Where exactly is the biological filter?

[rotarygeek]

I was under the impression that it builds up on your filter pads and on the live rock and sand, but i have read that you should still replace the HOB filters. Wouldn't that get rid of your Bio filter, Making the tank have to cycle again?

 

[earlybird]

microscopic nitrifying bacteria that colonizes porous structures such as rocks, sand, etc.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by RotaryGeek
http:///forum/post/2482210
I was under the impression that it builds up on your filter pads and on the live rock and sand, but i have read that you should still replace the HOB filters. Wouldn't that get rid of your Bio filter, Making the tank have to cycle again?
While yes, it will build up in filtration, the bacteria that builds up there is minimal when compared to the build up in your sand and rock (where you'll get the greatest concentration by far), and along the glass, on the heater(s), skimmer, and any other solid surface. You definitely should change the filter pads because the other things that build up there are worse for your tank than loosing the minimal amount of bacteria when you do the filter change.

 

[sexyshrimp101]

Biological filtration is anything that is natural, such as the sand, rocks, etc. like earlybird said. Even though there is bacteria and whatnot on your filter pads, the filter is still considered mechanical filtration and needs to be cleaned in order to keep nitrates and such down and for the mechanical filtration to be able to continue to clean your tank with clean filters. You wouldn't have a cycle from changing filter media. Hope that helps

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by sexyshrimp101
http:///forum/post/2482227
Biological filtration is anything that is natural, such as the sand, rocks, etc. like earlybird said. Even though there is bacteria and whatnot on your filter pads, the filter is still considered mechanical filtration and needs to be cleaned in order to keep nitrates and such down and for the mechanical filtration to be able to continue to clean your tank with clean filters. You wouldn't have a cycle from changing filter media. Hope that helps

I wouldn't really consider it that way. You still get a biological filter in a QT that is devoid of sand and rock. It technically covers any solid surface, though likely not as well as rock or sand because of the much greater surface area, since they're so porous.

 

[sk8shorty01]

m0nk did a very good job of explaining it. The Biological filtration within the system will be on any surface, although rock and sand have a better ability to house this bacteria because they both have a lot more surface area than the flat surface of the tank bottom and walls have. The filter pads do hold on to some of this bacteria, so they do aid in the denitrifying process, but there is not nearly as much within the pads as there is in the sand and rock, so the loss should be minimal. This is why I alternate changing my two filter pads. I change one, then in two weeks I change the other. This will limit the loss and keep you from shocking the system, although it probably wouldn't matter if I did both at the same time. I hope with all of these responses you can get a good idea of what we are trying to explain. Good luck with your tank and happy reefing!

 

[sexyshrimp101]

I suppose that makes sense. Ya learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info

 

[perfectdark]

+1 on all of the above... FWIW, the filter pads and sponges although collect biological bacteria also perform as a filter for larger particles of waste. Detritus and any other solid matter gets caught in them not allowing for them to re-enter your tank but in time they can clog them. Its a good idea to at least rinse them off in your syphoned water to get all of the solids off of them. A small surface getting most of your tanks water filter through it can trap quite a bit in a short time. And with little surface area for bacteria to grow on, the waste to bacteria ratio IMO can get thrown off causing spikes in your chemistry. Changing them out completly isnt IMO necessary if you routinely rinse them off and make sure there is no solid particulates trapped in them.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Sorry I said changing on my post, but I meant rinsing... I dont know why I did that haha. Thanks for pointing that out PerfectDark!