70 gallon dirt goldfish tank

[Lutra]

Originally Posted by Gold Finger

Sponge: $18
Bucket: $5
Powerhead: $30

... Never doing another water change: Priceless

[Gold Finger]

hah!

[xjasminex]

Love it!

[Gold Finger]

PLANT UPDATE:

Vallisnaria may be off my list for high nutrient using plants. (though I'll keep the minis for looks) It seem that it may not compete with stem plants in nitrogen uptake from the water column (particularly nitrate). Being a rosette, it will rely less on the water column, more on the substrate. I'd like some Hydrilla, but don't know if it's available. It's very invasive in the US. Very competent stem plant. Often chokes out Vallisnaria in the wild!

[Gold Finger]

A kind member recently edified me as to plants ability to uptake nitrogen over and above the plant's immediate need and stockpile it. Hydrilla forms tubers and could therefore pack more nitrogen away than elodea, egeria, or water sprite. I guess.

[Gold Finger]

OOps. I missed this one. It's the full tank from a while ago. Picture it without the lilys and covered in a glorious coat of algae.

[defiesexistence]

Originally Posted by Gold Finger

Plant roots have a symbiotic relationship with both the nitrifying and denitrifying bacs which they foster on and around their "rhizoplane". They could not consume much of anything without root bacs. When I say the plants convert nitrite or nitrate backwards I mean with bacterial help, like when people digest stuff... our digestion wouldn't work without bacteria and fungi which we foster in our gut and which do some of the chemical work for us/with us.

I'll try to get a good shot of my "sump", or I'll just post a pic of a Hydro Sponge. That's all it is. (best thing ever). It amounts to a matten filter because it has a very large area of foam rubber with pore structure superior to (arguably) poret foam. It has amazing colony area, and once it gets a bit dirty and sticky it polishes the water micron style. Just squeeze it out once in a while. Never clogs. Holds a TON of filth.

So, do you think the bacs keeping the plants hungry of macros would invite algae or other problems? How do people do this? Balance bacs and plants I mean.

I think that because plants and bacs do have a symbiotic relationship, that starving the plants using the bacs is not going to work in the first place. I think it balances out by itself, also known as 'maturing'.

Thank you for the picture and details of the sump!

[Gold Finger]

Right. No need to over think it. Lots of plants and bac area, and let them sort themselves out. Cheers.

As for my filter, it is as low maint. as I can come up with. I wish there were a no maintenance filter which separated the particles for you, like a protein skimmer does but for all particles. Do you think one could ionize the particles and attract them to a receiver plate. Ion filters work well with air don't they?

[Gold Finger]

I added a small circulation pump to my tank because I learned of the Brandtl effect. I thought my movement was low but fancy goldfish don't like much current. I also figured out the real effect of (water through filter) turnover rates, and realize that I could have less matter settle out in my tank and get away with less vacs if I raise my turnover rate. I will.

[Gold Finger]

Have my main "filtering" stem plant choices down to E. Densa, or better yet HYDRILLA! (If I can find it) It is banned in every state but I am in Canada. One government report calls it "The Perfect Weed".

[Lutra]

Originally Posted by Gold Finger

I wish there were a no maintenance filter which separated the particles for you, like a protein skimmer does but for all particles. Do you think one could ionize the particles and attract them to a receiver plate.

That is an ingenious idea and I would like to see you set up a prototype.

[Gold Finger]

It is probably beyond me. Anyway, it's just a thought. That Dyson guy will probably do it.

[Gold Finger]

Added some cabomba. It was the only fast growing low light stem I could find. I should probably try them all and see what works best. I don't think I will find Hydrilla through retailers. Maybe university botany labs??

The lighter green plant on the right is an unidentified stem i pulled out of a ditch. I thought it was mare's Tail at first. It ain't. I think I planted about 16 days ago. The plant was just a piece of root with no leaves which I buried. It's around 6" tall now.

[Gold Finger]

My tank is a mess. Having only overflow filtration leaves most of the debris in the water. I need a siphon filter for that and to double my turnover.

[Gold Finger]

I currently feed my fish on Omega One and HBH Algae Grazers and a little broccoli once in a while. Omega One is fish protein based and is good as half of their diet. It would be a poor total diet. The Grazers are an awesome Spirulina food with alfalfa, peas, carrots and spinach.