Reverse Flow UGF Tanks

Don424 · 02-10-2005, 02:45 AM

Is anyone doing a reverse flow UGF bottom? There's a guy on RC who's had one for 20 years or so.

Brucey · 02-10-2005, 05:35 AM

Ummm, UGF are natorious for collecting detritus . . . . . have not heard of anyone starting one from new in the last few years or so, but I guess if this guy has been running one for 20 years then he doesn't want to change

Woodstock · 02-10-2005, 08:11 AM

A 20 yr old UGF? I bet he has some serious diterus under it by now

I threw my UGF away years ago. I remember when I took it out how filthy it was... extremely nasty. I suppose you can get by with using one but why would you want to? There are many other new/improved ways to culture the needed bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle without collecting diterus....... the best being rock.

Brucey

wooddood · 02-10-2005, 08:13 AM

live rock on

lol

dave.

NaH2O · 02-10-2005, 12:12 PM

Don - Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!

I don't know that reverse flow UGF would be any better than an UGF. I believe the theory behind reversing the flow, is to keep the junk from trapping in the substrate and keep it in the water column. But, I don't know how well that works. I don't think in some instances detritus would be completely pushed back up, therefore it would remain trapped and rotting. Also, I'm not familiar with the hobbyist on RC you are referring to, but I would like to know how long the system has really been running uninterrupted - if there were any changes to the system....break downs and setting-up again (such as moving), if maintenance is performed, etc. It would be great to see a picture of the tank....is he having any algae issues, what other equipment is being used on the system, what types of corals are in there. IMO, nothing beats a great skimmer, effectively placed flow, and good ole' husbandry. There have been advances in the hobby since 20 years ago, so there are better choices for equipment.

bonerfortuna · 02-10-2005, 12:32 PM

I think its Paul B., a captain from Long Island NY who collects his own stuff and his tank has artifacts in it replicating the area. It includes bottles wires and all sorts of stuff. Do a search and see. Its great .

mps9506 · 02-10-2005, 12:33 PM

I'm familar with the guy that runs that setup. There are actually quite a few people using UGF in sw setups. I like them, but wouldn't use one for a low nutrient system.
There is a fellow in NYC that has a nice tank, but I would call it a higher nutrient/lower light type system. He isn't going to be growing acros or montis in that setup.

If I recall correctly it is dominated by polyps and mushrooms and such. Tons of coralline also. It is a great looking tank. He also has a low fish bioload I think.

There are numerous ways to go about doing stuff, and that can work for you, I personally think there are better ways to do the same thing though.

mojoreef · 02-10-2005, 12:53 PM

Ahhhh yessss the Hudson river biotype tank, heres a few pics of Pauls tank, that way anyone that wants to mimic this system has something to aspire to

mike

NaH2O · 02-10-2005, 01:04 PM

I'm speechless

mps9506 · 02-10-2005, 01:05 PM

FWIW, I think he puts bottles and stuff in there also

Very cool tank.

mojoreef · 02-10-2005, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Very cool tank.

Nothing against Paul or his tank, but personally thats a look I try very hard to avoid.

Mike

Woodstock · 02-10-2005, 03:00 PM

Abstract art in a new form.... interesting.

angnak · 02-10-2005, 03:13 PM

NaH2O, I can just picture you looking at your computer with a look of what the... on your face. I have no idea why that was so funny to me.

mps9506 · 02-10-2005, 04:36 PM

I would avoid that look in your tank also mojo

But if you are aiming for a New York Harbor look, I think it would be perfect. Although the Copperbanded butterfly really throws it off

Don424 · 02-10-2005, 06:00 PM

Thanks everyone for your feedback. While I wouldn't mimic the look of his tank, I was curious if anyone was doing REVERSE flow UGF. The concept is interesting to me because I'm thinking that detritus may be more easily suspended in the water column and collected in mechanical filtration. It's just a thought.

02-10-2005, 02:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Don424 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central NJ Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Reverse Flow UGF Tanks Is anyone doing a reverse flow UGF bottom? There's a guy on RC who's had one for 20 years or so.

