Particulate matter

Heres a quick question......Do all reef tanks have particulate matter to
some degree floating in the water column ?

And a quick answer...............No

It depends upon the level of mechanical filtration as well as the number of
filter feeders that in habit the tank.


John
"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message
...
Heres a quick question......Do all reef tanks have particulate matter to
some degree floating in the water column ?

"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message ...
Heres a quick question......Do all reef tanks have particulate
matter to some degree floating in the water column ?

If you avoid mechanical filtration you will have dusty water.
In return, lack of mechanical filtration will allow animal
gametes to flow in the water freely and become food for others.
Like in the real ocean.
If your higher priority is to have crystal clear water than
you have to include very fine mechanical filters (cloth socks)
but then please do not forget about feeding your tank couple
times a day with fine particulate foods for your filterfeeders.
Foods I have in mind are fitoplankton, zooplankton (liquid foods).

If your higher priority is to have crystal clear water than
you have to include very fine mechanical filters (cloth socks)

I disagree,.. Yes, for a time you will have particulate matter in the water
collum, but after a tank has matured for a year or so, the particulat mater
will be better filtered out naturally by filter feeders.

"Rod" wrote in message ...
If your higher priority is to have crystal clear water than
you have to include very fine mechanical filters (cloth socks)

I disagree,.. Yes, for a time you will have particulate matter in the water
collum, but after a tank has matured for a year or so, the particulat mater
will be better filtered out naturally by filter feeders.

I guess we have different experience...
- I do not have mechanical filters in mine and my water is dusty.
Every time my fish feeds from the bottom sand there is cloud
of dust created which stays in the water column for a long time.
All crabs which sift the sand looking for food create small
fountains of dust going up to the water column... When the big
fish ****s to the water it gets spread all over the tank by pumps.

I do not know how many filter feeder animals you need to keep
in the tank to make the water clear of this kind of dust...
Maybe I need to see your tanks someday to learn how to do it.

I had similar experiences. I kept a piece of filter cloth on the tray of my
sump. Cleaned it every day and intentionally sifted the sand to raise the
fine particles. The water clarity improved greatly after a few days. I then
eliminated the filter cloth and all is good.

John

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"Rod" wrote in message
...
If your higher priority is to have crystal clear water than
you have to include very fine mechanical filters (cloth socks)

I disagree,.. Yes, for a time you will have particulate matter in the
water
collum, but after a tank has matured for a year or so, the particulat
mater
will be better filtered out naturally by filter feeders.

I guess we have different experience...
- I do not have mechanical filters in mine and my water is dusty.
Every time my fish feeds from the bottom sand there is cloud
of dust created which stays in the water column for a long time.
All crabs which sift the sand looking for food create small
fountains of dust going up to the water column... When the big
fish ****s to the water it gets spread all over the tank by pumps.

I do not know how many filter feeder animals you need to keep
in the tank to make the water clear of this kind of dust...
Maybe I need to see your tanks someday to learn how to do it.

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"Rod" wrote in message
...
If your higher priority is to have crystal clear water than
you have to include very fine mechanical filters (cloth socks)

I disagree,.. Yes, for a time you will have particulate matter in the
water
collum, but after a tank has matured for a year or so, the particulat
mater
will be better filtered out naturally by filter feeders.

I guess we have different experience...
- I do not have mechanical filters in mine and my water is dusty.
Every time my fish feeds from the bottom sand there is cloud
of dust created which stays in the water column for a long time.
All crabs which sift the sand looking for food create small
fountains of dust going up to the water column... When the big
fish ****s to the water it gets spread all over the tank by pumps.

I do not know how many filter feeder animals you need to keep
in the tank to make the water clear of this kind of dust...
Maybe I need to see your tanks someday to learn how to do it.

Humm.....

Do you have a overflow box or similar? This should fix the particle that
maybe floating on surface or near it.
From Marc example -
http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html
The combination of weir [overflowbox] and sump design, this should not be
any issue regarding particle on / near / at floating from the surface. Sump
should be holding those excess very very fine particle. In the tank, the
rest of the fine sand should stay put or settle quickly from the
disturbrance. The rest of the fine sand should be cover in slime or similar
to hold it down or atleast give some weight to it.

Tool should be use is OverFlow Box or similar. Any other filteration like
cloth sock ... etc not recommend it.
See pic 5 counting down from top. This fine particle should be flowing to
this area for the final resting place.

Marc, have fine example of taking care of this kind of issue without any
other mechanical filteration.

CapFusion,...

"CapFusion" CapeFussion...@hotmail.., com wrote in message ...
Do you have a overflow box or similar?

I do not have a sump.

All tanks have PM, it is a question as to how much. If one has any doubts, hook up a
submicron filter and watch how fast it plugs up.

--
Boomer

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I don't believe I just said submicron. It should be 10 micron's. It goes like this;

BIG ****. The big particles are between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (from about 25 to 100 times
thinner than a human hair).

SMALL **** . The small particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers (100 times thinner than
a human hair).
--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

Want to See More ?
Please Join Our Growing Membership
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If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Boomer" wrote in message
...
: All tanks have PM, it is a question as to how much. If one has any doubts, hook up a
: submicron filter and watch how fast it plugs up.
:
: --
: Boomer
:
: Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
: http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php
:
: Want to See More ?
: Please Join Our Growing Membership
: www.coralrealm.com
:
: If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
:
: