posted 02-19-2004 12:40 PM         

It is a hydro set up. Yes, for the edability of them. Plus I have some lettuce growing along with regular house plants.

70 gallon biochamber, not refugem.

These are older pics, as the *details* such as a good drip plate are now on it.

Its a temp drip plate, till get to get around to making a good one.

Input to the sump, and output back into the trailer, and back to the tank.

Plants growing like mad.

This is truly scary, but its safe, and all automated.

posted 02-19-2004 01:07 PM         

Are you growing the plants in pots (in your 100 gallon) or are they growing in the piping? Are you using soil? Is that 1 and 1 1/2" schedule 80 HDPE pipe that you're using-did you use the glue/cement or seal it with silicone? What kind of pump did you use to vary the flow?

It looks like the 6th picture is the improved splash plate from the first. Something else you could try is branch the piping into two horizontally. Drill holes on the bottom of each and suspend a splash plate (flat or convex piece of plastic). It might distribute it better over the whole surface rather than the centre. It's what was used on the wastewater trickling filters I used to work with.

posted 02-19-2004 02:50 PM         

Edit: How exactly does the water interact with the plants to remove the nitrates. I mean I see plants everywhere but I don't see them in the water

[This message has been edited by coenen (edited 02-19-2004).]
Careful of language please. This is a family type forum with young readers. Thank you.

posted 02-20-2004 07:24 AM         

Plants are in 3 gallon pots of pea gravel with airstones on the bottom. Its basically a modular bubbling bucket design.

My turn over right now is about 2500gph actuall.

Lighting is 1000w Metal Halide (drewl you reef keepers...LOL)

posted 02-20-2004 07:26 AM         

Yes, it runs off the big tank in my living that sits behind my couche. It flows underneath my floor about 25 feet or so to that sump, and then back into the tank.