Does DOM or DOC settle out?

[Carpentersreef]

If there is insufficient circulation that keeps Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) or Dissolved Organic Compounds (DOC), suspended, will they settle out in the form of detritus and possibly overload the decomposing process?
With my thinking, as a result, the protein skimmer does not even have a chance to separate these materials from the water.

In turn, will the buildup of detritus cause leaching of nutrients that will feed nuisance algae and flatworm outbreaks?

In my almost 3 years of keeping a reef, I think so.

I appreciate any thoughts.

Mitch

 

[Carpentersreef]

I guess I'm looking for some sort of clarification between "dissolved" and "suspended", and how it relates to detritus that settles on LR and sandbeds, and excess nutrients.

Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Protein skimming reduecs DOC's and DOM's. It does this by floculating the matter with air bubbles and then pulling them out of the water column.

A good product that also helps flocullate DOC is called "Chemi-Clean" by the makers of "Chemi-Pure". I have used it on several occassions and it is truly reef safe. After adding it for 2 consecutive days, on the third or forth day I change a lot of the water.

This product works well to kill cyanobacteria or "blue-gree" algae as well by removing their DOC nutrient source.

 

[Anonymous]

I think the names give the question away. I am not sure what exactly you are asking, but if it is dissolved, what can settle? My thinking is sort of like the dissolved salt, CA, etc in our tanks.

 

[JoshF]

Actually Mitch, DOM will tend to settle out. Bacteria will start to grow in the water column on the dissolved nutrient, the the colonies will become larger. These will also tend to stick to smaller POM, forming larger aggregates. I notice this a LOT with my skimmerless set-up. As my interstitial meiofauna (that's for you, Mitch. see you in MACO chat) seeds the bed more, it will consume most of these aggregates as they hit the sand. This is largely the reason for a DSB. The bacteria in the column starts the process and the critters and bacteria in the sand finish it. Skimming reduces both dissolved and aggregated waste.

Josh

 

[Carpentersreef]

That's kinda what I figured

Thanks, Josh!

Mitch