Hi all,
New to the hobby and this forum. I'm reading and learning everything needed to get started with the hobby (pardon the grammar, i'm not from the US but from the Netherlands).
Currently i'm designing a custom made sump to run the the Triton method.
I've searched and searched, while there are some answers, they are not very clear. Unless i have not come accross the right article.
Algae before skimmer, or skimmer before algae?
Algae before skimmer;
According to the Triton method, the algae should be before the skimmer. As i understand to maximize the nitrate and phospate intake, the algae get first shot.
What i however do not understand, what does that really matter? The skimmer does not take any nitrate (Does it take phosphate?). So they are not competing.
Unless the algae take up the not broken down waste, and convert it into nitrate and phospate in the algae themselves. This could be a valid point.
The latest result from BRStv i think shows zero to none nitrate and phosphate even with a relatively small chamber for algae but with good lighting. So how important is it that the algae get the first shot?
Skimmer before algae;
Some people like to revert the algae and skimmer chambers. Saying that there will be alot of life in the Algae, and would be a waste for the skimmer to kill some of that life. If the skimmer is not after the algae, more life will be transfered back to the display tank (alive), which should be good for the inhabitant of the display tank.
Currently i'm leaning towards putting the skimmer before the algae chamber to give life the best shot at returning to the display. (This could be totally flawed tho).
I'm eager to learn more, i'm very new to the hobby and only have theoretical knowledge. So please enlighten me.
Why should i follow or not follow the recommended way? (Just want some explanation as to understand so i can make an informed decision).
Kind regards,
Michiel
New to the hobby and this forum. I'm reading and learning everything needed to get started with the hobby (pardon the grammar, i'm not from the US but from the Netherlands).
Currently i'm designing a custom made sump to run the the Triton method.
I've searched and searched, while there are some answers, they are not very clear. Unless i have not come accross the right article.
Algae before skimmer, or skimmer before algae?
Algae before skimmer;
According to the Triton method, the algae should be before the skimmer. As i understand to maximize the nitrate and phospate intake, the algae get first shot.
What i however do not understand, what does that really matter? The skimmer does not take any nitrate (Does it take phosphate?). So they are not competing.
Unless the algae take up the not broken down waste, and convert it into nitrate and phospate in the algae themselves. This could be a valid point.
The latest result from BRStv i think shows zero to none nitrate and phosphate even with a relatively small chamber for algae but with good lighting. So how important is it that the algae get the first shot?
Skimmer before algae;
Some people like to revert the algae and skimmer chambers. Saying that there will be alot of life in the Algae, and would be a waste for the skimmer to kill some of that life. If the skimmer is not after the algae, more life will be transfered back to the display tank (alive), which should be good for the inhabitant of the display tank.
Currently i'm leaning towards putting the skimmer before the algae chamber to give life the best shot at returning to the display. (This could be totally flawed tho).
I'm eager to learn more, i'm very new to the hobby and only have theoretical knowledge. So please enlighten me.
Why should i follow or not follow the recommended way? (Just want some explanation as to understand so i can make an informed decision).
Kind regards,
Michiel