Biological Filtration

[Theo15]

Can you ever have too much biological filtration ?

 

[Bob Escher]

I have heard both sides yes and no. I'm going to follow see what the experts say

 

[Diesel]

Not really, your bio filter adjust it self due to the bio load in the tank.

 

[iemsparticus]

Nope!

 

[Theo15]

Realistically can a tank be filtered with just biological filtration?

 

[Diesel]

Realistically can a tank be filtered with just biological filtration?

Yes it can but if you don't have a place for the detritus to go (socks or skimmer) what to do then?

 

[iemsparticus]

Yes it can but if you don't have a place for the detritus to go (socks or skimmer) what to do then?

Even if your biological filtration handled all of the extra Amonia, Nitrates, and Phospates, I suspect the tank would begin to look very dirty.

 

[Theo15]

Yes it can but if you don't have a place for the detritus to go (socks or skimmer) what to do then?

I have a skimmer , just looking at ways to improve water quality

 

[Diesel]

I have in some sort a self sustain system.
But my tank been running for a while.
I use socks with holes in them as I want a lot of nutrients going back into the tank and turn my skimmer off during the night for 14hrs.
For that the tank is relying on the bacteria load and the cuc in there.

 

[Diesel]

I have a skimmer , just looking at ways to improve water quality

Micronano bubbling................ it will turn your tank into a clean mean display machine, lol.
Water is crystal clear and you balance the No3 and Po4 for where you want it........... how don't ask me as it just is.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you ever have too much biological filtration ?

That depends on what you actually mean by biological filtration.

You can certainly have too much uptake of N and P and leave corals starving if, for example, you drive too much bacterial growth somehow, such as by organic carbon dosing.

 

[Theo15]

I'm more talking about , marine pure or matrix stuff like that , can you ever have too much of it ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm more talking about , marine pure or matrix stuff like that , can you ever have too much of it ?

Yes, you can have too much denitrification and so have nitrate too low.

 

[Theo15]

Yes, you can have too much denitrification and so have nitrate too low.

Even in a sump less system ?, I'm running a hob filter and I know it's a nitrate factory, I was wondering if I could just fill it with biological filtration and let it run

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Even in a sump less system ?, I'm running a hob filter and I know it's a nitrate factory, I was wondering if I could just fill it with biological filtration and let it run

I don't know how much is too much in your system. You'll just have to try and see, but too much can be an issue.

That said, that method only deals with nitrate, not phosphate.

 

[Theo15]

I don't know how much is too much in your system. You'll just have to try and see, but too much can be an issue.

That said, that method only deals with nitrate, not phosphate.

I plan on running phosgaurd also , any thing else I can do to control phosphate ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I plan on running phosgaurd also , any thing else I can do to control phosphate ?

Phosguard will work adequately. Rinse it really well, and if soft corals close up, discontinue it or use less, since the released aluminum can potentially irritate corals.

 

[Theo15]

Phosguard will work adequately. Rinse it really well, and if soft corals close up, discontinue it or use less, since the released aluminum can potentially irritate corals.

Cool what about purigen?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Cool what about purigen?

Purigen is a good way to remove organic matter, but not nitrate or phosphate.

 

[Theo15]

Purigen is a good way to remove organic matter, but not nitrate or phosphate.

Is it safe to run both at the same time ?