Bio Balls and Nitrates

smpross · 12/10/2006, 10:18 AM

Hi All,
I removed my Bio Balls from my Wet Dry filter and filled it halfway with live rock. How soon should I see a change in my Nitrate levels?

Thanks.

Scott

frugalreef · 12/10/2006, 10:24 AM

to help reduce nitrates. grotwth of the cheato consumes nitrate so make sure you trim it once in a while.

smpross · 12/10/2006, 11:21 AM

But how long should it take for me tank to lower the nitrates without the Bio Balls?

Scott

LittlePuff · 12/11/2006, 12:12 PM

As soon as your live rock can catch up to the amount. If it's too high, do water changes.

supertech3 · 12/11/2006, 12:18 PM

it will take quite a while unless you you help by doing the water changes and get something to consume what is already in. I also like the chaeto in my tank. PATIENCE!!!!

Fishbulb2 · 12/11/2006, 12:33 PM

It should take about a couple weeks. Do water changes in the mean time.
FB

toastman · 12/11/2006, 02:40 PM

Your live rock will not lower the nitrates, you need to do water changes, or add a nitrate reactor, or a deep sand bed filter to consume nitrates, or some macro algea

McCrary · 12/11/2006, 03:48 PM

Actually live rock contains both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria will consume nitrates and release nitrogen gas.

12/10/2006, 10:18 AM	#1
smpross Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 33	Bio Balls and Nitrates Hi All, I removed my Bio Balls from my Wet Dry filter and filled it halfway with live rock. How soon should I see a change in my Nitrate levels? Thanks. Scott

12/10/2006, 10:24 AM	#2
frugalreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: MI 48317 Posts: 58	add some cheato to help reduce nitrates. grotwth of the cheato consumes nitrate so make sure you trim it once in a while.

12/11/2006, 12:12 PM	#4
LittlePuff Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Peoria,IL Posts: 685	As soon as your live rock can catch up to the amount. If it's too high, do water changes. __________________ 90gal FOWLR (planning) 55gal FOWLR

12/11/2006, 12:33 PM	#6
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	It should take about a couple weeks. Do water changes in the mean time. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

12/11/2006, 03:48 PM	#8
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Actually live rock contains both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria will consume nitrates and release nitrogen gas. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

12/10/2006, 11:21 AM	#3
smpross Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 33	But how long should it take for me tank to lower the nitrates without the Bio Balls? Scott

12/11/2006, 12:18 PM	#5
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	it will take quite a while unless you you help by doing the water changes and get something to consume what is already in. I also like the chaeto in my tank. PATIENCE!!!!

12/11/2006, 02:40 PM	#7
toastman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lebanon, Ohio Posts: 164	Your live rock will not lower the nitrates, you need to do water changes, or add a nitrate reactor, or a deep sand bed filter to consume nitrates, or some macro algea