From what I have read, the intense aeration provided by a trickle filter helps keep the water aerated, but it is not absolutely required. In an airtight trickle filter, the oxygen for nitrification must come from the water. In a planted tank, or a very well aerated tank, then O2 levels dissolved in the water are high enough that it should not make a significant impact, and a sealed trickle filter should work almost, or as well as, an aerated trickle filter. In fact, when CO2 is being added, O2 saturation can increase from 80-90% to 110-120%, so the greatly decreased CO2 loss causes dissolved O2 levels to increase, providing more than enough oxygen for nitrification.Damian Barton wrote: > > I just wanted to let you know about my 'new' filtration > setup that replaced my conventional diy trickle filter > - -overflow, bio-tower and sump-setup.> ... > The barrel is completely airtight so there is > no Co2 loss or water evaporation ...
Damian, If the system is air-tight prior to the output, then where will your bacteria get the oxygen necessary for nitrification? I have a large air pump injecting air into my media tower. Just wondering if I missed something, here ...
-- Keith
-- Andrew McLeod thefish at theabyssalplain_freeserve.co.uk