bio load questions

lunker101 · 01/25/2006, 08:50 PM

Assuming that two tanks are setup exactly the same with the same exact equipment, but one has larger predatory fish with SLOW metabolism (think scorpions and frogfish) and dont require much food, (figure something like ghost shrimp twice a week), and the other has the basic "reef" fish such as clowns, gobies, wrasses, etc with daily feedings. How would the bio loads of each differ? Are there too many differant factors for a defenite answer?

uberfugu · 01/28/2006, 08:05 AM

I've found that, in both my frogfish systems and odd-scorpionfish systems, that nitrate levels rise quite quickly.

I've also had mortality and disease outbreaks when nitrate levels start exceeding 25 ppm (however, I haven't done any control tests to confirm this, just observation).

I really don't know if you can accurately compare bioloads. My frogfish and scorpion systems tend to have less liverock (for ease of viewing and feeding) and at a lower circulation level than any of my reef-type systems. Although Scott Michael says that frogfishes have slow metabolisms, my commerson angler grew from 1-1/2" to 6" in less than a year; it certainly is efficient at metabolizing. My 3" A. nummifer, being fed the mass equivalent of one silverside, twice weekly, messes his 30 gal and keeps the euroreef collection cup filled weekly.

I try to keep my angler and lion/scorp tanks' water quality at reef-type levels. Massive skimming and large, regular waterchanges.

err ... didn't really answer the question, sorry

01/25/2006, 08:50 PM	#1
lunker101 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 226	bio load questions Assuming that two tanks are setup exactly the same with the same exact equipment, but one has larger predatory fish with SLOW metabolism (think scorpions and frogfish) and dont require much food, (figure something like ghost shrimp twice a week), and the other has the basic "reef" fish such as clowns, gobies, wrasses, etc with daily feedings. How would the bio loads of each differ? Are there too many differant factors for a defenite answer?

01/28/2006, 08:05 AM	#2
uberfugu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oak/SF Bay Area Posts: 358	I've found that, in both my frogfish systems and odd-scorpionfish systems, that nitrate levels rise quite quickly. I've also had mortality and disease outbreaks when nitrate levels start exceeding 25 ppm (however, I haven't done any control tests to confirm this, just observation). I really don't know if you can accurately compare bioloads. My frogfish and scorpion systems tend to have less liverock (for ease of viewing and feeding) and at a lower circulation level than any of my reef-type systems. Although Scott Michael says that frogfishes have slow metabolisms, my commerson angler grew from 1-1/2" to 6" in less than a year; it certainly is efficient at metabolizing. My 3" A. nummifer, being fed the mass equivalent of one silverside, twice weekly, messes his 30 gal and keeps the euroreef collection cup filled weekly. I try to keep my angler and lion/scorp tanks' water quality at reef-type levels. Massive skimming and large, regular waterchanges. err ... didn't really answer the question, sorry