Interesting...

[dan-the-man]

Interesting...

It would be intereasting to know how many people run 'natural' setups, although I think that and all other names are laughable tbh. Then again its only a name, but I think a better one would be the 'Leng Sy method', since all MM based setups are derivations of the origonal.

Anyway, I currently run one, but have no idea of how many other do, or their success.

I've found that water changes are not as necassary as in my last tank, but then again there are so many variables that it is impossible to attribute that to the MM (I actually use mineral mud).

Unless there is a study done with direct comparisons, as was done with plenum and berlin, then I see little chance of reaching a definite 'winner' of the systems. Then again, I don't find this a negative - the important point is whether the setup suits you.

I've had success with the Leng method but I must admit that this design was chosen for its claims of low maintenace, which it has fulfilled.

I'm happy with the design, but don't believe the marketing hype about any kind of miracle ingredient - most of it is not 'mud' its sand. I once saw a list of minerals contained in miracle mud with their percentages, I'm struggling to find it now though, anyone seen it?

[gtb]

Out of interest, whats the largest tank someone is running as an 'ecosystem' or whatever we're calling it these days :D
And the sea doesnt count :laugh:

[robbie s]

Im using the natural filtration method too and would like to see a section on this. I'm going to use this method also when I upgrade to a larger tank.
I keep LPS SPS and some softies, I have to use kent nano A and B as well to keep ontop of trace elements and calcium, I use cheato and caulerpa prolifera in my sump, with about 4 kg of LR :)

[Haile S]

So do we get a forum?

I think there is still a lot to discuss around mud based systems and I think that it would help if we had somewhere to share our good and bad experiences of using these systems. Some of the things I would like to know are:
Ph control in skimmerless systems
Nutrient export vs critter production
Bio-balls
Mechanical filtration
Harvesting and cleaning macro-algae
Vacuuming the sand bed
The amount and type of flow through sumps
Lighting intensity, quality and duration
Phosphate and nitrate levels
Establishing the stocking levels a mud based system can maintain
Water changes
The use of additives
Critters in the sump

[Frogfone]

yeah a section all of our own. I really like the idea of calling it "The natural section"

we should cover

ecosystem (obviously)
turf scrubbers ( seem to be making a bit of a comeback)
darkzone filtration ( would love to hear from anyone using this)

i'm not suggesting we need sub sections just trying to identify what we class as natural, anyone think of any others i.e. does just not having a skimmer count, what about undergravel filtration?

someone asked what's the biggest tank running ecosystem, ours is 1000L totallly unskimmed.

Roddy