reverse photosynthesis device???

2455coop · 02-02-2007, 10:02 PM

I have had a total misunderstanding of the word REFUGIUM for quite a while now. After much reading I now understand the word and my tank.

A refugium is an extension of the main show tank. It is derived from the word refuge. A place where docile fish and inverts have a place to be without fear of being attacked or eaten. It may also have delicate corals as well. Also a refugium should be seen. A refugium should have the same water and filteration system as your main tank. It is also another place to showcase your talents.

What I have in my tank, however, is a wet/dry that I have converted into a reverse photosynthesis device. i have an overflow that flows over a prefilter and then down to my sump/reverse photosynthesis device. Now I know that is one huge word. But let me explain. This device is a wet/dry box that i split into two equal parts with a baffle in the middle. Where the water drains is about 12" deep. I have a DSB of about 2" to 3" and it is full of grape caulerpa (C. Racemosa) and a few snails. The left side is my sump.

The whole purpose of this device is to be a true biological filteration system. This biologcal filter is beneath my tank, hidden away from everybody. I have dual daylight pc lights (36 watts or 4.8 watts per/g) on it for 12 hours a day opposite from the main display. The disolved waste from the main tank feeds the macro algae in the filter. The waste is liquid fertiler and I have to thin my caulerpa every 4 to 5 weeks.

At first I didn't understand this process. I have since learned that by having a true biological filter that all my water parameters have stabilized. This filter seems to help remove all sorts of imputities as well as increase the dissolved oxygen in my tank.

I didn't come up with the name reverse photosynthesis device but it fits my device perfectly.

Dentoid · 02-02-2007, 10:04 PM

Is that like an algal turf scrubber?

reefjitsu · 02-02-2007, 10:16 PM

I am not understanding the name. Where does the reverse come from? It is because the lighting is on opposite the tank lighting?

EmergencyDpt · 02-03-2007, 12:08 AM

I think it's something to do with cold fusion.

2455coop · 02-03-2007, 12:11 AM

While photosynthesis is occuring the caulerpa is absorbing carbon dioxide from the main tank and oygenating the return water.

Since this process is occuring opposite of the main tank it happens at night. Reverse of the show tank.

Thus the name....reverse photosynthesis device

sebastian · 02-03-2007, 12:43 AM

i have the same filtration ... works perfect... build from 30 gal tank....all readings are 0!
sebastian
125 gal
30 gal sump

Dentoid · 02-03-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2455coop

While photosynthesis is occuring the caulerpa is absorbing carbon dioxide from the main tank and oygenating the return water.

Since this process is occuring opposite of the main tank it happens at night. Reverse of the show tank.

Thus the name....reverse photosynthesis device

Cool! Does this have anything to do with nitrate removal?

reefjitsu · 02-03-2007, 01:14 AM

Yes, the caulerpa removes nitrates as it grows. When you trim the caulerpa, you essentially remove nitrates from the system. This is a reverse light cycle refugium, a very common practice. It has just been given a spiffy new name. I have done it before, but I came to prefer a 24/7 light cycle for my fuge.

dennyamy · 10-13-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2455coop

I have had a total misunderstanding of the word REFUGIUM for quite a while now. After much reading I now understand the word and my tank.

A refugium is an extension of the main show tank. It is derived from the word refuge. A place where docile fish and inverts have a place to be without fear of being attacked or eaten. It may also have delicate corals as well. Also a refugium should be seen. A refugium should have the same water and filteration system as your main tank. It is also another place to showcase your talents.

What I have in my tank, however, is a wet/dry that I have converted into a reverse photosynthesis device. i have an overflow that flows over a prefilter and then down to my sump/reverse photosynthesis device. Now I know that is one huge word. But let me explain. This device is a wet/dry box that i split into two equal parts with a baffle in the middle. Where the water drains is about 12" deep. I have a DSB of about 2" to 3" and it is full of grape caulerpa (C. Racemosa) and a few snails. The left side is my sump.

The whole purpose of this device is to be a true biological filteration system. This biologcal filter is beneath my tank, hidden away from everybody. I have dual daylight pc lights (36 watts or 4.8 watts per/g) on it for 12 hours a day opposite from the main display. The disolved waste from the main tank feeds the macro algae in the filter. The waste is liquid fertiler and I have to thin my caulerpa every 4 to 5 weeks.

At first I didn't understand this process. I have since learned that by having a true biological filter that all my water parameters have stabilized. This filter seems to help remove all sorts of imputities as well as increase the dissolved oxygen in my tank.

I didn't come up with the name reverse photosynthesis device but it fits my device perfectly.

BEELZEBOB · 10-13-2008, 01:53 PM

thats a reverse light cycle, not reverse photosynthesis....

dennyamy · 10-13-2008, 01:54 PM

I just built a system very similiar to what you have described. I was thinking of putting several different marine plants in mine. I also have live rock and sand in it. How often do you need to do water changes in your tank. I have a 180 gallon.

BEELZEBOB · 10-13-2008, 02:03 PM

hes got me thinkin about a light powed by photosynthetic algae

lcstorc · 10-13-2008, 02:15 PM

Frequency and size of water changes depend on many things. Only test results can help you determine what is right for you and your tank.

cbrownfish · 10-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEELZEBOB

thats a reverse light cycle, not reverse photosynthesis....

