Oysters... Natural filter?

[ReefWhatYouSow]

Came across this on Facebook and wanted to see if anyone has insight on "The Oysters".

Is this something we can add to our systems? Maybe throw some in the sump?

 

[BobbyV]

I know maxima clams are .. .. .. I have encountered some advanced long term members that actually have a dedicated separate tanks connected to their system with nothing but clams.

Apparently they are very effective filterer's .. .. However I have no idea how it was measured or even proven effective. Sounds like a fun idea.

 

[toddmau5]

Oyster Filtration: http://youtu.be/saAy7GfLq4w

 

[rogergolf66]

I'm no expert but I believe you have misunderstood. They are not filters...... They are filter feeders. Meaning they filter the food out of the water. Not filter the water for water purity. This goes for clams too.

Roger

 

[asbauto]

That's a pretty amazing video, just over an hour..... I would say pretty efficient and tasty on the grill with butter and hot sauce

 

[tony727]

From the video it looks like they're pretty amazing.
This is from wikipedia:

"Bivalves, including oysters, are effective filter feeders and can have large effects on the water columns in which they occur.[11] As filter feeders, oysters remove plankton and organic particles from the water column.[12] Multiple studies have shown individual oysters are capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day, and thus oyster reefs can significantly improve water quality and clarity.[13][14][15][16] Oysters consume nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrates and ammonia), phosphates, plankton, detritus, bacteria, and dissolved organic matter, removing them from the water. [17] What is not used for animal growth is then expelled as solid waste pellets, which eventually decompose into the atmosphere as nitrogen"

 

[BobbyV]

I suppose .. .. "filtering" the water can have many meanings.

 

[mark.red]

Lol, seed planted and now planning an oyster tank if all research justifys time and money.

 

[cnreef]

There are several RC threads about using oysters in a reef tank. General consencious is that they will starve to death and pollute your tank. Here's a thread with some good info in it...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1495927

 

[ReefWhatYouSow]

So from what I've read so far is that there could be a way to benefit from the use of oysters, but we need to figure out a way. Now I might be creating more work that is unnecessary and I'm sure the same results can be obtained with a little dosing or media, but I also like being able to show my daughter some of the natural parts of the ecosystem.

It looks like the oyster would be great to use in cleaning up a tank quickly. Instead of doing a few water changes, a couple of oysters might do the trick?

Here is what I am proposing... Have a 10 gallon tank that the water can run through prior to going into the sump and house a few oysters in there. This will have the option to shut off and divert the water from going through the ten gallon allowing you to spot feed the oysters until it is a good time to connect them back to the display tank.

Maybe something along those lines?

 

[listen2bob]

If your tank water looks like the tank on the left, you may have other problems

 

[snake1]

If your tank water looks like the tank on the left, you may have other problems

That is great...:ape:

 

[jahel318]

What about mussels?

 

[TheAquatect]

What about mussels?

Only mussels from brussels...

 

[take2]

Yeah but wouldn't the clams b competing with the corals for food? I know most corals depend on lighting to grow. Not well informed on the subject.