[APD] An observation

[gbooth at frii_com]

Current aquatic lore holds that biofiltration is not as necessary in a
planted tank as it is in a fish-only tank. Indeed, some authors go so far
as to say that biofiltration is a bad thing and outcompetes the plants for
critical ammonium. Everyone "knows" that plants prefer ammonium over
nitrate since it takes less energy to use it.

However, recent advances in nutrient management as promulgated by Tom Barr
have shown that some level of nitrate (and phosphate) is good for plants
and proper ratios of N and P are even bad for algae.

While listening to Tom's Forum at the AGA 2K3 convention, I believe he
also mentioned that algae can utilize ammonium very easily and that a
dearth of ammonium may hold algae at bay.

Hmmm, what better way is there to reduce ammonium and increase nitrate
than biofiltration?

Crank up dem wet/dry's, folks!

ASBESTOS_SUIT=ON

George Booth in Ft. Collins, CO (gbooth at frii dot com)
 The website for Aquatic Gardeners by Aquatic Gardeners
   http://aquaticconcepts.thekrib.com/  (mirror)
   http://www.frii.com/~gbooth/AquaticConcepts/



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