Nitrate Reducers and Bioballs

[xxmoorishmanxx]

Just wanted to understand some things. Basically i thought biballs, in a wet dry filter where there to create a large surface area where areobic bacteria could grow and in turn breakdown No3 into nitrogen gas. Some people have told me that using bioballs in such a system can raise No3 levels, and this is why they dont use them in a reef tank. is this true, if so how and why?

Quick second question, what's the dif. between nitrate reducers and the bioball section of a wet dry.


TIA Josh

 

[Biggen]

Bioballs don't do anything to aid in the breakdown of NO3 (your friend is right). The bacteria responsible for denitrification (the breakdown of NO3 back to N) need to be located in an anaerobic environment (i.e. no oxygen). Since the bioballs are constantly being washed over with fresh water carrying oxygen, these kinds of bacteria cannot live. However, bioballs are extremely efficient and letting the bacteria that convert NH3 to NO2 and then NO2 to NO3 thrive. This is because these bacteria need an aerobic environment (i.e. high oxygen).

I have no idea what the "nitrate reducers" are. I tend to not keep up with most of that "mumbo jumbo stuff" as I think it is the trade taking advantage of us fellow hobbyist. There are are only two ways to get rid of NO3: nutrient export (i.e water changes or macro algae nutrient uptake) and denitrification which I outlined above. Perhaps those "nitrate reducers" are balls just like bio-balls but they are made to be put in an anaerobic environment.

 

[xxmoorishmanxx]

here is a nitrate reducer

http://www.aquatic-store.com/en-us/dept_226.html

 

[quarryshark]

I removed my bioballs from my sump and my nitrates have gone down slightly FWIW.

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

Hey I ahve tried all the Nitrate products and filters and only one works which is the following. I have not clean my tank in 6 month's and have corals and inverts that are doing very well. The model I have is the CDEX-3 with the Phosphate removal option. It keeps my tank parameters on check.

http://natureef.com/

If you are interested in the product, Let me know since I got a hook up.

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

Also, that Aqua medic filter sucks when you have fish that get feed often and carry a huge bioload. I had one and was a piece of crap.

 

[xxmoorishmanxx]

i dont see how these things work mind explaining?

 

[Biggen]

i dont see how these things work mind explaining?

They are simply slowing the flow rate down (~1GPH) so much that they are creating an area of very low to no oxygen like I described. The balls are simply there to give them (the bacteria) something to live on.

Some of these devices are hit and miss. For two hundred dollars, I could have one heck of a refugium that would do a much better job that this thing.

 

[sumphead]

OK, basically put Biggen is on to it. There are several types of bacteria that live in your aquarium. The higher oxygen areas (Bio-trickle filters and bio-wheels) harbor the bacteria that will increase the bi-product of nitrates. The nitrate reducers in this thread, neither of which I would recommend use different methods. The one you listed uses, as Biggen said, a low oxygen area that reduces the nitates. The other uses an additive. I would NEVER use an additive to correct a problem. Granted I am no scientist but the concept of adding something to take something away is beyond me. If you want a cheap low oxygen denitrifyer, buy 100-200 ft. of RO/DI or similar waterline. Coil it up and pump water through it very slowly (<1/2 GPH). Simple and effective.

HTH,
R-

 

[lando]

I replaced my bio-balls in my sump with LR rubble. I keep my sump almost full of water so none of the LR rubble is above the water line. I have seen a noticable decrease in my nitrates. Lando

 

[seaham358]

Bio balls trap waste, food, poop over time this breaks down making NO3. this is why some say not to use bioballs for a reef set up and to use LR. Cleaning them on a regular basis can help avoid the build up. Just remember a through cleaning will also kill the good bacteria

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

i dont see how these things work mind explaining?

They are simply slowing the flow rate down (~1GPH) so much that they are creating an area of very low to no oxygen like I described. The balls are simply there to give them (the bacteria) something to live on.

Some of these devices are hit and miss. For two hundred dollars, I could have one heck of a refugium that would do a much better job that this thing.

Not true, the one I have doesn't redue nitrates through the drip method, what it does is use some chemicals that converts Nitrates to Nitrogen Gas. after it done in 30 muntes, the water gets refilled and repeats the process, this products can have you overfill your tank and never change the water in your tank. I havent done a water change in 7 month's and my Nitrates and Phosphates are at 0.

 

[Biggen]

Not true, the one I have doesn't redue nitrates through the drip method, what it does is use some chemicals that converts Nitrates to Nitrogen Gas. after it done in 30 muntes, the water gets refilled and repeats the process, this products can have you overfill your tank and never change the water in your tank

Actually, what I wrote is very true, indeed. A *real* denitrator is nothing more than a biological filter in an anaerobic environment. This requires one to slow the flow rate down of water so that oxygen isn't brought it as that would kill the bacteria involved in the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen. Do a search on Google for denitrators and see what you come up with.

I am not sure what you have. Who makes it and what is it called? It sounds like some type of chemical absorption process that "grabs" the nitrate. Do you have to replace the chemicals involved in this process?

I havent done a water change in 7 month's and my Nitrates and Phosphates are at 0.

Yes, but how many supplements do you have to add to keep ALL (calcium, iodine, magnesium, alkalinity, bromine, carbon, and on and on and on) your levels up??

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

Actually, what I wrote is very true, indeed. A *real* denitrator is nothing more than a biological filter in an anaerobic environment. This requires one to slow the flow rate down of water so that oxygen isn't brought it as that would kill the bacteria involved in the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen. Do a search on Google for denitrators and see what you come up with.

I am not sure what you have. Who makes it and what is it called? It sounds like some type of chemical absorption process that "grabs" the nitrate. Do you have to replace the chemicals involved in this process?

I havent done a water change in 7 month's and my Nitrates and Phosphates are at 0.

Yes, but how many supplements do you have to add to keep ALL (calcium, iodine, magnesium, alkalinity, bromine, carbon, and on and on and on) your levels up??

[/quote]
All I do is add B Ionic Calcium every week to keep it up 400PPM, and Combisan weekly to replace the trace elements. thats all. it also helps keep my alkalinity up so I don't dose it. I think you need to do more research to find out that you are not true and thier are filters out thier that work. Also, I go with one bottle of thier product for nitrate/Phophate removal for a whole year. So I don't have to do expensive water. The key is to have a stable environment, with no changes. AND of course great water quality.

 

[Biggen]

I think you need to do more research to find out that you are not true and thier are filters out thier that work.

What is the make and model of your denitrator? Again, you have an unconventional denitrator. If I were to keep up with all the gadgets and gismos that people sell for aquaria, I would not have time for anything else. I am glad what you have seems to work for you but if someone asks me how a denitrator works, that is what I give them.

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

NO I am sorry, if I came across rude since that is not my intentention, I love this site since people get to educate each other and we all are here to help other understand the new products in the hobby and assist when a problem evolves. Here is the website were I purchased my Nitrate/Phosphate filter, just go to the tab labeled denitrifier:

http://natureef.com/

 

[Biggen]

No hard feelings. I am glad I learned something.

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

Dude, this machine has been the best purchase ever in my life. I would recommend it to everyone that can afford it.