I have to agree with Bob and what I think Dentoid is hinting at. A creative name but it is very misleading. "reverse photosynthesis" implies that you reversing photosynthesis or it's end product in some way......adding CO2. The Caulerpa is accomplishing the same thing your corals do, by removing CO2 and producing O2. Hence, a higher pH during the day. Running a frag tank, algae scrubber or refugium with algae/xenia on a reverse daylight schedule all accomplish the same thing.

Nocturnal Photosynthesis Device is a better fit IMHO. ;D

BigAl07 · 10-13-2008, 03:33 PM

Yall HAVE looked at the dates here right?

Old thread being brought to the front of the forums.... can cause some confusion and such

02-02-2007, 10:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 758 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? I am not understanding the name. Where does the reverse come from? It is because the lighting is on opposite the tank lighting? __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

02-03-2007, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
EmergencyDpt Ricordea Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 190 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? I think it's something to do with cold fusion.

02-03-2007, 12:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
2455coop Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Amarillo,Texas Posts: 266 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? While photosynthesis is occuring the caulerpa is absorbing carbon dioxide from the main tank and oygenating the return water. Since this process is occuring opposite of the main tank it happens at night. Reverse of the show tank. Thus the name....reverse photosynthesis device __________________ Bill 75 gal D.A.S. 15 gal refugium

02-03-2007, 12:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
sebastian Scopas Tang Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: lake zurich, il Posts: 423 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? i have the same filtration ... works perfect... build from 30 gal tank....all readings are 0! sebastian 125 gal 30 gal sump

02-03-2007, 01:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 758 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? Yes, the caulerpa removes nitrates as it grows. When you trim the caulerpa, you essentially remove nitrates from the system. This is a reverse light cycle refugium, a very common practice. It has just been given a spiffy new name. I have done it before, but I came to prefer a 24/7 light cycle for my fuge. __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

10-13-2008, 01:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
BEELZEBOB -CHAUVINIST PIG- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 4,851 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? thats a reverse light cycle, not reverse photosynthesis.... __________________ 18Gal Mantis Tank 28lbs LR 22lbs Black Sand D&D Typhoone Skimmer96W CL PC (10K + AC) 2 Rio 90 P.H., 1 Nano Korilla Bane the Mantis Shrimp (G.Smithii) LIFE LESSON 8/8/08: Dont Poke Squirrells... LIFE LESSON 8/12/08: Chicks dont dig comic books... LIFE LESSON 8/26/2008: Pain is relative... LIFE LESSON 9/13/2008: Sometimes you just gotta pee in the sink... LIFE LESSON 10/1/2008: Her eyes say more than her mouth... LIFE LESSON 10/1 B: In retrospect, the shooting range was a bad first date idea... LIFE LESSON 10/19/2008: Bleach doesn't work well with out DETERGENT... But with it, WOW! LIFE LESSON 10/25/2008: "You're Such a Man," isnt necessarily a compliment... LIFE LESSON 10/28/2008: RC Helicopters are not Bob Proof... LIFE LESSON 10/29/2008: Dont ** where you eat, UNLESS, you are the company pooper scooper... BARB FREGGIN RULES**

10-13-2008, 01:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
dennyamy Bryozoan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Carlisle PA Posts: 50 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? I just built a system very similiar to what you have described. I was thinking of putting several different marine plants in mine. I also have live rock and sand in it. How often do you need to do water changes in your tank. I have a 180 gallon.

10-13-2008, 02:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
BEELZEBOB -CHAUVINIST PIG- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 4,851 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? hes got me thinkin about a light powed by photosynthetic algae __________________ 18Gal Mantis Tank 28lbs LR 22lbs Black Sand D&D Typhoone Skimmer96W CL PC (10K + AC) 2 Rio 90 P.H., 1 Nano Korilla Bane the Mantis Shrimp (G.Smithii) LIFE LESSON 8/8/08: Dont Poke Squirrells... LIFE LESSON 8/12/08: Chicks dont dig comic books... LIFE LESSON 8/26/2008: Pain is relative... LIFE LESSON 9/13/2008: Sometimes you just gotta pee in the sink... LIFE LESSON 10/1/2008: Her eyes say more than her mouth... LIFE LESSON 10/1 B: In retrospect, the shooting range was a bad first date idea... LIFE LESSON 10/19/2008: Bleach doesn't work well with out DETERGENT... But with it, WOW! LIFE LESSON 10/25/2008: "You're Such a Man," isnt necessarily a compliment... LIFE LESSON 10/28/2008: RC Helicopters are not Bob Proof... LIFE LESSON 10/29/2008: Dont ** where you eat, UNLESS, you are the company pooper scooper... BARB FREGGIN RULES**

10-13-2008, 02:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? Frequency and size of water changes depend on many things. Only test results can help you determine what is right for you and your tank. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

10-13-2008, 03:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: reverse photosynthesis device??? Yall HAVE looked at the dates here right? Old thread being brought to the front of the forums.... can cause some confusion and such __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

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