2thdeekay
New member
Bioballs are very good for nitrifying ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate, and for oxygenating the aquarium, and used to be the standard in reefkeeping filtration in the 80's. "Ammonia towers" or "trickle filters" were popular in research lab & hobbyist aquariums.
However, more recent studies have shown that with bioballs (unlike live rock or deep sand), the nitrification process is done remotely from any denitrifying bacteria, which does not aid in denitrification.
There seems to be a benefit from having the nitrification process (which produces nitrate), in close proximity to anaerobic regions in a reef tank where denitrification takes place. This allows for better denitrification, better reduction of nitrate in a reef tank. There is also additional benefit from detrivores in liverock and sand, that is missing in a "wet/dry" filter.
I think this is the currently upheld theory in the research lab, but they are still working on the "how and why".
Just 2 cents.
However, more recent studies have shown that with bioballs (unlike live rock or deep sand), the nitrification process is done remotely from any denitrifying bacteria, which does not aid in denitrification.
There seems to be a benefit from having the nitrification process (which produces nitrate), in close proximity to anaerobic regions in a reef tank where denitrification takes place. This allows for better denitrification, better reduction of nitrate in a reef tank. There is also additional benefit from detrivores in liverock and sand, that is missing in a "wet/dry" filter.
I think this is the currently upheld theory in the research lab, but they are still working on the "how and why".
Just 2 cents.
