Re: NANFA-- anyone ever toyed with this idea?

Stott Noble (stottn_at_ncgconsulting.com)
Mon, 19 Jan 2004 09:29:42 -0600

I'll chime in on the planted tank side. My big tank (110) is heavily planted
and I fertilize w/ PMDD daily and add CO2 through a DIY yeast reactor and
use compact flouresents. Gorgeous plants, crystal clear water, and NO algae.
I don't measure nitrates but I'm sure they're negligible. The sunfish (sole
occupants) sure seem to thrive (but they were so cute when they were
little!)

-Stott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Wallace" <bwallace_at_mitra.com>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 9:14 AM
Subject: RE: NANFA-- anyone ever toyed with this idea?

> If you pick up a copy of FAMA magazine, there is a column on sand beds and
it
> seems pretty clear that at least some people are using them for
freshwater. I
> would email the author of that column if you want to continue considering
it.
> However, IMHO, I would setup a tank with plants rather than a sand bed
system.
> In a tank with far too many fish (albeit small ones), and plants, with
water
> going in at 10 ppm nitrates, the water tested at the end of the week has
> undetectable nitrates. That is with 2.5 watts/gallon, and no CO2, but
with
> weekly fertilizer for the plants. Without the fertilizer, the nitrates
are
> essentially unchanged throughout the week.
>
> Bill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: matt ashton
> Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 9:59 AM
> To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
> Subject: NANFA-- anyone ever toyed with this idea?
>
>
> I just got a 55 from a neighbor looking to get some basement space back. I
am
> looking to do a native tank along the lines of what Todd does with his set
up.
> I have been debating filter options, mostly along the lines of cost, and
some
> other things to tweak. I was curious to know if anyone has ever though of
> setting up such a sand bed in the style of a plenum system. You do not
hear
> much about that mentioned in freshwater applications. Wouldnt that aide in
> creating that anerobic zone for bacteria and be simple as an UG filter
plate
> with some pea gravel over top to minimize sand getting sucked under the
plate.
> I just cant justify the cost of an Ehiem when you could attempting the
same
> thing within your tank and then aide the filtration in other ways.
> -
> /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
> / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
> / Association"
> / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes
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> / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page,
http://www.nanfa.org

--
> /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
> / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
> / Association"
> / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes
Association
> / nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
> / subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
> / nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
> / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
> / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page,
http://www.nanfa.org
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org