Help: Inline Macro Nutrient Export Tank

[zeblisik]

I want to set up a macro tank inline to my main tank.
Let me explain my existing set up.

I have 3 tanks and 1 sump. Its an established (almost 2 years) system of about 90g

Main tank is highest, it runs off into the sumps skimmer chamber and a downstream tank which is a 20g long. The 20g long runs into another downstream tank which is a 20g regular. This in turn runs into the sumps return chamber.

-'Main' tank 30g: live rock, sand, a few fish, snails, coral(some day...),
-20g long: the tank in which i want to establish a macro filter, MH or CF lights
-20g regular: DSB ~5", generally no light
-sump: skimmer, return section, isolated 'mud' sump with controlled water flow coming from main tank

I have 3 types of macro algae that I currently grow: gracilaria, chaeto and grape vine. I also want to get some ochtodes.

So my questions(finally) are:
1.) what kind of substrate, if any, should I put in my macro tank?
2.) How much water flow? gracilaria needs good water flow I understand and that ochtodes and chaeto do well will good flow, am i correct? grape vine seems so delicate, I have it in my sump fuge. I was just thinking of having 2 powerheads opposing each other at opposite ends or just 1 strong powerhead
3.) What kind of light? (Spectrum/ intensity/ type of light).
4.) Since this will also be habitat for micro/meio/macrofauna, should it be 'fed'?

 

[Logzor]

First of all, what is the goal of this tank, beauty, pods, or nutrient export?

It sounds like, with this set up you are planning, that you could keep corals very well.


1) Do some research on miracle mud, I do not know much about it but I have heard it can be good for macro algae tanks.
2) I would say just enough so things are not stagnant.
3) So people use spotlight CFL bulbs from home depot, others go with fish tank PC bulbs. I think either would work fine for algae.
4) Depends how much nutrients are entering this system from your main tank. If you have a ton of fish then you probably will not need to feed it. I would stick a piece of freeze dried krill in every once in awhile, pods love it!

 

[zeblisik]

the purpose is actually all of those reasons: beauty, pods, nutrient export and ease of coral captive care.

I have a 'miracle mud' knock off in my sumps fuge actually.