Environmental Gradient


Slide Show Presentation Windows CD by Steve Tyree Concerning Natural EG and Tri-Zonal Filtration. Executable files that run on Win 95, 98, 2000, Millenium and XP. This CD is for people too busy to read our indepth books. There is also new information that helps to bridge the gap between the currently released CMAT volume 1 book and CMAT volume 2 that will be released late in 2003. Just $15.00 plus $2.50 postage and handling. There are ~180 slides. Distributed by DE Publishing. Presentations contain graphics, images and text. Order via Paypal payment services or just send us email.

The Environmental Gradient is the name for a completely natural method of captive reef tank filtration. Primary filtration of dissolved organics and pelagic bacteria within this new filtration method is performed by living sponges and sea squirts. Berlin style reef aquaria utilize a protein skimmer to remove dissolved organics, but lack any natural method to control pelagic bacterial densities. The use of living sponges and sea squirts presents a much more natural method to maintain captive reef aquaria. Additional advantages of this new method are its low operational costs combined with the inherent ability to maintain a more diverse assemblage of macro organisms. This web page is dedicated to the EG filtration philosophy. It can be reached directly with the following link.

http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/getzoned.htm
This filtration concept utilizes the cryptofauna located within the cryptic zones of the tropical reef platform. These animals are naturally suited to consume dissolved organics and bacteria. These dissolved organics and bacteria are created by the animals that inhabit the exposed zones of the tropical reef platform. We have taken this basic exposed zone and cryptic zone concept and expanded it within the book volume 1 of the CMAT series. We are currently researching further aspects of this filtration method. The complete results of our Research Phase 1 is available in volume 1of the new Captive Maintenance Advanced Techniques (CMAT) book series. It is published by DE Publishing. The title is
The Environmental Gradient - Cryptic Sponge and Sea Squirt Filtration Models.
Aquarist that want to setup a cryptic filtration zone can either locate these animals within existing reefs or the live rock bins at local reef stores. Animals are also available from DE at the following web page.
Natural Filtration Cryptic Animals Available via Mail Order

This web site is meant to be utilized by aquarist setting up or experimenting with EG systems. We are currently recommending that intermediate to advanced aquarist (who have acquired CMAT volume 1) can setup EG systems. We will not be recommending that beginning reef aquarist setup EG systems until we conclude Research Phase 2. This web site also contains a message forum that can be utilized by reef aquarist and reef scientist. This forum is only intended to be related to issues surrounding the EG filtration system. We also recommend that aquarist that are serious about setting up an EG system should acquire the CMAT volume 1 book mentioned above. The entire basic system methodology is described there and we really dont want to clutter up the message forum with questions that are already addressed within that book. The forum is meant to be a place where aquarist experimenting and researching the natural zoned method of captive filtration, can discuss leading edge issues and report any research discoveries. We welcome questions from those new to the concept but they need to be direct and specific questions. A question like 'hey man how does this filtration concept work, tell me about', will not be answered and will be deleted from the forum. We want a high quality level of discussion within this forum, because the forum is intended to be a tool to advance the concept. We are not recommending that beginning reef aquarist maintain the system yet.