Kizayaen
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I was going to read through the whole forum to ensure that nobody'd asked these questions, but I quickly became daunted when I realised that there's 192 pages of posts. I apologise if somebody's already addressed these topics. I searched extensively on Google and couldn't find any information, so I figured I'd come ask here.
As any of you know who are marine enthusiasts, saltwater tanks commonly make use of live gravel and sand to extend their nitrogen cycle out into a more complete biological cycle.... so here are my questions.
1. Is there any precedent for, or knowledge of, the use of live rock in freshwater tanks? I don't mean the live rock you'd buy for your marine tank; I'm assuming that the salinity difference would kill off any beneficial critters in short order. I mean going out to your local stream or lake and obtaining some gravel or rock there. I don't think that things like worms, snails, and insects would be any problem; I'm mostly concerned about the possibilities of harmful microorganisms. It was my line of reasoning that if this technique could work for a marine tank, then why couldn't it help moderate nitrates/nitrites and possibly phosphates a bit if used in a freshwater tank as well? I don't intend to set up one of the "no water change in 3 years" supertanks that you'd find with a well-developed reef tank; just thought that perhaps it would afford a bit more stability and thus comfort for my fish.
2. Is there any benefit to using a protein skimmer in a freshwater tank? Again, it seems like it should provide the same services that it does in a marine tank: i.e. removing biological matter from the water and therefore cutting down on a significant source of ammonia.
Once again, I apologise if this is a common question. I would very much appreciate any insights that any of you may offer.
~ Kiz
As any of you know who are marine enthusiasts, saltwater tanks commonly make use of live gravel and sand to extend their nitrogen cycle out into a more complete biological cycle.... so here are my questions.
1. Is there any precedent for, or knowledge of, the use of live rock in freshwater tanks? I don't mean the live rock you'd buy for your marine tank; I'm assuming that the salinity difference would kill off any beneficial critters in short order. I mean going out to your local stream or lake and obtaining some gravel or rock there. I don't think that things like worms, snails, and insects would be any problem; I'm mostly concerned about the possibilities of harmful microorganisms. It was my line of reasoning that if this technique could work for a marine tank, then why couldn't it help moderate nitrates/nitrites and possibly phosphates a bit if used in a freshwater tank as well? I don't intend to set up one of the "no water change in 3 years" supertanks that you'd find with a well-developed reef tank; just thought that perhaps it would afford a bit more stability and thus comfort for my fish.
2. Is there any benefit to using a protein skimmer in a freshwater tank? Again, it seems like it should provide the same services that it does in a marine tank: i.e. removing biological matter from the water and therefore cutting down on a significant source of ammonia.
Once again, I apologise if this is a common question. I would very much appreciate any insights that any of you may offer.
~ Kiz