Cryptic Zone

[jms9618]

Does any one have a tank dedicated to a cryptic zone? I am going to seal up a ten gallon and pack it full of hand picked LR rubble and see what happens.

 

[mutateddogbone]

i cut a hole and put a 1" bulkhead in an 11g trashcan and put the lid on it. my overflow feeds it and hits it before the protein skimmer.

 

[cloak]

Does just having some live rock in your sump count? I've been doing that for years with great success. No baffles, no refuge, just a dark environment with a return pump and a skimmer in it. Real simple.

Check this out.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1020248&highlight=cryptic+zone

 

[mutateddogbone]

in all reality, anywhere you have rock and no light is a cryptic zone. so the underside of the rock in your DT is cryptic, as well as any in your sump that doesnt have a light on it

 

[cloak]

Yeah, but not having things like fish, ornamental shrimp, snails, hermits, urchins, etc play a huge role in distinguishing the two. A specific zone where nature can take it's course without being compromised.

 

[jms9618]

in all reality, anywhere you have rock and no light is a cryptic zone. so the underside of the rock in your DT is cryptic, as well as any in your sump that doesnt have a light on it

yes and no. It is dark and promotes the organisms you want but there needs to be very little flow. read this
http://www.reef-eden.net/cryptic_zones.htm
So having an area dedicated to this zone could really be beneficial. I have light on my sump for my macro and I do this because the photosynthesis happening 24/7 helps stabilize the ph.