Re: Confused about biofiltration

["S. Hieber" <shieber at yahoo_com>]

Rachel Sandage said:
 
> I have been reading the discussion about bioballs with some interest,
> 
> because I think that after 2 years of fishkeeping I understand the
> whole 
> subject less than I did when I started. I understand the nitrogen
> cycle - 
> NH3->NO2->NO3, right? What I don't understand is why bioballs are
> useful in 
> a planted tank. For one thing, doesn't the surface area of all the
> plants 
> act as a place for bacteria to grow? There is whole lot of plant-leaf
> 
> surface area in the tank. For another thing it seems to me that the
> plants 
> would be able to handle - would in fact enjoy - any ammonia spike
> which 
> might happen as a result of adding more fish, overfeeding, or killing
> off 
> the biofilter using medications. At least that seems to be the case
> in my 
> own tank.
> 
> So what am I missing? Why use bioballs (or their equivalent) in
> planted 
> tanks?

I just love it when the film editor cuts to the chase. :-) The
discussion had been about what biomedia might be equivalents, or better
or worse than bioballs.  Which all begs the question that Rachel asked.


Scott H.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more
http://games.yahoo.com/