surface area...bacteria

[usirchchris]

So I was thinking about doing something with my proclear sump, and am wondering what others think. Right now I have it set up so the water comes down two pipes directly onto my filter pads, then the water hits a drip plate that I made and disperses it over my bio balls. It then goes down to the bottom seperated from my return pump by a polishing block. I am thinking about filling the space where the water sits (before making it to the return pump side) with de nitrate, and am wondering, even when the de nitrate is exhausted will this help with bacteria build up, or does the bacteria need more air...like up in the bio ball area? My ultimate goal is to help with nitrates...will this help at all?

 

[saltymac]

It might, but have you considered removing the bioball area and adding a 6500k light and so cheato? I have the proclear 150 w/skimmer.....IMO works better than bio balls.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by saltymac
http:///forum/post/2601640
It might, but have you considered removing the bioball area and adding a 6500k light and so cheato? I have the proclear 150 w/skimmer.....IMO works better than bio balls.
You put the cheato in place of the bio balls? Does it grow for you? I would think it would have to be submersed in water

willing to give it a shot if you say differently though.

 

[sly]

Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/2601762
You put the cheato in place of the bio balls? Does it grow for you? I would think it would have to be submersed in water

willing to give it a shot if you say differently though.
IMO I would leave the bioballs. If you are having nitrate issues then I would make sure you are keeping those pads rinsed out regularly and that you remove any sediment that settles in the bottom of your sump. I also recommend adding some chaeto but I would do it in a separate refugium. I added a simple 10 gallon tank to my system put in a single baffle so that the water level stays high enough for the chaeto in one chamber, yet low enough for the sump in the other chamber. I teed off the water coming from my tank and put in a ball valve so that the water can be regulated going into the refugium. Some of the water goes to the wet/dry and some of it goes to the refugium. I used a simple U tube siphon hose to connect the refugium and the sump.
I'm not sure about the de nitrate. I know that you usually do not want to leave anything like this in your system after it has served its purpose.

 

[usirchchris]

Originally Posted by Sly
http:///forum/post/2601897
IMO I would leave the bioballs. If you are having nitrate issues then I would make sure you are keeping those pads rinsed out regularly and that you remove any sediment that settles in the bottom of your sump. I also recommend adding some chaeto but I would do it in a separate refugium. I added a simple 10 gallon tank to my system put in a single baffle so that the water level stays high enough for the chaeto in one chamber, yet low enough for the sump in the other chamber. I teed off the water coming from my tank and put in a ball valve so that the water can be regulated going into the refugium. Some of the water goes to the wet/dry and some of it goes to the refugium. I used a simple U tube siphon hose to connect the refugium and the sump.
I'm not sure about the de nitrate. I know that you usually do not want to leave anything like this in your system after it has served its purpose.
I would have to by another return pump to make this work...The bottle of denitrate says you can keep it in for the purpose I am thinking...surface area that is. I don't really have a problem for what I have right now, but I would like to add an anemone and maybe try a softy. I am not even sure if this would help with the right bacteria...seems like the nitrate consuming bacteria requires a different environment.