Chgoblknazn's Tank Build Thread

I was contemplating having a new sump built to accommodate a larger K1 chamber since my current setup was limited for more K1. I got to thinking of ways to incorporate another chamber somewhere in my sump and a couple weeks ago it hit me. I decided to have Will Lutman build me a box that I could slide into my intake chamber next to my skimmer. This location would be idea because my display tank could drain directly into the K1 where the colonized K1 media would get first dibs at dirtier water and break down the waste before being sent to the skimmer.

The chamber has a tiny Rio pump that keeps the water spinning and media tumbling. THere are small drainage holes in side of the chamber that let's water flow right into the skimmer's inlet. It's a perfect system. After 24 hours I have noticed the water appears much cleaner and my skimmer is doing a great job of keeping a nice foamy head. I think I've hit the jackpot!! Thanks Willy!

[video=youtube_share;LhfvPl5rZCI]http://youtu.be/LhfvPl5rZCI[/video]

[video=youtube_share;xLXPEn3_K3I]http://youtu.be/xLXPEn3_K3I[/video]
 
Walt,

I'm sure I saw it when I first read through your build thread, but to save me valuable time lol.... What was your belief behind the K1 and it's added value to your system, as opposed to just natural occurring bacteria on LR , etc.? I tried to dig up a little info googling it, and I can see what they claim it does, with the natural maturation process of bacteria and it's life cycle. But I really did not find the answer I was looking for, I guess... So I figure I'd just ask you ;) Very curious about the product!!

You should hit up The Voice next season ;P
 
Reeflogic said:
Walt,

I'm sure I saw it when I first read through your build thread, but to save me valuable time lol.... What was your belief behind the K1 and it's added value to your system, as opposed to just natural occurring bacteria on LR , etc.? I tried to dig up a little info googling it, and I can see what they claim it does, with the natural maturation process of bacteria and it's life cycle. But I really did not find the answer I was looking for, I guess... So I figure I'd just ask you ;) Very curious about the product!!

You should hit up The Voice next season ;P
Click to expand...

Doug!!!

In small tanks like mine, with high bioloads and less than idea amounts of rock, I need the K1 to process my tank's bioload. The K1 doesn't add or remove anything that would really affect the chemistry of the water. It simply provides a home for the nitrifying bacteria that you typically find covering our rocks, pumps, corals etc. It processes your tanks wastes more efficiently because it's an active media and the tumbling action keeps it clean and free for live bacteria where with rocks you are dependent on the violent flow to knock the dead or weak bacteria off to make room for fresh, live bacteria to colonize. I make it easier for the bacteria to do their thing and breakdown the fish poop, heavy feeding and anything else that is able to decay in my tank.

With my current K1 placement, the K1 now has a direct feed for their food source and can "eat" the dirtiest water coming from my DT. My skimmer is now placed behind this stage of my filtration system and placed in the only area where the water escapes the K1 media chamber. Here it collects the dead or dieing nitrifying bacteria to be collected into my skimmer sump. The population of the bacteria on the K1 is self-regulated so when my tank needs more bacteria because of added bioload or a heavy feeding, the bacteria can breed and colonize. If I were to take out all the fish in my tank, the food source would be reduced and the bacteria would die off due to lack of available food and be sucked right into my skimmer and not really affect my water chemistry. All of the bacteria would not die....just what wasn't strong enough would while the more capable bacteria continued to do what I need them to do.

K1 is just a more efficient version of our live rock. A handful of the stuff can provide more surface area for the bacteria to colonize then an aquarium packed with pukani.
 
Thanks Walt, exactly what I thought, but wasn't 100%. Thanks for the excellent response! I might need to incorporate some K1 in my next build! I know I've said it before, but beautiful tank and amazing taste in coral and fish selection, keep inspiring sir.
 
Reeflogic said:
Thanks Walt, exactly what I thought, but wasn't 100%. Thanks for the excellent response! I might need to incorporate some K1 in my next build! I know I've said it before, but beautiful tank and amazing taste in coral and fish selection, keep inspiring sir.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Alot of folks think that K1 add something to our water, but it does not. It does not contribute to increased nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, calcium, magnesium or anything like that. You still need to do your water changes, dose and whatever else you typically do. All it does is speed up the rate at which waste gets processed and consumed by your tanks own nitrifying bacteria. It does what your live rock does but more efficiently.
 
KeishaKornbread said:
Thanks! Alot of folks think that K1 add something to our water, but it does not. It does not contribute to increased nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, calcium, magnesium or anything like that. You still need to do your water changes, dose and whatever else you typically do. All it does is speed up the rate at which waste gets processed and consumed by your tanks own nitrifying bacteria. It does what your live rock does but more efficiently.
Click to expand...

It's basically just A LOT of optimal surface area for the same pro biotics on the LR, correct? Where biopellets are consumed by the bacteria, K1 just gives them a place to live, right?
 
Herbie said:
It's basically just A LOT of optimal surface area for the same pro biotics on the LR, correct? Where biopellets are consumed by the bacteria, K1 just gives them a place to live, right?
Click to expand...

That is exactly correct. They're like bioballs, but don't have the drawbacks of them since they're kept fluidized.
 
Herbie said:
It's basically just A LOT of optimal surface area for the same pro biotics on the LR, correct? Where biopellets are consumed by the bacteria, K1 just gives them a place to live, right?
Click to expand...

That is exactly correct. That is why I stayed away from biopellets. I just wanted to supply a home for more bacteria since I was taking out rock.
 
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