Don't fall victim to that myth. Nitrates are only the end result of the nitrogen cycle. Nothing else contributes to it (unless you are doing some industrial strength chemical reactions in there (kidding...you wouldn't have any fish)).Ozkar;984761; said:...I think the gravel is making it more difficult to keep my tank's nitrate lower...
What about all the waste that stays in the gravel? Wouldn't it be better to remove as much of the fish waste via the filter and siphoning than to have a lot left in the gravel to add to nitrate (eventually)?CHOMPERS;984807; said:Don't fall victim to that myth. Nitrates are only the end result of the nitrogen cycle. Nothing else contributes to it (unless you are doing some industrial strength chemical reactions in there (kidding...you wouldn't have any fish)).
CHOMPERS;984807; said:Don't fall victim to that myth. Nitrates are only the end result of the nitrogen cycle. Nothing else contributes to it (unless you are doing some industrial strength chemical reactions in there (kidding...you wouldn't have any fish)).
Yeah, that was my thinking exactly! Chompers, I want your thoughts on this too. Thanks!TCZeli;985062; said:from what I understand...... Poop causes ammonia. beneficial bacteria will break down this ammonia and convert it to Nitrites. The bacteria will then further break it down to Nitrates, where it will stay until water changes remove them.
Now gravel wont trap teh nitrates, but gravel will however trap the poop which will in return KEEP releasing ammonia, which will KEEP converting to nitrites which will KEEP converting to Nitrates. So you will always have some Nitrates. So in a bare bottom tank, you can get every single bit of poop out, which will stop the ammonia to nitrite to nitrate cycle.
You'll always have some nitrate, but getting the poop out fast will limit the amount a bit.
Chompers please let me know if there is something you know that I dont, this is what I always understood, but I would love to know if I am missing somthing.
Better filtration? I'm not having problems with ammonia or nitrite, just the final result Nitrate, which is supposed to be removed by algae, plants, and water changes (as in my case).amazonfishman;984969; said:You need alot more/better filtration if your never getting below 20ppm and doing alot of water changes. How big of water changes are you doing? What sort of filter are you running currently? Fish housed in the tank? ~Trent