Bio Denitrator vs. well planting

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 23 Jun 2003, 11:14

Hi,
I have read in an aquarium magazine about the Sera bio Denitrator.It writes that "this is a box which provides a natural habitat to bacteria which break nitrate.Bio Denitrator is connected to the filter outlet and it cares for 36l of water per day free of nitrate".Has any of you this extra filter?Do you think that its usefull or a well planting will do the same?

Thanks in advance

Post by **Dinyar** » 23 Jun 2003, 15:21

These toys are used by reef keepers, who have fewer choices when it comes to reducing nitrates. I have not used them myself and do not personally know people who have, but I have read of people who have in FW tanks, and the consensus seems to be that if it makes a difference, that difference is too small to be useful.

FWIW, plants prefer to use ammonium to nitrate, as breaking down the latter into usable form requires more energy. And of course, you need the right balance between not too much nitrate and much plant, or else you'll simply grow algae and do nothing to reduce your nitrates.

Under the right circumstances, plants can definitely make a big contribution to a low nitrogen tank, but the best solution is large water changes, such as 50% weekly.

Dinyar

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 26 Jun 2003, 09:53

Thanks a lot Dinyar.
But i have subdued lighting and my dealer said that no plant can live with subdued lighting.Is this true?If not what varieties do you think that are suitable?

Thanks in advance.

Post by **Dinyar** » 26 Jun 2003, 14:54

Yes, you will need about 2 watts/gallon or better to obtain luxuriant plant growth. But you don't neeed a lot of light to do water changes!

Dinyar

FatCat · Post by **FatCat** » 26 Jun 2003, 21:08

I have subdued light as well and have fialed miserably with planted plants. However i have come up with a nice little low maintence cure for the problem. I have had really good luck with surface plants that do not require a planted root system. They are right up at the top plenty of light there! They block a little light out but that just makes the catfish happy

and very easy maintenance just pull some out when they get to big for your taste. I just went to lFS and asked for a floating plant that donsent require planting and they gave me this. Unfortunately I dont know the name as im not into plants much.

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 27 Jun 2003, 09:16

Thank you Dinyar for the advice

but i want to put some rooted plants to hide the tank equipment (Filter inlet-outlet,heater,thermometre and other).

Thanks Fatcat,i will put some floating plants.

As for the rooted plants,do you think that echinodorus sp. will thrive or not with subdued lighting?

Thanks in advance.