[Hockey122]

I have witenessed a very well run dutch system of filtration. It was explained to me and I'm wondering what kind of things people have heard, if it's hard to maintain and so forth. We are seriously thinking about it for a 72 gallon, we just are still in the pricing and researching stages. If anyone has any info, I'd appreciate it.

[SHUEZQ]

DUTCH SYSTEM? MAYBE THAT'S WHEN THE FISH PAY FOR HALF OF THE FILTER MEDIA! SORRY--NEVER HEARD OF IT!

[Hockey122]

Well, from what I know, the Dutch filtration system is basically, no filter at all. It is very very heavily planted and the plants do all the work. I'm just wondering if anyone other then a fish store has been able to maintain one.

[SHUEZQ]

I am not sure how successful something like that would be. I realize it is it's own ecosystem, but the smaller the tank and the more fish, the more unstable it would become. Furthermore, to keep the plants healthy, one would need a lot of light (double ballasts) and possibly the use of a substrate such as Flourite. I understand it is a great "topsoil" for plants, but can create murk in the aquarium--especially if you want to vacuum the substrate itself during water changes. I think this type of tank is suitable only if you are more interested in growing aquatic plants with a few small fish instead of vice versa.

[Hockey122]

Well, the tank would be 55 gallons and 72 gallons. There would be few fish with the exception in the one tank of the sharks. But the lights for this set up are around 200$ for the 55 gallon and the 72 gallon. It is the appropriate amount of light needed for the number of gallons. We wouldn't be doing gravel siphoning. There would be plants covering the gravel. All of the gravel. It is rather unique and if we can get it going, even in one tank, the 72 gallon, I think it will look quite nice. Thanks for your imput

[SHUEZQ]

Not a problem. I did talk to someone at my favorite LFS about a tankful of live plants. Next week or so I plan to set up my new 55 and I bought a good lighting system and I expect to load it with live plants. I will have a good amount of small tetras, so I am using regular gravel to siphon excess waste. I have discovered a substrate that I plan to experiment with and use it in wraps or containers around the root balls themselves. According to the manufacturer, no liquid additives are needed with the use of this stuff. I'd tell you what it is, but the paperwork is not currently with me. I am debating, however, if CO2 will still be a factor. I am sacrificing a bubble curtain to help with this, but we'll see...... [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]