ZoozFishMaster
Aquarium Advice Freak
We've all been told that a wet/dry can become a nitrate factory because it only provides a proper environment for nitrifying bacteria (high oxygen) to survive. So only ammonia and nitrite are being converted in the wet/dry. The same is true with power filters. I do not use bio-balls or power filters for my reef tank; like many, I depend on the live rock and sand for the nitrogen cycle.
Many people say skip the bioballs and depend on the live rock for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. But for some reason I don't quite understand something and it is bugging me!! Why can't you depend on the wet/dry (bioballs) for nitrification and depend on the live rock and sand for denitrification? Afterall, ammonia and nitrite have to be converted no matter what. Who cares if the nitrifying bacteria on the bioballs do it, or the nitrifying bacteria on the live rock does it. The tank is still going to be producing the same amount of nitrates. Does this make sense? Can someone clear this up? Thanks.
Many people say skip the bioballs and depend on the live rock for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. But for some reason I don't quite understand something and it is bugging me!! Why can't you depend on the wet/dry (bioballs) for nitrification and depend on the live rock and sand for denitrification? Afterall, ammonia and nitrite have to be converted no matter what. Who cares if the nitrifying bacteria on the bioballs do it, or the nitrifying bacteria on the live rock does it. The tank is still going to be producing the same amount of nitrates. Does this make sense? Can someone clear this up? Thanks.