Dustritus?

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/06/2009, 08:00 AM

As I was cleaning the filter for my A/C the other day I noticed how much the built up dust looks like a dry version of detritus.
In a months time I get a pretty good build up and with most aquarists running open top tanks these days I was wondering if there had ever been a study done to determine what percentage of the detritus in our tanks is common household dust.

Whys · 05/06/2009, 08:49 AM

You could calculate it like rainfall. How many inches of dust fall on a nearby surface within a given month? Calculate the square inch of the open tank top to find the volume.

By the way, something like 90% of all household dust is dead human skin.

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/06/2009, 12:45 PM

That will tell you how much dust goes into the tank per month but not what percentage of your detritus is dust.
It could be zero, maybe it all gets pulled out by mechanical filtration.
If it is dead skin perhaps the CUC consumes it?

Whys · 05/06/2009, 12:49 PM

I have to figure it's pretty minimal. But now I'm wondering about hobbyists in the Northwest back when Mt St Helens blew. I bet that clogged a few filters.

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/06/2009, 12:58 PM

No doubt.

05/06/2009, 08:00 AM	#1
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Dustritus? As I was cleaning the filter for my A/C the other day I noticed how much the built up dust looks like a dry version of detritus. In a months time I get a pretty good build up and with most aquarists running open top tanks these days I was wondering if there had ever been a study done to determine what percentage of the detritus in our tanks is common household dust. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/06/2009, 12:45 PM	#3
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	That will tell you how much dust goes into the tank per month but not what percentage of your detritus is dust. It could be zero, maybe it all gets pulled out by mechanical filtration. If it is dead skin perhaps the CUC consumes it? __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/06/2009, 12:58 PM	#5
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	No doubt. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/06/2009, 08:49 AM	#2
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	You could calculate it like rainfall. How many inches of dust fall on a nearby surface within a given month? Calculate the square inch of the open tank top to find the volume. By the way, something like 90% of all household dust is dead human skin.

05/06/2009, 12:49 PM	#4
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	I have to figure it's pretty minimal. But now I'm wondering about hobbyists in the Northwest back when Mt St Helens blew. I bet that clogged a few filters.