Coral Chips and Nitrates, In Sump Tank, NO3 Options

[GoldfisHub]

Hi Guys,

I am in the mist of setting a goldfish tank, for the sump tank, I intend to place lots of coral chips so that I can achieve the effect as in the marine tank and hopefully that can get rid of NO3. However, with lots of coral chips, will it affect the water condition and hence affect the grooming of goldfish, like pH, Calcium not sure what else. Anyone has any experience or thoughts to share?

[The Matrix]

Hi Guys,

I am in the mist of setting a goldfish tank, for the sump tank, I intend to place lots of coral chips so that I can achieve the effect as in the marine tank and hopefully that can get rid of NO3. However, with lots of coral chips, will it affect the water condition and hence affect the grooming of goldfish, like pH, Calcium not sure what else. Anyone has any experience or thoughts to share?

Calcium increase your gH. Coral is not easy to "dissolve", probably takes years to do so. The chemical breaking down from the coral will help you buffer your kH and gH.

Dun expect it to do wonder unless u put in a lot.

Anyway, coral dun remove NO3. How did you got this info ?

[GoldfisHub]

Calcium increase your gH. Coral is not easy to "dissolve", probably takes years to do so. The chemical breaking down from the coral will help you buffer your kH and gH.

Dun expect it to do wonder unless u put in a lot.

Anyway, coral dun remove NO3. How did you got this info ?

Actually, I am thinking of putting a lot in the sump tank, like almost fill up so that I can creat a region with no or little oxygen. Hopefully, this will encourage anaerobic BB to grow and get rid of NO3. Do you think this works?

Hi CP, thank you. I read thru quite a few. Umm.. thinking of this so that I can be a little lazy and hopefully only change little water at lower frequency.

[The Matrix]

Actually, I am thinking of putting a lot in the sump tank, like almost fill up so that I can creat a region with no or little oxygen. Hopefully, this will encourage anaerobic BB to grow and get rid of NO3. Do you think this works?

Hi CP, thank you. I read thru quite a few. Umm.. thinking of this so that I can be a little lazy and hopefully only change little water at lower frequency.

hmmmm .... theoretically, chemically speaking, you might consider it will work.

If nitrification cause end product of nitrates, what are the end product of denitrification with your stated method ?

[GoldfisHub]

hmmmm .... theoretically, chemically speaking, you might consider it will work.

If nitrification cause end product of nitrates, what are the end product of denitrification with your stated method ?

Actually following the idea of denitrifying unit, water flow is very slow in the unit, the area passing through is low in oxygen, anaerobic BB grows, these will strip the oxygen off the NO3 in order to survive, leaving only N2 gas. If can work, it acts as buffer, calcium supply, get rids of NO3, hee hee, better water condition, lesser water change frequency, wow ideal situation.

Hi Goldrush, pardon me, I am still learning, how does anaerobic BB affect or cause the death of goldfish? Appreciate your sharing.

[gohks]

Actually following the idea of denitrifying unit, water flow is very slow in the unit, the area passing through is low in oxygen, anaerobic BB grows, these will strip the oxygen off the NO3 in order to survive, leaving only N2 gas. If can work, it acts as buffer, calcium supply, get rids of NO3, hee hee, better water condition, lesser water change frequency, wow ideal situation.

Hi Goldrush, pardon me, I am still learning, how does anaerobic BB affect or cause the death of goldfish? Appreciate your sharing.

Your proposal should work. As mentioned before, I have a congested tank with UGF and NO3 is not a problem for me. However, I have a 2 ft bare tank and NO3 is always creep out of spec. If you provide enough coral chips and just do the refilling without cleaning it often, NO3 should be kept in check.
I read somewhere NO3 is always a problem for bare tank but not one for coral bed or sump tank with water flowing thru.