Hi Michael,
I don't have a lot of time to chat at the moment, as I am in a frenzy of
packing to leave for Europe on Saturday. In the mean time, I have
forwarded your letter to the AGA member's list so that you can get input
from others. If you are an AGA member, and not already a member of the
mailing list, you can join via the AGA web site.
I have no experience with a set up like this, and it wouldn't be my
preference. I also don't have the slightest idea what "Agra-alive" is. I
don't find vacuuming much of a headache, since you need to do water
changes anyway. I just vacuum as I do the water change. The material
that settles into the gravel of a planted tank is just extra "plant food",
so there's no real reason to remove more than what sits on the
surface. If you don't want to vacuum that, it's easy enough to just blow
a couple of powerheads across the substrate surface to keep it in
suspension until the filters pick it up.
>> Question is...what are the fatal flaws with this in my new plans for a
planted discus tank...if any?? Would the short daily intervals of air
bubbles be an issue with roots...the laterite beneath the air
wands...aerobic/anaerobic conditions...the fish...etc??? <<
I have no idea of the affect on the fish, other than knowing that discus
aren't keen on disturbances. I WOULD be concerned about all the other
issues, plus it would certainly play havoc with the "gentle convection
currents" that Dupla cables hope to establish.
Certainly this is far from what is advocated in the Optimum Aquarium, and
not something that has any benefit to the tank. And though it may save
you time vacuuming, it seems to me that the time you spend there will be
used up in extra filter maintenance. If you go forward with this, I'd
think of it much more as an experiment in engineering than something based
on the needs of the plants and fish. I suppose the good thing is that if
worst comes to worst, you just don't turn it on.
Wish I could be more positive about your endeavor, but my feeling has
always been "KISS", particularly for novice aquatic gardeners. When you
can successfully maintain a planted aquarium using tried and true methods,
then is the time that it makes sense to start experimenting. (if you still
want to ;-)
Karen
Karen A. Randall
krandall@rdrcpa.biz
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Milliner
To: krandall@rdrcpa.biz
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2003 2:13 PM
Subject: automatic substrate surface cleaning system
Hello,
My name is Michael Milliner...a newcomer to aquatic gardening!! I've
seen your name connected with the AGA and various articles...am hoping
you might be so kind as to comment on a question I have...or point me in
the right direction.
I've had a 55 gallon community tank (non-planted) for 2 1/2 years and
am ready to "expand my horizons" with a 105 gallon planted Discus tank
(as close to the Dupla "optimum aquarium" model as possible). I'm hoping
to install a substrate surface "flushing system" that's worked well in my
current tank by automatically removing the build-up of surface waste
which otherwise has to be vacuumed (not seemingly desirable in a heavily
planted tank due to the time required, difficulty in doing a good job and
potential plant damage).
I'm planning on using Dupla heating cables in the lower 1 1/2" of
substrate (which is "Agra Alive" mixed with laterite). This first 1 1/2"
would be followed with a series of airwands placed about 2" apart. The
heating cables, substrate/laterite mix and air wands would then be
overlaid with a fiber mesh (for protection from roots and planting
disturbance). This "assembly" would then be covered with another 3" of
Agra Alive.
Once a day portions of the substrate would be flushed in sequence with
air bubbles (on timers) for about 30 minutes. There would be three
intervals of flushing...each covering 1/3 of the bottom surface area.
Therefore, the Discus always have 2/3 of undisturbed tank to congregate
in during the 1 1/2 hour flushing cycle.
Idea is to blow fish waste, food, plant bits, etc. up into the water
daily where it can be easily picked up by the surface skimmers serving
two Fluval 404 canister filters. The Fluvals each have 50 micron
prefilters in separate canisters which are easily cleaned every two days
top minimize break down of wastes and increasing Nitrates. The canister
filters themselves would therefore be used primarily to support large
bacteria colonies.
In my current tank this not only prevents the vacuuming headache but
does an extra-thorough cleaning job every day and keeps things good
looking all the time with no "human input". Question is...what are the
fatal flaws with this in my new plans for a planted discus tank...if
any?? Would the short daily intervals of air bubbles be an issue with
roots...the laterite beneath the air wands...aerobic/anaerobic
conditions...the fish...etc???
I'd really appreciate any guidance you might provide!! Looking forward
to getting things up and running soon...and participating in AGA!!
Thanks!!
Michael Milliner
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