Ozone or UV between Cryptic and display?

[tonyespinoza]

I'm hoping to keep true live rock in my cryptic zone while only having dead base rock in my display (where there will be SPS and fish only).

I would like to minimize the chance that algae (which, i know should be dead if i cook the rock properly--but I am skeptical) or other pests will make it over to the display from the cryptic zone. So I was planning to run the return from the cryptic through a filter sock, but am also thinking it might make sense to plumb it through UV or Ozone. any thoughts?

I know I'm being super paranoid here, but I really want the new system to have the best shot at being pest free (as far as the display goes) as possible.

I will be stocking the display with fresh cut frags (no rock or plugs) from Soutas Saltwater (whom I trust not to have red bugs or AEFW) and ORA (via a large direct order).

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What pests? Algae will not thrive in the dark cryptic zone, and neither method (UV or ozone) will prevent algae some spores from being transferred around the system anyway.

I personally see no reason to worry about anything moving from a cryptic zone to the tank, and I have no such filtration there in my system, but I do use ozone before the dark zone (a big dark sump filled with live rock) to reduce yellowing (along with skimming, GAC and macroalgae filled refugia).

 

[tonyespinoza]

thanks randy.

the general plumbing of my system is for the display to gravity feed my external skimmer then hit some filter socks in the sump. the return area then feeds the fuge, cryptic zone, GAC reactor, chiller/heater, and the display. these aux tanks will return through socks back at the top of the sump.

would you recommend structuring the feed to the dark live rock such that it's fed by ozone? how does this reduce yellowing? i've also heard of folks feeding their fuge from the output of their GAC reactor -- does this make sense?

yes, here's a system overview:

150g bare bottom peninsular display (60"x40"x20")
55g fuge (chaeto only)
75g cryptic zone (dark live rock)

bk 300 ext skimmer w/ self-cleaning head

GAC in upflow reactor

temp control by geotronic ocean 900

2-part and top-off will be automated

flow by 4x Tunze 6205's on wave controller

4x 400w (2x radium, 2x geismann 14k) in dual sfiligoi twin fixtures

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Would you recommend structuring the feed to the dark live rock such that it's fed by ozone? how does this reduce yellowing?

About the only function of ozone as most reefers use it is to oxidize yellow organic compounds in the water so they do not absorb as much light. Rarely is there much killing of bacteria going on, as the amounts of ozone and contact times are too low.


i've also heard of folks feeding their fuge from the output of their GAC reactor -- does this make sense?

I do not see that order as being especially preferable. I'd probably do the other way around, so that the refugium gets first crack at any phosphate.

 

[tonyespinoza]

makes sense. thanks, i'll give it a shot!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck.