Pondering the Cryptic Zone

[the curious]

First-of-all, I would love to hear any feedback from members who have or had cryptic zones incorporated into their filtration.

OK...so I am planning on using a 5-gallon black trash-can , plumbed into the sump, to create a cryptic zone under my new 90. The largest issue that I can foresee is the inevitable accumulation of detritus that a low flow-rate will cause. I have been reading about people having luck, and not having luck, using a turkey baster to remove the waste from the bottom, then I found Simon Garratt's article discussing the topic. http://www.reef-eden.net/cryptic_zones.htm">http://www.reef-eden.net/cryptic_zones.htm</a>

Near the bottom of the article he states, "When looking into a cryptic zone some time later on in its life, we will usually find a settled out layer of detritus on the bottom. Whilst at first we may think this isn’t a good thing ‘especially seeing as we try to minimise detritus build-up in the main tank. It should be remembered that this material is just the ‘inorganic’ remains and silt that’s left over ‘after’ the biologically available nutrients have been assimilated by the organisms above, so it represents absolutely no danger to the system in terms of nutrient load. If anything, this silty layer provides yet more habitat for a variety of scavenging worms and micro fauna that burrow through it in search of any missed morsels."

So, according to the author, the build up of detritus in this "refugium" would have no ill affects on the main system. Actually it would provide an additional habitat in the reef tank, allowing different organisms to thrive...creating more biodiversity.

This makes sense to me, how about you guys?

 

[the curious]

Ok...so I have an idea that could provide a small amount of "cryptic" area, but also allow me to utilize space for my chaeto. I have a flat piece of shelf rock that would effectively cover the lower portion of the container from light, creating my small cryptic zone, but allow me to utilize the top portion for chaeto growth.

So my question...would this concept provide me more/same nutrient export than just using the whole container as an algae farm? Or should I just use one of my old canister filters that doesn't work anymore (**** impellers) and create a small cryptic area out of that?

I'm just looking for some other ideas to be bounced around
thanks guys
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[jin_moon]

it doesn't seem like you have to use too much rock. most of the stuff online about cryptic zones show rubble over sand. i guess to replicate what it is in nature, you're trying to create the bottom of the reef where the sand bed and the rock bed meet.

chaeto grows best in a high flow environment where it can tumble. the more water that can pass through it, the more nutrients it can filter. cryptic zones need to be slow moving zones. so conceptually, i don't think it will work in a small space. i can't see how you're going to control the flow...

with that said, i think it's a good idea. i was wondering what i was going to do in my system but after reading this stuff on cryptic zones, i think it's perfect for what i'm trying to do! if you're trying to grow chaeto in the same place as your cryptic zone, i don't think it will work.

 

[kilralpine]

Given that chaeto floats, if your 5 gallon is tall enough you may be able to put a smaller powerhead closer to the top to keep it tumbling while still having low flow closer to the bottom. Make sure its food grade safe or it will deteriorate.

 

[jin_moon]

it'd have to be an incredibly low flow ph, i'd imagine. the flow needs to be slow enough to settle detritus.

 

[the curious]

kilralpine;843835 wrote: Given that chaeto floats, if your 5 gallon is tall enough you may be able to put a smaller powerhead closer to the top to keep it tumbling while still having low flow closer to the bottom. Make sure its food grade safe or it will deteriorate.

This was my first thought. I think I've decided to have my display drain directly to this container, then overflow to the sump. This will be too much flow for a cryptic zone, but great for tumbling chaeto. I have an old canister filter with a broken impeller that I'm thinking about painting black and running a low-powered pump through to create a small cryptic zone.

 

[ripped tide]

What do you guys think about converting an overflow chamber into a cryptic zone? An acrylic baffle and some black paint and you could probably create a cryptic environment

 

[the curious]

I was thinking about that yesterday. I don't see why it wouldn't work. seems like a perfect place for a cryptic zone.

 

[ripped tide]

My over flow is almost a cryptic zone as it is: pods, worms, sponges, detritus bed at the bottom....

The sides(corner overflow) have coraline growing where light penetrates. At the top of the overflow there is a layer of aiptasias and algae- neither of which are in the DT. They catch food and light. In the bottom there are all other sorts of critters.

 

[clay4au]

Ripped Tide;843870 wrote: My over flow is almost a cryptic zone as it is: pods, worms, sponges, detritus bed at the bottom....

The sides(corner overflow) have coraline growing where light penetrates. At the top of the overflow there is a layer of aiptasias and algae- neither of which are in the DT. They catch food and light. In the bottom there are all other sorts of critters.

fill it with some branching type rubble and watch the sponges take off.

 

[jin_moon]

Ripped Tide;843870 wrote: My over flow is almost a cryptic zone as it is: pods, worms, sponges, detritus bed at the bottom....

The sides(corner overflow) have coraline growing where light penetrates. At the top of the overflow there is a layer of aiptasias and algae- neither of which are in the DT. They catch food and light. In the bottom there are all other sorts of critters.

a lot of the RC threads talk about this. apparently, you can run a DSB through the overflow chamber too, depending on how high your drainpipe is. Steve Tyree is big on crypic zones but there are many that disagree that it's some huge benefit to the system overall.

i say anything that increases biodiversity is a good thing in a closed system. if anything, it's giving your corals more stuff to eat in the water column.

There are claims that sponges and tunicates eat bacteria out of the water column but i can't substantiate the claim... i'm not a biologist.

 

[bluespot]

My only concern is if using any of these options to create a cryptic zone would be of any real benefit on such a small scale compared to overall system volume.