mr. bojangsjang
New member
How does cryptic zone filtration work and how does it compare to a protein skimmer or 'fuge? Does anyone here use a cryptic zone? How does one go about setting one up? Are there any risks in using a cryptic zone?
Cryptic Zone Filtration
- Thread starter mr. bojangsjang
- Start date
pjf
Premium Member
Cryptic Zone Links
Cryptic Zone Links
I don’t know if these links will tell you anything you don’t already know. Hopefully, they will allow you to continue your research into cryptic zone refuges:
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/getzoned.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tyreecmatv1.htm
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=544
Cryptic Zone Links
I don’t know if these links will tell you anything you don’t already know. Hopefully, they will allow you to continue your research into cryptic zone refuges:
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/getzoned.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tyreecmatv1.htm
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=544
mr. bojangsjang
New member
Thanks pjf, very helpful links.
Phillstone
Premium Member
no light tanks rock for filter feeders. I have been using a 30 gal no light tank for about 3yrs ( lights burnt out on refuge and i kept it dark) The amount of sponges and other filter feeders are amazing.
Check out the above links - its a different way of doing thing but less hassle
Check out the above links - its a different way of doing thing but less hassle
I placed hitchhikers sponges and a big spiny orange sponge in the unlit sump, they are alive, but not much new growth, if any.
They have fine food after 100 micron filter sock, it doesn't help. But Q-tip sponges are growing and multiplying happily around and inside the skimmer, in high flow area. Could be temperature issue? This tank is at 79F.
Please, post your data, including type of tank (sps or else, mine - else, messy fish and LPS-softies reef, 90g).
It didn't worked for me, trying to figure out why.
They have fine food after 100 micron filter sock, it doesn't help. But Q-tip sponges are growing and multiplying happily around and inside the skimmer, in high flow area. Could be temperature issue? This tank is at 79F.
Please, post your data, including type of tank (sps or else, mine - else, messy fish and LPS-softies reef, 90g).
It didn't worked for me, trying to figure out why.
Driftwood
New member
I use a benthic zone in my sump. Very similar to a dark sump.
The live rock rubble & chaeto block most of the light, so the zone formed by the eggcrate is low light & low flow. I have had this running for about 2 months and so far it is a mysid factory, but not much for sponge/duster growth yet.
The live rock rubble & chaeto block most of the light, so the zone formed by the eggcrate is low light & low flow. I have had this running for about 2 months and so far it is a mysid factory, but not much for sponge/duster growth yet.
Driftwood
New member
Those were some nice links! Usually I only find links to sites that want you to pay money for information when searching for anything to do with cryptic zones.
I really think that the size of the particulate matter is important when designing these zones. Large particles are bad for these creatures.
Dave
I really think that the size of the particulate matter is important when designing these zones. Large particles are bad for these creatures.
Dave
We also have a similar benthic zone set up in our last two sumps. Here is the latest one :
Underneath the "sand box" is a thick filter type media that is a good place for the benthic creatures to host (I spilled a bit of sand down the front side, so it looks a little "messy"
) :
Here is the media that we used both times (doubling it up to make a "taller" zone) :
I tried to find a picture of the media we pulled out of our old sump (to show it's effectiveness.. it was running for over a year), but can't locate it, and I also thought we had some of the "population" of the current media. I will see if I can take some later, or find our old pictures. But lots of critters take up residence in taht media. We got if from our LFS, and they really weren't good about sharing what it was and where they got it from, likely so that we couldn't go around them and just buy it ourselves, but it also makes it hard for us to share the data. Maybe someone else can recognize it and chime in.
HTH
Underneath the "sand box" is a thick filter type media that is a good place for the benthic creatures to host (I spilled a bit of sand down the front side, so it looks a little "messy"
) :
Here is the media that we used both times (doubling it up to make a "taller" zone) :
I tried to find a picture of the media we pulled out of our old sump (to show it's effectiveness.. it was running for over a year), but can't locate it, and I also thought we had some of the "population" of the current media. I will see if I can take some later, or find our old pictures. But lots of critters take up residence in taht media. We got if from our LFS, and they really weren't good about sharing what it was and where they got it from, likely so that we couldn't go around them and just buy it ourselves, but it also makes it hard for us to share the data. Maybe someone else can recognize it and chime in.
HTH
mr. bojangsjang
New member
Whats a benethic zone??
sorry..just another term I have heard used for a cryptic zone.. and since I heard it referred to as benthic first, that is what stuck with me. Sorry for the confusion.
Main Entry: ben·thic
Pronunciation: 'ben(t)-thik
Function: adjective
Etymology: benthos
1 : of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water
2 : of, relating to, or occurring in the depths of the ocean
Main Entry: ben·thic
Pronunciation: 'ben(t)-thik
Function: adjective
Etymology: benthos
1 : of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water
2 : of, relating to, or occurring in the depths of the ocean
Very interesting, thanks! Please, add your information, who can.
More links: one of the forums , black filter media - AquaMat?, Steeve Tyree forum, as a part of main tank, AC70 as cryptic refugium, experiences in pico, bentic zone refugium photos.
More links: one of the forums , black filter media - AquaMat?, Steeve Tyree forum, as a part of main tank, AC70 as cryptic refugium, experiences in pico, bentic zone refugium photos.
hehehe, not really.. in fact I just came in from insulating the front garage door, doing maintenance on the prop tank and working on the inwall tank trim. After lunch I will finish up the trim and finalize my HD shopping list and start to tackle the new sump stands . But I am interested in the information in the links provided, so I will carve out some time later this evening to read up on them 
. But I am interested in the information in the links provided, so I will carve out some time later this evening to read up on them BeanAnimal
Premium Member
aquaticeco has it as well. It is a geotextile that comes in many thicknesses and structures.
mr. bojangsjang
New member
I asked Ron Shimek about his thoughts on cryptic zone filtration, he said it he didn't support the theory at all. Nonetheless, even if it isn't a good filter, it sure is a good producer of pods and such.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
You will notice that "Dr. Ron" is sometimes on the wrong side of things, as are most of us from time to time. He could be right this time, but I think a lot more research is needed to determine the benefits or potential drawbacks.
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