Bio-ceramic rings for biological filtration.

[Marine_fanaticz]

Hi guys, I've got a questin- my tank is a nano running on an iOS.... in one of the compartments, there's ceramic biorings for biological filtration..

Must these be kept in dark areas? I've recently removed the black sticky paper covering my iOS as I was thinking of adding in a light to grow chaeto. now, moderate amounts of sunlight can enter the iOS. Will the beneficial bacteria hosting on these ceramic biorings die upon being exposed to sunlight?

Also, I've read that over time, these ceramic biorings may trap nutrients so better if I remove them slowly.. My 9gallon nano contains 3kg live rocks... so will the live rocks alone be able to host beneficial bacteria? Or must I also have the biorings?

My tank still cycling (3rd week)... Thanks hope for replies:)

[kamino]

Not too sure about the dark areas portion but to share what I learnt from a sifu on the ceramic rings - if detritus is allowed trapped on the rings then it may become a factory for nutrient. The advice is to shake the rings off the detritus once awhile. Live rocks do provide another source of bacteria for denitrification - or you can try dosing chemical filtration such as biodigest. For a nano tank, control feeding I guess is important

[Marine_fanaticz]

Ok thanks:)