Hypothetical Question

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

Tank 1 = 100 gallons
Tank 2 = 500 gallons
Tank 3 = 1000 gallons

If everything else is the same, and a filter that moves water at 500 gph is used on Tank 1 and keeps the water parameters perfect wouldn’t it do the same for Tank 2, and Tank 3?

ps. I already know the answer, just for the sake of conversation.....

 

[BIGgourami]

EVERYthing else? like stocking, plants, water volume, circulation, airation, lighing? EVRYTHING?



no?

 

[ewurm]

It would if the bioload is the same, but if it isn't you would see parameter changes. Only problem I see is you are only turning the tank twice per hour in scenario three, the water might not pass over the media enough to remove nitrogenous waste fast enough, but it would be diluted much more heavily. So, that would be a great experiment.

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

EVERYthing else? like stocking, plants, water volume, circulation, airation, lighing? EVRYTHING?



no?

yes, everything.... also water changes as a percent, not volume

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

It would if the bioload is the same, but if it isn't you would see parameter changes. Only problem I see is you are only turning the tank twice per hour in scenario three, the water might not pass over the media enough to remove nitrogenous waste fast enough, but it would be
diluted much more heavily. So, that would be a great experiment.

bioload would be the same...

In scenario 3 you are actually only turning the volume over once every 2 hours!!! Theoretically it shouldnt matter though because system would work to achieve equilibrium and the concentrations in the water would be low.... The water would pass over the bio media at a slower rate but the concentrations would be lower, in tank 1 the concentrations would be higher, but also passing at a faster rate..... the resulting parameters should be the same however... as in total mass, not concentration

 

[CHOMPERS]

Yep, sounds good. Another thing to think about is that the bacteria does not care about the rate at which water is flowing past it. Only that the water is bringing it food. Also, the bacteria can only eat so fast. If the bacteria population and bio-load are kept constant, the flow rate does not matter.

 

[aquanaut]

A question...

Would the bacteria colony be the same size in each senario?

Thinking this... Bacteria will only populate the amount of space needed to get the job done. With a lower concentration and more time less bacteria would be needed... Go ahead hammer me if you must

 

[aquanaut]

Yes me again


The point is to get 0-0... the mass maybe the same but any concentration of Ammonia is stressful, nitrite less so. With an equivalent filter volume and media area more of the water in the higher flow rate would be filtered.... so in case 3 you are more likely to get measurable levels than 1 or 2.

 

[IITUFFTOBEATII]

A question...

Would the bacteria colony be the same size in each senario?

Thinking this... Bacteria will only populate the amount of space needed to get the job done. With a lower concentration and more time less bacteria would be needed... Go ahead hammer me if you must

Well the concentration would be lower, as in mg/L, but the total mass (mg) would be the same, same amount of food = same amount of bacteria = same performance

 

[Bderick67]

with the same bioload the ammonia & nitrites would be zero in all tanks. How ever there would be a diffence with nitrates the 500g would have 1/5 the level of the 100g and the 1000g would have 1/10 the level of the 100g.