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Re: [AGA Member] Re: automatic substrate surface cleaning system
I can't see what the blowers are going to accomplish except
maybe, in theory, keep the substrate from turning foul
after a long time. But that's also what the substrate
cables are supposed to do -- at least if you can run them
everyday, even in summer.
I would expect biofilm to develop on the air wands (as it
does on everything left in a vital aquatic environment),
eventually resulting in rather large bubbles rather than a
fine "mist" from the wands and that would really stir up
the substrate. I'm guessing at this; I've never seen this
kind of set up. What was the inspiration?
Scott H.
--- Karen Randall <krandall@rdrcpa.biz> wrote:
> 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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