New Plant Filter

[dan2x38]

heck out this link to my New Plant Filter using house plants instead of aquatic plants.

A plant filter uses up nitrogen by-products NH3/NH4, NO2, & NO3. The plants use up the the nitrogen compounds created in the aquarium controling the levels. Excess NH4, excess NO3, & PO4 are used up as well preventing algae build ups. The original plant filter I was using was utilizing submerged aquatic plants. Water pumped into the bottom from the main tank then from an over flow it passed back into the tank. The tank was always algae free. It was on reverse lighting using a timer this allowed the system to always be creating O2 using up CO2 from my DIY generator.

After a year I had it tweaked and figured out how to tune the system using valves to control water flow & CO2. The water takes 2 pathes. One is to the the plant filter the other is through an in line CO2 diffuser. The return from the plant filter and the output from the diffuser connect then lead into a spray bar inside the tank. This totally dissolves my CO2 into the tank water.

The new plant filter uses terrestrail plants. I use the principles of hydroponics using nitrogen compounds as nutrient sources from the tank water. I fill a contrainer with 50% aquarium gravel & 50% vermiculite. Water pumps over the media drips into the lower container then leads back to the tank. I'm using fast growing low light house plants. I can change the plants any time I want even add flowering plants if I want. Only problem - I lost my night light... 

Like to hear your opinions? 

[Dr. Ashtray]

Now, that is a nifty idea.  I was thinking about putting a vine into the tank but dipping the tank through the potted plant is ingenious!!  I am going to have to set something up just like that for the fun of the game!!

Jeffrey...

[charlie]

Dan if this is the tank you are adding fertilizers via the EI system , then i think you are contradicting the principals of what you are trying to do with EI.

[fischkopp]

It simply sounds like an increase of biomass in the flora of your little aquatic biotope. This will, as you said, increase the nutrients uptake from the water column. Planting the aquarium itself more densely would have the same effect. Hence I am not sure to call it a filter, the only filtration (nitrification cycle) you will have takes place in the gravel. Not sure whether this is sufficient.

Another problem may occur if this is an high tech tank having high light, CO2 and so on. In this case nutrients are limited anyway and a plant filter will add further competition in your system. In the end this means that you will actually have to increase fertilization (this is I guess what charlie means with contradicting EI).

On the other hand the plant filter seems to be a good idea for low light tanks as it can help here to keep the nitrate low. Nevertheless, I would not use this idea without an extra bio filter, as these little bacterias are far more effective and essential.

[charlie]

I am assuming that the tank with the "plant filter" is the one with co2 & ferts added to it using the EI method, if it`s not then my suggestion is not warrented, below is a explainantion of the EI system by Greg Watson from barrreport.com.

EI light: for those less techy folks - 09-14-2006, 02:47 PM

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Overview
The Estimative Index (EI) is a straightforward method for providing nutrients for a planted tank. The idea behind EI is simply introducing an excess amount of nutrients within an aquarium, throughout the week. This excess of nutrients floods the water column and feeds the plants. This is an estimative method; measuring specific nutrient uptake rates is not necessary and no test kits are involved. EI provides a surplus of nutrients that helps to prevents plant deficiencies, and allows plant growth unhendered. Most algae releated issues are due to plant deficiencies rather than excess nutrient levels(Ammonium/NH4 + is the exception).
Basically you add a slight excess of nutrients to prevent anything from running out, then do a large water change at the end of the week to prevent anything from building up. This allows you to maintain a range of nutrients without ever using a test kit.

This is why i`m thinking one works against the other ( "PLANT FILTER"vs EI)
Regards

[dan2x38]

Until the BBA & hair algae are under control I am not using the EI dosing. I will be again though when my plants regrow I lost a lot of leaves & had to prune a lot. I've also upgraded some lighting I have another 25 watts brings me up to 4w/gal. from 3. Now starting to get more pearling as well.

The plant filter's media is a bio-filter too plus it works as a wet dry filter feeding nitrifying bacteria and increasing O2. When my plants were the bushest & thickest it was using the plant filter with submered plants also there was no algae. I wanted more colourful excotic plants hence EI dosing or PMDD methods. With added nutrients I think I can get the additional plant growth I want, control alage, and reduce maintanence plus have nice house plants displayed.

