and then in the tank they are consumed by bacteria and some is consumed by coral and some is skimmed out. This is as natural as many things in a reef tank closed Eco system. An algae scrubber has benefits besides nutrient exports such as ph stabilizing and pod growth also you can feed some of the algae to your tangs. I really see no reason one can not implement as many processes as they want. If one wanted to they can make their system simple even no skimmer or as complex as automatic water changes and controller. There is nothing natural about filling a display tank with a dense population of fish and coral. There are many things done today that have allowed people to keep corals and fish that were almost impossible 20 years ago. I am glad people in this hobby tried and still try many different ways of keeping their tanks by using unnatural ways to have natural processes take place.

 

[atoll]

I have thought about adding an ATS are you familiar with the A-4 from 302 Aquatics which can be installed separate like behind the wall where the tank is? I know there are a lot of diy ats out there but I am not that inclined to build my own. Just to add natural lighting can be done with sunlight tubes through the roof but you will need to supplement for night viewing. The material pellets are made of are grown by bacteria and then in the tank they are consumed by bacteria and some is consumed by coral and some is skimmed out. This is as natural as many things in a reef tank closed Eco system. An algae scrubber has benefits besides nutrient exports such as ph stabilizing and pod growth also you can feed some of the algae to your tangs. I really see no reason one can not implement as many processes as they want. If one wanted to they can make their system simple even no skimmer or as complex as automatic water changes and controller. There is nothing natural about filling a display tank with a dense population of fish and coral. There are many things done today that have allowed people to keep corals and fish that were almost impossible 20 years ago. I am glad people in this hobby tried and still try many different ways of keeping their tanks by using unnatural ways to have natural processes take place.

My understanding is if you use pellets you use a skimmer and indeed I did so directing the outlet of my pellet reactor directly into the intake of my skimmer. I still use a skimmer with my ATS and have just completed make my new A4 ATS which will go on my new 100gallon reef tank.
here is a pic of my completed A4 ATS minus one LED light.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Your tanks got some amazing growth

 

[atoll]

Your tanks got some amazing growth

Thanks, Yes my SPS are growing at a phenomenal rate. Tomorrow I am stripping the tank down and all stock is being transferred to a 4'6" tank as my corals have outgrown this one. I have built a larger A4 scrubber to go on the new tank based on the same design as the 0ne currently employed on this tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Am adding nothing but a platform for whatever decides to colonise it. That is what I mean by "natural"

Me too. I add the most common organic molecule in natural ocean sediment pore water (acetate from vinegar), and let whatever is naturally there eat it :D

 

[atoll]

Me too. I add the most common organic molecule in natural ocean sediment pore water (acetate from vinegar), and let whatever is naturally there eat it :D

I go a different route and add...NOTHING!... apart from fish and coral foods of course while you add "organic molecules" fine no problem at all with that. You just add organics in a possibly different way then. I can't find "natural ocean sediment" around here I have to rely on that which occurs naturally within my aquarium. :D

PS I wasn't aware acetate from vinegar was found in the oceans.

 

[fab]

...everything in my tank has looked good since seawater was invented, probably by Al Gore or Brian Williams. :rolleyes:

I thought Al Gore just invented the internet! He invented seawater, too? ...Wow...

 

[Paul B]

I thought Al Gore just invented the internet! He invented seawater, too? ...Wow...

Yes he did, with some help from Brian Williams. :rolleyes: