reverse photosynthesis device???

[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.

[Dentoid]

Is that like an algal turf scrubber?

[reefjitsu]

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

[EmergencyDpt]

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

[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

[sebastian]

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

[Dentoid]

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]

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.