The Move to Natural Methods
April 12, 2009 · Print This Article
Many modern marine aquariums use ‘natural’ methods as much as possible. This has been achieved by the advances in knowledge that have been made over the last few years.
Some aquarists argue that it is impossible to keep an aquarium without using natural methods and I can see where they are coming from. The point they have in mind is bio-filtration, all those hard working bacteria getting rid of the toxins in the seawater. Without them we’d be in a sorry state. It’s true as well that this filtration is natural. However, if the bacteria colonies are housed in a canister filter then it isn’t completely natural, the home for the bacteria is being provided by our technology. Nothing wrong with that as it stands.
A fully natural method for bio-filtration, staying with the example, is live rock. This rock mainly comes from the wild and has bacteria present. It is a really good filtration media and, unlike the canister filter, within reason the bacteria can deal with nitrate as well. Can’t be bad!
There are new commodities on the market that are designed to replace live rock. This is a rock that appears very similar to the fully natural variety but needs the bacteria colonies kick starting in the same way a canister filter does. One running the new rocks are suitable homes for all bacteria including those that deal with nitrate. This isn’t removing ‘natural’ filtration; the difference is purely the type of rock. There isn’t any electric motor required. It also reduces the demand from the wild, unless the live rock is aquacultured in the wild.
Anyway, getting back on track, there are a few ways that an aquarist could use natural methods. Think of filtration by algae, deep sand beds, plenums, mangroves etc.
The link below is to a website article where natural methods are definitely in mind.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=551
Related Posts - It Takes Time Any experienced aquarist can understand why a newcomer to the hobby really wants to see some livestock in their aquarium, because those aquarists have been...
- How To Tell When Your Aquarium Has Cycled A great deal of fun and excitement is caused by the planning and building of a new marine aquarium. All the equipment to consider and...
- Prepare Your Aquarium By Cycling It It is essential to have efficient biological filtration in any marine aquarium. This is the bacteria based ‘filter’ that converts dangerous toxins so that the...
- The aquarium filter - how does it work then Since yesterdays post we have had a few people contact us saying that it is all well and good talking about [tag-tec]aquarium filtration[/tag-tec] and different...
- How To Convert A Freshwater Aquarium To A Saltwater Aquarium This is not an attempt to lay down railway lines for a converting aquarist to religiously follow, but hopefully a thought provoker that indicates some...
Related Websites - The Importance Of Choosing the Ideal Fish Tank Filter by Darren Bradley If you have always planned on setting up an aquarium, you have to choose the necessary fish supplies carefully. There are various...
- Majority Obvious Of Hot Tub Troubleshooting A hot tub troubleshooting - A hot tub deem necessary particular maintenance for several reasons: Some matters with water quality are able to grow and...
- Suitable Filters To Maintain Your Water Clean A filter has become an integral issue of daily lives primarily as a result of everyone is so aware of hygiene. This makes totally different...
- How to Install a Permanent Water Filter No matter where you live, there is a chance that you may be dealing with some contaminants in your water. Many of us have trace...
- Rock Garden Fountains 101 Rock garden fountains are capable of providing your garden space with a focal point as well as visual style for any living space that you...
Comments
Got something to say?