One of my friends said that some one said I am wrong with my planted tank. I have eco complete and a FX5 with 3 layers of bio media and a filter pad. He was told that that is wrong I need 2 layers of bio media plus something else. The reason is all the beneficial bacteria in the gravel/eco mix plus the fx5 is to much bacteria and converts to nitrate to quickly. It is also a HEAVILY stocked tank. Is this wrong?
can you convert ammonia to nitrate to fast?
- Thread starter Nate Dogg
- Start date
Yes it is 100% wrong. No such thing as converting too fast. That's the whole objective.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Part of fish keeping is not relying on filters to do all the work. With constant water changes... the filtration's only job is to cycle the water and keep beneficial bacteria spreading throughout the tank. You can have little filtration with lava rock to house the bacteria and water changes twice a week and you're ok.
I disagree, but probably just on a technicality. The filters job is not merely to cycle water and spread the bacteria. actually very little bacteria exists in the water itself which is why water changes don't harm your colony. Bacteria need a porous surface to live on and in like the lava rock you suggested. a canister filter loaded with bio media is a house for the bacteria with a pump that supplies it with nutrient rich water and oxygen to survive on. yes part of fish keeping is to do constant maintenance on your tank to ensure proper water quality. but if you are able to set up filtration adequate enough to reduce the amount of work you do you would still continue changing the water needlessly? This would just stress the fish for no reason. I have no personal experience with it but I have read of people who have been able to establish a complete system that processes nitrate as well and for the most part they only add water when needed due to evaporation. two ways to accomplish this if I understand correctly. one is to have a heavily planted tank. mangroves I believe are great at consuming nitrate. also I have read of something I believe was referred to as a deep gravel bed filter that establishes anaerobic bacteria which will eradicate nitrate. I don't think I am understanding your point correctly. could you elaborate?
If I understand this, than these are severely understocked tanks. So, yes, if you are willing to under stock a lot, then reducing WC a lot is feasible. The point is that WC are being done because people can safely house pets with a higher stocking level and fewer plants, but one of the conditions is regular WC. There isn't a right answer: owners can have very low maintenance with very few fish or a lot higher maintenance with a lot more fish. In both cases, it can be done with fish having good water conditions and an environment in which to flourish.
The one example with the deep gravel bed filter I am thinking of was definitely not under stocked. If anything he was severely over stocked. He grew tired of doing constant water changes and after research decided to try it. If I remember correctly, he went one full year without doing any water changes, just top offs. And his nitrate remained pretty much non existent. I do however understand your point and agree for the most part.
I haven't used deep gravel beds, but I've heard some nice things there. Intersting idea! Thanks for sharing.
