Berlin System-Read Up

[NewMan]

Hi All,

New to this forum. However, not too new to reefkeeping.

Would like to read up more on berlin filtration system. Can someone guide me to a good URL so that i can read up? Needed to research so that I can plan for my upcoming 100gallon tank

My basic understanding of berlin system is using alot(>1/3 of the tank) LR, heavy skimming & a small level of sandbed. Am I correct in my understanding?

Thks

 

[mountainbiker619]

http://www.anchofish.com/_paletta/mp_ja ... method.htm
http://www.aquasite.com/what/articles/a ... thod.shtml

 

[Anonymous]

My basic understanding of berlin system is using alot(>1/3 of the tank) LR, heavy skimming & a small level of sandbed. Am I correct in my understanding?

Thks

welcome aboard, NewMan. is that your last name per chance?

as far as your understanding i think you are incorrect to a degree. i know at least one berlin diehard that would take offense to the thought of him using a sandbed.
typically there is a large amount of rock in a berlin tank because it is necessary to provide denitirification. if you were to use a DSB or plenum, less rock would be required. the amount needed depends on the porosity of the rock purchased. it is really a guess to start with. too many variables between rock types and pieces within those types to be able to specify a poundage or cubic volume. many tanks i see appear to be well over a third full of rock (dealing with the appearance of volume, of course).
i am rambling now so i will leave

 

[NewMan]

thank you guys for your info.

Podman, I may be wrong there. The thin layer of sandbed basically is for actually to cover the bottom of tank & more for appearance purpose than to serve any other purpose

Do not intend to use any DSB in main tank or sump as DSB is deemed useless & need to be replaced in the future :lol:

mountainbiker, thks for your info

Can I ask further of my plan in setting up this new tank of mine?

1. Initially to use back my old filter media from my old tank
2. Will use a handful of the old tank's sandbed to seed the new tank 1" sandbed(may use aragonite caribbean sand).
3. Use back at least 200lb of LR in the old tank
4. Will aquascape in such a way the LR is loose so tat water movement can pass through the LR structure.
5. As times goes by, filter media will be removed slowly

Is my above plan acceptable?

Thank you in advance for all contribution.

 

[Anonymous]

Do not intend to use any DSB in main tank or sump as DSB is deemed useless & need to be replaced in the future :lol:

DSB is far from "useless" and everything needs to be replaced at some point.

1. Initially to use back my old filter media from my old tank

this is to seed bacteria?

2. Will use a handful of the old tank's sandbed to seed the new tank 1" sandbed(may use aragonite caribbean sand).

good enough

3. Use back at least 200lb of LR in the old tank

uhuh

4. Will aquascape in such a way the LR is loose so tat water movement can pass through the LR structure.

yep

5. As times goes by, filter media will be removed slowly

why put it in at all?

Is my above plan acceptable?

i don't doubt you would be successful with this plan although it is different from the way i would go about it.

 

[NewMan]

DSB is far from "useless" and everything needs to be replaced at some point.

no comments

this is to seed bacteria?

why put it in at all?

yes becos i am afraid there isn't enuf nitrifying & denitrifying bacteria in my LR as i will be giving my LR a brushing before i place in my new tank. Currently my tank is facing some dino problem. Brown algae seems to be growing on my LR :?

uhuh

hmmm...wat u mean :?:

yep

i don't doubt you would be successful with this plan although it is different from the way i would go about it.

thank you Podman...well i guess there are many ways to cook a dish 8)

 

[Anonymous]

to my knowledge, you cannot scrub denitrifying bacteria off.

maybe you are experiencing algae woes from organic buildup in the filter media?

 

[NewMan]

to my knowledge, you cannot scrub denitrifying bacteria off.

maybe you are experiencing algae woes from organic buildup in the filter media?

hmmm....so in your opinion, i should not put in my filter media from my old sump :?:
those beneficial in my LR will be sufficient, huh?
FYI, those LR has been in my 75gallon reef tank for 1+year