02-10-2005, 05:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ummm, UGF are natorious for collecting detritus . . . . . have not heard of anyone starting one from new in the last few years or so, but I guess if this guy has been running one for 20 years then he doesn't want to change __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

02-10-2005, 08:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,260 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	A 20 yr old UGF? I bet he has some serious diterus under it by now I threw my UGF away years ago. I remember when I took it out how filthy it was... extremely nasty. I suppose you can get by with using one but why would you want to? There are many other new/improved ways to culture the needed bacteria needed for the nitrogen cycle without collecting diterus....... the best being rock. Brucey __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

02-10-2005, 08:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	live rock on lol dave. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

02-10-2005, 12:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Don - Welcome to Reef Sanctuary! I don't know that reverse flow UGF would be any better than an UGF. I believe the theory behind reversing the flow, is to keep the junk from trapping in the substrate and keep it in the water column. But, I don't know how well that works. I don't think in some instances detritus would be completely pushed back up, therefore it would remain trapped and rotting. Also, I'm not familiar with the hobbyist on RC you are referring to, but I would like to know how long the system has really been running uninterrupted - if there were any changes to the system....break downs and setting-up again (such as moving), if maintenance is performed, etc. It would be great to see a picture of the tank....is he having any algae issues, what other equipment is being used on the system, what types of corals are in there. IMO, nothing beats a great skimmer, effectively placed flow, and good ole' husbandry. There have been advances in the hobby since 20 years ago, so there are better choices for equipment. __________________ ~Nikki~

02-10-2005, 12:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
bonerfortuna Star Polyps Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Staten Island NY Posts: 162 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think its Paul B., a captain from Long Island NY who collects his own stuff and his tank has artifacts in it replicating the area. It includes bottles wires and all sorts of stuff. Do a search and see. Its great . __________________ Peter 110 Tenecor Flat Back Hex FOWLRaZaOM 50 Breeder Reef JBJ Nanocube

02-10-2005, 12:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,435 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm familar with the guy that runs that setup. There are actually quite a few people using UGF in sw setups. I like them, but wouldn't use one for a low nutrient system. There is a fellow in NYC that has a nice tank, but I would call it a higher nutrient/lower light type system. He isn't going to be growing acros or montis in that setup. If I recall correctly it is dominated by polyps and mushrooms and such. Tons of coralline also. It is a great looking tank. He also has a low fish bioload I think. There are numerous ways to go about doing stuff, and that can work for you, I personally think there are better ways to do the same thing though. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

02-10-2005, 12:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ahhhh yessss the Hudson river biotype tank, heres a few pics of Pauls tank, that way anyone that wants to mimic this system has something to aspire to mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

02-10-2005, 01:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm speechless __________________ ~Nikki~

02-10-2005, 01:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,435 View Gallery Karma Komment	FWIW, I think he puts bottles and stuff in there also Very cool tank. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

02-10-2005, 03:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,260 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Abstract art in a new form.... interesting. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

02-10-2005, 03:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
angnak Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 555 View Gallery Karma Komment	NaH2O, I can just picture you looking at your computer with a look of what the... on your face. I have no idea why that was so funny to me. __________________ 210gal AGA SW tank. 3 250w MH 4 160w VHOs, 30 gal refuge, ASM Skimmer, Orange shoulder tang, Black tang, Naso tang, 2 orange percs, 2 black percs, 1 lawnmower blenny, a pair of scooter blennies, 5 cleaner shrimp, 5 peppermint shrimp, zebra crabs, halloween crabs, scarlett crabs, various other crabs and snails, 1 rock anemone, 2 colonies of button polyps, 3 colony of star polyps, 3 BTAs, monti cap, various acros

02-10-2005, 04:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,435 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would avoid that look in your tank also mojo But if you are aiming for a New York Harbor look, I think it would be perfect. Although the Copperbanded butterfly really throws it off __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

02-10-2005, 06:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
Don424 Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central NJ Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks everyone for your feedback. While I wouldn't mimic the look of his tank, I was curious if anyone was doing REVERSE flow UGF. The concept is interesting to me because I'm thinking that detritus may be more easily suspended in the water column and collected in mechanical filtration. It's just a thought.

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