Here are a just few articles I used as research:

http://members.tripod.com/~Tropic_Cove/aquariums/plantfilter.html
http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Articles/Plant_Filters_For_Home_Aquaria.html
http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/plant.html

[jrs]

I have written an article for KWAS about algae.  It has not been published in their newsletter yet so I wont put the entire text here.  Here is the concluding paragraph though.

In conclusion, never forget that algae, from an evolutionary standpoint, have been around on this earth for perhaps as long as 3-4 billion years.  They have "watched" the entire history of life unfold in front of them.  They have adapted and radiated into almost all ecological niches.  There is a reason why they are so successful; they are "biologically smart".  Recognize and even appreciate the fact that they are "biologically smarter" than all of us!  If you can accept that than it makes it much easier to deal with the fact that you will always have some algae in your tanks.

Not music to the ears but I am slowly coming to this conclusion.

[charlie]

Thanks for posting the links Dan , after having a quick read through, i`m kinda thinking  , i get the same result by planting the tank itself, the plants use all the excess nutrients available naturally ( fish waste etc.) & if i have high lights driving the plants to require more nutrients than the tank environment can provide , i then supplement that by adding nutrients including carbon.

I`m of the opinion the plant filter( after quickly reading the articles in the links) is a great tool for tanks that prohibits you from having live plants in them & have a high level of nutrients generated.
Regards

[kennyman]

I think it would be good for a system where few or no plants can be grown in the main display. As a FW refuge for plants in a tank showcasing plant eathing fish. But as mentioned by a few others I cant see how it can be a benefit a planted main display. I have to add nutrients to keep up to demand in my planted system that only had 1.5 wpg of lighting!

What you are moving toward with this type of system is ecosystem modeling. This is where multiple sections of a larger ecosystem are represented by inter connected aquaria. It IS pretty cool and there are some very comprehensive books on the subject. The one I have read is "Dynamic Aquaria: Adey/Lovland" I think you would really enjoy it Dan 

[babblefish1960]

Here is an interesting commentary on that book kennyman recommends, the author suggests that some faults with the theories purported within are suspect in the scientific community, however, all pioneers have their detractors and the aquarium world is not exempt.  Happy reading.

http://www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com/Articles/Dynamic_Aquaria.html

[jetstream]

Just for reference, even after you put back the tank's water in good balance condition. All the old BBA, hair algae... won't be disappeared by itself. You need to remove them by some means, either by fish or manually. You can use the old algae as an indicator. The old algae will tell you're winning the battle or not. No algae, you'll have too much time and missed all the fun and challenge! 

[dan2x38]

Thanks for the link of the review for, 'Dynamic Aquaria: Adey/Lovland'. It pertains to reef tanks. Oddly enough when I started researching this FW idea it was influenced by SW refuges.

I recognize that in part it defeats supplementing nutrients for my planted tank. It does give me more tank filtering without a doubt, better control over my supplementing, and an attractive green approach to fish health. This all started as a test project more than a year ago.

I do not think it is a new concept. But it is not over documented. It is a work in progress for sure. See any tweaks, other concepts, benefits, or draw backs? Very much enjoy & invite you experienced guys input!

[kennyman]

Are you using an overflow to return to the main now?

[dan2x38]

Are you using an overflow to return to the main now?

Not in the common sense... it is a drain on the side with a drain screen...

[kennyman]

still its got to be easier to deal with now. You had the two pump thing going before didint you?

I bet your going to have some really nice houseplants with that fish water constantly flowing through them.

I know in my crazier moments I researched an indoor catfish aquaculture system and schemed up a way to divert the water into a hydroponic veggie garden. But I never did anything about it. Your wife must have great deal of patients to allow you to indulge in your hobby 

[dan2x38]

Kennyman she is a sweetheart and accepts me not sure why... I'm from N.B. & she's from NFLD maybe that has something to do with it... No I only ever had 1 pump... I am going to add a small PH in the resevor for the return water in the plant filter so it does not become stagent. The plants are already showing deeper green colours amazing...