Ceramic Rings or just LR filtration???

[Jack.pe]

In my LFS they advised me to use some Sera Sopirax ceramic rings, apprently these house beneficial bacteria which are supposed to help reduce nitrates... but I have been told on the forum and have seen several posts saying that the ceramic rings actually increase nitrates???? how and why does this happen when they are supposed to do the opposite?

Would you then all advise me to just use LR, even in the chambers at the back of my Nano Cube (24G) coupled with a carbon filter in the pump chamber? and is worth me fitting one of those lights int he filter chambers to grow that other stuff that helps with fitration? i think it scalled Chaelera or something?

Lastly, is it worth me pissing in tank to speed up the cyle process?

Cheers

Jack

 

[Ritsuko N]

Both will hold beneficial bacteria, so lets get that argument out of the way right off the get go. The ceramic rings or what have you will often collect more detris than live rock rubble will in most cases, hence the reason many advocate tossing the cermaic rings in favor of live rock. The ceramic rings often will cost you more to purchase and lets face it...LFS are in the business to make money and as such often have thier bottom line in mind more than your best interest. Either will work but if you allow crude to build up on them your going to have the same problem. Many will argue too that they are too small in size to allow for bacteria that break down Nitrates to exist but thats a whole 'nother debate for another thread and often worthy of a blood bath of an argument in itself.

I personally advocate using as much live rock as possible with in reason. But if your goal is strictly nutrient removal growing some Cheato algae in that chamber might be more benefical and get you a little more bang for the buck. I am sure you will get several opinions on this. All work some just work better for others.

 

[TimSchmidt]

The general thought about the ceramic rings is that since there is so much surface area they work too well and then create nitrate very rapidly due to the high concentration of bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate. for nano tanks it's normally not a good idea because of the rapid change in water parameters in such a small tank of water. Using more "natural" means to control parameters normally work better in smaller tanks (clean up crews, macro-algae, and consistent small water changes). The rings work, but in my opinion too well. If you have a fish only with live rock they work great, just make sure to change the water to get rid of the nitrates. As far as this particular brand of ceramic rings reducing nitrates I'm not sure how that would happen as the bacteria that feed on nitrate do not like oxygen. Here is a link on some pretty good info. For the impatient: No rings, use macro-algae (chaetomorpha sp?).

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/water ... trates.htm (same principles applies to marine)

 

[reefman23]

In my LFS they advised me to use some Sera Sopirax ceramic rings, apprently these house beneficial bacteria which are supposed to help reduce nitrates... but I have been told on the forum and have seen several posts saying that the ceramic rings actually increase nitrates???? how and why does this happen when they are supposed to do the opposite?

The main problem with ceramic rings... and most other biological media excluding LR... is that it lacks the anaerobic region necessary for completing the nitrogen cycle. Without that anaerobic area, nitrates cannot be turned into nitrogen gas. So, you are left with a build-up of nitrates instead of the nitrogen gas which can escape on its own into the atmosphere.

Now some people think that using LR rubble in the back chambers can lead to an area where detritus is trapped and can build up. In my experience that hasnt happened. If you do notice a build-up of detritus you can usually easily syphon it out during a water change.

In my opinion it is not worth adding the light to grow macroalgaes. In order to really grow enough macroalgae to really aid in nutrient export you would need a larger area.

Lastly, is it worth me pissing in tank to speed up the cyle process?

REALLY not necessary. There will be plenty of ammonia from die-off of the LR.

I hope that helps.

Jesse

 

[TimSchmidt]

Lastly, is it worth me pissing in tank to speed up the cyle process?

REALLY not necessary. There will be plenty of ammonia from die-off of the LR.

I hope that helps.

Jesse

But think of the photo op! :lol3: