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In Reef Aquarium Volume 3, Julian Sprung discusses how arobic & anarobic chemistry happen in close proximity of each other (coupled).It's pretty straightforward. The amount of anaerobic bacteria in our filtration systems is minimal. That's why we have a continuous build up of nitrates in our tanks. So yes, media like matrix that is very porous the innermost part of each "pebble," there is some anaerobic respiration taking place. Do not think that the entire "pebble" allows for anaerobic bacteria to break down the nitrates. Just like in the blocks that you use, only a tiny percentage of that block allows for anaerobic respiration. I have 2 inches of sand, over 100 lbs of live rock, an entire reactor of matrix, and over 24 bio-blocks in my system, yet I produce excess nitrates, and the reason for that is that oxygen in the water in our systems interferes with anaerobic bacteria. You're being naive if you think that the "specially designed bio-blocks" lend themselves to necessary denitrification. Ideally, as in nature, all nitrates pretty much would be converted to nitrogen eventually. In the oceans, nitrate levels are somewhere between 0-.14 ppm under normal conditions.
You have DSB in both tanks. I am not surprised. You're an old schooler!In Reef Aquarium Volume 3, Julian Sprung discusses how arobic & anarobic chemistry happen in close proximity of each other (coupled).
@Pickle_soup
You might have a continuous buildup of NO4 but that is not the case in this 25 year set up or this 2 year set up.
Removing the bricks might effect your nitrate lv or might not. IMO bio bricks do nothing for phosphate.I'm considering removing the bioblocks to let my nitrates and phosphates rise, but wanted to make sure it's the right call.
Do you have coral in the tank yet? Either way, IMO just let nature take its course and let the Dino burn themselves out. 2 months is very new.Tank is a new frag tank that has 6 fish in it right now, all transfers from a smaller tank. Never had to deal with these issues in my display tank, so uncharted territory for me still.
You have DSB in both tanks. I am not surprised.
I never had an issue with dino until recently. Do they really burn themselves out?Removing the bricks might effect your nitrate lv or might not. IMO bio bricks do nothing for phosphate.
Were the bricks “seasoned “ in your display? IMO it will not hurt anything to remove them.
Everything in the tank has a bio film on it by now. So ammonia lv should be ok and good for coral anyway!!
Do you have coral in the tank yet? Either way, IMO just let nature take its course and let the Dino burn themselves out. 2 months is very new.
No, that is not true.I never had an issue with dino until recently. Do they really burn themselves out?
I have no deep sand beds. I do operate 1”-2” aroggonite sandbeds with reverse flow undergravel filterYou have DSB in both tanks. I am not surprised. You're an old schooler!
" It could simply be that our tanks produce nitrate faster than anaerobes can remove it"---Why do you think that might be? Could it be that there is not enough anaerobic bacteria? “
I am not following...@Pickle_soup
Let’s park here and talk about anaerobic & aerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria double in density every 20 minutes. Anarobic bacteria take 6 hours to double in density, because of the energy required to break the bond of NO4 molecule to consume oxygen and then allow a free N2 molecule to escape as nutrient export.
Dinos are very opportunistic. They will not burn out.I never had an issue with dino until recently. Do they really burn themselves out?
It's pretty straightforward. The amount of anaerobic bacteria in our filtration systems is minimal. That's why we have a continuous build up of nitrates in our tanks. So yes, media like matrix that is very porous the innermost part of each "pebble," there is some anaerobic respiration taking place. Do not think that the entire "pebble" allows for anaerobic bacteria to break down the nitrates. Just like in the blocks that you use, only a tiny percentage of that block allows for anaerobic respiration. I have 2 inches of sand, over 100 lbs of live rock, an entire reactor of matrix, and over 24 bio-blocks in my system, yet I produce excess nitrates, and the reason for that is that oxygen in the water in our systems interferes with anaerobic bacteria. You're being naive if you think that the "specially designed bio-blocks" lend themselves to necessary denitrification. Ideally, as in nature, all nitrates pretty much would be converted to nitrogen eventually. In the oceans, nitrate levels are somewhere between 0-.14 ppm under normal conditions.
What's the best way to use it then? Just in a bag at the bottom of the sump?“An entire reactor of Matrix”. Are you aware that running a boi media like this in a media reactor will specifically encourage aerobic bacteria AND discourage anaerobic (because of the forced flow)? This would likely explain the ineffectiveness you are seeing.
never had an issue with dino until recently. Do they really burn themselves out?
Poor choice of words on my end. Dino can be outcompeted by other organisms is what I meant. Some Dino are more stubborn than others.No, that is not true.
Dino have a way of feeding themselves also. They are pretty good at it.
Yes. Mesh bag in the corner, out of direct flow.What's the best way to use it then? Just in a bag at the bottom of the sump?
I'll try it. Even better. I can get a scrubber in the place of the reactor. Maybe. Eventually. Who wants to buy a reactor?Yes. Mesh bag in the corner, out of direct flow.
Hello R2R,
Wanted to get a second opinion. I am currently dealing with a pretty bad case of dinos and bottomed-out nutrients in my 50g, my suspicions are that I might have too much biological filtration.
Currently have these maxspect bioblocks that treat up to 750 gallons, in addition to a little bit of live rock. I don't feed lightly by any means either.
I'm considering removing the bioblocks to let my nitrates and phosphates rise, but wanted to make sure it's the right call.
Thanks in advance!
Mine didI never had an issue with dino until recently. Do they really burn themselves out?