new super fuge construction begun

[Liam]

Here is the beginnings of my new fuge.It is 6 feet high and has its own 6 foot light and reflector.I plan to tee off my return and have the flow through similar to a phosban reactor in that the flow will be from bottom to top.The unit will be filled with chaeto.The idea is as with any media it becomes more effective when the water to be filtered is channeled through the media,in this case chaeto.
What do you think?

 

[Mini4x]

WOW..

Thats alllllota cheeeto..

What is (was) that thing??

 

[Reef55]

that's a new one

What is the flow rate going to be? How are you going to empty out the growth of chaeto? Will there be a way to clean the detritus build up at the bottom?

Very ambitious... I love it

 

[NateHanson]

Cool. Probably not much bigger than many normal fuges, but I'll bet it will increase the effectiveness for that volume. What is it, about 20 gallons?

I'd second Mark's question about detritus buildup. My chaeto always trapped a lot of junk.

 

[Liam]

the pipe that carries the water down to the bottom will have a plate attached to the bottom that is the inside diameter of the pipe.The center pipe will be joined by couplings so when the thing needs cleaning the plate can be lifted thus lifting out the accumulation on the bottom.
I may try a higher flow rate to keep the detritus in suspension and thus carry it out of the reactor,could always throw in a few snails too.The chaeto will be harvested at the top in the same manner(the plate can be pulled up if i cant reach the chaeto)There will be a keyhole cut flange at the top.

 

[Liam]

Cool. Probably not much bigger than many normal fuges, but I'll bet it will increase the effectiveness for that volume. What is it, about 20 gallons?

I'd second Mark's question about detritus buildup. My chaeto always trapped a lot of junk.

only 9 gallons,flow will be around 800 gph

 

[Armando]

you might need 6' arms to scrape the coraline so it doesn't block the light

 

[Liam]

you might need 6' arms to scrape the coraline so it doesn't block the light

maybe i will keep a couple of urchins in there too

 

[sw300galma]

Might want to slow the water down to 100gph ish or slower......

Dwell time is important...

I have my 65 Gal over tank fuge at 150gph...it's enough to get new water 2x a hr, but slow enough for the plants to absorb the nutrients and exchange Co2 and o2

 

[Liam]

the 800 gph will in effect be considerably less once in the fuge due to the 6 inch diameter.

 

[cyannotater]

Cool, albeit crazy, idea. As for the flow, 800gph will remain 800gph no matter what the diameter of the pipe is. The linear flow rate will decrease though as the diameter of the pipe gets bigger. So a wider pipe will increase the "dwell time". While my guess is that a slower linear flow rate will work best, I'm not sure that increased dwell time would really affect the nutrient absorption or gas exchange. If anything increased dwell time might decrease these processes as the water in contact with the chaeto could be depleted of nutrients and CO2 faster than "new" water is replacing it. The net result of the chaeto absorbing nutrients and exchanging CO2/O2 is spread out over the entire volume of water in the system, not just the water in the fuge.

 

[RichConley]

I agree with guy above. Slow flow is not really what you want for chaeto.

You're out of control Liam. I just worry about corraline in this sort of setup.

 

[Liam]

I agree with guy above. Slow flow is not really what you want for chaeto.

You're out of control Liam. I just worry about corraline in this sort of setup.

i hear ya on the corraline,time will tell and if all else fails i see a nice calcium reactor or two's worth of acrylic

 

[Liam]

as regards flow i think i was told that chaeto works best with slow flow through but high movement,ie i might add a powerhead or two to the chamber

 

[marco67]

Might want to pick Joe's brain today, I think they are running/testing one down at Atlantis ...No?.....

 

[Liam]

Might want to pick Joe's brain today, I think they are running/testing one down at Atlantis ...No?.....

yes they are Marc,that was were i first saw the idea,last year at nerac on the atlantis behind the scenes tour

 

[marco67]

I thought so ...I bet he has some flow tests to share.
Cool stuff....and an awesome project

 

[ReeferMedic]

You my friend have gone mad!

 

[Chris L]

any progress?

 

[steevareno]

You my friend have gone mad!

definitly cabin fever setting in! That's what winter in NE can do to ya. That'll be awesome if it works.........Best of luck!