Ecosystems, who has one?

[reefnewbie54321]

I never realy considered this a good aproach to biofiltration becuase I rarely heard anything about it but after being given Ultimate Marine Aquariums for easter as I read through it there were a few cool tabks that used this approach. I researched there site a little and looked some stuff up in the macro forum and it seemed pretty cool.

Main reason I liked it was becuase its built to be skimmerless which is great for me becuase I culture all my own food.

Pytho- for my coral, clams, and sponges, and various other filter feeders (dosed at night)
Mysid- for my school of anthias
Pods/Zooplankton- Mandarins
Macros- for the tang
Rotifers/Enriched brine shrimp- just to switch it up a bit and give different foods
Silversides- Anemone

If I used a skimmer all my hard work would go to waste and get collected in a big cup of scum to rot and die

The ecofuge would also help my live food reproduce within the walls of the display tank and might make my culture station less stressful.

Now I need to hear some first hand experience ... who uses it and who runs it skimmerless?

 

[graveyardworm]

Do you read Coral magazine? I believe there have been several articles over the months related to ecosystem and tanks using it. I have a bunch of the mags and can try to identify the issues with articles.

 

[graveyardworm]

June/July 04 - The Ecosystem method after seven years by Mike Paletta

Feb/March 05 - A Novel Reefkeeping Method by Francesca Geertsma

Oct/Nov 04 - Aquarium Portrait A Mud Filter System for Anthias by Markus Resch

I dont have all the issues and I know there are other references amongst the pages. If you dont get Coral mag you should the pictures and articles are awesome.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

Yeah I dont get coral mag

maybe I'll check out ebay for back issues

 

[ellisd]

I just tore down my tank, but i used the eco-system with no skimmer and i had great luck, my 75 gallon tank had the best corals you can imagine and the mtce was almost nil, no additives, minimal water changes, etc. If i ever set up a tank again, i will go this way without a doubt. What size is your tank? the eco-system i have now is too small for the new tank i am looking at, i will make you a deal on this one if it works for you. I think mine is the one that will handle up to 100 gallon, i will check if you are interested. You would need to buy the mud.

 

[seamist]

I have 2 ecosystems 60 model HOB and 1 CPR fuge HOB, I think they are great.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

I dont plan on buying an eco unit just there mud, I have a 120 gallon tank

48x 24x 24

w/ a 75 gallon fuge (water line holds 50 gallons), its a double chamber fuge with one section dedicated to growing cheato and the second section growing ulva. I want to add ecomud instead of a DSB but just like a DSB im afriad that my mini-closed loop inside the fuge (to cuase tumbiling motion would blow mud everywere.

 

[Bullredchaser]

Make sure you use Miracle Mud,it's a great denitrifier.The competeion doesnt work the same and usually produces red slime ,not worth it at even a 1/4 of the price.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

The ecosystem only uses 2 inches of mud, should I not use more then 2 inches or would a DMB be a good thing?

 

[russ49merc]

I in the past week have changed my 120 over to a skimerless "sold my brand new asm g3 the day I found out about this" tank with a refugium running 20 lbs of ecosystem mud took out all my filter material and added about 30 lbs of live rock rubble. the tank has been cloudy for about 16 hours an has cleared better than shen I had all my filters in it. so if anyone is interested i could post some pics and let you know how it's going.

 

[russ49merc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7205949#post7205949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ellisd
I just tore down my tank, but i used the eco-system with no skimmer and i had great luck, my 75 gallon tank had the best corals you can imagine and the mtce was almost nil, no additives, minimal water changes, etc. If i ever set up a tank again, i will go this way without a doubt. What size is your tank? the eco-system i have now is too small for the new tank i am looking at, i will make you a deal on this one if it works for you. I think mine is the one that will handle up to 100 gallon, i will check if you are interested. You would need to buy the mud.

Finally someone that believes in this product

 

[graveyardworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7239062#post7239062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by russ49merc
so if anyone is interested i could post some pics and let you know how it's going.

Yeah we are going to need pictures.

 

[russ49merc]

I'll see if I can get some pics tonight

 

[reefnewbie54321]

what do you have in your fuge? I dont want to use Caulerpa for various reasons. I also dont like the idea of using bioballs to me that just sounds like a nitrate factory.

 

[russ49merc]

here it is this was my sump now it's a refugium with 20lbs of ecosystem mud

where the water enters the system it's about 30lbs of live rock rubble

 

[russ49merc]

more

more

this was my original refugium that i converted into a frag tank

and this is the tank not the best pic but a little more grow out and then i produce more of a close up.

:bum: :smokin: :bum: :smokin: :bum: :smokin

 

[reefnewbie54321]

how long has it been up and skimmerless?

 

[russ49merc]

tank has been up a year and skimerless for 3 weeks

 

[reefnewbie54321]

what macro are you using ... I cant realy tell from the picture

 

[reef888]

i have 1

i have 1

i like the skimless thing too. the less equipment,the better. but still a bit nervous w/o any skimmer. however i dont use the 24hr lights method. i use cheatos n gave it 10 hrs no light(when main tank lights is on).