Sympathetic filters

[kennyman]

I am becoming more aware of Eurohaline (brackish water) invertebrates as my new tank progresses. The life cycle of these creatures is tied directly to plankton, as they have drifting larval stages. I have read that filtration units using impellers, to drive water, pretty much eliminate any planktonic life you manage to get going. Right now I have an airline bubbling through some experienced ceramic rings in an attempt to manage the N cycle. But what type of filter unit can I use to assist the N cycle and keep my tank functional in the long run? Is the old bubbling plastic box my best shot? How much bio-load can one handle?

We are talking about a mid sized tank here, 37g 20"x18"x24". Since it is brackish is it possible to get the live rock thing going? Will that work at a salinity of only 1.0025?

Thanks; ken

[jaracas]

not sure about this one.
how about using the air driven sponge filters?
i use the double sponge type for my tubs, one of which is efficiently filtering 20g with 4 mid sized angels and 6 cory's, plus if you go that way i can swap a cycled sponge with one of you new ones that way you have a jump start  

[luvfishies]

I wonder if the Hamberger mattenfilter would work in this case?

http://www.janrigter.nl/mattenfilter/  is one of the few online articles in ENGLISH. I desperately want to try one of these in my nursery tanks.

[kennyman]

Very cool article Luv! Thank you for posting that.
And I'll keep that in mind jaracas, allong with the Hygro

Gives me food for thought

[gator]

Kennyman:

I've heard that too, but I've also read from reliable sources (Delbeek & Sprung's books) that impellers have little or no effect on the overall levels of planktonic life.

One good product to try is DTs live phytoplankton.  You can usually find it a better aquarium stores whic specialize in satwater/reef setups.  It needs to be refrigerated, but a little dose now and again will do wonders for your filter-feeding invertabrates, etc.