Good buy water change

[arwen]

I don't see it happening - nitrates aren't everything. Besides removing metabolic by-products (other than nitrate) water changes add in minerals.

Thanks Dan what kinda minerals are introduce?

I say never. Nothing is more beneficial than an old fashioned water change. Also you have to think what exactly do these magic chemicals ur adding to your tank consist off? It may be creating a whole new problem in your tank.

Hi Addikted2Cichlids do agree the conventional way, for me been changing water every 2 days. Amount change was a good 100 gallons. Took me probably an hour to wrap up every day. A very good work out I must say. At the moment am adding carbon to feed the bacs. Our atmosphere consist of mostly nitrogen, wished that I've stay more awake during my chemistry classes. Keeping my fingers crossed at the moment for you're right about the creating a new by product. What will that be (please change my fishes from a tiny to monsters) cheers

mutant fish soon with all the chemicals

Xmen is 1 good movie my friend, am trying to use biological theory to increase maintennce productivity.

I thought they were called plants...

Hehe nice

^ that's what i was thinking, other than anaerobic bacteria what else can complete the nitrogen cycle?

Hi anarekist, I am learning too. Liked your question

examples of these denitrators?

the koi ponds have anoxic filters that are clay based with some laterite. The theory in a nutshell, you have decent water movement thru a basket, the BB consume Oxygen and create nitrate the same way they do as aquarium, this occurs in the first few inches of the basket. Deeper in the basket the water becomes anoxic (less Oxygen) not anaerobic. There the bacteria consume nitrate, and the by product gases off, effectively reducing nitrates. Some of the stories I have heard down to 2-3 water changes a year.

Would love to see if some of the bigger system out here would be able to pull off this in an aquarium setting.

http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/Introduction.pdf

Nice theory, biologically from the wild to concrete pond, the next level is from concrete pond to indoors monster tank. Thumbs up

Dan nailed it though, it's not only about what is being removed but also what is being replenished. I never see the need (even if one becomes available I will not use) an chemical or filter to replace water changes entierly. Plants can help keep perams cleaner in the between water changes but water still needs changing. I see drip systems becoming more efficient/commercial.

very interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denitrifying_bacteria
says that denitrfication only occurs in anaerobic conditions, but that wiki article is uncited so take it with a grain of salt.

at article is confusing because it clearly trying to explain the nitrogen cycle to laymen and really beats a dead horse at times.

what i gather from it tho is that in the zone c bacteria can break down ammonia straight into nitrogen by taking it's oxygen molecule. but if there's some oxygen there as there is in an anoxic environment then why would it choose to break down the ammonia instead of the oxygen that's there? i would think that happens in an anaerobic condition, but is that artcle saying that in an anaerobic condition the bacteria can only utilize nitrate?

Nice read, makes me thinking what I have in this little head of mine. Thanks

anoxic = no oxygen

a deep sand bed in a reef system is set up to do just that. a plenum does the same thing.

Hi Sarmo, yes a friend of mine is doing the exact. On fresh water instead, for him it seems nothing beats a well maintained deep sand bedded planted tank. According to him it bubbles off nitrogen from sand bed through sucessfull no3 conversion. Frankly was tempted to give that a go with the other half of me having the dilemma of being a aqua gardener. Nice sharing of you

Happy New Year ladies & gentleman. Let's party let's see what have I got in the fridge, market prawns & more market prawns, cheers