Nitrate Reduction using live rocks

[releeps]

Hi everyone, got a qn...is live rocks efficient in removing nitrate?

Cos I am thinking of adding alot of live rocks in my sump to remove nitrates.

[Achilles Tang]

My theory is that you do need rocks that are rather dense and big in size to get good denitrification results.

[lightningstrike]

Hi everyone, got a qn...is live rocks efficient in removing nitrate?

Cos I am thinking of adding alot of live rocks in my sump to remove nitrates.

do a search on any engines on Berlin NNR. u should find tons of info on it.

[shoelevy]

live rocks got pockets that contain bact to reduce no3 but very minimal...u wouldn't need a mountain to handle the bioload of a normal reef tank

[aquabeAnz]

i pick those with lots of surface area, minute crevices in hope to achieve a better rate of NNR...

[releeps]

Yeah...just did a search but mostly mentioned that the bacteria at the surface will convert ammonium to nitrate then the corals or algea will consume the nitrate. Only one website mention that the live rock will help in the break down of nitrate to nitrogen but that is deep in the rock...think thats y AT's theory is bigger rock will help (isit? ).

Am thinking of DIYing a denitrator but the thot of one more power head in my collection and the electric bill turn me off abit ...but think will go ahead with it now cos my nitrate constantly 15ppm ...sad case...

BTW... for all the info...think will also get one large rock to put in my sump .

[firestream]

I think you can add some biohome to help as well.

[blueheaven]

I personally prefer using a sandbed to add surface area for the bacteria to colonise

The reason why people use liverocks is that they contain the bacteria strains that is required, and the sandbed provides them with a place to colonise and the depth creates the anoxic zone which reduces nitrates to nitrogen bubbles.

[releeps]

I am keeping a DSB too but still having constantly high nitrate...tink may be my coral chip and ceramic ring...now in the midst of removing them part by part.

Anyway I just found out that the coil denitrator can be gravity fed so will be trying to DIY it...see can bring down my nitrate

[blueheaven]

I am keeping a DSB too but still having constantly high nitrate...tink may be my coral chip and ceramic ring...now in the midst of removing them part by part.

Anyway I just found out that the coil denitrator can be gravity fed so will be trying to DIY it...see can bring down my nitrate

Problem with Singaporean reefers using DSB is due to the fact that most of us lack infauna and our LFS do not have recharge kits for us (currently culturing my own). Without these guys, our nitrates will just accumulate and render the sandbed useless. Furthermore, improperly set up DSBs will create a whole mass of anaerobic zone and black patches of hydrogen sulphide will start to appear.

But back to the topic, using LR solely for biological filtration is not enough.

[releeps]

Dont really understand wat is infauna, can explain to me?

[blueheaven]

Read my article on sandbeds

[veliferium]

BH,can give the link

[blueheaven]

Here you go: http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...topic=21734&hl=

[Achilles Tang]

Problem with Singaporean reefers using DSB is due to the fact that most of us lack infauna and our LFS do not have recharge kits for us (currently culturing my own). Without these guys, our nitrates will just accumulate and render the sandbed useless. Furthermore, improperly set up DSBs will create a whole mass of anaerobic zone and black patches of hydrogen sulphide will start to appear.

But back to the topic, using LR solely for biological filtration is not enough.

DSBs do work. Just that over time, it may slowly lose some efficiency.

Anyway, ample LR WILL provide enough denitrification effects provided you team it with conservative stocking and feeding combined with a good nutrient export system eg. good skimmer and regular water changes.