I f you've found this blog, you probably know what a Pro-Biotic filter system is about. For those that are unsure, a brief introduction to the advancing world of natural process oriented aquarium maintainance.
A coral reef is a complex living entity, best compared to a tropical rain forest in it design and intertwined biology. A myriad of life lives in these eco-systems and it is this complexity that even makes these systems possible. They are stable and fruitfull, despite both existing in a nutrient poor environment. Many think it is foolish to even attempt to mimic them. Others, like myself, are always seeking new ways to pioneer our journey to a thriving and healthy reef ecosystem, and this with considerable success. When I think of my first marine tank, some 40 years ago, the advancements in marine aquarology are staggering and a tribute to the many engaged aquarists and scientists involved over the decades. It's just always getting better.
When we attempt to reproduce a part of a living reef in an aquarium, we are extremely limited as to how much of this complexity we can maintain. Unlike a reef, an aquarium is a closed system, which, in short, means that it cannot remove its own waste products in the grand fashion of the oceans. And we feed a marine system, which simply adds to the potential waste product enclosed within an aquarium. I think we can assume all aquarists are aware of this problem, as this is typically that which kills-off our treasured tank inhabitants. Whether directly via nitrate or phosphate poisoning, or diseases which find an opportunity to attack stressed marine creatures, water quality is the crux of a successful marine aquarium. Light would certainly be the second most important factor, but I'll come to that later.
The oceans have evolved dynamic communities of creatures that exist from each other, whether from one fish preying on another or microbial creatures assimilating dissolved organic matter, we have a finely tuned symphony that allows life to continue. Pro-biotic filter systems are out attempt to understand and harness parts of this system from mother nature and fine tune it in order to better apply it to our closed marine communities. Yes, we are talking not only water quality, but the biology and chemistry behind this living liquid.
In this blog I hope to elaborate on the various approaches and experiments already performed, successful or not, in order to give an aquarist an overview of the current state of pro-biotic filters. I will be discussing many of my own experiments, the failures and the successes which have brought me to a point whereby I can not only maintain my marine charges in full health, but understand how I'm managing it!
A coral reef is a complex living entity, best compared to a tropical rain forest in it design and intertwined biology. A myriad of life lives in these eco-systems and it is this complexity that even makes these systems possible. They are stable and fruitfull, despite both existing in a nutrient poor environment. Many think it is foolish to even attempt to mimic them. Others, like myself, are always seeking new ways to pioneer our journey to a thriving and healthy reef ecosystem, and this with considerable success. When I think of my first marine tank, some 40 years ago, the advancements in marine aquarology are staggering and a tribute to the many engaged aquarists and scientists involved over the decades. It's just always getting better.
When we attempt to reproduce a part of a living reef in an aquarium, we are extremely limited as to how much of this complexity we can maintain. Unlike a reef, an aquarium is a closed system, which, in short, means that it cannot remove its own waste products in the grand fashion of the oceans. And we feed a marine system, which simply adds to the potential waste product enclosed within an aquarium. I think we can assume all aquarists are aware of this problem, as this is typically that which kills-off our treasured tank inhabitants. Whether directly via nitrate or phosphate poisoning, or diseases which find an opportunity to attack stressed marine creatures, water quality is the crux of a successful marine aquarium. Light would certainly be the second most important factor, but I'll come to that later.
The oceans have evolved dynamic communities of creatures that exist from each other, whether from one fish preying on another or microbial creatures assimilating dissolved organic matter, we have a finely tuned symphony that allows life to continue. Pro-biotic filter systems are out attempt to understand and harness parts of this system from mother nature and fine tune it in order to better apply it to our closed marine communities. Yes, we are talking not only water quality, but the biology and chemistry behind this living liquid.
In this blog I hope to elaborate on the various approaches and experiments already performed, successful or not, in order to give an aquarist an overview of the current state of pro-biotic filters. I will be discussing many of my own experiments, the failures and the successes which have brought me to a point whereby I can not only maintain my marine charges in full health, but understand how I'm managing it!
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