high nitrates

[Anonymous]

Much welcome, Achilles. I can't help but think of your strife with Agamemnon.. (currently reading "The Iliad").

 

[Anonymous]

Rant:
I still don't understand how bioballs can be considered "nitrate factories". Don't people understand the nitrogen cycle at ALL?? I read this kind of mis-informed crud all the time.
PROPERLY set up and maintained, and hand-in-hand with live rock, bioballs are one of the best ways to filter a tank.
Oh. My. God >:[

 

[Anonymous]

On this, Unleashed, you and I agree.

 

[Anonymous]

I wasn't aware that there were things we DIDN'T agree on :lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

The reputation that some forms of filtration have attained as being "nitrate factories" is somewhat of a semantic argument IMO. Sure, these methods can work, but they are by no means the "best" way to go. Just about any system, including no filtration (ie. daily water changes) can be made to work with enough effort - that doesn't make it a good idea IMO. It really depends on what you're trying to achieve in terms of water quality and what sort of maintenance you're willing to perform.

Any type of filtration that provides an area or media that can potentially trap uneaten food, detritus, etc. which can then decompose and degrade water quality over time can potentially pose water quality issues. This goes for canister filters, undergravel filters, hang-on power filters, bioballs, sponge filters etc. Sure, if you maintain these devices diligently enough this won't be an issue and they can work fine, but why would you willingly setup a system that requires more maintenance when there are better, more natural and lower maintenance alternatives?

I guess I don't understand why anyone would want bioballs in a modern reef system...

 

[Achilles_Tang]

Chris, I agree with you and support your argument... its' not that bio balls are 'no good', it really all depends on the level of maintenance that is kept on them. If you want bio balls in a reef system then it's just an added step of keeping crud off of them. Oxygen, H2O, protein/waste(detrius) = nitrate... this is a proven thing...

On the otherhand, I am a firm beleiver in an organic system... live rock replaces bio balls for me... I am slowly going to phase them out now that I've switched to a reef system. Just trying to prove what works for me as this reef hobby is not an exact science, but using the law of nature, I think has its benefits.

Achilles 8)

 

[Anonymous]

And here I thought I was the big proponent of natural systems.. :|

 

[Achilles_Tang]

just learning from you my fair maiden

 

[TKHAN]

In addition to the advice you have been given about high nitrates.You could also add 1 large clam to your system,providing you have good enough lighting. This is by no means a cure all to your problem. But I had a cronic nitrate problem that I couldn't get below 100 no matter what I did. 2 weeks after I added 1 large clam my level dropped to nearly 0. Just a little advice that may help for the short term. Clams love nitrates.