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Confused about biofiltration
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?
-rs
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