Cryptic Zone

Avian · #1 08/29/2005, 12:38 AM

I have a 55 gallon anemone/clownfish reef set-up, that has a three chambered 20 gallon sump (10 gallons filled with water).
I was originally going to use the middle chamber (~ 6 gallons) as a refugium that was lighted oposite of the display. I have since decided that I can't afford the extra heat until I get a chiller.

There is ~5 lbs of LR in that chamber and some LS. Would it be beneficial in nutrient export to keep this area as a cryptic zone?

Putawaywet · #2 08/29/2005, 02:47 AM

Well, cryptic discussions aside... a fuge that size could easily be lit with a small pc or flourescent bulb and I'm just not seeing something like that add enough heat to put you over the edge.

Brett

ctreefer · #3 08/29/2005, 09:57 AM

I agree with putawaywet. Especially if you add a fan to the sump and operate a lighting cycle opposite your main tank. If anything with a fan in your sump and a pc lamp, it will probably cool your tank even more. (assuming you don't have a fan down there now)

Avian · #4 08/29/2005, 03:49 PM

Yeah, I have a one going over the fixture as of right now. Within the next week I will purchase another fan and add the light. I'll have to add a black background to the back of the tank to prevent the light from bleeding in at night. The light is a 11 watt 6500k PC. the only macro I'll grow is chaeto.
Thanks.

BrookR1 · #5 09/02/2005, 11:04 AM

I have a cryptic zone in my system. It's basically an unlit sump with lots of LR and several types of sponges. I honestly can't say if it has improved my water quality because I started it about 6 months after my tank was set up. But, my corals and fish are all very healthy. The sponges are growing and I tend to overfeed my tank. My skimmer pulls out maybe 1/3 cup per week (AquaC Remora on 60 gallons of water). To me, sponges are fascinating. One of the easiest ways to get one going is to rummage around the LR tanks at the LFS and pick out fragments or rocks with nice sponge growth. Lots of stores will sell you the sponges for the price of the LR alone. I scored a nice white, healthy sponge about 5 inches long by 3 inches wide for $10 last week. Avoid the ornamental sponges because they tend to be very delicate...unless you can find living pieces of a "deceased" sponge. The LFS will usually give them to you for free...and in time, they'll grow back.

For more info on cryptic zones, check out Steve Tyree's site: www.dynamicecomorphology.com.

HippieSmell · #6 09/02/2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Avian
Yeah, I have a one going over the fixture as of right now. Within the next week I will purchase another fan and add the light. I'll have to add a black background to the back of the tank to prevent the light from bleeding in at night. The light is a 11 watt 6500k PC. the only macro I'll grow is chaeto.
Thanks.

Not sure exactly where you have the fan blowing, but if you point it at the water, it will cool your tank better than pointing it at the light.

Avian · #7 09/02/2005, 11:46 AM

brook, very interesting read. I have a few sponges one some LR in my sump right now. I think I'll still try and light it

hippie, There is a fan blowing over my lights on top of the tank. When I add the fan to the sump, it will be be large enough to point toward the water and still hit the lamp. The heat down here is crazy. I cannot get my tank below 82 during the day. Another reason why I was interested in a cryptic zone is the more fans I add, the water evaporates...coupled with the fact that the humidity down here is close to 80-90% every day. I wind up replacing a gallon of water from a 65 gallon system everyday.

Thanks