Will denitrifying bacteria grow in my wet/dry?

[deutschmann59 aka sharp1183]

Ok, I've been searching and searching and I can't find anything about this. I even contacted the manufacturer of my wet/dry (but I haven't heard from them yet).

Denitrifying bacteria grow on live rock--I get that. Denitrifying bacteria are anaerobic, so take a look at the pic of my filter. After the water trickles down from the bio-balls chamber, the water ends up at this little chamber that then flows through the "foam water-polishing block" and then into the sump. This is what I'm wondering about: since the foam block is submerged, will denitrifying bacteria grow on it, or would the flow be too strong?

The instructions say the only purpose for this foam block is more mechanical filtration, but is it possible that denitrifying bacteria could thrive on it?

If not, are there any other solutions for me to lower my nitrates (they aren't high now, but I'm guessing in time they will be). I really don't want to get rid of the bio balls because I like the idea of how they'll lower ammonia and nitrites. The only ideas I've heard so far are get rid of the bio balls and get more LR. Is there anything else? Does anyone have experience with denitrifying filters?

[tims]

it is not that the flow is too strong but you will be cleaning that block all the time. and the surface area is nto that great either.

can you remove the bio ball and foam block? can water completly fill the chamber?
have you seen the discussion of the week that we had on this a while back?

[motorslave]

The reason people have suggested to loose the bio-balls is that they collect detritus and untill you remove it by cleaning, it continues to rot in the water column releasing all the stuff you want to remove. LR and a strong skimmer is the best filtration. The bio-balls will work so will the sponge block. Just clean them, ALOT! Long run youd be best to get more rock (doesnt have to be live as it will turn "live" ) Keep it simple, no need for a ton of different things wyhen you dont need it. Save your money for coral and fish!!!

Robert

[yardboy]

Originally Posted by sharp1183

Ok, I've been searching and searching and I can't find anything about this. I even contacted the manufacturer of my wet/dry (but I haven't heard from them yet).

Denitrifying bacteria grow on live rock--I get that. Denitrifying bacteria are anaerobic, (so would you classify water that has just trickled down an air filled column as anaerobic?)so take a look at the pic of my filter. After the water trickles down from the bio-balls chamber, the water ends up at this little chamber that then flows through the "foam water-polishing block" and then into the sump. This is what I'm wondering about: since the foam block is submerged, will denitrifying bacteria grow on it, or would the flow be too strong?

The instructions say the only purpose for this foam block is more mechanical filtration, but is it possible that denitrifying bacteria could thrive on it?(nitrifying bacteria can live on it, and live well on all that detritus it traps) I had a setup like this, and had nitrates until I scraped the foam and bioballs. Face it, that sponge block isn't easy to remove and clean)

If not, are there any other solutions for me to lower my nitrates (they aren't high now, but I'm guessing in time they will be). I really don't want to get rid of the bio balls because I like the idea of how they'll lower ammonia and nitrites. The only ideas I've heard so far are get rid of the bio balls and get more LR. Is there anything else? Does anyone have experience with denitrifying filters?

[deutschmann59 aka sharp1183]

Originally Posted by tims

have you seen the discussion of the week that we had on this a while back?

Thanks everybody. Hey tims, could you get the link for this discussion? I'd like to read about it. Thanks!