Live rock?

[ShadowBass]

While live rock doesn't eliminate nitrates. Though the Coraline algae and micro organisms can reduce nitrates, its almost unnoticeable though

It depends on how much rock you have, what kind, quality, your tank conditions, etc. I don't think it's mainly denitrifying bacteria in the rock, probably other organisms like sponges, algaes, etc.

My nitrates were consistently 0 with rock and skimmer on my 90g reef tank. And skimmer does not remove 100% of proteins that lead to ammonia and nitrite. I had no denitrification unit on my tank.

On my 20L reef tank with fish, with just rock and powerheads, no skimmer, my nitrates were consistently below 5ppm.
Again, no denitrifcation unit.

Live rock will not eliminate nitrates. The nitrogen cycles stops there.

Um, no. The nitrogen cycle doesn't stop there. Go read up on the nitrogen cycle and denitrifying bacteria. Even if live rock doesn't contain denitrifying bacteria, saying the nitrogen cycle stops there makes no sense.

 

[ShadowBass]

People tote that live rock is "the" source of biofiltration but thats just not the case, the sandbed does almost all if not all the important biofiltration as the sand bed contains a heck of alot more bacteria.

How do you explain barebottom tanks with live rock, with low or 0 nitrates?

Even ignoring whether or not the nitrate removal abilities of live rock are due to bacteria or other factors (algae, etc.), it CAN help keep nitrates low or remove them, even without sand.

Fairly comprehensive article:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/feature/index.php

Using "dead" rock seeded from quality live rock will take much longer. Due to the fact that, yes nitrifying bacteria will seed throughout the rock, just as it will on any other surface, but the bacteria and organisms that help with nitrate reduction will not spread as quickly.

 

[SharkBait101]

Hey Canuck, do you mind me asking where you got your fake rock? Sorry, if this is a noob question. It looks really good. Did you purchase it from your local fish store or a website?

 

[TheCanuck]

local fish store for 50 cents a lb i think. Lace rock

 

[overcooked]

It depends on how much rock you have, what kind, quality, your tank conditions, etc. I don't think it's mainly denitrifying bacteria in the rock, probably other organisms like sponges, algaes, etc.

My nitrates were consistently 0 with rock and skimmer on my 90g reef tank. And skimmer does not remove 100% of proteins that lead to ammonia and nitrite. I had no denitrification unit on my tank.

On my 20L reef tank with fish, with just rock and powerheads, no skimmer, my nitrates were consistently below 5ppm.
Again, no denitrifcation unit.



Um, no. The nitrogen cycle doesn't stop there. Go read up on the nitrogen cycle and denitrifying bacteria. Even if live rock doesn't contain denitrifying bacteria, saying the nitrogen cycle stops there makes no sense.

If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting your info from? All biology books I've read, always states that a nitrogen cycle stops at nitrate. If you do a basic web search all charts will state that. So what does no3 convert to in the nitrogen cycle?

 

[TheCanuck]

How do you explain barebottom tanks with live rock, with low or 0 nitrates?

Even ignoring whether or not the nitrate removal abilities of live rock are due to bacteria or other factors (algae, etc.), it CAN help keep nitrates low or remove them, even without sand.

Fairly comprehensive article:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/feature/index.php

Using "dead" rock seeded from quality live rock will take much longer. Due to the fact that, yes nitrifying bacteria will seed throughout the rock, just as it will on any other surface, but the bacteria and organisms that help with nitrate reduction will not spread as quickly.

Well your a live rock guy... Which is sad cause you're mis informed.


Live rock does not provide 1/10 of the S/A sand does. Why do you think all large tanks are run by sand filters and not live rock? All the aquariums use sand, and have very little live rock. Hell most of their rock is fake, as they are pro saving the reefs. So if you like buying over priced rocks thinking your better than others go on, but in the end your behind. Money and biological filtration...

I also see your for skimmers... Skimmers are the biggest joke in the aquatics history. Yes they work, but they are not needed, and should actually not be used if your able to set up a algae turf scrubber. There are much better options.

BTW nitrates are the final outcome of the nitrogen cycle. In the ocean macro algae eats that and recycles the water, and bacteria eats it as well. It's a continuous cycle in the ocean. For most aquariums nitrates is the ending point before a water change though.