More bio balls means less nitrate?

[Jasongtr]

Not sure what you mean by “that”. There are many different processes relating to nitrate with vs without more biomedia, and I’d be hard pressed to predict any particular outcome with respect to nitrate levels.

Long ago when people were removing bioballs from trickle filters, nitrates often declined, and there are at least 2 reasons to explain that result, but that’s a different type of media than those that claim to also promote denitrification.

I just meant if the corals are using nitrate rather than ammonia then wouldn't that help reduce nitrates, probably a simple view on it

 

[Dburr1014]

Would that not further reduce nitrate levels?

How? Is the question. It's not completing the process.
Bio balls make nitrate, to get nitrate to process to a gas it needs to be in an anaerobic area. Like deep in a rock. The balls are not porous, it cannot transform nitrate to a gas so you end up with more nitrate.

 

[Dburr1014]

I just meant if the corals are using nitrate rather than ammonia then wouldn't that help reduce nitrates, probably a simple view on it

If coral can choose ammonia or nitrate, they would choose ammonia.

 

[Jasongtr]

How? Is the question. It's not completing the process.
Bio balls make nitrate, to get nitrate to process to a gas it needs to be in an anaerobic area. Like deep in a rock. The balls are not porous, it cannot transform nitrate to a gas so you end up with more nitrate.

What's the point in having them then

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just meant if the corals are using nitrate rather than ammonia then wouldn't that help reduce nitrates, probably a simple view on it

Well, assuming corals are using the same total nitrogen to build tissue, it won’t matter if they use it as ammonia or nitrate because ammonia not used gets converted into nitrate. One ammonia = one nitrate.

 

[Jasongtr]

Well, assuming corals are using the same total nitrogen to build tissue, it won’t matter if they use it as ammonia or nitrate because ammonia not used gets converted into nitrate. One ammonia = one nitrate.

So I'll ask the same question to you as the other guy, what's the point in having them in a tank?

 

[Dburr1014]

What's the point in having them then

Good question.
I wish I had a good answer.

I guess it depends on your goals.

 

[Jasongtr]

Good question.
I wish I had a good answer.

I guess it depends on your goals.

My goals are stable lowish 10/20 ppm nitrate in this tank, assuming the tank has enough rock to house the requirements of the bio load of the tank if I'm understanding this right by adding more bio balls I will in fact increase the nitrate numbers in the tank

 

[Dburr1014]

My goals are stable lowish 10/20 ppm nitrate in this tank, assuming the tank has enough rock to house the requirements of the bio load of the tank if I'm understanding this right by adding more bio balls I will in fact increase the nitrate numbers in the tank

Sounds about right. You can most likely tweek it by adding or subtracting balls.

 

[Jasongtr]

Sounds about right. You can most likely tweek it by adding or subtracting balls.

Well in that case I'm hoping the rock and sand will be plenty for the pair of clowns and a few inverts going in the tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I'll ask the same question to you as the other guy, what's the point in having them in a tank?

I do not recommend having biomedia in a reef tank.

I can tell you the claimed reasons: nitrification (all types) and denitrification (from some types).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well in that case I'm hoping the rock and sand will be plenty for the pair of clowns and a few inverts going in the tank

It will certainly let have plenty of nitrifying ability once cycled.

 

[Jasongtr]

It will certainly let have plenty of nitrifying ability once cycled.

Ok thanks

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

So I'll ask the same question to you as the other guy, what's the point in having them in a tank?

With plenty of rock & sand you will have enough to house BB Without the biomedia.
I have a bare bottom tank & prefer minimal rockwork so from my perspective, the biomedia is simply a place to house BB

 

[Fish Fan]

My goals are stable lowish 10/20 ppm nitrate in this tank, assuming the tank has enough rock to house the requirements of the bio load of the tank if I'm understanding this right by adding more bio balls I will in fact increase the nitrate numbers in the tank

In my very humble opinion, you are beating yourself up needlessly trying to understand this bioball and nitrifying/denitrifying stuff. If you want a nano tank with some softies, the best way to get to 10-20 ppm nitrate is through regular and routine water changes. You softies will actually appreciate some slightly elevated nutrient levels, and water changes are easy and affordable on nano tanks.

Good luck with your nano build!

 

[Dbichler]

So I'll ask the same question to you as the other guy, what's the point in having them in a tank?

The only reason to have them is in a large tank with a large bioload, with minimal rock and sand in order to house enough bb. In order for it to work you need to carbon dose or do large water changes. Expensive on large tanks. As far as the science I get lost as well. But this is all I have concluded in these debates before.

 

[threebuoys]

The responses to your question may have been confusing.

The vendor description for this product says the bio spheres" creates an ideal surface for a dense populations of beneficial bacteria that remove ammonia and nitrites from your aquariums water. Some systems may also notice a decrease in nitrates. "

Essentially, this product provides surface area like live rock, sand, or other filter media to process ammonia/nitrites to nitrate. The reference to decreased nitrates was careful to use the word "MAY". That's not what the product was primarily designed to do in other words.

If your tank is already cycled, you already have adequate bacteria present to process ammonia and as other have said, you don't need the bio spheres. If you have a problem with too much nitrates, you should search methods to reduce nitrates. An established reef tank often takes care of nitrates on its own and the reefer has to look for ways to increase nitrates (references to vodka, etc).

 

[Jasongtr]

The responses to your question may have been confusing.

The vendor description for this product says the bio spheres" creates an ideal surface for a dense populations of beneficial bacteria that remove ammonia and nitrites from your aquariums water. Some systems may also notice a decrease in nitrates. "

Essentially, this product provides surface area like live rock, sand, or other filter media to process ammonia/nitrites to nitrate. The reference to decreased nitrates was careful to use the word "MAY". That's not what the product was primarily designed to do in other words.

If your tank is already cycled, you already have adequate bacteria present to process ammonia and as other have said, you don't need the bio spheres. If you have a problem with too much nitrates, you should search methods to reduce nitrates. An established reef tank often takes care of nitrates on its own and the reefer has to look for ways to increase nitrates (references to vodka, etc).

The tank only got wet yesterday, today the first flakes were added to start the ghost feeding cycle, once that's done I'll add a pair of clowns from our other tank

 

[ryshark]

I do not recommend having biomedia in a reef tank.

I can tell you the claimed reasons: nitrification (all types) and denitrification (from some types).

Are we talking about the plastic balls or ceramic balls? Or are you against having both because they both steal ammonia from corals?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are we talking about the plastic balls or ceramic balls? Or are you against having both because they both steal ammonia from corals?

Both. The plastic ones are almost never useful, IMO. Ceramic ones may have pros and cons, but I still do not recommend them.