Bio pellets not nitrate factory why?

[Chicago]

Ok. I hunk. May understand but can the local chemist explain to me why bio pellet reactors do not act lie a nitrate factory. Thanks.

[dowtish]

If you have a filter sock and/or a good skimmer, then you are not going to have a lot of detritus being pumped into the reactor. then even if some does the output is supposed to be near the skimmer intake.

[Reefin' Dude]

the water going through them is carbon limited, so the bacteria use up the phosphates and nitrates going through the reactor now that the reactor is supplying carbon, leaving just more bacteria. which are then skimmed out hopefully. the same way it works in the water column.

G~

[wooden_reefer]

Why would any filtration be a nitrate factory?

One explanation is that if nitrification is the major means of creating anaerobic condition for denitrification, then nitrification has to take place not far from denitrification.

In the denitrification coil setup, it is suggested that nitrification is the major means of creating anaeobic condition for denitrification further down the coil.

If bulk consideration pervails, then there cannot be a nitrate factory, as denitrification can take place anywhere.

[Allmost]

what reefing dude said.

[Reefin' Dude]

there can be enough flow that the waste product from aerobic nitrification sweeps away the nitrates before the denitrification step can take place. the decomposition of solid wastes will also yield nitrates and phosphates. high flow detrital traps will create an environment that has more access to oxygen which will increase the rate of composition. why trapped detritus in socks, sponges, bioballs, etc.. can lead to an increase in nitrates and phosphates.

G~