Old Tank Syndrome

[forestal]

another thing mentioned by Julian is the inablility to keep certain species in the tank... the tank doesnt necessarily crash, but it becomes impossible for certain species to survive and this can be transferred if the tank water is split to another tank...which is kind of wierd... almost like the tank has developed antibodies against certain corals(not really true- but similar results)

[Witfull]

yes,,,he was talking about this at the bakker tradeshow in AC a few yrs ago. believed to be chemical antibodies that help corals create a skewed environment to their likings. similar to the warfare by leathers, but a targeted attack on specific species.

[blade25]

what is cooking live rock?

[Witfull]

placing it in a dark container with normal perameters( temp and flow) and allowing bacteria to clean the rock without algal growth. making bacterial tuger work for you to its maximum extent.

[Charlie97L]

what is mulm? i haven't heard that term before.

[Witfull]

Definition: The undecomposed fish wastes and other solid matter that accumulates in the aquarium as a fine, brownish, fluffy material requiring periodic removal by siphoning.

[wickjr]

I have heard the term OTS a few times, but never had it explained this much. Scary stuff to say the least. The idea of a sand bed or LR becoming oversaturated over time makes total sense to me, though I am a nebie to reef tanks. It seems that no matter how well you filter or clean a tank, there are just too many places for detritus to go to be able to get it all. Over time, this stuff has to build up. Could OTS be as simple as the gradual clogging of pores in rock and sand causing the different types of bacteria to decline in numbers to a point that they can't keep up? Also, I am not currently using any mechanical filtration on my tank. I was in the beginning, but since adding a sump I don't anymore. The parameters have stayed a lot more consistent, especially nitrate, since I stopped using it. Did I do wrong by elminating it? I still use a skimmer and phosban, but allow high water flow, LR and sand to keep the tank right.

[Witfull]

manual removal is needed from time to time, i use a canister filter (VortexDiatom XL) to suck out dead spots where stuff accumulates and settled under rocks.
as far as clogging, yes they can clog, thats why you need to blow off the rocks occationally.

the Theory of OTS is more than just that. its a saturation of the rocks/sand with compounds and elements.

heres an example; DSB adsorbs Po4 until saturated. now, deed at the bottom, pH is lower and causes disintegration of sand. P04 is released. as it rises, it may be adsorbed by the sand above it, but if this sand is already saturated,,,,where does it go? the water column.and we know P04 is algae fuel.

can this apply to beneficial elements as well? can there be a rise above the "good" levels?

[cheeks69]

dead spots where stuff accumulates and settled under rocks.
as far as clogging, yes they can clog, thats why you need to blow off the rocks occationally.

This is a case where proper maintenance is necessary. I think that people get carried away with the amount of rock they place in their tanks especially if you have a DSB, this in turn leads to alot of dead spots between the rocks and to a buildup of detritus/mulm etc. I blow off the rocks detritus a couple of times a week and it's amazing how quickly detritus can buildup. It's also very important to have good strong flow throughout the tank to keep detritus in suspension so that it can be removed. I also think that that besides having a very good skimmer, it's very important to increase bio-diversity {filter feeders} so that they can help control nutrients in the tank, I did this by mixing different kinds of rock fiji/lalo/aquacultured.

[cheeks69]

can this apply to beneficial elements as well? can there be a rise above the "good" levels?

It's possible especially if you're adding supplements it's very easy to overdose. I think people forget that they're supposed to be TRACE elements... as a matter of fact Robert Fenner mentioned this as one of the primary reasons for algea problems.

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by cheeks69

It's possible especially if you're adding supplements it's very easy to overdose. I think people forget that they're supposed to be TRACE elements... as a matter of fact Robert Fenner mentioned this as one of the primary reasons for algea problems.

Oh yea. I totally agree here.
You aren't oly adding the trace elements that are listed on the bottle, but you are adding everything else that is in that solution as well...

[wickjr]

I also blow off the rocks regularly and siphon out loose detritus that builds up.
I have a HOT Magnum with a micron cartridge that I use immediately after water changes/cleaning, when there are loose particles floating around in the water. It is my understanding that constant mechanical filtration is not a good thing for reef tanks because it filters out the tiny particles and critters that benefit the tank. Is this true, or should I add some additional mechanical filtration. I could hang the magnum on my sump permanently if needed.
The sand bed example makes sense. And with the porous nature of the LR, I could see how it could become saturated as well.

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by wickjr

It is my understanding that constant mechanical filtration is not a good thing for reef tanks because it filters out the tiny particles and critters that benefit the tank. Is this true, or should I add some additional mechanical filtration.

The problem can be that mechanical filtration could become biological leading to nitrate problems if used continually. What I use is a filter sock but machine wash it in bleach on a weekly basis to prevent this from happening.

[wickjr]

Sounds simple enough. I'll give it a shot on mine. Great thread, Witful.

[Witfull]

hm,,,sometimes i think im being watched, this months advanced aquarist

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/5/aafeature2